ADOPTED DOCUMENTS AND RESOLUTIONS

Transcription

IUSY World Council 2009
Our Movement, Our Struggle, Our Future
Building a new world order in the wake of the financial crisis
Zacatecas, Mexico, 23-25 January 2009
ADOPTED
DOCUMENTS
AND RESOLUTIONS
INTERNATIONAL UNION OF SOCIALIST YOUTH
Table of contents
Page number
Program and Agenda of the World Council
………………3
Election of the Council Committees:
o Council Presidium
o Credentials Committee
o Nominations Committee
o Drafting Committee
………………6
………………6
………………6
………………6
IUSY reports:
o Political report
o Organisational report
o Financial report
………………7
………………7
………………31
Reform of IUSY
………………32
Ideological document “All Over the World to Change it”
………………42
Adopted Resolutions:
o Thematic Resolutions
o Regional Resolutions
………………49
………………57
Decisions on changes in IUSY membership
………………70
Elections:
o Secretary General
o Vice President
………………71
………………71
Composition and division of tasks of the IUSY Presidium
………………72
Speech by Johan Hassel, IUSY Secretary General
………………74
List of participants in the World Council
………………76
IUSY Statutes
………………78
List of IUSY member organisations
………………85
IUSY World Council 2009 - ADOPTED DOCUMENTS
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Program and Agenda
Thursday, 22 of January
Arrivals and Registration
Friday, 23 of January
08.00 Breakfast
08.30 Registration
09.30 Departure to opening ceremony
10.30 1. Opening Ceremony
12.00 Coffee and tea break
12.30 2. Adoption of the Agenda
3. Election of Council Presidium
4. Adoption of Rules of Procedure
5. Election of Credentials Committee
6. First Control of Credentials
7. Election of Council Rapporteurs
8. Election of Drafting Committee
9. Election of the Nomination Committee
10. Presentation and Adoption of Reports
a. Political report
b. Financial report
c. Organizational report
14.00 Lunch
16.00 Departure to the hotel
16.30 “Reforming the socialist family: Setting the Agenda for 2009”
Open floor debate
Introduction: Jacinda Ardern (IUSY President – Young Labour, New Zeeland)
Moderator: Zita Schellekens (IUSY coordinator for Social Movements and GPYF –
Jonge Socialisten in de Partij van de Arbeid, Netherlands)
18.00 Presentation of Working groups
a. Feminist
b. Students
c. LGBT
d. Social Movements, GPF
e. EU-Arab Coordination
Kati Hellwagner
Christos Myronidis
Jonas Gunarsson
Zita Schellekens
Ziad Nasr
Short break
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18.30 11. Election of the Secretary General
12. Election of the Vice-President
19.00 Finished for the day
20.00 Official Welcome reception, dinner and welcome party
Saturday, 24 of January
08.00 Breakfast
10.00 IUSY Ideological Debate “All over the world to change it”
Panel discussion with open floor debate
Panel moderator: Cordula Drautz (IUSY Vice President – Jusos, Germany)
Panel members: Jacinda Ardern (IUSY President – Young Labour, New Zealand),
Viviana Piñeiro (IUSY Vice President – JSU, Uruguay), Judicaël Biaou (IUSY Vice
President – Jeunesse PSD, Benin), Martin Henriksson (AUF, Norway)
12.00 Coffee and tea break
12.30 “Socialism in Latin America challenging the future”
Panel moderator: Aurora Bonin (IUSY Vice President – Juventudes Socialistas de
España, Spain)
Panel members: Alejandro Encinas (Former Governor of Mexico City), Flavio Sosa
(Leader of Social Movement of Oaxaca), Viviana Piñeiro (IUSY Vice President – JSU,
Uruguay), Alejandra Soledad Garavano (Juventud Socialista, Argentina), Giacomo
Filibeck (ECOSY President – Sinistra Giovanile, Italy)
14.00 Lunch
Working Group meetings
15.30 Festival presentation
16.00 ”The mistakes we’ve made and the price we’ll pay. What contributed to
the current financial crisis? What will its lasting legacy be?”
Panel moderator: Ania Skrzypek (ECOSY Secretary General – FMS, Poland)
Panel members: Jytte Guteland (SSU, Sweden), Petroula Nteledimou (ECOSY Vice
President - PASOK, Greece), Machris Cabreros (IUSY Vice President – AKABAYAN
Youth, Philippines), Wellington Arnaud (IUSY Vice President – JR, Dominican
Republic)
17.30 Regional committee meetings
American committee
African committee
Asia-Pacific committee
European committee
Mediterranean committee
Viviana Piñeiro
Judicaël Biaou
Machris Cabreros
Vaclav Klusak
Federica Mariotti
19.00 Finished for the day
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20.00 Social evening with dinner and party
Sunday, 25 of January
08.00 Breakfast
10.00 13. Anna Lindh Program
14. Campaign
15. Calendar for 2009
16. Recommendation on membership for IUSY World Congress XXVIII
17. Adoption of the IUSY Reform paper
18. Adoption of the draft for the ideological document
19. Adoption of Resolutions
a. Presented by Regional Committees
b. Presented by Presidium
c. Presented by Member Organizations
20. Miscellaneous
12.00 21. Closing of the IUSY World Council 2009
13.30 Departure to lunch
14.00 Lunch
Departures
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Election of the Council Committees
Council Presidium
Jacinda Ardern, NZYL, New Zealand - IUSY President
Aurora Bonin, JSE, Spain
Judicaël Biaou, J PSD, Benin
Pável Meléndez, J PRD Mexico
Johan Hassel, SSU, Sweden
Credentials Committee
Sven Frye, SJD - Die Falken, Germany - President of the Control Commission
Kati Hellwagner, SJÖ, Austria
Rodrigo Lopez Tais, Juventud Radical, Argentina
Nominations Committee
Jacinda Ardern, NZYL, New Zealand - IUSY President
Cordula Drautz, Jusos in der SPD, Germany
Sven Frye, SJD - Die Falken, Germany
Wellington Arnaud Bisono, J PRD, Dominican Republic
Drafting Committee
Cordula Drautz, Jusos in der SPD, Germany - Head of the Drafting committee
Viviana Piñeiro, JSU, Uruguay
Machris Cabreros, AKBAYAN Youth, Philippines
Council Rapporteurs
Machris Cabreros, AKBAYAN Youth, Philippines
Vaclav Klusak, MSD, Czech Republic
Christos Myronidis, PASOK Y, Greece
Ziad Nasr, PYO, Lebanon
Zita Schellekens, JS in de PvdA, The Netherlands
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IUSY Reports
Political Report
It has been a tumultuous political year. Amongst the current global economic crisis, we must
remind ourselves that 2008 also brought with it enormous political conflict and unrest,
including the situation in Georgia, attempts to undermine democracy in Bolivia, and the more
recent humanitarian crisis in Gaza. IUSY has continued to position itself on these issues, and
given its support to our member organisations that are effected by these situations. Earlier
this month we took the unprecedented step on issuing a statement on Gaza that did not have
the absolute consensus of all member organisations. It was the view of the presidium that it
was better to speak with a few dissenting voices, than to remain silent.
These and other political conflicts have highlighted both the weakness of our international
institutions in their ability to intervene, but also just how important it is that they are
strengthened. IUSY has continued to advocate for the need for multilateralism. We have also
focused heavily on ways to strengthen the voice of the socialist family. This can be seen
through our IUSY reform proposals, but also through our ongoing advocacy around reform of
the Socialist International. There is strength in our movement, but currently it is not always
being realised. We will continue to work constructively with our sister organisations to further
this aim.
In recent days the world’s attention has been caught by the election of a new President of the
United States. This change has given us cause for hope, but as an international organisation,
we also know that change will not, and should not be brought about by one nation alone. We
all have a responsibility to generate the change required to bring about a more just and equal
world, and to advocate for that internationally.
Over the coming days we will use the council to discuss the political issues we currently face,
including the global economic crisis. It is a situation that not only calls for our progressive
family to generate alternative solutions, but we must also ensure that the situation does not
overshadow other issues of global importance; climate change, the eradication of poverty,
and our continued struggle for peace through tolerance and respect.
We will also use our opportunity to meet here in Mexico, to discuss the role that Latin America
has to play in developing a new political future based on democratic socialist and social
democratic ideals. We look forward to a fruitful discussion over the coming days.
Organisational Report
IUSY Reform Paper
At the 2008 IUSY Congress, the IUSY presidium started a debate on the future of our
movement. This resulted in a paper – Debate, Act, Change – which was discussed by our
regional committees. You find the paper further down in this report. We are looking forward
for your comments and suggestions during the Council in order to strengthen our movement.
I STATUTORY MEETINGS
IUSY XXVII World Congress
The XXVII IUSY World Congress was held in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, on
January 25-27 2008. The host of the Congress, Juventud Revolucionaria Dominicana,
showed the highest level of hospitality as well as organisational skills, for which IUSY would
like to thank them once again. This was not one of the largest IUSY Congresses - a total
number of 175 delegates from 73 organisations and 61 countries have taken part in it.
Concentrated on the main discussion topic of People in Movement, dynamic and highly
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participatory discussions were initiated at the Congress. As one of the main outcomes, the
position paper on the topic People in Movement was adopted. In addition, the Congress of
course adopted a number of resolutions and declarations. The new IUSY Presidium that is to
lead the organisation in the next two years has been elected - more on the Presidium
members and their main tasks in the organisation you can read in the next paragraph.
II PRESIDIUM
The IUSY Presidium met three times during the year 2008 - firstly in Amman, Jordan in April,
then in Avignon, France in July 2008 in connection with the ECOSY Summer Camp and
finally in La Paz, Bolivia right after the IUSY American committee meeting.
The meeting in Amman was held on April 11-13 2008. This was the first meeting of the new
IUSY leadership after the Congress and it presented an important opportunity to meet in the
Middle East, which the IUSY Presidium has not been able to realise for several years now.
Almost all Presidium members took part in it. Among its many topics, the Presidium
discussed the latest challenges in the Middle East - following an input from the Presidium
members who took a study visit in Israel and Palestine just before the meeting in Amman; the
coming Olympic Games that were soon to start in China - the discussion was concentrated on
the initiatives for boycotting the opening ceremony of the Games and the possibilities of our
movement to participate broadly in these activities; the coming elections in the USA, etc. The
Presidium had a chance to discuss the main guidelines for its work for the rest of the year, to
divide between themselves the main tasks and portfolios as well as to discuss the best ways
in which to realise the IUSY activities in the following period.
The second Presidium meeting in 2008 was held in Avignon on July 26-28 in connection with
the ECOSY Summer Camp, once again with quite high participation. The meting venue
represented a good opportunity for the IUSY Presidium to be involved in the ECOSY Summer
Camp that is indeed a highly important event for our sister organisation. The Presidium
mainly concentrated on the preparations for the next two large activities in IUSY - the World
Council and the Festival, as well as on the economical situation.
The third Presidium meeting was held in La Paz in Bolivia in November 2008. It is not a long
time since the IUSY Presidium was last held in America but it was still very important to have
this meeting in connection with the American committee - meeting the comrades from
different organisations as well as making it logistically easier for the Presidium members from
the American committee this time to participate.
One of the most important moments of the meeting was the transition within the Presidium the Secretary General Yvonne O’Callaghan had to resign from her duty and the Presidium
had to take the responsibility to make the decision on who among them will be the one to take
her responsibilities as the Acting Secretary General until the following World Council. The
Presidium decided unanimously on comrade Johan Hassel, Vice president from SSU,
Sweden.
The Presidium discussed the final preparations for the coming World Council in Zacatecas,
set the main strategies for the preparations of the IUSY Festival 2009 to be held in Hungary,
as well as discussed the planning of events for the year 2009.
PORTFOLIO OF THE IUSY PRESIDIUM
The Presidium has worked with the following redistribution of responsibilities:
Presidium Members
President
Jacinda Ardern, NZYL, New Zealand
SI Presidium, ICMYO, GPF Geneva group
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Secretary General
Yvonne O’Callaghan, ILY, Ireland - resigned from the position in November 2008
European Youth Forum, Council of Europe, SI Ethics/ Finance committees
Vice-Presidents
African coordinator
Vuyiswa Tulelo, ANC YL, South Africa
Development cooperation
American coordinator
Francisco Crespo, JID, Ecuador
Wellington Arnaud Bisono, JRD, Dominican Republic
Caribbean
Daniel Manouchehri Lobos, JS, Chile
Climate change
Pavel Meléndez, J PRD, Mexico
Migration
Marie Chris Cabreros, Akbayan Youth, Philippines
Asia-Pacific coordinator
European coordinator
UN coordinator
Nela Celik, DY, Serbia
Balkans region
Cordula Drautz, Jusos, Germany
Chair of Drafting committee, Disarmament
Johan Hassel, SSU, Sweden - acting Secretary General from November 2008
Middle East
Silje Rygland, AUF, Norway
Political education
Dimitri Tskitishvili, USYG, Georgia
Black Sea Area cooperation, Election observation
Ismail Sommad, Fateh Y, Palestine
Mediterranean coordinator
Uri Zaki, YMY, Israel
Mediterranean coordinator, IUSY communication strategy
Working groups and thematic networks
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Feminist Working Group Coordinator
Jonas Gunarsson, SSF, Sweden
LGBT Working Group Coordinator
Students Working Group Coordinator
EU-Arab dialogue coordinator
Social Movements, Global Progressive Youth Forum (GPYF)
Sven Frye, SJD-Die Falken, Germany
Control Commission President
- Application of the IUSY Statutes (Rules and procedure for membership and
sanctions on the membership)
- Reform of the regional distribution within the IUSY Presidium
- Anna Lindh Programme applications control
Permanent Invited Members
ECOSY President or Secretary General
III REGIONAL COMMITTEES
AFRICAN COMMITTEE
Unfortunately the meeting of the IUSY African committee was not realised in 2008. The IUSY
Presidium, the African Coordinator and Vice President are making all the efforts in order to
prepare and realise a good and most successful African committee meeting in 2009. We are
all looking forward to this cooperation in setting new agendas, together with our comrades
from all over the African continent.
AMERICAN COMMITTEE
IUSY American Committee report
On general coordination
We have realised different activities in order to coordinate the different topics that are
important to the region and achieved a consistent and joint work with the other comrades
Vice Presidents from the American Continent.
The main activities included
To develop the IUSY American Committee Action Plan for 2008
To develop the Political document of the American Committee that has been
presented at the Presidium meeting in Amman and distributed in due time to all the
organisations in the AC via e-group
Official IUSY position on the problem at the frontier between Ecuador and Colombia,
which has been approved at the Presidium meeting in Amman
Official IUSY position to support the Bolivian government when it was facing the
deplorable actions of the opposition
Two proposals for the realisation of the membership fees of the IUSY member
organisations from the American Continent
Initiative and organisation, together with the other Vice Presidents from America, of
the IUSY American Committee meeting in La Paz, Bolivia, in November 2008
Initiative and support to the realisation of the IUSY World Council in Mexico in
Zacatecas in January 2009
Communication with the comrades in El Salvador (Partido Social Demócrata and
Frente Revolucionario Democrático de El Salvador), Guatemala (Partido Unidad
Nacional de la Esperanza - UNE), Paraguay (Pais Solidario), Venezuela (Movimiento
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-
-
Radical Estudiantil) and Haiti (Sociaux Democrats Hatienes) in the framework of the
process of studies for their incorporation into IUSY. This communication process is
still ongoing
Communication with the comrades in Paraguay (Juventud Revolucionaria
Febrerista), Nicaragua (Partido Sandinista), Jamaica (People's National Party Youth),
Panamá (PRD), these are IUSY full member organisations that have been inactive in
our International during the last years
Promotion of training and participation of all representatives of the American
Committee participating in different cooperation activities, trainings and projects
where they can show the image and work of IUSY
Sending the applications for membership of the following organisations to be
discussed at the World Council: Juventud Pais Solidario from Paraguay and Partido
Socialista Democrático from El Salvador
IUSY American committee meeting, La Paz, Bolivia, November 12 - 15 2008
Two IUSY member organisations from Bolivia hosted this meeting:
MSM – Movimiento Sin Miedo
MAS – Movimiento al Socialismo
The participation was high and we would like to mention especially the presence of the
comrades from USA, Barbados, Paraguay and other organisations that have been absent for
several years.
The participants came from the following organisations:
Juventud Radical – Argentina
Partido Socialista – Argentina
Franja Morada – Argentina
Partido Socialista – Uruguay
Nuevo Espacio - Uruguay
Juventud Radical – Chile
PS – Chile
PPD - Chile
País Solidario – Paraguay
Juventud Febrerista – Paraguay
PT – Brasil
APRA – Peru
Izquierda Democrática – Ecuador
Juventud Liberal – Colombia
PRD –Dominican Rep.
PRD – Mexico
YDS – USA
PINU – Honduras
Young Socialists League - Barbados
The following topics were discussed:
Democratic Socialism in Latin America, the new Challenges
Global Warming and Youth
The committee made contributions to the IUSY political document and several resolutions
were adopted - all of them are available in the Council Documents booklet.
