To the incredible GCAP family, the grassroots activists, coalition builders, and tireless advocates in every corner of the world,

For over 20 years, GCAP stands as a towering testament to people’s power—a global solidarity movement built on a solid grassroots foundation of nearly 20,000 civil society organizations. From its inspiring launch, endorsed by Nelson Mandela, to its bottom-up process and strong leadership from the Global South, this alliance fights to end inequalities and challenge the very structures that perpetuate poverty.

I’ve stood with GCAP in countless fights—against injustice and inequality, against austerity cuts that crush welfare, for human rights, social protection floors and public services, and for an economy that serves people, not profits. I feel proud to have contributed to these fights, and I am honored to stand with you at the People’s Assembly, at the UN and at many other fora.

Today, under the committed leadership of Director Ingo Ritz and his team, the movement continues to grow and to have a stronger global voice. But the true force, the real heartbeat of GCAP, is you. To every community organizer, to every campaigner, to every person who stands up in GCAP: you are doing a brilliant, essential job.

The fight today is not easy. In the face of growing inequality and unresponsive governments, we must also resist and combat the dangerous rise of fascism and the far right, which seek to divide our communities and dismantle hard-won rights. Your work as defenders of human rights and democracy is more crucial than ever.

To the entire GCAP family: stay bold, stay combative, and keep building the people-powered future we all deserve.

In solidarity,

Isabel Ortiz (Spain)

Director Global Social Justice, Former Director of Social Protection Department of the ILO