International Youth Day 2026: Young educators chart the future of union leadership in Asia-Pacific
In Asia-Pacific and around the world, young people face multiple challenges and opportunities and their role as essential partners in achieving sustainable development is acknowledged and celebrated.
On August 12th, 2026, International Youth Day, Education International Asia-Pacific (EIAP) brought together young educators and union activists from across the region to mark the day under the global theme 'Different Contexts, Common Aspirations'. The regional online meeting provided a platform for young unionists to exchange experiences, discuss common challenges, and contribute ideas that will help shape the future of education unions in Asia-Pacific.
Young leaders for sustainable unions
Opening the meeting, EIAP Regional Director Anand Singh highlighted the importance of meaningful youth participation in building strong, democratic, and sustainable unions.
He noted that young educators face challenges including insecure employment, increasing workloads, rising living costs and limited opportunities for participation, while emphasizing that young people are already leading change across the region.
He stressed:
“Nothing about young people should be decided without young people. Young educators are not only the leaders of tomorrow; they are important leaders of today.”
Anand Singh, EIAP Regional Director
The event forms part of EIAP’s Youth Engagement Project, a regional initiative aimed at strengthening youth participation, leadership and networking within education unions. Insights from the project will contribute to discussions at the EIAP Youth Caucus and the 10th EIAP Regional Conference in Jakarta.
Strong, young union voices
A panel discussion, Voices of Young Unionists, featured Roselyn Mayble Timauku (SINTA, Solomon Islands), Louise Ryan (NZPPTA Te Wehengarua, New Zealand), and Ruby Ana Bernardo (ACT, Philippines). The speakers reflected on their personal union journeys and shared practical experiences in building youth leadership and engagement structures across their respective organisations.
Roselyn highlighted the impact of the Council of Pacific Education (COPE) Youth Network in creating opportunities for collaboration, solidarity, and leadership development among young education unionists across the Pacific:
“Creating spaces where young educators can connect, learn from one another and lead together is essential to strengthening our unions and our collective voice.”
Roselyn Mayble Timauku, SINTA
Louise Ryan shared the experience of NZPPTA's Network of Establishing Teachers and the role of union education, mentoring, and dedicated support structures in engaging and empowering early-career teachers:
“When young educators are supported through networks, mentoring and meaningful participation, they are more likely to remain engaged and take on leadership roles within their unions.”
Louise Ryan, NZPPTA Te Wehengarua
Ruby Ana Bernardo reflected on her journey from classroom teacher to becoming the youngest Chairperson of ACT Philippines, emphasizing the need for unions to remain relevant, responsive, and connected to the priorities of young educators:
“Unions must continue to evolve and respond to the realities facing young educators if we want to inspire the next generation of activists and leaders.”
Ruby Ana Bernardo, ACT Philippines
The discussion was further enriched by reflections from Ryosuke Hikita, Chair of the Youth Committee of the Japan Teachers' Union (JTU), who shared the committee's work in strengthening youth participation and leadership.
Highlighting the importance of international exchange and cooperation, Hikita stressed that building connections among young unionists across Asia-Pacific is essential to developing solidarity, sharing experiences, and advancing common goals. He welcomed the EIAP Youth Engagement Project as a positive step towards building a stronger regional community of young educators and fostering lasting international solidarity across the region.
He also explained that
“Young educators across Asia-Pacific face different realities, but many of our aspirations are shared. By strengthening connections and solidarity across borders, we can learn from one another, support one another, and build a stronger future for education unions throughout the region.”
Ryosuke Hikita, Japan Teachers' Union (JTU)
Participants also heard emerging findings from the EIAP Youth Engagement Research Project, presented by researcher Arunima Hakhu. The presentation explored the experiences and priorities of young educators across Asia-Pacific and identified opportunities for unions to strengthen engagement, participation and leadership pathways for younger members.
During the interactive discussion session, participants proposed practical recommendations for strengthening youth participation, including dedicated youth structures, mentorship programmes, leadership development opportunities, stronger intergenerational dialogue and regional networking mechanisms.
“When young educators are supported through networks, mentoring and meaningful participation, they are more likely to remain engaged and take on leadership roles within their unions.”
Louise Ryan, NZPPTA/PPTA Te Wehengarua
Looking ahead
The discussions and recommendations emerging from the meeting will help inform the EIAP Youth Caucus in October 2026 and contribute to discussions at the 10th EIAP Regional Conference in Jakarta. Participants reaffirmed the importance of meaningful youth participation in union decision-making and eadership, while highlighting the need for stronger regional networks and greater international solidarity among young educators. As EIAP's Youth Engagement Project continues, the meeting marked an important step towards ensuring that the voices, experiences, and aspirations of young educators help shape the future direction of education unions across Asia-Pacific.