Various guidelines and actions to be implemented in future work in the continent have been
established:
-
Draft a document on our ideas of Democratic Socialism in the XXI century
Draft a programme document of the Committee (with agreements on the youth
policies that we can reach)
Development plan for Central America
Ibero-American camp
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-
-
Institute for Political Education
Activate again the Central American and Caribbean Forum and the Forum of the
UNASUR - Union of South American Nations
Take actions to incorporate IUSY as observer in platforms such as the OEA Organisation of American States and the UNASUR
Participation at the Forum of San Pablo and in the WSF (January 2009 in Belem)
Starting an observation of political processes on the continent (following the opinion
polls, participation, etc.)
Support the activities of IUSY Working groups in the region
Study visits
Commitment to the cancellation of the membership fee debts
Internal coordination (follow-up on organisations that have been absent and on those
that are still not IUSY members) and External coordination (follow-up on different
youth organisations in whose work IUSY could take part and the ones where we are
already member)
Optimize the use of technologies to improve communication and exchange (web,
groups, facebook, etc.)
Promote exchange of activists
Start a university network
Campaign for raising awareness on the rights of young workers who are university
students
Regional cooperation platforms
Considering how important are the regional cooperation platforms for IUSY to fulfil its
objectives, we have made two direct proposals, a new one and one of traditional
participation, which will be presented in detail.
Participation in the Ibero American cooperation:
Since the Promotion of the Ibero American Platform during the International Youth Forum in
Madrid in November 2007, we took active part in the process of formalisation of the project.
We have therefore participated as IUSY in important events in different parts of the Region,
such as the seminar on "Youth and Development" in El Salvador, as an introduction to the
Summit that will be held in the same country in October of 2008.
In July, comrade Rodrigo López participated in the meeting in Buenos Aires to establish the
work of focal groups with the objective to define the priorities of work of the Ibero American
Platform.
Comrade Daniel Manouchehri has been appointed by the American Committee to be
responsible for the monitoring of the development of this interregional cooperation. In order to
promote participation of all the comrades, Yasmi Garcia of PINU of Honduras represented
IUSY in the event of establishment of regulations and objectives of the Latin American
Cooperation held in Antigua in Guatemala in August 2008.
Comrade Francisco Crespo was invited to the official opening of the Latin American Platform
in September 2008, in Seville in Spain. It was decided there that in 2009, in the framework of
the University of Civic Participation in Uruguay, the Executive Committee of the EIJ will be
established.
Participation in the Latin American Youth Forum:
Since comrade Julian Lugo from Juventud Liberales in Colombia was appointed Coordinator
of IUSY in the FLAJ, the work inside this regional platform has continued in cooperation with
the previous Coordinator, comrade Francisco Crespo, preparing for the General Assembly of
the Latin American Youth Forum in Panama on July 25 - 28 2008. Prior to this, comrade
Julián Lugo has already been induced to the FLAJ when he participated in the University of
Civic Participation in Cologne in Uruguay in February 2008.
Julian worked hardly for the promotion of the candidacy of IUSY to continue as usually in the
Executive Committee of the FLAJ, at the same time showing the spirit of progress and
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improvement of our International. Julian has therefore been appointed vice president of the
FLAJ.
Students’ network
In cooperation with all vice presidents from the region (and with special thanks to Viviana
Piñeiro and Francisco Crespo, the American Committee coordinators) we ran a IUSY
Students' meeting during the last Latin America committee meeting. During this meeting
participants exchanged views on the new IUSY Students' Working Group agenda and
checked the possibilities for further future activities in this region. As an outcome we will
continue to gather information on the student needs in the region. At the conclusion of the
meeting the committee nominated Juan Raul Marticorena from APRA, Peru, for the
regional IUSY students' coordinator.
ASIA-PACIFIC COMMITTEE
IUSY Asia Pacific Committee Meeting was held in Manila, Philippines on September 5-7
2008.
Attendees
Akbayan Youth, Philippines
All Burma Students League, Burma
Nepal Student Union, Nepal
New Zealand Young Labour, New Zealand
Taiwan Labour Front, Taiwan
Tibetan Youth Congress, Tibet
IUSY President
IUSY Secretary General
Swedish Socialdemocratic Youth
Guest organizations
PPR Party Youth Wing, Indonesia
Movement for the Advancement of Student Power, Philippines
Student Council Alliance of the Philippines
Report
The meeting of the IUSY Asia Pacific Committee focused on deepening the discourse on
Democracy and Democratization. With the theme “Debate. Action. Change. Fighting for
Democracy in the Asia Pacific” delegates from the IUSY organizations in the region tackled
pressing situations the political stalemate in Thailand and in the Philippines where decades of
corrupt regimes led by political elites and families have caused continued political and
economic instability, the post-Olympics threat to the Tibetan population under the Chinese
government, the continuing struggle in Burma after the recent crackdown on the Saffron
Revolution and the unaided population devastated in the typhoon, and the coming elections
in New Zealand and New Zealand involving our fraternal parties/organizations.
In the program, youth and student organizations in Manila and neighbouring cities were also
invited to sit in on the forums that focused on the plight of the Burmese, Bhutanese and
Tibetan people while a capacity building seminar on media campaign tools was also
conducted to provide basic strategies and tips on getting their message across in
communicating their issues. A survey from the Student Working Group sent by the SWG
coordinator was also circulated and collected to grasp the issues and reach of the student
movement in the region.
Organizational matters comprised country reporting, IUSY President Report, Asia Pacific
work plan, presentation of IUSY Reform Paper and the major international activities of IUSY.
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Major points raised in the meeting
Major political and organizational concerns were expressed by among the participants in the
meeting:
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
o
Platform to be made available for Tibetan, Burmese and Bhutanese comrades to
highlight their issues in coming IUSY events
Inquiry of ABSL, Burma on the Anna Lindh Programme in 2006
Capacity building of member organizations and continuous dialogue on the issues
concerning the region and the organizations
Participation of more organizations to IUSY activities
Recommendation about IUSY organization in Fiji and India
Expansion of membership in the region
Participation of women in IUSY activities and within the member organizations
Updating of database and communications
SWG survey results be submitted to the SWG coordinator
Proposal of TLF, Taiwan to host the next APC meeting
The resolutions that were passed in the meeting are all available in the Documents booklet of
the Council.
A press conference concluded the meeting
The IUSY Secretary General and Asia Pacific Vice President along with comrades from
member organizations went to the Philippine Congress after the meeting to submit the IUSY
letter on the conflict situation in Mindanao, Southern Philippines. The IUSY Secretary General
also sat in a press conference along with Akbayan representative in Congress to express the
IUSY position.
EUROPEAN COMMITTEE
The IUSY European committee prepared in 2008 for good representation of IUSY in the
Summer Camp of our sister organisation ECOSY.
One of the newest cooperation platforms within the IUSY EC -the Black Sea Area
Cooperation- held many activities. Starting with a meeting on Belarus -finding the best ways
for cooperation in order to support our comrades that are living in difficult conditions for their
political activities in this East European country-, continuing with several meetings of the
BSAC, the Caucasus dialogue and two conferences on peace, the BSAC presented activities
on some of the most important topics and challenges that the European continent has faced
in 2008. Detailed reports on each of the activities are presented under the section on BSAC in
this report. All adopted resolutions and declarations, including the Action Plan on Belarus, are
available in the Council Documents booklet.
The Balkan Round Table held a meeting in 2008 and, together with the Students Working
Group, took part in the realisation of the Balkan Students Network meeting. Reports on both
activities are available in the BRT and the SWG sections of this report respectively.
MEDITERRANEAN COMMITTEE
The Mediterranean committee meeting was held on July 3 - 5 2008 on the island of Skiathos.
The fact that it was held right after the XXIII SI Congress in Athens made it easier for many
comrades to take part in both events.
The main issues discussed in the meeting included the impact of Climate Change in the
Mediterranean basin and the future of the EU-Mediterranean Co-operation. The
Mediterranean committee also discussed the latest developments in the Middle East. The
focus was on the examination of development in the Middle East, followed by a discussion on
the implementation of the IUSY Middle East Strategy.
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Social democratic foundations (the foundations Friedrich Ebert, Alfred Mozer, the
Westminster Foundation for Democracy and the Olof Palme International Centre) have
supported seminars and workshops in connection with the meetings of the regional
committees. We would like to thank the foundations for the precious support to the work of
IUSY.
IV WORKING GROUPS (AND THEMATIC NETWORKS)
IUSY FEMINIST WORKING GROUP
After gathering for the first time of the new mandate at the IUSY Congress in January, where
the main points for the coming two years were discussed, the Feminist Working Group on the
8th of March 2008, the International Women's Day, published a press release dedicated to an
actual viewpoint on the position of women worldwide and asked IUSY Member Organizations
to set their own activities to raise awareness for the still existing gender imbalance and call for
change. At the Summer Camp of the European Young Socialists in July in Carpentras,
France, the IUSY FWG Coordinator was in charge of coordinating the political program of the
Feminist Tent. With several workshops, e.g. political participation of women, economics and
reproduction, just to name some of the topics tackled, the Feminist Tent was a well visited
area at the Summer Camp which invited to discuss and find strategies for the future.
IUSY STUDENTS WORKING GROUP
Aiming to build a strong students’ network that can effectively fight and link the politics of
socialism and social democracy to all progressive students around the world, IUSY Students'
Working Group organized during the previous year a series of activities. We have tried to
organize more meaningful debates, undertaking direct actions that are relevant to our
members and promote our principles as a global progressive movement. We believe that
working by this way, we will make the IUSY Students' Working Group a vibrant campaigning
force on a number of fronts, revitalizing political activism and sweeping away apathy from
young people.
Below, you will find a more detailed report of the IUSY Students' Working Group activities
during 2008. In this report, I will summarize the work that the Students' Working Group has
been involved with, and the areas I believe we should continue to work.
IUSY Balkan Round Table, 30 May-2 June 2008, Ulcinj, Montenegro
Having discussed with almost all organizations, and in close cooperation with Nela Celik, our
IUSY Vice-President from the region, we had agreed to organize a workshop, where we
discussed the most urgently issues concerning Education in the Balkans. Workshop
completed on the bases of three main priorities:
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Facilitation of students’ mobility within the region and towards the European Union
Making the cost of higher education affordable for all students
Freedom of political activism in the universities.
At the end, we decided to give to the IUSY Students’ Working Group special space for
political initiatives and action within the Balkan Round Table. The ambition is to establish a
new regional structure for progressive students in this region. The results of this workshop
found their way into the first IUSY Balkan Students' Network Meeting (3-6 September 2008,
Losinj, Croatia).
Black Sea Area Co-operation Meeting, 22-26 June 2008, Tbilisi, Georgia
In cooperation with Dimitri Tskitishvili, our IUSY Vice-President from the region, we agreed to
arrange a students' workshop during the Black Sea Area Co-operation Meeting in order to
introduce the new IUSY Students’ Working Group political agenda and at the same time to
count the possibilities for further future activities in the region. For a start, we built a contact
list with persons responsible to gather information about the situation of students’ movements
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in each country. According to the information that we already have, students in the Black Sea
Area share two common priorities:
Making the cost of higher education affordable for all.
Enchanting political activism in the universities and linking it to the civil society.
Unfortunately, due to the resent war conflicts, it was not possible to reach our expectations
concerning the establishment of an active students' network. We hope that in the near future
we will continue working on students' needs and demands in this region.
IUSY Balkan Students' Network Meeting, 3-6 September 2008, Losinj, Croatia
Following the IUSY Balkan Round Table Meeting (30 May - 2 June 2008, Ulcinj, Montenegro),
where we decided to establish a new regional structure for students in the Balkans, we
arranged, thanks to the hospitality of SSU Croatia, the first IUSY Balkan Students' Network
Meeting.
For two days participants discussed a variety of students topics, ranging from Bologna
implementation to students' participation in civil society. They also had the opportunity to
share their experiences concerning students’ political work, to discuss about the participation
of students in the administration of universities, and students’ elections. Last but not least,
this meeting gave them also the chance to exchange ideas on the question how to increase
mobility within the region and towards the European Union.
As an outcome, we hope to build a regional progressive students' NGO that will bring together
students’ organizations and youth organizations which have students’ branches from all over
the Balkans, in order to debate and advance their policies in both national and international
level.
IUSY Asia Pacific Committee Meeting, 5-7 September 2008, Manila, Philippines
Thanks to Marie Chris Cabreros, our IUSY Vice-President from the region, a workshop
concerning the new IUSY Students' Working Group political agenda was organized.
Participants had the opportunity to analyze the current situation in their countries, discuss
about activism issues and try to find solutions for their common problems. The major
challenge for IUSY Students' Working Group is to overcome the varying degrees of
democratization, economical and socio-cultural condition of each country in order to deepen
its ideological and political roots, while at the same time to provide space for organizational
development for both students' organization and individuals.
American Committee Meeting, 12-26 November 2008, La Paz, Bolivia
In cooperation with all vice presidents from the region (and with special thanks to Viviana
Piñeiro and Francisco Crespo, the American Committee coordinators) we ran a IUSY
Students' meeting during the last Latin America committee meeting. During this meeting
participants exchanged views on the new IUSY Students' Working Group agenda and
checked the possibilities for further future activities in this region. As an outcome we will
continue to gather information on the student needs in the region. At the conclusion of the
meeting the committee nominated Juan Raul Marticorena from APRA, Peru, for the
regional IUSY students' coordinator.
Co-operation with ECOSY Students' Network
During the last ECOSY Summer Camp (25-31 July, Carpentras, France) and in close
cooperation with Carmen Fisher (ECOSY Students' Network Coordinator) and Sophie Marie
Wollner (VSStO) we organized a workshop titled ''Educate and Participate – in the spirit of
students' activism''. Focusing on the relation between the progressive students' movements
and the European socialist and social democratic parties, we emphasized students'
contribution in peace and democracy. Finally, this workshop gave us the opportunity to have
a closer look at the contemporary agenda of many students' organizations in Europe.
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Conclusion
The establishment of a strong IUSY Students' Network reflects IUSY commitment in our
common fight for a public educational system of high quality accessible to all. We believe that
every organization that will be involved will feel the support of the IUSY Students' Working
Group and take advantage of this platform. This is something that we will have the
opportunity to present in our next meetings, as well as in the forthcoming IUSY World Festival
2009.
IUSY LGBT WORKING GROUP
LGBT Network meeting and seminar was held on June 19-21 in Dublin, Ireland. The main
focus of the seminar was finding ways to get a better understanding of LGBT and queer
issues as well as finishing the Handbook of LGBT activism (the Toolkit). One of the main aims
was to have a greater focus on the world outside of Europe than usually, especially on Latin
America.
During the seminar the meeting of the IUSY LGBT Network was also held. The network
meeting focussed on realising the agenda set by IUSY-LGBT network during the IUSY
congress in Esbjerg, Denmark, 2006 - mainstreaming of the issues regarding LGBT as well
as awareness rising.
EURO-ARAB DIALOGUE
From October 30 to November 4 2008 the EU-Arab Cooperation held a seminar in Beirut,
Lebanon. The main purpose of the seminar was to get to know and discuss the current
situation in Lebanon, concerning in the first place the progressive political forces and the
possibilities for strengthening them from the perspective of a large worldwide youth
organisation that belongs to the socialist family. Other topics discussed were the position of
youth and their role in political life in Lebanon, especially in the upcoming Parliamentary
elections, the role of women, the main challenges they are facing and the ways for
strengthening their role, and the situation of the Palestinian refugees in Lebanon.
V ANNA LINDH PROGRAMME
Visit to the RASD refugee camps
At the XXVII IUSY World Congress in Santo Domingo in January 2008 it was decided to
dedicate the Anna Lindh Programme for the forthcoming period to the issue of Western
Sahara. The project envisages a series of activities to be realised together with our comrades
of UJSARIO and other organisations in the region. The final meeting should represent the
beginning of peace and reconciliation talks between the UJSARIO and our member
organisation in Morocco - the Ittihadia Youth. The meeting should also include the IUSY
member organisations and possible partners in Magreb (the North-Western African region) organisations from Tunisia, Mauritania and Algeria. Together with our comrades from the
UJSARIO we see the forthcoming IUSY Festival in July 2009 in Hungary as a good
opportunity for realisation of this meeting with a broad participation of our member
organisations and partners in the region.
The first step in the realisation of this programme was done in May 2008. It was a visit of the
IUSY leadership to the UJSARIO and their mother party Frente POLISARIO at the RASD
refugee camps near Tindouf in Algeria. IUSY President and Secretary General visited our
member organisation, the leadership of the party as well as a number of institutions of the
RASD. The visit was successfully organised thanks to our member organisation that showed
the same hospitality and efficiency as ever. We are looking forward to the continuation of the
IUSY Anna Lindh Programme in Western Sahara.
