Trade union, business, and organized community representatives from Latin America and North America agreed to strengthen collaboration with the Church and international organizations in favor of decent work and an inclusive economy.

Washington, DC. More than 40 organized labor organizations from North, Central, and South America, together with representatives of international organizations and ecclesial networks, convened by the Latin American and Caribbean Episcopal Council (CELAM) and the Pontifical Commission for Latin America (PCAL), met at the headquarters of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) in Washington on July 28–29. Participants committed to strengthening North–South intersectoral cooperation and to collaborating with the agenda of Pope Leo XIV and the Episcopal Conferences, contributing proposals to consolidate the role of organized labor in building a more just and sustainable economy.

Guided by Bishop Reginaldo Andrietta, representing the Global South; Bishop Daniel Flores, representing the North; and Nuncio Juan Antonio Cruz, Permanent Observer of the Holy See to the Organization of American States (OAS), participants discussed the challenges of just transition, decent work, integral human development, and the care of our common home, in line with Pope Francis’ call to “build bridges of reconciliation, inclusion, and fraternity,” and with Pope Leo XIV’s exhortation for a Church open to dialogue with all.

As part of the agreements reached, participants decided to strengthen the North–South dialogue space, expanding the participation of labor organizations, organized communities, and international networks that promote the common good. It was also agreed to hold a meeting in Rome in 2026, broadening the invitation to representatives of the Global South and to strategic sectors such as energy, technology, and the food industry, which are key to building a more just and sustainable economy.

The participating organizations represent millions of workers and key organized communities throughout the Americas, while the business organizations bring together highly relevant sectors of the continent’s economies. Among the participating organizations were AFL-CIO, CSA, JOCA, SEIU, Coparmex, CGTRA, MST, UTEP, RECOR, RETO, ICMC, Catholic Labor Network, CFL, UNIAPAC, as well as universities and organized communities from across the continent.

The event also included the participation of multilateral organizations such as the Organization of Ibero-American States (OEI), the International Labour Organization (ILO), the Organization of American States (OAS), and the International Catholic Migration Commission (ICMC), which support this process initiated in 2021 under the inspiration of the encyclicals Laudato si’ and Fratelli Tutti.

Participating organizations:

Trade union, business, and organized community representatives from Latin America and North America agreed to strengthen collaboration with the Church and international organizations in favor of decent work and an inclusive economy.

Washington, DC. More than 40 organized labor organizations from North, Central, and South America, together with representatives of international organizations and ecclesial networks, convened by the Latin American and Caribbean Episcopal Council (CELAM) and the Pontifical Commission for Latin America (PCAL), met at the headquarters of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) in Washington on July 28–29. Participants committed to strengthening North–South intersectoral cooperation and to collaborating with the agenda of Pope Leo XIV and the Episcopal Conferences, contributing proposals to consolidate the role of organized labor in building a more just and sustainable economy.

Guided by Bishop Reginaldo Andrietta, representing the Global South; Bishop Daniel Flores, representing the North; and Nuncio Juan Antonio Cruz, Permanent Observer of the Holy See to the Organization of American States (OAS), participants discussed the challenges of just transition, decent work, integral human development, and the care of our common home, in line with Pope Francis’ call to “build bridges of reconciliation, inclusion, and fraternity,” and with Pope Leo XIV’s exhortation for a Church open to dialogue with all.

As part of the agreements reached, participants decided to strengthen the North–South dialogue space, expanding the participation of labor organizations, organized communities, and international networks that promote the common good. It was also agreed to hold a meeting in Rome in 2026, broadening the invitation to representatives of the Global South and to strategic sectors such as energy, technology, and the food industry, which are key to building a more just and sustainable economy.

The participating organizations represent millions of workers and key organized communities throughout the Americas, while the business organizations bring together highly relevant sectors of the continent’s economies. Among the participating organizations were AFL-CIO, CSA, JOCA, SEIU, Coparmex, CGTRA, MST, UTEP, RECOR, RETO, ICMC, Catholic Labor Network, CFL, UNIAPAC, as well as universities and organized communities from across the continent.

The event also included the participation of multilateral organizations such as the Organization of Ibero-American States (OEI), the International Labour Organization (ILO), the Organization of American States (OAS), and the International Catholic Migration Commission (ICMC), which support this process initiated in 2021 under the inspiration of the encyclicals Laudato si’ and Fratelli Tutti.

Participating organizations: American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations (AFL-CIO), la Confederación Sindical de Trabajadores/as de las Américas (CSA), Juventud Obrera Cristiana de América (JOCA), Service Employees International Union (SEIU), Confederación Patronal de la República Mexicana (Coparmex), Unión Cristiana Internacional de Ejecutivos de Empresa (UNIAPAC), Chicago Federation of Labor (CFL), Confederación General del Trabajo de la República Argentina (CGTRA), Movimiento de Trabajadores Rurales sin Tierra (MST), Union de Trabajadores y Trabajadoras de la Economia Popular (UTEP), Red Eclesial de Comunidades Organizadas (RECOR), Red Eclesial de Trabajo Organizado (RETO), Maronita Eparchy, Unite Here, Comisión Empresarial de Asesoramiento Técnico en Asuntos Laborales (CEATAL-OEA), Consejo Sindical de Asesoramiento Técnico (COSATE-OEA), Organización Internacional del Trabajo (OIT), International Catholic Migration Commision (ICMC), Catholic Labor Network (CLN), Coalition for Spiritual and Public Leadership (CSPL), Direct Action and Research Training Center (DART), Faith in Action, Gamaliel, Industrial Areas Foundation (IAF), The Black Mountain School of Theology & Community, The Just Power Alliance, Secretariado de Justicia y Paz de la USCCB, Loyola University Chicago, Notre Dame University, University of Southern California, entre otras.