17/9/2024 ● Manila, Philippines ● Associated Marine Officers’ and Seamen’s Union of the Philippines (AMOSUP)

Empowering the Youth: Shaping the Future of Young Leaders

Presentada por:

Lara San Juan

Introducción

In a world where traditional structures are often slow to adapt, the rise of young leaders in unions and maritime industries marks a transformative shift. This story explores the experiences of pioneer youth leaders in the maritime sector, who are breaking barriers and reshaping their fields with fresh perspectives. From overcoming scepticism about unions to confronting imposter syndrome, these leaders are not only reshaping the youth structures in their unions but also paving the way for future generations. As you engage with their stories, consider the potential that lies in empowering the youth to lead and the new possibilities that arise when they work together.

‘When the youth are empowered to lead, what can we create together?’

Introducción a la historia

Sharing these stories was important for me because they highlight the relevant impact that young leaders can have in fields often dominated by established norms and traditions. By sharing their experiences with the youth and union leaders, I aim to shed light on the challenges they face and the successes they achieve. As a member of the Communications Department in our union and a music enthusiast who finds inspiration in Whitney Houston’s song The Greatest Love of All, with its lyrics, ‘I believe the children are our future, teach them well and let them lead the way’, I am determined to emphasise the value of nurturing young leaders. By doing so, we can better appreciate their role in driving progress, adapting to change and fostering a more dynamic and forward-thinking environment.

Transcripción

LARA VO:

“If the youth are empowered to lead, what can we create together?”

Camille:

“I was actually not aware that there's an increasing number of women seafarers in the maritime industry. So I got to meet very inspiring, hardworking, young women seafarers.”

“For the longest time we've been you know really traditional. Introducing something new, you know, people of different age groups, different, new "generational gap" that they call. So it was challenging, but I'm really very fortunate to have leaders in our organisation who are very supportive and receptive to our perspective as young union workers.”

“But I was given an opportunity to step up and engage in very different conversations that would really be advantageous for women and young maritime workers”

Marville:

“So at the time, my motivation really is to give a voice to my fellow seafarers. There's still some radical notion about the union”

“There's still a lot of seafarers, there's still a lot of members actually, union members, that think negatively about the term “union”; whereas, of course, you have to always explain to them that the union is there to help you, that we have initiatives for our purposes.”

“Imagine that opportunity to be able to talk to a union leader to get insights, to be able to voice out. So in our organisation, AMOSUP-ITF, we had those chances, and we have a lot of platforms to be able to talk to Dr. Oca, to VAdm (Santos) to let the voice of the women and the youth network cascade to our union leaders”

“So my leadership goal is basically to promote better lives for seafarers at sea”

Gelo:

“It was very challenging to earn the trust of our union leadership at first because as a young worker you have less experience, you have less of a voice and less influence within the union. but by showing your commitment and dedication you can bridge this gap.”

“Through our engagement in various initiatives of the union, we gain practical skills and deepen our commitment to advancing workers' rights and pushing for the welfare of our members, so that motivates me to engage in our union and be active, particularly with the youth network. The support from the leadership of your union is very important because you need resources and support to maintain the youth network”

Laya:

“One significant challenge for me is the, you know, the “imposter syndrome", thinking, that you can't do it and you're not, you're not deserving enough to be a union leader. But what motivated me as a young leader was really the recognition of advocates of young people. So, I think it was a motivation that someone believed in me. That's why the recognition of our superiors or supervisors of our leaders is important”

“The number one priority for me is not just to continue the work with the young people but also to recognize the next generation and incoming trends that we will face, the challenges that we will face beyond our unions, beyond the world of work. The dynamics of the Gen Z and the Gen Alpha and the further generations are different from ours.”

Reflexiones

Reflecting on these stories, I am inspired by the resilience and dedication of young leaders who navigate complex challenges with courage and creativity. Their journeys illustrate important lessons about perseverance, the importance of supportive leadership, and the value of embracing new perspectives. For the audience, my advice is to actively seek out emerging leaders within your own fields. Be a means for positive change by fostering their growth and advocating for better lives and welfare for the workers. Embrace the opportunity to lead with a forward-thinking mindset and contribute to shaping a more dynamic and progressive future for your unions.

Mis próximos pasos

Looking ahead, I am excited to create opportunities that support young leaders, both within our union and globally. Having only joined the union less than a year ago, I have already had the privilege of participating in leadership training and programmes, and I am committed to ensuring that similar opportunities are extended to other unions, particularly those that could benefit most from the support of larger, more established organisations.

I plan to use my role in the Communications Department to develop initiatives that focus on emerging talents and nurture innovative ideas. By showcasing the passion and determination of the younger generation, I aim to inspire us all to pursue our shared goals more heartily. My vision is to build platforms that join seasoned professionals with the next generation and foster mentorship and collaboration. Ultimately, I aspire to create a more inclusive and forward-thinking union environment where diverse voices drive meaningful progress and positive change.

After learning about the experiences of these young union leaders, how do you think we can better support and empower the next generation of leaders in your unions? We cannot wait to hear from you! You can also share your own journey as a young union leader in the comments below.