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VI OTHER ACTIVITIES
Israel and Palestine
- Study visit of the IUSY Presidium was held in April before the Presidium meeting in
Amman
- IUSY remains in strong relations and contacts with our member organisations in the
region
- IUSY supports the Fateh Youth in preparations for their next Congress
IUSY Balkan Round Table
Activities in 2008:
• IUSY Mission to Belgrade, K. Mitrovica and Pristina on Kosovo and Metohija issue
(March 2008)
• IUSY Balkan Round Table, Ulcinj, Montenegro (May 2008)
• IUSY Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina (Sarajevo and Banja Luka, June 2008)
• IUSY Balkan Student Network, Losinj, Croatia (September 2008)
IUSY Balkan Round Table meeting, May 31-June 2, 2008, Montenegro
IUSY Balkan Round Table took place in period from May 31 until June 2, 2008 in Ulcinj,
Montenegro, hosted by our comrades from Social Democratic Youth of Montenegro. Member
organizations that participated in this BRT were: PASOK Youth (Greece), Forum Mladih
(Croatia), Social Democratic Student Union (Croatia), Democratic Youth (Serbia), Social
Democratic Youth (Serbia), Young Social Democrats (Bosnia and Herzegovina), Social
Democratic Youth (Macedonia), Social Democratic Youth (Montenegro), FESYA (Albania),
YMI (Albania) and SDY (Albania).
IUSY: Secretary General Yvonne O’ Callaghan, Vice President Nela Celik
ECOSY: President Giacomo Filibeck, Vice President Petroula Nteledimou
During the meeting the following topics were discussed:
IUSY XVIII mandate-opportunities and challenges from the regional perspective, actions to
improve regional cooperation, integration process of Western Balkan countries as especially
important subject to all countries from the region, EU foreign policy, outcome of the Serbian
parliamentary elections that were crucial and their impact on future developments,
presentation of political situation in Montenegro after the referendum, police reform in Bosnia
and Kosovo issue. Working groups discussed IUSY Reform Agenda and gave their report,
thematic groups on Education and Employment, Human Rights and Equality and National
Youth Councils establishment as a follow-up of the discussions on National Youth Strategies
and resolution adopted during the last BRT in Belgrade.
As the mission previously gave recommendation that Kosovo issue and in that sense regional
stability are needed to be discussed in Balkan Round Table, therefore IUSY SG gave a report
on IUSY Mission to Belgrade, Mitrovica and Pristina, member organizations gave their view
on the situation, and following the discussion agreed on conclusions of the Report:
IUSY firmly believes it has played and needs to continue to play a vital role in the Balkans in
fostering a climate of confidence and trust in the region, promoting values that have been
crucial in building democracy and conflict resolution, and wants to continue to encourage and
provide opportunities of dialogue with and between parties in the region, which can contribute
to lasting peace and stability.
IUSY strongly emphasizes the need for continuation of a dialog between sides on all issues,
active role and responsibility of the international community in the region, particularly the role
of United Nations and European Union.
In light of recent developments in relation to the Kosovo issue, IUSY recognizes that the role
of socialist/social democratic and progressive forces in the region particularly those in Serbia
including Kosovo must be engaged in order to maintain peace and stability.
IUSY reaffirms the full engagement to the region’s future and reiterates that, in order to
ensure true development and lasting stability in the Balkans, all must work to reach the full
18
respect of human rights, strengthen democracy and justice, democratic institutions, ensuring
an open dialogue and social rights, and to guarantee under the law and in practice equality
for all citizens - women and men, regardless of their ethnic origin -and full respect for cultural
and religious freedoms. To achieve this, the development of a common European future and
the role of the European Union are essential.
We hope that IUSY together with ECOSY will continue working with our sister organizations
and all interested partners in the region, finding solutions that can chart a positive road
ahead, settlements acceptable to all and secure lasting peace and stability for the people of
the whole region.
As one of the most important issues to be discussed in this Balkan Round Table was a way to
strengthen BRT by re-organizing it and increase regional cooperation through different
regional networks and groups, ways to ensure stronger political role of young leaders to the
regional work, strong cooperation with young Members of Parliament through their network,
as well as instruments to support youth initiatives in the region, create campaigns on issues
we believe we should specially work on, improving communication and effective exchange of
information (all elements are included in the Regional Action Plan).
Therefore, in order to provide concrete, more effective and politically visible work, the
proposal to re-organize Balkan Round Table meeting into four meetings per a year (Regional
Student Network, Regional Feminist Network, Young Leaders Meeting and Young MP’s
Meeting) was adopted by member organizations present.
During the Balkan Round Table meeting the following presentations were also held: National
Reports, presentation on building regional Student Network and Feminist network by regional
coordinators, ECOSY strategy for Balkans “New Social Balkans” presentation by ECOSY
representative, as well as short meeting with Minister of Interior of Montenegro.
IUSY Balkan Student Network, September 2008
Following the re-organization of the IUSY Balkan Round Table and establishing new structure
among which Balkan Student Network that was verified by the member organizations from
Balkan region gathered in the last IUSY Balkan Round Table (June 2008) in Montenegro, the
first meeting of the regional network was held in Losinj, Croatia, in the period 3rd-6th of
September 2008, hosted by our comrades from Social Democratic Student Union.
The topics for the first meeting were education and its connection to employment,
implementation of Bologna standards, student standard improvement, position and role of
student organization and their work, cooperation with political youth organization, ways for
effective exchange of experience in the region as well as functionality of the network.
The Balkan Student Network consists of one permanent representative from each member
organization from the region in order to ensure the continuity of our work. All member
organizations were requested to prepare a presentation on the issue in their respective
countries. Since the Balkan Student Network was held during the Summer Political School
organized by Forum Mladih SDP Croatia we included some of those activities and
recommended our comrades to participate, as well as organized a meeting with members of
Parliament from SDP Croatia.
Black sea Area Cooperation
In 2008 the BSAC held several activities:
Black Sea Progressive Youth Forum, II conference, 17-20 April, Istanbul, Turkey
The second regional conference within the project Black Sea Progressive Youth Forum
supported by the Olof Palme International Centre and the Swedish Social Democratic Party in
cooperation with the Centre Party International Foundation and the Centre Party of Sweden
was held in Istanbul (Turkey) on 17 April-20 April 2008.
The conference was focusing on the environmental issue. In total 27 participants attended the
conference form following countries: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Russian Federation,
Greece, Ukraine, Romania, Turkey, Moldova and Sweden from both political families - social
democratic and liberals.
19
At the first day of the conference was introduced the "Sustainable Development based on
Swedish experience" by Krister Nilsson (former State Secretary in the Ministry of the
Environment) and youths mobilization for environmental issues by Mattias Vepsä and
Ingiberg Olafsson, (Swedish Social Democratic Youth organization, SSU).
At the second day was introduced - How the Swedish Center party works for a more
sustainable society by Johanna Åkersson, Political Advisor, and Charlotta Eriksson, Press
Secretary in the Parliament office of the Center Party; as well as the movie was shown ”An
Inconvenient Truth” by Al Gore, followed by discussion.
At the last day was introduced - How to get media attention around questions concerning
environment and sustainable development” by Johan Hammarqvist (editor-in-chief of the
Swedish newspaper Norra Skåne, on media strategies) as well as discussion session was
hold were each participants expressed their opinions on previous days in addition potential
topics for planning the third conference were outlined/proposed.
IUSY Black Sea Area Co-operation, UNITED IN OUR ACTION FOR PEACE
22-26 June 2008, Tbilisi, Georgia
The first meeting of the IUSY Black sea area Network in 2008 was held in Tbilisi in 22-26 of
June with title “United in our action for Peace”. The event was hosted by IUSY member
organization - Union of Socialist Youth of Georgia, and was financially supported by Olof
Palme International centre.
In total 27 participants attended the conference representing following organizations:
Armenian Youth Federation, Social-democratic Youth Organization of Azerbaijan, PASOK
Youth, Russia Social-Democratic Union of Youth, Union of Young Socialist of Ukraine, Socialdemocratic Youth Forum of Turkey, Youth Organization of the Socialist Party “Ata Meken” Kyrgyzstan, Meretz Youth, Union of Socialist youth of Georgia, Olof Palme International
centre, also Secretary General of IUSY and president of ECOSY.
This BSAC meeting was focused on conflict related issues that affect the region in particular
the territorial conflicts in Southern Caucasus.
In this context, during the meeting we had several topics related on the resolution of conflicts
and regional perspectives and trends.
Participant updated each other about current political situation in their countries and about
main event in their organizations and political parties. Representatives of Armenia,
Azerbaijan, Georgia, Ukraine and Kyrgyzstan presented detail information about campaigns
made by their organizations during the last elections in their countries.
Also, during the conference, the general information about situation in Caucasus brief history
of conflict and overview of the present conditions were given by the invited expert. Regional
Trends and challenges in social democratic contexts were introduced by Palme centre
representatives.
During the meeting we had a discussion about Black Sea area and especially Southern
Caucasus global concept and European dimension.
During our discussions we had input on the work International Union of Socialist Youth has
undertaken in Middle East.
In organizational side during the meeting there was brief introduction on IUSY student
network’s activities by the SG of IUSY, the draft reform paper was presented to participants,
and also the activity plan for the period 2008-2010 for Black sea area network.
Brief history and experience of Swedish social democratic party was presented by
representative of Social democratic party of Sweden.
As a result of discussion the conference adopted the declaration (declaration is attached) and
some ideas for father activates where formed in working groups.
The process of forming activities was divided in two parts. First it was activates for
development of regional cooperation and second – needs of each organization in national
level.
For the regional level, the groups suggested mostly peaceful dialogue between the
organizations, information exchanges and different political seminars to raise the awareness
of the members about the situation in countries of region. The importance of using the web
space in IUSY web site for permanent updating with information BSAC member organizations
was also mentioned in the groups. Participants also suggested organization of wider
conferences and festivals in this regional level.
20
In the national level, the most of the organizations expressed their needs on political and
ideological development of the organizations; throw ideological seminars, campaigns, training
for preparation of local leaders. Some organizations requested conducting the TOT program
for preparation their own trainers in the organizations.
The necessity of working on development of peace and tolerance were mentioned on the
national level as well.
IUSY Caucasus Dialogue 2008, Committed for Peace and Democracy
October 20-21, Oslo, Norway
The first meeting of Caucasus dialogue with the title “Committed for Peace and Democracy”
was held in Oslo 20-21st of October, 2008, hosted by IUSY member organization AUF and
financially supported by AUF–USYG cooperation program for 2008.
It total 9 participants attended the meeting representing following organizations: Armenian
Youth Federation, Social Democratic Youth Organization Azerbaijan, Union of Socialist Youth
Georgia and Norwegian labour youth AUF.
The meeting was focused on the specific aspect of the regional conflicts and on the definition
of the ways of possible cooperation.
Participants updated each other about current political situation in their countries and about
main event in their organizations and political parties.
During the meeting the presentation about the Caucasus conflict and its diversity was
presented by independent expert form Fridtjof Nansens Institute- Norway. Also positions of
Norwegian Ministry of foreign affairs concerning the situation in the region were presented by
representative of Ministry.
One of the sections of the meeting was devoted to exchange of ideas between participants on
how representative of social democratic youth movement from Armenia Azerbaijan and
Georgia can influence on the public opinion and how to change mode of confrontation on
cooperation.
Finally, the frames for further cooperation of the Southern Caucasus regional network
”Caucasus Dialogue” were formed and participants adopted the final declaration of the
meeting.
The Caucasus delegation also participated in AUF congress as international guest.
IUSY International conference “No alternative to peace”
26-27 of October 2008, Tsavkisi, Georgia
IUSY international conference “No Alternative to Peace”, held in Tsavkisi, Georgia, from the
26-27 October in close cooperation and support of Olof Palme International Centre. The
event was hosted by our member organizations USYG. In total 30 participants attended the
event. Among them: Russian Social-Democratic Union of Youth, MSD Czech republic,
Armenian Youth Federation, Norwegian Labour Youth, Union of Young Socialists of Ukraine,
JAUNIE VANAGI - Latvian Falcons, EVS volunteer from Poland, SSU Sweden, Union of
Socialist Youth of Georgia and Youth for Youth – Georgian Falcons. In the opening of the
conference the president of Georgian Trade Union Confederation has participated.
The idea of this conference was born after the last development in Georgia, the situation
brought by Russia-Georgia conflict and the reaction of international society. The conference
was focused on analyzing the present situation in a wider conception. One of the main
objectives of the conference was to gather representatives of Russian and Georgian
organizations and to lunch the process of searching common approaches for the problem
solution with participation of sister organizations from different countries of Europe.
During the conference different aspect of the situation was discussed, among them: Results
of Russia –Georgia Conflict and new global realities after this war; Georgia - Russian
relations - EU mediation; Conflict resolution – Perspectives for Future; Separatism and
21
Unionism; NATO enlargement; Georgian - EU relationship; the presentations were
presented by the invited independent experts, representative of different NGOs or
international organization.
During the conference the drafting committee for preparation of final statement about Georgia
– Russian war was established. The draft text of the statement was discussed on the last
session of the plenary but due to the time limit the texts was not adopted. The text later was
adopted by the dissension making bodes of RSDUY and USYG and was arranged between
two organizations in online discussions by the representatives of RSDUY and USYG and was
presented as their joint statement on situation between Georgia – Russia.
We act for peace
15-16 of December 2008, Tbilisi, Georgia
The second meeting of the Caucasus dialogue held in Tbilisi 15-16th of December 2008
hosted by USYG, and again supported by AUF-USYG cooperation programme for 2008. The
meeting also was supported by Friedrich Ebert Foundation’s Caucasus regional office.
In total 12 participants attended the meeting from the AYF, SDYOA, USYG and AUF.
Participant updated each other about current political situation in their countries and about
main event in their organizations and political parties for the period after the previous meeting
of Caucasus Dialogue.
This time the meeting was focused on the practical discussion of activates for Southern
Caucasus regional network “Caucasus Dialogue”. The participants presented their proposals
for activates for the period of 2009.
Finally, the action plan was formed and responsibilities for its implementations were divided
between organizations.
The adopted resolutions and declarations from all the BSAC meetings, including the Action
Plan on Belarus, are available in the Council Documents booklet.
Social Movements, Global Progressive Youth Forum
Thanks to strong cooperation between and ECOSY and IUSY in the preparations of the
ECOSY summer camp we had the possibility to make sure the GPYF was high on the
agenda. During the ECOSY Summer Camp I had the possibility to speak on the GPF panel
on global governance. Here I touched upon the need for reform in the United Nations and
emphasized on the responsibility of the EU in the United Nations to act and globally defend
human rights.
During the ECOSY Summer camp I worked together with SOLIDAR and ECOSY to get as
many participants as possible to sign the global call to action for decent work. A couple of
hundred signatures were collected.
On the 7th of October, the global day of action for decent work (on what) took place. In
advance as IUSY and ECOSY we sent out an email to all member organizations encouraging
them to act out and join their local trade unions on this day. We also gave the organizations
three possibilities to help the campaign: by signing the endorsement form, by signing the
petition, and by organizing an event themselves. We also signed the call as IUSY on
decentwork.com.
Together with Machris I sent a call to all member organizations regarding Burma. In this letter
we requested and reminded the member organizations to the fact that the 8th of august was
not only the day of the opening of the Olympics, but even more importantly the day that marks
an important passed event, namely the dramatic demonstrations in 1988. In the Netherlands
we therefore also organized a demonstration.
Together with many other IUSY presidium members I joined at the SI Council in Athens. You
are all familiar with the results of that, where we were really present as IUSY and pressed
hard on reform!
22
I had the possibility to go to Guatemala to participate in a multiparty youth event. I spoke
extensively with all parties en more specifically with the now ruling and social democratic
party: the UNE. I also went to Moldova, where I gave training to the democratic youth. We
met up with the new national leaders and with Oleg, whom is now promoted to party secretary
general.
In the last months I have remained close contact with GPF, with many thanks to ECOSY for
their help. Amongst those contacts in the GPF framework I have worked especially with
Catherine Bossenmeyer, who has by now left the office and is being replaced by David
Cappuceto. I have also worked enthusiastically with Javier Ramos Diaz of the GPF.
We’re now in the process of preparing the GPF April event in the European Parliament in
Brussels; we expect more than 1000 people to come and more than 100 speakers are
already invited. There will be much room for the GPYF in the program on which we are now
working really hard. We will have a youth program there on which you will receive more
information later on. I will keep you all posted on that.
Besides the big activity in April, the GPF will publish a book on globalization; with other topics
such as climate change, migration and democracy. I will contribute to this book by writing an
article.
VII IUSY DELEGATIONS AND STUDY VISITS
IUSY Mission to Belgrade, K. Mitrovica and Pristina on Kosovo and Metohija, March
2008
Following the negotiations between Belgrade and Pristina, contacts involving the Special
Envoy of the UN Secretary-General Martti Ahtisaari and the political actors in Belgrade and
Pristina, which regrettably resulted in a lack of compromised solution or accepted agreement
between the Serbian and Albanian side on the future status, the Kosovo Parliament declared
unilaterally independence.
With regard to the challenges faced within the process of negotiations, unilateral declaration
that has been dismissed by the Parliament of the Republic of Serbia, and raising tensions,
IUSY has strongly underlined the importance of finding compromised solution, but especially
maintaining peace on both sides as well as conflict and violence prevention.
