Success Stories from Our Members in the field

Rising Economic Tide Lifts All Boats, International Youth Foundation

Millions of young adult workers worldwide have migrated from rural areas to cities looking for jobs in the global economy. Often these young workers, mostly women, have little education, few skills, and lack access to health care. The voices of these workers are seldom heard amid the raging international debates about the merits of globalization.

An international partnership was formed to address this problem by the Global Alliance for Workers and Communities, founded in 1999, to give young workers a voice to improve their lives. The alliance includes the International Youth Foundation, Nike, Gap Inc., and the World Bank.

The Alliance conducted more than 10,000 interviews with factory workers in India, Indonesia, Thailand and Vietnam to gauge workers' needs, hopes and experiences. Based on those findings, the Global Alliance has provided health services, counseling in life skills and advice on personal finance to over 82,000 of these workers.

Recognizing the critical role of managers in workers' lives, the Alliance has trained more than 1500 factory managers and supervisors in communication, leadership, and management skills. And it has indirectly reached over 350,000 workers, managers and their families with information on critical health issues.

The programs generate mutual gains: workers speak of increased self-confidence, improved health awareness, and a friendlier, more productive work environment. Managers cite improved morale, reduced absenteeism, better product quality, and increased productivity.

By combining the efforts of nonprofit, multi-lateral and corporate actors, the Global Alliance is an example of how effective assistance creates an environment where young workers become full partners in the world economy. Productive economies abroad support worldwide prosperity and peace by extending the benefits of global commerce to all corners of the globe.