On situation on Kosovo after the unilateral declaration of independence we have issued a
statement and discussed that it is vital that we undertake an urgent IUSY mission to
Belgrade, Kosovska Mitrovica and Pristina in order to ascertain an overview on the current
political situation. The mission took place in March 2008 led by IUSY Secretary General
Yvonne O’Callaghan with a delegation comprised of Vice-Presidents Nela Celik and Johan
Hassel, as well as ECOSY representatives Giacomo Filibeck and Petroula Nteledimou, given
our common agenda in the region.
The mission involved meetings with IUSY member organisations in Serbia and their mother
parties (Democratic Youth and Democratic Party, Social Democratic Union and League of
Social Democrats of Vojvodina), Vice President of the Government of the Republic of Serbia,
Youth Initiative for Human Rights in both Belgrade and Pristina, meetings with Democratic
Party and Democratic Youth local branches representatives in Kosovo/K. Mitrovica, student
organization and NGO’s, different parties in Pristina (PDK, LDK and ORA) and meetings with
representatives of UN Mission in Kosovo, EU Mission as well as different NGOs.
The conclusion of the mission when it comes to status is that Serbian and Albanian side are
very firm but distant in their positions-Pristina believes there is no space for compromised
solution when it comes to the status and no need for further negotiations, that recognitions of
the “new state” will follow the unilateral declaration of independence and that this is their way
forward, while the Serbian side remains defending its territorial integrity and sovereignty
principle, full respect of the international law, UN Security Council Resolution 1244, reopening the negotiations and the United Nations overall in their work in order to find a
solution. Therefore, since both sides remain at their completely opposite positions, it would be
very difficult to launch the reconciliation process actions at this moment when the biggest
“gap” between the Serbian and Albanian community ever is created after the unilateral
23
declaration from Albanian side. Regardless, both sides see reconciliation as a long-term goal
possible and therefore we will continue encouraging the dialogue between young
generations. Having in mind different meetings with youth representatives from both
communities we express our hope that during time it will become possible to work with youth
organizations both in Mitrovica and Pristina on issues that are of common interest, such as
the position of young people in general.
Besides status, major issue in Kosovo that is undermining Kosovo's development is
unemployment. Official unemployment rate stands at 40%. The World Bank report claims that
even with 6% annual growth (twice what Kosovo manages at the moment), it would take ten
years to cut unemployment by half, from 40 to 20%. Persistent unemployment, in particular
among the young, will fuel frustration, which would be bad also for political peace.
Unemployment rate among young people age under 25 is much bigger and it stands app at
60%. This issue needs to be the major topic for youth organizations and political actors in
Kosovo.
As for the possible partner organization in Kosovo, we continue to be engaged in dialogue
with organizations as until now, although they have not ideologically profiled themselves yet
or shown interest to become members of the Socialist International or IUSY.
Conclusions of the mission were discussed also in Balkan Round Table among member
organizations and came to their approval that:
IUSY firmly believes it has played and needs to continue to play a vital role in the Balkans in
fostering a climate of confidence and trust in the region and wants to continue to encourage
and provide opportunities of dialogue with and between parties in the region, which can
contribute to peace and stability.
IUSY strongly emphasizes the need for continuation of a dialog between sides on all issues,
active role and responsibility of the international community in maintaining peace and stability
in the region, particularly the role of UN and EU.
In light of recent developments in relation to the Kosovo issue, IUSY recognizes that the role
of socialist/social democratic and progressive forces in the region particularly those in Serbia
including Kosovo must be engaged in order to maintain peace and stability.
We hope that IUSY together with ECOSY will continue working with our sister organizations
and all interested partners in the region in finding solutions that can ensure stability and
development, defending our values and reaching our goals.
IUSY&ECOSY Mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina, Sarajevo and Banja Luka, June 2-4,
2008
Due to the political situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina in the last period, IUSY together with
ECOSY decided to undertake a mission to Bosnia and Herzegovina (Sarajevo and Banja
Luka, June 2-4, 2008) in order to discuss the situation with different political actors in the
country, as well as meet with our member organizations (Social Democratic Youth and Young
Social Democrats) as a part of the study visit.
IUSY representatives: Secretary General Yvonne O ‘Callaghan, Vice President Nela Celik
ECOSY representatives: President Giacomo Filibeck, Vice President Petroula Nteledimou
During the mission the following meetings in Sarajevo were held: meeting with the Speakers
in the Office of the High Representative and EU Representative, meeting with representatives
of SDP Youth, representative of the Youth Commission in the Council of Ministers, as well as
representatives of Youth Information Agency (NGO). In Banja Luka the delegation met with
Chairman of the National Assembly of Republic of Srpska, Young Social Democrats
representatives, Prime Minister of Republic of Srpska and Leader of SNSD, M. Dodik,
Secretary General, Vice Presidents of the party, Youth Council, student organization and
group of young members of Parliament (as a part of the study visit to YSD and their mother
party). The delegation also attended the conference on forthcoming elections in Bosnia and
Herzegovina.
24
Key issues that we discussed, the subject of political disputes between parties and entities,
were: constitutional changes and functionality of the country and institutions, entities and their
responsibilities, BiH police reform, EU integration process that was blocked, role of the High
Representative in Bosnia and Herzegovina and the mandate and work of the Office. Besides
those issues, we discussed unemployment, education, NGO sector work, human rights,
media, position of young people and possibilities for stronger cooperation between youth
organization.
For strengthening and stability all sides agree and support that all solutions for some of the
functionality problems of this country should remain within the Dayton Peace Agreement and
two strong entities in the country.
We believe it was essential to overcome all differences between politicians and find
compromised solutions for all issues on the way of establishing a stable, European and
democratic society in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Therefore, we IUSY and ECOSY support signing EU Stabilisation and Association Agreement
with Bosnia and Herzegovina as soon as possible. A positive step for the police reform issue
is achieved as a result of making compromise and agreements on further steps and by that
lifted the blockage on the European integration process for this country, a process that is
strategic goal. We believe that European integration of Bosnia and Herzegovina is the most
favourable way to achieve internal stability, stimulate economic development and effective
completion of the legal system of the country. Further postponement of signing of the
Agreement, or additional conditioning, aside from the plan already agreed upon, could
seriously endanger progresses that have been made and turn BiH back in the state of internal
crisis.
IUSY and ECOSY appeal to the witnesses of the Dayton Peace Agreement (European Union,
Republic of France, Federal Republic of Germany, Russian Federation, Great Britain and the
United States of America) to support the readiness of elected representatives of the
constitutive Peoples and citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina and the Entities to fully take over
the responsibility for the safe and sustainable future and development of Bosnia and
Herzegovina as a complex, democratic and modern country on its road towards the EU
integrations.
IUSY and ECOSY will closely continue to monitor the situation in Bosnia and Herzegovina
and work with member organizations on issues that are of common interest and prosperity of
all young people in the region.
Having in mind that IUSY Balkan Round Table had a very important role especially in the
reconciliation process of youth from the countries of the region during the post war period, we
believe that through different activities we should continue to foster a climate of confidence
and support, and provide opportunities for discussions, dialogue and regional cooperation,
which can contribute to common understanding, policies development and actions, political
stability and prosperity.
VIII RELATIONS WITH THE SOCIALIST INTERNATIONAL
XXIII SI Congress
A delegation of IUSY Presidium took part in the XXIII SI Congress held in Athens on June 30
- July 2 2008. Apart from the official delegation, IUSY was at this SI Congress represented by
almost thirty representatives of our member organisations who were included in the
delegations of their parties.
The main intention of the IUSY delegation was to focus on the reform of the Socialist
International. After day one of the congress, it was clear that there was support for reform
amongst SI members. Our IUSY delegation tried to solidify this support. The IUSY
contribution to the proposal of the SI reform is following this brief report.
25
In addition, the IUSY delegation had a very useful meeting with the SI president during the
congress. After the Congress, the Presidium prepared a short note on the areas we believe
we could collaborate more closely on. This letter is also presented in the report, following the
contribution to the proposal for SI reform.
Socialist International Establishes SI Commission for Reform
The Socialist International (SI) is a crucial international actor in the fight for our progressive
principles. If we are to have the strength required to build a fairer world by tackling poverty,
inequalities, violations of human rights and the impact of globalization, we must ensure the SI
adapts to the organizational challenges we face as a movement.
This Congress reaffirms the President’s call for a program of change within the Socialist
International. We support the statements made by member organizations for improving
participation and transparency within the SI, and wider statutory analysis and reform. The
2008 Congress of the Socialist International therefore resolves:
•
•
•
•
That the newly elected Presidium form an internal body (‘The Commission for SI
Reform’) to analyze the Socialist International and its workings, setting out clear
proposals for change that also takes into account past work that has occurred in this
area;
That the Commission for SI Reform be chaired by a Vice President and include
presidium members from all of the regions, Chairs of SI Committees, ex-officio Vice
Presidents from Socialist International Women, and the International Union of
Socialist Youth;
That the terms of reference for the commission include:
o An analysis of the statutes, giving special consideration to issues of
transparency, regional and gender representation within statutory bodies
o Mechanisms of communication, both internally and externally, which make
use of technological advancements
o The use of statutory bodies as political forums for genuine debate and
consensus building
o The relationship of the SI with fraternal organizations, particularly youth, SI
Women, civil society and other political parties.
The Commission for SI Reform report to the next SI Council with tangible structural
and political proposals. These proposals should be circulated prior to the Council
meeting for the member’s consideration.
The also recognizes the importance of ensuring that proposals for change, become actions.
We therefore commit to retaining the Commission for Reform until the next SI Congress.
Their role will be to ensure the implementation of proposals agreed by the Council.
The SI congress believes a process of reform will only strengthen our collective mandate to
lead the socialist family for the coming decades. We look forward to meeting our ongoing
challenges, and building a stronger, more democratic international progressive movement.
Building greater co-operation between the Socialist International and the International
Union of Socialist Youth
Background
At the recent Socialist International Congress in Athens, the President of the Socialist
International met with the delegates of the International Union of Socialist Youth to discuss
ways of improving the co-operation between the two organizations.
Although the SI and IUSY have a long history of engagement as fraternal organizations, over
recent years co-operation has been limited to mutual participation in statutory meetings. IUSY
recognizes that this has resulted in a duplication of effort and lost opportunities.
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Purpose
This paper sets out areas where IUSY believes there is the potential for greater collaboration
within the socialist family. IUSY requests that these ideas be discussed at the next presidium
of the Socialist International, and form the basis of a joint action plan.
Building a coherent international socialist movement
IUSY is currently undergoing an internal process of reform. On the question of co-operation
with the SI, the paper proposes that a structure be established to improve general cooperation across the socialist family.
“IUSY believes that the creation of an international socialist council which would consist of
the president and secretary generals of IUSY, ECOSY, IFM-SEI, SI and PES could go a long
way in ensuring greater co-ordination, effectiveness and coherent messaging to members on
international issues e.g. Middle East. Such a declared intention to enter into a strengthened
partnership of cooperative action especially in priority areas such as international trade and
financial issues, could lay the foundation for stronger coherence through leadership from the
international level in key negotiations at the level of the WTO and the International Financial
Institutions.
If greater and coherent leadership is given, greater achievements at international, regional
and indeed national level will be more forthcoming both for our movement and ordinary
people.”
We would be interested in the Socialist International’s views on this proposal.
In addition, IUSY proposes the following additional areas of collaboration:
Climate Change/ Sustainable Development
IUSY applauds the work the SI has done to establish the Commission for a Sustainable World
Society. In our first Presidium meeting of 2008, IUSY has also decided to address more
vigorously the issue of Climate Change with our member organizations over the next two
years. This is a fundamental issue for our generation. The increase of the global temperature
causes changes in the structure and economic social dynamism of the nations, due to the
alteration of ecosystems. Therefore, the building of a sustainable world must begin today.
From our perspective not only is political will and innovativeness needed for a sustainable
solution in tackling the immense challenges that we face but global solidarity between
generations is a must.
We have noted with interest Commission’s discussions during its recent meeting in Santiago
de Chile and would be eager to discuss future work, which we could undertake jointly. We are
aware from the Commission’s meeting that a summer school with young people and opinion
leaders is being considered and we would hope that the Commission and the SI could inform
us of any existing plans to undertake such an event, which we of course would foresee as a
perfect opportunity for IUSY and the SI to collaborate on.
In addition, the next IUSY American committee meeting will tackle the issue of Climate
Change. We would be happy to use this opportunity to also discuss with SI representatives
socialist strategies on fighting climate change. It is our objective to generate conscience
about implications of the Global Warming especially in Latin America, to generate greater
consciousness in young people of progressive parties.
Peace and Disarmament
The self-commitment of governments around the world and their public confessions to
promote peace and decrease armament are often little more than appendices in international
negotiations and most of the time lack evidence. The socialist family must address this.
Armament expenses reduce government invest in education, health and infrastructure.
Important resources to improve the quality of citizens' life become limited.
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Nearly all states have ratified the conventions and treaties on disarmament and NonProliferation, but it is Latin American and the Caribbean that are the least militarised regions
in the world. They are free of ABC weapons and systems. This region is the first and only
nuclear-free zone of the world and could be a role model for other regions in the world.
We want to create a unified progressive youth culture promoting peace and international
disarmament, and at the same time strengthen the role of SI as an authentic fighter for peace
in the world. We therefore propose creating a network between parliamentarians, members
of SI organizations, non-governmental organizations, and youth movements through IUSY.
This has the potential to have the size, and momentum to create a genuinely global and grass
roots movement for change. The SI however, must assist in the creation of such a framework,
and urge its members to genuinely participate.
Governing globally – reforming the United Nations
Taking into consideration that United Nations is the organization in charge of the ‘global
government’, SI and IUSY should intensify its work and efforts to create a more solid and
productive relationship with this key body. In addition, UN reform is on the table, which gives
the socialist family the opportunity to raise our voice on those issues, that impact on our
principles and movement.
For the young generation and IUSY it is an important goal to obtain observer status on those
UN bodies or agencies in which Youth affairs are handled. IUSY has to take the same
position that other similar organizations have taken such as the International Council of
Women (ICW-CIF) in the Conference of Parties (COP) within the UNFCCC. A common
strategy with the SI might assist in the promotion of the UN Youth Programme from the
current status to a more relevant agency.
Enlarging the SI
Although socialist movements all over the world share one vision, the challenges differ. This
has to be taken into account when discussing enlargement and deepening strategies of the
SI.
IUSY wants to, and can be, at the forefront of future MO’s for the SI. IUSY isn’t bound by
diplomatic and governmental constraints. IUSY can be actively involved in the creation,
participation and consolidation of Government and Non Government Youth National
Platforms. We have the ability to work with these cross government platforms on matters that
are inline with the issues and positions of the socialist family.
The Young Progressives in Southeast Asia is an example of such a movement that is already
in contact with IUSY. IUSY has taken the role of facilitating the growth of its members, by
integrating new progressive youth organizations and social movements into its fold.
It is of the up most importance to support the formation and development of a strong youth
movement in regions like the Caucasus, with the objective of strengthening the links and
cooperation among the youth of the region, creating a space for open debates and
discussions on the processes taking place in the region, formulating the position of the youth,
and transmitting these positions to the regional political leadership. In this important
undertaking, IUSY could take a strong lead, with the support of the SI, as one of the most
progressive youth movements in the world.
Study Visits
IUSY and the SI currently undertake multiple study visits a year, often to the same regions
and to assess the same political situations. It would make sense for more of these to be
jointly co-ordinated.
Democratic reform of the SI
We believe there are huge gains to be made through an open and transparent discussion on
SI reform within the organization. This process should be clearly led by the President.
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Such a discussion must extend beyond the internal structures of the SI, and examine the role
the SI can and should have in the future as a global progressive institution. Why for instance,
is the SI not used in tandem with the existing global processes (e.g. Kyoto negotiations) to
formulate common positions for the progressive movement that we represent?
Aside from this more general debate, IUSY also believes the SI should consider:
- Existing reform suggestions made in the Fassino paper on SI reform
- Ways of strengthening the SI internally as a democratic organization. This means a
clear and transparent process when it comes to elections and voting procedures. This
also includes a self-obligation and internal control mechanisms on statutory
regulations/statutes.
- The debate on women’s participation isn’t only something we should be considering
as an external task but also as an internal one. We would like to pick up what
President Papandreou and the statutes already claim. An equal representation of
women in the bodies of the SI.
During the SI-Congress in July 2008, the necessity of reviewing measures to ensure equal
participation for women and men at all its events has been strongly visible. It is our common
obligation as a young socialist family to focus on a higher representation of women in all our
structures, starting from the bottom, ending at the elected bodies. The issue of participation is
strongly linked to the mainstreaming of gender aspects in everyday political work.
Training
We also briefly discussed the issue of training with the SI President. The focus of IUSY on
training falls across several areas:
- Democratization (training which focuses on issues like civic education, campaigning
and electoral monitoring)
- Political education
In order to organize the learning process in a strategic manner IUSY would like to introduce a
school for its member organizations. The school will offer both organizational and political
training on different levels. The school should enable any member organization to build, lead
and maintain a political youth organization in a democratic way and based on social
democratic principles. The school will be organized in different regions and delivered through
by IUSY's own trainers as well as invited guests.
Youth trade union organizations will be invited to the trainings. The contents of the school will
concern both trade union youth as well as young political activists. They will enable
interaction and facilitate greater learning and understanding of each other’s political
challenges and how to face them together. The aim is to raise the level of cooperation
between political youth organizations and youth trade unions, and increase their political
strength and influence at both a national and international level.
The SI president suggested that training is an area where the SI could offer its valuable
knowledge and expertise. We would like to further explore what form this could take.
Funding
IUSY is currently trying to build more sustainable funding streams for its general operations.
We would welcome the opportunity to discuss building a veteran’s network and veteran’s
fund.
IX RELATIONS WITH OTHER ORGANISATIONS AND INSTITUTIONS
ECOSY
The IUSY Presidium in July 2008 was held in connection to the ECOSY Summer Camp. In
addition, IUSY was represented in the programme of the Summer Camp through a number of
Presidium members taking the role as speakers in different parts of the programme.
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The overall relations between IUSY and ECOSY are as good as always and they represent a
good basis for the coming period. We would like to thank ECOSY for their support to our work
at this World Council, which is a tradition between our two organisations. IUSY will of course
support the forthcoming ECOSY Congress and have one political officer helping the ECOSY
staff with the activity.
The two organisations also support each other’s activities by taking part in them. In the last
year, members of ECOSY Presidium took part in many of the IUSY statutory activities,
meetings, seminars and study visits and the ECOSY President regularly participated in the
IUSY Presidium meetings as the permanent representative.
UN and UN Agencies
IUSY has an ongoing project with the United Nations "Embracing Diversity and Nurturing
Understanding through the empowerment of Women in Political Leadership".
The aim of the project is to identify best practise of ensuring the involvement of young women
from various facets of our society (minority groups, migrants’ communities and various
religious backgrounds) in the political life with the objective of empowering these women to be
agents of change and peace builders in our communities and the general society.
The project has been ongoing during 2008 and the finale meeting will be held in the beginning
of 2009.
X SECRETARIAT
STAFF
From June 2008 the IUSY Secretariat has welcomed a new Political officer - Fernando de
Miguel Cuesta from JSE, Spain. We would like to warmly welcome Fernando into the
Secretariat and into IUSY and to thank him for the great efforts and hardworking commitment
he has already shown.
The previous two Political officers, Stefan Hvenegard Sorensen from DSU, Denmark and
Tamara Smilevski from SDY in SDU, Serbia have left the Secretariat in March 2008 and May
2008 respectively. IUSY thanks them once more for all their contribution to the work of our
organisation. We would also like to thank them for helping the IUSY Secretariat in this period
of transition - Stefan is helping us run the programme smoothly here at the World Council in
Zacatecas and Tamara took a part-time commitment to assist to the everyday functioning of
the office in Vienna.
XI IUSY FESTIVAL
As you probably already know the next IUSY Festival will be held in Zanka, Hungary on
August 15 - 21 2009. Our comrades of Societas - New Movement in Hungary are already
working hard on the technical preparations. The IUSY Presidium is working on providing an
interesting and challenging political and social programme for the participants.
The Festival is an important activity to IUSY as it represents a unique opportunity for
gathering a large number of participants and including them in the discussions on the issues
of main global concern. This is an activity that calls for large delegations, which allows the
member organisations to include new grass-root members in their delegations and show
them the international youth socialist “scene” - include them in the political programme, the
different network meetings and seminars, encourage them to meet comrades from all over
the world and exchange opinions and attitudes, meet new friends, etc. It is also an
opportunity for all regional committees, working groups, thematic networks and other
cooperation platforms within IUSY to organise their own -official or semi-official- activities and
meetings around the main programme of the Festival. Of course, we should never forget the
parties that always accompany the programme of the IUSY Festival.
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We call on all IUSY member organisations to start already now with the preparations in order
to be able to attend the event with as large delegations as possible.
Financial Report
IUSY WORLD COUNCIL: REPORT OF THE CONTROL COMMISSION
The Control Commission has met three times since the congress 2008. The main focus of the
work has been the preparation of the IUSY-Festival, to deal with the difficult financial situation
of IUSY and to assist the presidium during the “transition-period” between secretary generals.
The CC met together with president and secretary general, to clarify the situation of IUSY
finances in June. One result of this meeting was a discussion paper to the presidium with aim
to clarify three priorities: 1.) work of the secretariat, 2.) finances and 3.) strategic planning.
In November the resignation by Yvonne O ́Callaghan was accepted by the President of IUSY.
Since that time the Control Commission, in conjunction with the President and Acting
Secretary General have met several times to urgently re-establish effective operations within
the secretariat, and to clarify our current financial situation. This has included rebuilding
relations with our foundations, which have not been adequately maintained over the previous
12 months. This lack of communication extends to the relationship of IUSY with all of its
member organisations, a situation we are committed to improving.
Currently, the combination of both the financial constraints that all NGOs face, in conjunction
with a difficult period within the internal operations of IUSY, that we currently face a level of
debt similar to that of our annual operational budget.
The presidium, the acting Secretary General and the CC have developed a way to overcome
this situation, but IUSY needs the urgent support and solidarity of all member organisations.
Paying the membership fee on time is vital for political work of IUSY. Together we are able to
start a new period in the long history of IUSY.
I would like to thank all member organisations for their concrete contributions and support, to
make IUSY strong and lively again. We welcome all sorts of support through host of IUSY
activities or concrete contributions during 2009. Let us strengthen the communication
between all member organisations and don’t hesitate to contact any member of the
Presidium. The power of solidarity is needed.
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Reform of IUSY
Debate, Action, Change!
INTRODUCTION
The celebration of 100 years of IUSY has given us greater impetus to ensure our movement
is equipped to face today’s challenges. This discussion document presents member
organisations with a vision for strengthening IUSY and political activism within our movement
at all levels, by providing more effective representation, greater visibility and stronger
influence in the political sphere.
Our movement needs a real agenda for change both internally and externally. This agenda
must be based on a coherent vision, international solidarity and unity that respects
democracy while removing barriers to political activism. Only then will we make social justice,
democracy, equality and peace a reality.
The following paper is intended to reinforce the strength and profile of socialism/social
democracy on the world stage, but it will only provide an instrument, not solutions. It will
remain for member organisations to work to ensure that IUSY achieves its goals.
BACKGROUND
At the 2008 IUSY Congress in the Dominican Republic, the IUSY presidium started a debate
on the future of our movement, and the need for IUSY reform. Member organisations
participated in a debate on IUSY’s current strengths, its weaknesses, and areas where we
could make greater use of our potential as an international movement. This debate resulted in
the following key observations:
•
•
•
•
IUSY must improve its public profile. While we have much to say on major
international and regional questions, our views receive less attention than those of
other major youth NGOs
IUSY must improve its communication with its wider membership. IUSY activities
remain unknown to many of its own members, and direct involvement in international
work is sometimes restricted to a small minority of activists
IUSY must improve its capacity to deliver results which are of direct value to the
national agenda
IUSY as a result is under-funded, limiting its scope for action and influence.
We know that globalisation is causing a convergence of national and international agendas.
But have not necessarily made the changes required to turn that convergence from a problem
to an opportunity. Each member organisation within IUSY knows the real priority attached to
international activity in its own organisations, and the real interest that other parts of our
structures take in internationalism. The leadership of member organisations looking to the
international movement for a clear lead on how to engage effectively may not be getting all
the answers they need.
Our reform programme must give member organisations confidence that the International can
deliver by looking at the following areas for reform:
•
•
•
•
•
Ideological debates
IUSY campaigns and advocacy
Communication
IUSY statutory bodies
Working Groups and Networks
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•
•
•
•
•
Regional Committees
Gender Equality
Partnership within the socialist movement
Political education
Democratisation
In each of these areas, our reform programme must focus on generating more meaningful
debate, undertaking direct action that is relevant to our members and the international
community, and ultimately bringing about change to those situations that stand in the way our
principles as a progressive movement.
This paper will be presented at the IUSY World Council in January 2009 where a final
strategy for reform will be adopted and a mandate will be given to the IUSY Presidium to
begin its implementation from 2009 onwards.
IDEOLOGICAL DEBATES
Our ideological debate needs to be linked to a concrete and realistic action plan for the
organisation and its members. The work undertaken throughout the last number of debates
(Action for Peace, Global Governance and Sustainable Development) must be reviewed for
implementation.
However our ideological debate must always be linked with pertinent and imperative
questions of the day e.g. climate change, however in order to undertake this IUSY must first
of all reflect on its own ideological vision before it can addresses the global challenges of
today.
As an organisation we must also reassess how we undertake such debates in order to bolster
our capacity for real political debate in our organisation at an international, regional and
national level.
Proposals:
1. IUSY must now address through the mechanism of the ideological debate its own
vision of the future, what we can bring as a movement to the ‘global village’ in the
next 100 years. This should begin with this year’s adoption of the ideological
document “All over the world to change it”.
2. In 2009 the presidium will work on this basis and presents the in roads made in their
implementation.
3. The IUSY-Festival will be the place where IUSY will demonstrate to put its ideological
convictions into practical politics.
IUSY CAMPAIGNING AND ADVOCACY
One of the most important ways in which IUSY can share and promote its principles is
through campaigns. Campaigns can enlarge the awareness and importance of the principles
of IUSY, highlight member issues, raise our profile and empower and integrate member
organisations in our work.
Over the last few years IUSY has strengthened its campaigning around issues of global
concern to our movement. However the uptake on these campaigns by member
organisations has been limited. IUSY needs to reflect on the mechanisms and material that it
uses and the relevance of the campaign topics to the member organisations. Moreover, it
should reflect for its campaign and advocacy how communication tools of IUSY can be
strengthened e.g. IUSY Newsletter, Website and how IUSY can more integrate a media
savvy campaign in its endeavours. IUSY should also re-examine the use of a Global Day of
Action, which could be a central element of campaigns in the future.
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Proposals:
1. The global agenda of IUSY should include no more than 2 core campaigns which
should be emphasized at all it meetings and by member organisations through their
own events through a designated time of its agenda.
2. The IUSY website will depict campaigns with the relevant material for member
organisations to use e.g. video footage, campaign action packs/toolkit, downloadable
posters and leaflets, IUSY statements. All efforts throughout the activities of IUSY
must be made to inform and urge member organisations to actively participate in
campaigns.
3. Campaigns should include a political lobby element. One method which should be
considered in raising the profile of lobby activities are Blogs. Updates on Campaigns
should be sent out regularly, outlining member campaign activities, lobby points and
campaign calendar.
4. Electronic Networks i.e. Discussion Forums can broaden and make more permanent
the connections between national and international action and help broaden
involvement. Their drawbacks and limitations are recognized. They are exclusive to
the extent that the bulk of traffic is in English, and that a number of interested parties
may not have access to the technology or knowledge required. And they are not
policy or decision-making organs.
5. Organise virtual forums with experts on youth issues with experts in the field of
national and international visibility for each country, with the collaboration with
institutions such as the OIJ and ECOSY could be useful in elaborating policies.
Developing tools for activists to be involved in the international agenda of IUSY
IUSY’s greatest goal is to increase its profile with grass-root members of its own member
organisations. However outreaching to the ordinary member requires efforts not only by IUSY
but also by the member organisations in ensuring that their members understand and
participate in the global agenda of our movement.
To this end, IUSY must provide tools to assist our member organisations in translating the
international agenda to the grass-root level. The IUSY presidium should throughout its work
always deliberate on how easily the methods they choose and the information they dispense
can be digested by the ordinary member.
To this end, given the great task of outreach to IUSY grass-root members the organisations
needs to put in place a space for activism therefore it is proposed that a network of IUSY
activists be set up who can be involved in supporting our campaign work at the local level.
COMMUNICATION
The media plays a major role in today's political world. This is even truer when an
international umbrella organisation like IUSY is discussed. Name recognition is a key to
influence, resources and more.
As an umbrella organisation with 149 different and diverse members, IUSY has an inherent
difficulty responding rapidly to world events. IUSY can still find campaigns and ideas that can
generate media attention and awareness with the work of IUSY.
Proposals:
1. IUSY should, as a matter of course, should attach media conferences to the
conclusion of each of its core committee meetings, study visits, congress, council and
festivals.
2. Major campaigns should include not only statements but actual activities on the
ground: A day in which all member organisations will hold relevant demonstrations, or
meetings with appropriate target organisations etc.
3. Resolutions on particularly current events should be released as media statements.
4. Media based internship opportunities should be made available within the IUSY
office.
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Communication with IUSY member organisations must also take greater precedence and is
central to all of the work of IUSY.
Proposals:
1. The production of a IUSY newsletter – a monthly newsletter to be distributed to all
member organisations and to significant other players (mother parties, international
organisations, foreign ministries etc.). Such a newsletter should include a report on
IUSY activities, short reports by the Presidium, articles by activists or experts and
more.
2. Member Organisation in the Spotlight: one of the methods of increasing the familiar
feeling of the member organisations is by getting to know each other. In each of the
IUSY newsletter there will be 3-4 organisations in the spotlight, from different regions:
a short history of the organisation; membership; focal issues; last or ongoing
important campaigns etc.
3. A IUSY internet social network: a Facebook like social network targeted to young
socialists and leftists around the world. The following link is an example of an internet
social network for Mid-East peace supporters: www.mepeace.org.
4. The IUSY website: the website is often used as the 'face' of the organisation. It is
crucial that the site is up to date and used as an archive for all documents that
members may need to access.
5. The IUSY logo should be used worldwide by IUSY member organisations on their
websites and materials, IUSY should encourage members to undertake such
branding as a clear method in ensuring the connection between the international and
the national members as part of a global political movement.
IUSY STATUATORY BODIES
The working methods of IUSY more generally would benefit from the greater agility which
would result not only from ad-hoc meetings, but also from much more adaptable approaches
to work programmes and to internal organisational arrangements. The aim should be to
undertake work in direct and focused response to the needs of members, to set clear
objectives and timeframes for action and to move on to other items once they are completed.
Each of the core meetings of IUSY must have clear political objectives. These meetings will
focus on debating and building genuine cross organisation consensus on topical issues, as
well as furthering ongoing core goals and objectives.
Both the IUSY World Council and Congress should receive an organisational and political
report from the international’s leadership, which would lend to greater coherence,
transparency and collective action by our members.
REGIONAL COMMITTEES
Whatever the changes it is clear that the IUSY regional committees have become and must
continue to be crucial components of our movement. IUSY has invested heavily to make them
just that. Although regional committees fall within the global political framework and
discussion of IUSY, we also recognize that regional specific issues and challenges must be
addressed, thus regional committees must ensure that vision and regional programmatic work
are set up in a clear, concrete and concise manner.
The enlargement of our regional committees and our international as a whole must also be
examined as we cannot stress enough the importance of urging non-members to join our
regional committees who share our political principles and our values.
Proposals:
1. Ensuring a higher participation in regional meetings (the role of coordinators more
active for that matter, but also IUSY Vice Presidents from the region), we need to
have member organisation representation from all countries in the region
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2. Ensuring quality of debates and open discussions (and participation in the
discussions) by delegating representatives from member organisation for each topic,
but also by forming and sending the agenda several weeks before the meeting so
that comrades have enough time and can be well prepared for the meeting
3. Making the region more active and IUSY more vibrant through creating regional
thematic working groups related to issues important for the region, organize
seminars, provide specific training opportunities
4. Reports from regional networks on different campaigns they think they need or issues
they wish to undertake
5. We should encourage the regions to run IUSY campaigns on regional level and,
since we should include realities on different countries, help them to adjust those
campaigns to their own political situation (also materials and textbooks adapted to the
context)
6. Permanent and thematic Working Groups should be obligatory for all regional
meetings, it is necessary to provide working groups space and to ensure higher
participation
7. Working Group coordinators should attend all regional meetings if possible. This
would strengthen the groups by having more participants continually active in working
groups, improving the development of debate, discussions and concrete proposals.
Regional Partnerships
As we share common values believing that all people have the right to peace, freedom and
dignity which can only be based on respect for human rights, democracy and the rule of law,
social inclusion and social justice, respect for diversity and individuality and solidarity between
people and nations, we can make strong partnerships between the regions based on our
common vision and agenda for young people
8. Provide the basis for regions to cooperate through an information exchange and
political discussions on other regions. This will raise awareness of member
organisation of the problems in different parts of the world (regional committees can
always invite representatives from other regions and provide the space for political
discussion related to their situation, and also have more resolutions on political
situation in other countries)
9. Create an Inter-regional Communication Network through the IUSY web page
(forums, discussion boards or working groups in order to improve the exchange of
information
10. Joint meetings (a good example is the EU African Partnership for Development
meeting) in order for member organisations to more deeply understand the different
political situation and perspectives, but also to build platforms for strong cooperation
and partnerships between the regions, based on shared values and principles, which
would open wider dialog and understanding between comrades. To continue dialog
and cooperation through a bi-annual meetings
11. Discuss cooperation and common grounds for reaching the goals we fight for,
common approach to similar problems; encourage joint activities, concrete strategies,
counter participation in regional campaigns, common projects or action plans on our
common concerns and bring greater international solidarity for our struggle
12. Active participation of all regions in global campaigns, but especially campaigns
concerning difficult situation in some countries, strongly and concretely showing
international solidarity
13. Using the experience of other member organisation for similar issues, sharing ideas
on campaigns that were successful, and exchanging views
Through this exchange of good experience and meetings between comrades worlds apart,
member organisation will have the opportunity to learn and also more successfully carry out
campaigns thanks to others experience (in the same time we need to be aware of realities on
different countries)
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IUSY WORKING GROUPS AND NETWORKS
IUSY permanent Working Groups assist within our organisation in addressing the needs and
agenda of specific groups. They are a method of capacity building, a resource for mobilization
and expertise.
However, these working groups could do with a more focused agenda and work programme,
which could be more readily mainstreamed throughout the work of IUSY. Moreover, they are
key in building strategic alliances within the Student, feminist and LGBT movements
worldwide, which has not reached its full potential in any of the aforementioned arenas.
IUSY ad-hoc networks represent a valuable asset for IUSY; it is a flexible method of coordinating issues or international process, which may need greater attention and effort such
as the World Social Forum and building alliances with Social Movements. However the
creation of such ad-hoc networks must be justified, as IUSY must be aware that we must first
strengthen or existing mechanisms before looking at gaps which flexible networks could
assist with.
IUSY veterans are one of the most valuable resources for IUSY. Nowadays they constitute
quite sizable group of individuals. Maintaining ongoing relationships with them, using their
expertise and experience could benefit IUSY invaluably. Veterans should be given an
opportunity to define their own ways and methods of making contribution the work of IUSY.
Proposal:
1. IUSY should develop a concept of organizing a IUSY think-tank with the veterans, in
which they can actively devise research and recommendations which can support
IUSY in its elaboration of political debate, policy and campaign work. Such a think
tank could also contribute widely to other IUY partners and political frameworks such
as Global Progressive Forum, Socialist International and World Social Forum.
GENDER EQUALITY
IUSY throughout its work continues to strongly advocate for gender equality not only by
ensuring statutory measures to allow for greater participation by women in our movement in
the organisation but also by addressing gender related issues and by providing where
possible political education for women activists.
However the reality in our movement is that although we have ensured gender equality at the
highest levels in IUSY i.e. 50 % in the IUSY Presidium and having both female President and
Secretary General we have not ensured the full participation of women throughout our
movement.
We need to find new strategies, which can further enhance the participation of women in our
movement at all levels.
Proposals:
1. Review in 2008, the measures, which IUSY has currently in place that contribute to
greater participation of women in our activities. The review should include a set of
recommendations for implementation throughout IUSY and its member organisations.
2. Promote through the Henrietta Roland Holst Award women activist who can act as
mentors to others in their region in order to empower women activities at the grassroot level.
3. Ensure that gender statistics are openly discussed in all meetings of IUSY so that
member organisations realize the need for the further involvement of women in our
movement.
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PARTNERSHIP WITHIN THE SOCIALIST MOVEMENT
IUSY firmly believes that strong co-operation and partnership amongst the regional and
international socialist/socialist democratic is fundamental. We also recognize that there is an
unrealized potential in this partnership and in order to deepen this partnership co-operation
must be made systematic.
Such co-ordinated action can only be solidified if our partners in the process are strong and
bold in their endeavours. As the international representative of the Socialist Family's next
generation of leadership, IUSY places great importance in the Socialist International, as the
international representative of the Socialist and Social-Democratic parties around the world.
Out of respect to the importance of the SI, and in the spirit of progress, IUSY regards its task
to serve as a catalyst of change and advancement – both ideological and organisational – in
the SI, designed to rejuvenate and update the Socialist Family's global representative.
To this end, IUSY firmly believes that the Socialist International as the ‘figurehead’ of our
global movement must also undertake a reform process in order for it to be relevant in today’s
globalized world. Without this reform the SI will only become a faint memory in our
movement, IUSY cannot allow for the SI to become irrelevant and vows to fully support any
efforts that go towards to revitalizing and rejuvenating the international.
IUSY is also committed to better targeted and well-prepared campaigns, determined,
structured and instituted jointly with our sister organisations i.e. ECOSY, and IFM-SEI under
the GPYF umbrella would contribute greatly to maximizing our potential and limited
resources. To this end the Global Progressive Youth Forum (GYPF) should be seen as the
platform for such initiatives. However a greater definition of what is the GYPF and how it can
be used at regional and national level must be sought in order for greater uptake by member
organisations of its campaigns and activities.
Moreover, development co-operation although predominately bilateral in the case of IUSY
and its member organisations warrants thorough examination in its effectiveness and
coherence. Our movement maybe served better by greater co-ordination at the global level in
the field of development co-operation.
Proposals:
1. Recognition of the need for a general reshaping of activities and methods of work
throughout the socialist movement, particularly at international level therefore IUSY
believes that the Creation of an international socialist council which would consist of
the president and secretary generals of IUSY, ECOSY, IFM-SEI, SI and PES could
go a long way in ensuring greater co-ordination, effectiveness and coherent
messaging to members on international issues e.g. Middle East.
2. Such a declared intention to enter into a strengthened partnership of cooperative
action especially in priority areas such as international trade and financial issues,
could lay the foundation for stronger coherence through leadership from the
international level in key negotiations at the level of the WTO and the International
Financial Institutions.
If greater and coherent leadership is given, greater achievements at international, regional
and indeed national level will be more forthcoming both for our movement and ordinary
people.
Building a Global Co-operation
IUSY has throughout its political work has undertaken efforts to ensure strategic alliances
with other youth organisations sharing our values and goals in common issues. The
International Co-ordination Meeting of Youth Organisations (ICMYO) set up a number of
years ago has contributed to ensuring within the UN system and international institutions such
as the World Bank that youth is an important component of development work. However a
new agenda has to be set within the ICMYO as with globalization a new political context is
38
emerging at the international level. However in order to do so IUSY must first reflect on its
aspirations within global youth co-operation vis a vis the International Institutions and
processes so that it maximizes any co-operation mechanism such as the ICMYO for the
benefit of our socialists/social democratic agenda.
At the global level it is invariable difficult to hold meetings of the international political youth
organisations given their diverse locations e.g. London, Vienna, Budapest, Brussels. IUSY
must find ways through processes such as the ICMYO to reinvigorate its common
understanding with the other international political youth organisations.
Alliances with Social Movements are a must if we are to ensure a left agenda within regional
and international and indeed national policy-making and political decision-making. We must
use all available spaces to outreach to civil society, such a space is the World Social Forum
(WSF). The WSF is not only a space for political debate where IUSY voices its own
perspective but is also an arena for strengthening existing relations and establishing new
alliances.
Rekindling our partnership with the Global Trade Union Movement
We need to ensure at the youth level a greater co-operation with young trade unionists both
at all levels through a partnership with the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC). In
doing so we need to seek a common agenda around workers rights, decent work and the
effects of globalization on workers and the global labour market. Synergies on UN and
International financial Institutions polices should also be sought.
POLITICAL EDUCATION
Throughout its history, IUSY has not only been a space for political debate but also an arena
for political education through its training seminars and in its meetings themselves through
exchange of knowledge and experience.
Although our seminars are successful and member organisations appreciate the usefulness
of them in educating their grass-root members, we fail to often evaluate the overall impact of
these education activities.
In 2006, IUSY established for the first time pool of trainers in order to further reinforce our
training activities by utilising the expertise within our own membership. One should consider
that given the number of pool of trainers that exist throughout our movement, that in order to
increase the effectiveness of work that the establishment of an international pool of trainers
should be considered which international, regional and national organisations could avail of
for their educational activities.
Proposals:
1. IUSY should undertake an evaluation of activities over the last 4 year period,
make a needs assessment of our member organisations from a regional
perspective given that trainings are often regionally based and finally to elaborate
a political education strategy for the organisation which will form the basis of
education activities for the next 6 year period.
2. The database of trainers should be regularly updated. IUSY member
organisation, through their international secretaries
or responsible
representatives should have access to this database for selections and invitation
of suitable trainers for the events organized on national level.
3. The pool of trainers and the trainers themselves should merge their programs
and methodologies of development of the seminar and training programs. This
will serve as a basis for elaboration of the study sessions of the IUSY. To keep
the costs of the organisation of the trainings lower, it is suggested to organize
them regionally, which will be a considerable saving in terms of travel expenses
of the participants.
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The long-term objective would be to establish a standing educational centre, where IUSY will
regularly organize seminars on IUSY priority political issues for the grassroots members of
IUSY member organisations as well as their leadership.
DEMOCRATISATION
As a political organisation, elections are an integral party of our political environment.
However many of our comrades do not enjoy the fruits of democracy and are often meet with
oppressive environments in which the struggle for democracy is great, thus it is essential for
IUSY to play an active role in campaigning and advocating especially at national level for
democracy while at regional and international level highlighting the atrocities inflicted by
dictators and oppressive regimes.
IUSY must become a vehicle for a greater sharing of experience and knowledge on election
campaign strategies, mechanisms in fighting oppressive governments, advocating for free
and fair elections and building support mechanisms for member organisations such as pools
of election observers in each region which can assist comrades during election periods and
reporting to the international level of the reality of the situation. More importantly IUSY must
be the ‘mouthpiece’ for those within our membership whose voices are suppressed by
oppressive and conservative regimes. We must speak out when democracy is under threat
and political activists are threatened, physically attacked, imprisoned or at worst killed.
The realisation of Fair and Free elections are still one of the most important challenges for
any state on the path to democratization. The societies in these states are still facing
problems of the fraudulent elections, which as a result cause general distrust in the
democratic institutions amongst the general public.
IUSY recognizes that the role of the international institutions and organisations, which are
monitoring elections in different countries, is extremely important. They have the trust of the
society in being impartial and democratic observers at elections.
Proposals:
1. Development of IUSY missions that would carry out election monitoring tasks would
first of all strengthen visibility of the organisation on national level as well as support
its international position. IUSY has a capacity to organize the process of observation
and monitoring on a highly professional level, since IUSY has unique recourses for
this.
2. On an annual basis a calendar of elections should be defined from which the IUSY
presidium will determine a number of election observation missions. The analysis of
current election legislation of the countries where the monitoring is going to be held
should be done in advance. The specific aspects concerning registration of IUSY in
all these counties’ electoral commissions should be defined and considered in the
preparation of such missions.
3. The monitoring process should be divided in two parts. Long term observation and
short term observation. The long-term observations will include the creation of a small
group and establishment of office in the country in question approximately one month
prior to the election day; when the election campaign embarks on its most active part.
Long term Observation Group – LTOG, should monitor process of political campaigns
of the candidates; they could draw conclusions and recommendation on whether they
agree with national legislation or not, if the parties are using administrative resources
properly, legitimacy of financial expenditures, fair distribution of media time among
election candidates etc. LTOG will conduct all the necessary preparatory work for
short term Observation. Group should also provide the society with the information
about the work done by the mission.
4. Short Term Monitoring (STM) will be the process of observation on the Election Day
in the polling stations and electoral commissions on different levels, including the
central electoral commission. The participants of this process will be the
representatives of IUSY member organisations, who express there will to participate
and will have reference letter from the organisation they represent. The selection for
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the participants will be done in accordance with criteria adopted by the IUSY
Presidium e.g. Age Limit, election observation experience.
This work will be an important contribution of IUSY to promotion of democracy and
democratic processes in the countries and strengthen trust of society in democratic
institutions.
IUSY REFORM CONSULTATION QUESTIONS
Now it is up to you to Debate, Act and Change by discussing the reformation of our
organisation. In helping your discussions the IUSY Presidium is posing the following
questions:
1. What are in your opinion the priorities for reform?
2. How can member organisations ensure ideological debates are put into action?
3. Do you agree with the proposed changes to IUSY Statutory Bodies? If not, why not?
Are there other changes you would recommend?
4. How would you encourage greater debate amongst IUSY members as a tool for
building consensus?
5. What do you believe is the most useful role IUSY can play in its campaign work?
6. How can we integrate international socialism into the national agenda of our member
organisations?
7. How can our movement be more responsive and effective-is it by campaigning,
political lobby work, election monitoring or other ways?
8. Do you agree with our proposals on communication? Are there other proposals you
would like included?
9. Do you agree with the proposals on co-operation with other youth organisations at
the global level? Are there other methods of co-operation you would suggest? Are
there other organisations you would like to see IUSY working more closely with?
10. Political education is central to ensuring a vibrant and active movement. How would
you like IUSY to strengthen the political education arm of our movement?
11. How can we further strengthen our partnership with sister organisations-ECOSY,
PES, IFM-SEI and in particular the Socialist International (SI)?
12. Gender equality sits at the core of our movement. What additional proposals would
you like adopted by IUSY to ensure greater participation of women in our movement
at all levels-international, regional, national and local?
13. Inter-regional co-operation is crucial to ensuring one global movement with one
voice-how can we enhance inter-regional co-operation through the work of IUSY and
its member organisations?
14. Are our working groups-LGBT, Students and Feminist necessary? If so why and how
can we make their agenda more focused and mainstreamed across our movement?
How can we ensure their work is embedded across regional committees?
15. How can we support the individual activist to be part of the international agenda of
IUSY and our movement as a whole?
16. Elections are integral to the life of our member organisations-how can IUSY support
member organisations during their election campaigns?
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Ideological Debate
All Over the World to Change it
The Next 100 Years - Our Movement, Our Challenges, Our Future
“IUSY must now address through the mechanism of the ideological debate its own vision of
the future, what we can bring as a movement to the ‘global village’ in the next 100 years. This
should begin with this year’s ideological document.“
IUSY believes that following the celebration of the 100 years of our existence that it gives our
international the impetus to look towards the future to ensure that IUSY and our movement as
a whole can overcome the challenges it faces in today’s of ever increasing poverty, threats to
democracy, climate change, inequalities and social injustice.
Our movement needs a real agenda for change in the world, so that it can face today’s
challenges both with confidence and with the means that it needs to make social justice,
democracy, equality and peace truly a reality. It is a vision of coherence, solidarity and unity
that respects democracy, while building bridges and removing barriers to political activism.
We can indeed go forward with confidence in our principles and our vision for a world with
social justice. But making this a reality requires that we bring the same vision and the same
confidence to the task of re-engineering our movement.
Our Movement – Socialism at its end?
The British Economist Susan George summarises our current situation rather bleakly. She
states ”I see little hope for the losers. Little hope for an ethics of solidarity and human rights
so long as our economy is based exclusively on the values of competition, shareholder value,
and profit maximization and not on human needs, fulfilment and inclusion.”
What exists today is certainly not the model of globalisation that socialist parties and
progressive forces desire. It is extremely urgent that the socialist movement provides a
credible post-neo-liberal alternative in a way that the “third way” and “anti-globalisation”
efforts have failed to do.
No Progressive Consensus? Progressive thinking on globalisation varies substantially
between countries and within them. Some divergences may originate in national
circumstances (varying success and capacity in getting benefits from globalisation, different
development levels) or simply from ideology, with a weak stock of what the president of the
Global Progressive Forum (GPF) Josep Borrell terms “ideological capital” contributing to the
problem.
No Progressive Thinking? If the battle of globalisation is also the battle of ideas, then
progressives can’t claim to have won many big victories in the last quarter century. That the
Washington Consensus is dead has become a commonplace. Yet its ideological
underpinnings, if discredited, seem still to prevail, either by inertia or for want of a progressive
alternative. The “Third Way” thinking in fact represents mere adaptation to liberal principles of
governance of globalisation, and anti-globalisation groups simply refrain from even trying to
present alternatives. If so a major vacuum exists, along with a strong need to respond with
demands for progressive change. Certainly, without a shared set of ideas – both in terms of
means and of objectives – which goes beyond lowest common denominator platitudes on the
one hand and detailed policy prescriptions on a one off basis on the other, it will be difficult to
build either progressive consensus or community.
No Progressive Machinery? Even when arriving at shared positions on progressive policy
goals does not seem beyond current capacities (e.g. on development, at the Bretton Woods
42
Institutions, in cases of major human rights violations), the ability to present them in a
concerted manner in relevant international decision-making forums remains difficult, timeconsuming and haphazard, generally involving country-by-country lobbying. We cannot rest
on our laurels and assume that what is mentioned above is the outcome of the neo-liberal
agenda in which we do not believe. Our own mother parties have been part of the political
movements who have obeyed the market, who have treated wealth creation not as a tool, but
a singular goal, who have overseen the rise of the working poor domestically, and ignored
their role in its increase globally.
Another world is possible. That is why we exist. And that is why we keep fighting. We must
challenge our existing structures, we must find an alternative, and above all, we must put our
principles first.
Our Challenges – What a wonderful world?
The list of challenges that can no longer be addressed without reference to global contexts is
ever increasing. There are eight themes that will define the discourse on international politics
in the medium term. These include the global economy, demographic and migratory
developments, technological advances, the rediscovery of environmental and climate policy,
resource management and protection, human development, conflict and security, and issues
bound up with government and governance - with the gender perspective as a mainstream
theme. None of these themes can be viewed in isolation; effective handling of the challenges
they represent requires recognition of their manifold interrelations. None of these issues can
be looked at in isolation from the others; in fact, they are in many respects interrelated in
terms of both the problems involved and the strategies that might resolve them.
An enthusing internationalist programme has to ask questions about the future and it has to
contribute to the debate with concrete proposals, perspectives and answers if it claims to
shape a new society. It cannot be denied that the new constellation of capitalism and its
driving forces enlarges problems instead of reducing them. Capitalism set out to conquer the
world – but it will lead to its destruction. This system will never be able to solve real problems
of real people, it causes and aggravates them:
o The Exploitation of human beings, of countries and regions and their exclusion from
the world market. A perspective of liberation cannot be thought within
commercialization but only in socialist alternatives. The civil, political, social, cultural
and economic rights, which are codified in the United Nations Convention on Human
Rights, are acknowledged by nearly every country of the world. Nevertheless they are
ignored and practically denied in many regions. It is time to make sure they are
obeyed. Empowering people in our own societies to understand that their rights are
inherent and not merely granted by the state. In a IUSY framework and as political
organizations we have to make sure the focus remains on the acknowledgement of
universal human rights. Democracies only work when all human rights are enshrined
and realised. Labour rights need to be strengthened and international attention needs
to be raised. All human beings deserve a decent job and a decent life. Child labour
and other forms of slavery need to be banned, codes of conducts need to be
strengthened and implemented in all companies.
o The ecological crisis caused by the exploitation of resources continues. Without
growth, capitalism doesn’t work; it is its driving force. Today’s dominating economical
system of western capitalism has contributed to the unequal distribution of wealth
worldwide. Our economy and the expanding consumption destroy the basis of
existence for future generations. In various locations in the world problems created by
humans already threaten the basis of existence, especially in developing countries.
At the same time we witness that our resources are increasingly controlled by
companies and individuals rather than by society. All humans have the same right to
natural resources provided by Earth. Today’s generations have a responsibility to
manage the resources in a sustainable manner and maintain the natural diversity for
coming generations. One of our biggest challenges is to create a just distribution of
the resources internationally, without destroying the environment. The distribution
must meet the demands of the people. Worldwide markets should no longer
dominate, but instead regional economies should be strengthened. Democratically
accessible and controlled markets, strengthen society, co-operation between
43
o
o
o
countries and regions and embedded financial markets are preconditions for this
change.
Ecological and social questions cannot be tackled by abstention from consumption
and growth or from technical progress. Qualitative growth and technological progress
can lead to more wealth and a better quality of life. The decisive task is to create
development and implement the use of new technologies differently. Socialism was
always said to be a controlled economy. But capitalism is dealing with the future in a
haphazard manner. The development of a responsible economy must be embedded,
developed and consolidated by society. There won’t be a master plan – but a
coordinated international approach is necessary. This can only function when our
international labour movement and progressive forces increase pressure.
The demographic trend is one of the most misinterpreted political observations. Either
it is used to decrease social contributions in shrinking societies or it is marked as the
biggest social and ecological problem in growing societies. Both perceptions are
wrong. The main question remains the same in shrinking and growing societies: How
is the wealth distributed?
Social standards have to be promoted. They are dependent on negotiations between
societal actors and their bargaining power. The balance of power between labour and
capital has always been asymmetric. The neo-liberal hegemony and the process of
globalisation have contributed to a great shift of power and leverage to the capitalistic
ideal. This development forces social democrats and socialists to rethink their
perceptions on statehood, civil society and capital and labour if they want to
successfully shape the future. They have to attend to interests, judge the plenitude of
power of their lobbyists and develop strategies to re-attain a balance between these
asymmetries. Social security systems only have a limited guarantee and are
constantly facing attack by an aggressive capitalist system and its lobbyists. It is the
task of socialists to deprive them from the random and total domination of market
powers.
Our Future – The next 100 Years
The International Union of Socialist Youth is more than a socialist working group – We are the
next generation of Social Democracy.
The main aim of IUSY is to defend and spread our core socialist principles. We believe that
humans can shape their own history. Our policies are based on democratic socialism, which
means that we believe in change towards a just society through reforms and democratic
principles. We oppose a capitalist world dominance where economic growth overrules our
core principles; justice, solidarity, freedom, democracy and equality. Only through organized
political work, civil society organisations and trade union engagement can we achieve our
goals of a just society where everybody has equal opportunities. Young people today have
the responsibility to analyse today’s problems and future challenges. We shape our policies
based on a critical analysis of the existing social conditions. Our aim is to create a global
welfare society where nobody is left behind.
Our values
Freedom and justice - Human rights are universally applicable. Humans have the right to
have their basic needs fulfilled. Freedom is not only the absence of force. The right to decent
work, education and social security are the preconditions for freedom and a meaningful life.
Our aim is to create a society where the people themselves can influence their future. We
want to create a free and just society regardless of sex, religion, sexual orientation, social
class or ethnicity. IUSY would like to shape the society in the way that everybody has the
opportunity to develop in a free and democratic world. In such a world the human being takes
responsibility for him/herself, fellow humans and the environment. Without free humans the
community simply cannot function.
Equality and equal opportunities - Recognizing that human beings are born with unequal
resources available, we as young socialists believe in a social democratic system which
secures a redistribution of resources which gives all humans the same opportunities to
succeed and live a decent life. We strive towards a sustainable and balanced economy where
the state and the private sector together secure the means to live a decent and valuable life.
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We respect ownership but with the responsibilities to society. However state regulation is
needed in order to secure a sustainable development of our natural resources and an equal
distribution of resources. At the same time we emphasize the necessity to equally share
productive and reproductive work between men and women.
Solidarity and Democracy - Solidarity must apply when the privileged has the opportunity and
ability to assist the underprivileged. This is the only way to make a change. Solidarity and
justice are the fundamental preconditions for a good society. Solidarity is all-encompassing
and has no boundaries. The value of solidarity is applied to all victims of injustice. We
socialists must act upon the principle of solidarity in order to create a free and just world. We
believe in a society governed by people through democratic measures. All human beings
should have the access to actively take part in shaping his/her own future. Active citizenship
is necessary to ensure a sustainable society where every voice is heard regardless of social
class, gender, ethnicity, religion or sexual orientation. Social democracy has at its core a
broad people based legitimacy. Only a society that respects human rights is able to fight the
threats against the same values. IUSY recognizes the freedom of association, freedom of
speech and the free press. For us democracy is not only the right to vote but also the right to
participate and be equal and to co-determine history’s course.
Our answers
The main task facing international relations in the years ahead will be to create and
consolidate political trust and prevent its erosion. Trust is the basis of political and social
action; it is the real mutual “security pact”. Certainly, it must not be blind, and trust
invariably remains risky and prone to disappointment. But in view of the growing complexity
often noted in international relations, the various susceptibilities and threat potentials it may
involve, the only way to create the institutions and structures needed to solve global problems
is to tackle the troublesome business of building trust and confidence at all levels of politics.
Trust is thus best created through integration, not exclusion; by building bridges, not by
opening up divides; by fostering the common good, not by servicing special interests, be they
religious, ethnic, or economic; through social democracy; by giving precedence to civil
preventative action over reactive approaches; and by engaging in open political discourse
rather than seeking to elude debate.
In a world that has become more obscure, in which the boundaries between domestic and
foreign policy are becoming increasingly blurred, and world-political problems and action are
closely interdependent and intertwined, it is essential to build trust-based networks at as
many political levels as possible to reduce complexity and facilitate common action. This can
be achieved most sustainable by means of stabilization and the construction of effective
international organizations that reduce mistrust and alienation, and in which partnerships are
based on rules. At the top of the agenda are the return of the US to the world’s multilateral
structures, integration of the large emerging countries, strengthening of the UN, and the
construction of comprehensive institutions in conflict-prone areas – for example, the energy
sector – that are presently lacking.
But the ability to meet global challenges, in all of their different manifestations, would
presuppose that as many relevant progressive actors as possible are involved in the relevant
policy networks. Bridges must therefore be built above all between governments, labour
unions, and NGOs, between businesses, parliaments, and international institutions, between
churches and societies. What we need is a Dialogue of Civilizations.
The security debates of recent years have increasingly masked the global development
dilemma, and this has meant paying more attention to the causes of war than to the
conditions of peace. But the global lines of conflict continue to be defined by development
and underdevelopment, economic integration and social exclusion, participation and political
powerlessness. The late development of the emerging countries – a process that is at the
same time also producing newcomers – will make life more difficult for the winners of
globalization, the old industrialized countries. Their own development model is now
rebounding on them in the form of growing competition for good and raw materials, but also in
the form of climate crises and other threats. Development problems are, in this sense, no
longer only the problems of the South. This could lead to the gradual realization that global
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development should no longer exist without the implementation of a new development
model. Apart from poverty reduction, development policy must work above all to temper
conflicts, to promote the rule of law, to bring about distributive justice, and to pave the way for
political participation. But what is needed – in the sense of a global structural policy – is the
will to intervene robustly in the dominant conditions of the global economy, as well as
new orientations in the relevant key institutions.
Finally, the time has come to start to discuss and then implement a “new model of
prosperity”, one that can be globalised but without leading to ecological disaster. The
dominance of speculatory markets combined with unregulated financial systems has led to
unsustainable policies founded not on real economic growth but on money creating
money. The collapse of neo-liberal policies presents two specific challenges that need to be
overcome. Firstly, the responses to the crisis should not repeat the same ill founded concepts
of the past, and secondly, their collapse will not necessarily lead to a strengthening of
progressive politics, but could see the emergence of extremist far right policies caused by
fear and marginalisation. For the global social democratic movement, the current times are a
defining moment, one in which real priorities and alternatives must now be placed at the
centre of the political agenda. This is not an era of change but instead a change of an era and
financial, economic, social and environmental concerns have to be integrated in a progressive
political roadmap which should put people first. The Socialist Movement, therefore, is
committed to moving forward a global vision of responsibility, politics and regulation which
should not lead to the continued privatisation of profit and the socialisation of losses, and
which should regain the confidence of citizens with transparent and sustainable financial
governance to include the establishment of a legitimate World Financial Organisation.
Democracies are, among themselves, more peaceful, trustful, and open. However,
democracies must be understood as something that we strive to strengthen and not a
phenomenon which is constant. Most countries in the World are politically and economically
reliant upon cooperation, and for that reason democratization is one of the central goals of
international policy. Democratization must be understood as a process which is initiated from
the grassroots and not a process which is forced upon by external players, as a process
shaped by civil society, not merely by political elites. But despite the successes in
democratization achieved in recent decades, there is still a danger that the twenty-first
century may be the beginning of a new epoch of authoritarianism. The expansion of liberal
capitalism is forcing societies to engage in market reforms, but not to commit to democratic
forms of rule.
Here the Democracies in the world must combine their present strengths – for example, in
institution-building – with a focus on improving the social situation in the countries concerned
(for instance, as regards fair market access) as well as with efforts to develop civil society
structures. It will certainly make sense not to overburden the strategy ideologically and also to
develop approaches for dealing with authoritarian states, but a policy of this kind must at the
same time generate the strong pressure needed to bring about transformation. Accordingly,
relations should, more than at present, be made subject to conditions, and this also includes
the construction of a regime of precise sanctions within the framework of the international
organizations.
The most effective, sustainable, and cost-effective security policy continues to be preventive
conflict management broadly rooted in multilateralism. None of the today’s central security
challenges can be resolved by military means, and the military component must play the
smallest role in any security-related problem: the most promising approaches for the medium
term include diplomacy and global regimes when it comes to disarmament, police and
education and social policy when it comes to terrorism, and sustainable state-building in
cases involving regional conflicts. In the years ahead, further development of a culture of
prevention must include efforts to strengthen arms control regimes, to revitalize the UN as the
world’s key conflict mediator, to bring non-military transformation pressure to bear on
autocratic and crisis-shaken countries, and to further develop the international crisisprevention infrastructure.
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Our Partners in Solidarity
The socialist movement has always had strong ties with civil society and trade unions and
other non-governmental like organisations. Together we have managed to realise goals and
set the labour standards all around the world. Nowadays, we need to strengthen our
relationships with trade unions and other solidarity organisations. The social movements have
to join hands. In order to achieve all goals that we set, we need to work together. The broader
our alliances, the more awareness and support we can count upon. We also need to build
alliances with the global actors in world politics, such as the United Nations and the ILO. Only
by working together we will have the possibility to set the agenda, and propose our
progressive and socialist views. IUSY has to become a global actor, in which we can strive to
influence the current global governance, in making it more transparent, more democratic and
more effective.
Fighting for fundamental global workers rights - The challenges of globalization have made
international standards more relevant than ever. The most fundamental elements of the rule
of law in a market economy such as respect for contracts and the recognition of title to
property are often not available to waged workers, self-employed workers in the informal
economy. It is evident that the respect of international labour standards is central to the
attainment of decent work for all. Often the issue fundamental rights are neglected in the
governance of the labour market.
In fighting for global workers rights we need to ensure for young people that they have the
right to a decent wage, are able to make the transition from school to work without problems,
have access to free education, be free from exploitation especially child labour, forced labour
and discrimination. We must ensure that freedom of association and right to assembly are
allowed for the labour movement too so that the concerns and needs of workers can be
voiced. In fighting for global workers rights we should strengthen the trade union movement in
our countries so that they are able to protect the workers and provide education as a primary
objective where we need to, to make sure that workers are aware of their rights.
All governments and companies should respect universal Workers Rights at all levels,
whether it be at the local, national, regional or international level. Governments and
companies must be held accountable for any forms of exploitation of workers that occur. This
should be done through the national legislative basis, International Labour Organisation and
other international bodies. We must empower our trade union movement and work in
cooperation with them to expose those who violate workers rights.
Strengthening the partnership within the socialist movement - IUSY firmly believes that strong
co-operation and partnership amongst the regional and international socialist/socialist
democratic is a must. We also recognize that there is an unrealized potential in this
partnership and in order to deepen this partnership co-operation must be made systematic.
However such co-ordinated action can only be solidified if our partners in the process are
strong and bold in their endeavours. To this end, IUSY firmly believes that the Socialist
International as the ‘figurehead’ of our global movement must also undertake a reform
process in order for it to be relevant in today’s globalised world. Without this reform the SI will
only become a faint memory in our movement, IUSY cannot allow for the SI to become
irrelevant and vows to fully support any efforts that go towards to revitalizing and rejuvenating
the international.
International solidarity is not just what projects we do or what partnerships we build- the
moment we neglect it in favour of our own international politicking, the moment we overlook it
for the sake of positioning, bargaining, games- we become no better than the political
movements we oppose.
The future of the socialist movement calls for leadership – at a time of crisis and opportunity.
Neo-Liberals all around the world have triggered problems. Still they are driving their agenda
more aggressive. There is no automatism that we are the only alternative. We need to debate
47
on alternatives within our parties and with our partners. And there is no single ideology or
path we are walking on. Each country adapts to it’s own reality. But there is a big chance that
the next 100 years will be years for democratic socialism and social democracy. The Youth
can be the agent of Change if we work to rebuild our strongest persuasive power. The Power
of International Solidarity.
Let’s not just talk about our principles in the abstract, let’s live them, let’s breathe them, and
let’s defend them ay every level.
That is why IUSY is all over the world to change it.
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Adopted resolutions
Thematic resolutions
Resolution on the current situation in the Middle East
On December 27 Israel began a military offensive against Gaza. We express our outrage on
both the continued rocket attacks by Palestinians as well as the Israeli escalation, with
comprehensive bombing and ground troops that have resulted in the killing of more than 1300
and the injury to more than 5000 Palestinians, including a large number of women and
children. Israel and Palestine both have a responsibility to their people to stop the violence.
However we consider the Israeli assault unacceptable and disproportionate, and in violation
of international humanitarian law and the Geneva Convention.
These latest actions dramatically increase the frustration on the Palestinian side, while not
increasing the security of Israeli civilians. IUSY calls for a stop of the blockade of Gaza, a
lasting and comprehensive cease-fire, unimpeded humanitarian access as well as a stop to
Hamas rockets fired into Israel. IUSY also calls for the immediate adoption of the UN Security
Council resolutions, which calls for intense diplomatic efforts for peace.
IUSY is concerned about the participation of the Israeli Labour Party, led by the Israeli
defence-minister Ehud Barak, in the military actions. The attacks against the Palestinian
civilian population in the Gaza Strip, which the Labour Party are part of, are unacceptable.
We urge the Israeli Labour Party to immediately start work for a peaceful solution that is not
based on military means. We also call upon the Fateh Party to work for reconciliation on the
Palestinian side.
Violations of international humanitarian law may constitute war crime for which individual
criminal responsibility may be invoked. IUSY supports the suggestion by the UN Human
Rights Council that the recent attacks on Gaza should be subject of inquiry by an: ”urgent
independent international fact-finding mission to investigate all violations of international
human rights law and international humanitarian law by the occupying power against the
Palestinian people throughout the Occupied Palestinian Territory, particularly in the occupied
1
Gaza Strip, due to the current aggression” .
IUSY calls on the European Union to stop their process of upgrading relations with Israel until
this country complies with UN resolutions and international law.
The recent actions have clearly shown that the Israeli-Palestinian conflict cannot be solved by
military means, but only through a real political process towards peace. Israel has the main
responsibility, as an occupying power, to actively demonstrate its commitment to peace by
engaging in efforts to work towards a two-state solution, which is the only realistic way towards
a peaceful resolution. Together with our member organizations and the progressive and
peaceful forces in the Middle East, we are committed to continue our work for a peaceful and
secure future in the region, based upon the “Two-State Solution".
1: UN Human Rights Council resolution adopted 12.01.09
Resolution on Migration in the European Union
The recent migratory reforms in the European Union passed by the European Parliament
represent a reason for the socialist world and for the progressive movements of the
developing countries to be worried, because it infringes the human dignity and the rights of
everyone to their freedom to migrate or to look for better opportunities for life and work.
The most regrettable is that immigrants of all nationalities are classified as criminals and
potentially guilty of all the offences committed against the citizens of the community, even is
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included the inhuman retention of up to six moths for the migrants without papers, at the very
best being deported or accused of any offence and even to pay a penalty always unfair to
someone who in many occasions can not defend himself in his language.
It is insulting that governments, for example the Italian, blame the immigrants for causing the
high rate of offences in their official speeches, thus producing intimidation, discrimination and
racial segregation, creating a form of new fascism that does not have anything to do with
democracy, justice and human rights that every government must promote and defend.
For all these reasons the International Union of Socialist Youth condemns firmly the recent
reform of migratory policies in the European Union and exhorts to all its organizations that, as
far as they can and together with their MPs and their MEPs, stop this deterioration in the
human rights situation of the people who migrate to work and to contribute to the economy
and the development of the countries where they arrive.
Resolution on Cyprus
Considering the present status quo in Cyprus established through the use of force and
sustained by military strength, as unacceptable,
Considering that the continuous occupation of the northern part of Cyprus by Turkish troops
constitutes a fundamental breach of both International Law and acquis communautaire and
can negatively influence Turkish-EU relations also in the framework of enlargement,
Considering the continuous non-recognition of the Republic of Cyprus by Turkey as a major
obstacle towards Turkey’s further integration to the EU,
IUSY:
Reaffirms all its previous resolutions on Cyprus.
Welcomes the new initiative undertaken by the President of the Republic of Cyprus Demetris
Christofias and the Turkish Cypriot leader Mehmet Ali Talat and the launch of direct
negotiations for the solution of the Cyprus problem.
Calls upon the involved parts to focus on the new process by maximizing their efforts in order
to create common understanding on the parameters of the settlement, having in mind that the
only acceptable solution should provide for the transformation of the Republic of Cyprus to a
bi-zonal, bi-communal federal state, with a single sovereignty, a single international
personality and a single citizenship, based on the implementation of all relevant UN
resolutions, the High Level Agreements of 1977 and 1979 and in accordance with the
principles of the acquis communautaire.
Expects from Turkey to constructively facilitate the process by abandoning unacceptable
positions such as the existence of two states and two peoples in Cyprus, the establishment of
confederation and the “virgin birth” of a new state in Cyprus.
Calls upon Turkey and the Turkish occupying forces to demolish barricades and to allow the
opening of more crossing points along the island which will further facilitate the
rapprochement of the two communities adding value to the positive atmosphere on the island.
Calls upon the international community and particularly the EU, to actively participate in the
solution process by elaborating on ways and means to guarantee inter alia, the legitimate
security of Cyprus in any proposed plan for solution as the continuation of the 1959 Treaties
of Guarantee does not meet the legitimate security concerns of Cypriots.
Reiterates its commitment to support the efforts made towards the vision of a united Cyprus,
based on a federal solution, with its people living in peace, security and prosperity.
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Resolution on Equatorial Guinea
Members of the International Union of Socialist Youth (IUSY), at the World Council in
Zacatecas, Mexico
Knowing that the objectives of all socialist movements are to defend human rights and
liberties whenever they are violated,
Remembering that the last report of the special envoyee of the United Nations, Mr. Manfred
Nowak, on torture and other cruel, inhuman and degrading penalties in its last mission in
Equatorial Guinea from 9 to 18 of November 2007, shows clearly the violation and torture that
the population and imprisoned politicians are suffering,
Remembering the results of the last Municipal and Legislative elections in April 2007, in which
the dictatorial regime of Equatorial Guinea self-attributed the victory as being elected for 99
out of the 100 seats in the Chamber of Representatives of the People of Equatorial Guinea,
Remembering the actions of the corrupt and dictatorial state of Equatorial Guinea, in its
eagerness to pretend to be going though a process of democratization of the country in
pluralism of inactive parties,
Informed of the next Presidential elections that the corrupt and military regime of the
Democratic Party of Equatorial Guinea (PDGE), party in the power, is planning to call for the
middle of 2009, in order to diminish the assemblies and to open a pursuit against the true
democratic opposition to the regime, after it has been attributed the victory as it has usually
happened,
Recognizing that the current social situation of the Republic of Equatorial Guinea is critical,
when it comes to the health policies, education - particularly of the youth and of its population
in general; despite the huge oil incomes deposited by the corrupt military regime of the PDGE
in the prestigious banks of France, Spain, United States, Swiss, Italy, Sweden, England,
Morocco and other countries of the universe, with several oil businesses operating with the
military and corrupt regime that governs the country, despite the absolute misery of its
population verified by other neutral institutions,
Considering that the oil boom of the country is the source of strength for the corrupt and
military regime of Equatorial Guinea, and a means for to blinding the view and blackmailing
governments and multinational businesses in order to turn a blind eye on the chaotic reality of
poverty in which its population is living and the corrupt enrichment of the regime and its
family, as well as to the systematic violation of rights of the population,
Considering that the international community should follow the situation of the human rights
everywhere and the case of Equatorial Guinea should not be exempt of this international
watching, although the corrupt and dictatorial regime of the PDGE that governs the country
for 30 years is attempting to make it so.
IUSY in Zacatecas, Mexico, recommends the following:
1. IUSY strongly condemns the absolutist, dictatorial and corrupt regime of Teodoro
OBIANG NGUEMA, President of Ecuatorial Guinea and founder of the party in power
for the last 30 years, the PDGE.
2. IUSY urges the International Community in general and in particular the governments
of Spain, France, United States, Germany, England, Nigeria, Ghana and South Africa
to watch more directly the attempts against the respect of human rights and liberties
of the population, not keeping in mind the diplomatic reality of interference in the
internal matters of Equatorial Guinea that the regime is always using to prevent any
international intervention against its terror of state, and to be involved in the
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preparations for the next presidential elections, demanding from the dictatorial regime
of OBIANG NGUEMA to admit the international independent observers in all electoral
units.
3. We call the UN, the AU and all the governments in the world to re-establish the
United Nations’ watch on the violation of human rights in Equatorial Guinea.
4. We alert the international community to be careful with the process of the Initiative of
Transparency of the Industries of Extraction (EITI) that the regime of OBIANG
NGUEMA has initiated to confuse and distract the attention of the National and
International opinion on its economic bypasses and its bad governance.
Resolution on Tibet
1.
To accept Tibet as an independent State, condemn the illegal occupation of Tibet by China
and begin dismantling the colonial occupation of Tibet.
2.
To immediately stop the rapid demographic transformation policy of China, this results in the
large influx of Chinese settlers into Tibet that threatens the very survival of the Tibetan nation,
race, culture and civilization.
3.
Immediately and unconditionally release all political prisoners including Panchen Lama
Gendun Choekyi Nyima and Tulku Tenzin Delek. Provide accounts of all those killed and
arbitrarily detained during the recent peaceful protests, including their names, whereabouts
and any charges against them.
4.
To stop the massive forced resettlement and disenfranchisement of Tibetan nomads inside
Tibet and the colonial exploitation by China of Tibet's natural resources and the expansion of
the railway network.
5.
Complete withdrawal of the so called "patriotic re-education campaign" and "Order number 5"
in Tibet and revoke with immediate effect its stipulated post-Olympic policy of harsh political
repression in Tibet.
6.
To strongly condemns the denial of fair trails and justice to all the Tibetans who have been
arrested for exercising their freedom of expressions.
7.
To call upon the United Nations to resume the debate based on its resolution passed in 1959,
1961 and 1965 on Tibet and to put pressure on China to allow a Special Rapporteur to
investigate and to help restore human rights in Tibet and support the freedom movement of
Tibetan people.
8.
Take urgent measures to address the underlying causes of the protests, including Tibetan's
long-term grievances over violations of their human rights, restrictions on religious practice;
persecution for exercising their freedoms of expression, association and assembly;
government policies apparently aimed at weakening their culture and ethnic identity; and
deliberate exclusion from the benefits of economic development.
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9.
International Union of Socialist Youth to initiate and dedicate a year long campaign focusing
on Tibet as "Year of Tibet" since the Tibetan Movement will be entering the 50th year in the
coming March 2009.
No oil in the Barents Sea and Lofoten/Vesterålen!
(Organization), assembled for (Event), calls for the Barents Sea and Lofoten/Vesterålen
to remain free of oil and gas activity. (Organization) demands that the Norwegian
government rejects the Italian oil company ENI’s plan for exploiting the Goliat oil field
in the Barents Sea. We also demand that Norway establishes permanent protection of
Lofoten/Vesterålen exploration areas from all oil and gas activities as of 2010. This is
necessary if Norway is to preserve the wildlife in the Barents Sea and Lofoten/
Vesterålen, and fulfil its international commitments for the reduction of greenhouse
gas emissions.
In early 2009, the Norwegian parliament will consider the Italian oil company ENI’s plan for
drilling at Goliat, and approve or reject extraction of the petroleum resources from the field. If
accepted this will be the first oil field to open in the Barents Sea. Within 2010 the Norwegian
parliament will decide if it will lift or make permanent the temporary protection of
Lofoten/Vesterålen from oil and gas exploration. The decision will mainly depend on the
political positions on this issue of the party/ parties that are elected into power at the General
Elections to be held in September 2009.
Increased emissions from petroleum production have in recent years driven Norwegian
greenhouse gas emissions to record heights. Approving the Goliat project and opening
Lofoten/Vesterålen to oil and gas exploration will mark the beginning of escalating fossil fuels
production in new ocean territories, and will lead to even larger greenhouse gas emissions in
years to come. As Nicholas Stern, leader of the Stern committee, has stated, we cannot
afford to extract all our known or unknown oil resources, because the total amount of
greenhouse gasses emitted from the oil, would be “enough to fry the planet.” 1 Norway has
made big money exporting this very source of global warming, and therefore has strong moral
obligations to put restrictions on its oil industry.
Goliat lies in the spawning area of the capelin, and is a seabird nesting area of international
importance. Lofoten/Vesterålen is one of the few main remaining spawning areas in the world
of white fish especially cod. Both the Norwegian Polar Institute and the Norwegian Pollution
Control Authority have issued clear warnings against petroleum activities in these vulnerable
areas. The petroleum industry insists on promises of zero emissions standards, but several
recent and serious incidents shows there is little reason to believe such promises. These
incidents are clear evidence that with oil production there will always be a risk of oil spills.
The ecosystems of the Arctic and Norwegian Sea (where Lofoten/Vesterålen is located) are
already under heavy pressure from a variety of factors, such as man-made climate change,
ship traffic and accumulated pollution from other areas. Global warming is accelerating twice
as fast as the average for the rest of the world in these areas, which represents a big threat to
the marine biodiversity of these areas. Opening these areas for new production of oil and gas
will represent increased pressure on these ecosystems.
If the Government of Norway agrees to start drilling in Goliat and oil and gas exploration in
Lofoten/Vesterålen, it will be in breach of its international obligations, in contrary to unison
scientific advice, and represent an irresponsible position in regards to climate change.
Considering the global climate and the vulnerable ecosystems of these areas, (Organization)
1
Nicolas Stern interviewed by Norwegian news channel, TV2, 29.05.2008
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demands that the Norwegian government authorities do not open Goliat to drilling, and
permanently protect Lofoten/Vesterålen from fossil fuel exploration.
Progressive answers to the financial crisis
In the beginning of 2008 the world has been hit by one of the biggest financial crisis in history.
In the following months this financial crisis has become an economic crisis affecting the entire
world. But not everyone is equally affected by this crisis. It is the poorest and the weakest that
will have to suffer the most from this crisis. But what has led to this crisis?
The crisis began with a breakdown of the real estate market in the US. Low interest rates and
lacking regulation in the US made it very easy for many people to buy houses and other real
estates. As securities for these loans everlasting increasing real estate prices were expected
and incorporated in the calculation. An enormous bubble was created which attracted capital
from all over the world. All these investors wanted to have a big share of the big expected
profits. The free international financial markets and the not existing regulation made these
bubble to grow faster and faster. Since the basis for this was the expectation of everlasting
increasing real estate prices in the US, the big crash was only a matter of time.
Many banks worldwide were directly involved in these highly speculative investments, which
led to a total crash of the banking systems all over the world. Thus, the financial systems
could not fulfil its original purpose anymore: financing the investments of the real economy
companies. This triggered the economic crisis we are all facing now. Small economies like
Iceland totally broke down and bigger economies are suffering from a deep recession now.
Many countries had to take over several banks or help them with big bail outs to ensure the
financial stability of the country. These bailouts and takeovers have to be paid by the public
which is us. In other words banks have privatized big profits over many years and now the
losses are being socialized.
One of the reasons why this crisis happened is the deregulation of global financial markets
that allowed high risky financial market products like hedge funds and private equity funds.
This non-regulation made it easy to speculate in a large scale. Another reason for the crisis is
the unequal distribution of wealth. The gap between rich and poor has spread in the last
years. Those who own already a large amount of money worldwide are only a few people but
those got even richer the last years. They have a lot of free capital, which they don’t need to
cover their basic needs. This allows these few people to undertake enormous risks in their
investments, which led to the high level of speculation in the markets.
What should be the consequences?
We as IUSY urge all countries to start immediately to reform the finical- and banking system.
Immediate steps of action are for us:
• The Friedman monetarism has failed. The supply-side oriented economic policies have to
be stopped in all countries worldwide. The self-healing ability of the markets is a myth. It
is the responsibility of politics to create a financial system that serves everyone and not
only a few.
• The introduction of the Tobin Tax, to reduce the profit of short-time investment and on the
other side to finance development with the profits.
• We need democratic control over rating agencies. One reason for the crisis was that
rating agencies did not evaluate independently financial products; they were part of the
speculation. This is why we need independent democratic controlled rating agencies.
• Tax havens and financial offshore centres should be closed down. Tax havens and
offshore centres are not independent like often told. The countries should start to use
political pressure to close them.
• High risky and speculative finical products should be banned worldwide, especially hedge
funds and private equity funds.
• The financial system and the banks have to pay for the losses of the financial crisis. It is
not to understand why it should only be paid by the citizens.
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At the moment the solutions towards the crisis are very short minded. We need a complete
reform of the financial- and banking system:
• Redistribution will lead to more financial stability and justice. As IUSY we struggle for
redistribution between the north and the south and for redistribution between the poor and
the rich, because we believe in equality and justice. This goal has not been fulfilled the
last years; we have to put it back on the agenda.
• We need a strong institution on global level under the roof of the UN, which regulates the
financial markets effectively. For instance this institution has to approve all financial
products traded on the international financial markets.
• Coordination of monetary policies between the big economies. The big economies and
economic regions USA, EU, Japan, China and Brazil need to coordinate their currency
policies. Distortions on the foreign exchange markets to foster the own export strategy
(e.g. China does so with the US dollar) are a threat to the global financial systems and
small economies.
Resolution on reproductive and sexual health is a human right!
“The factors that determine health and ill health are not the same for women and men.
Gender interacts with biological differences and social factors. Women and men play different
roles in different social contexts. These roles are valued differently, and those associated with
men usually more highly. This affects the degree to which women and men have access to,
and control over, the resources and the decision making to protect their health. This results in
inequitable patterns of health risk, use of health services and health outcomes”
(World Health Organisation, Madrid Statement 2002)
Reproductive health conditions – including HIV/AIDS - are the leading cause of death and
illness in women worldwide (15-44 years of age), and the second leading cause of death and
illness when both men and women of reproductive age are taken into account.
Worldwide, an estimated 250 million years of productive life are lost every year as a result of
reproductive health problems. The poor disproportionately bear the consequences of poor
reproductive health, especially impoverished women and young people. There are glaring
disparities in access to reproductive health care between rich and poor, within and among
countries.
Physical, domestic violence is the number one death-cause for women aged between 14 and
55. Gender violence can occur throughout a woman's lifecycle. Types include sex-selective
abortion, battering during pregnancy, and coerced pregnancy through rape, female
infanticide, differential food and medical care for girls, child marriage, genital mutilation, child
prostitution, dating and courtship violence, psychological abuse, marital rape, sexual
harassment, trafficking in women, dowry abuse and murder and abuse of elderly women.
Gender-based violence is a profound human rights abuse and health problem for women
around the world.
According to the World Health Organization and the UN Children’s Fund, virtually all maternal
deaths (99%) occur in so called "developing countries". Africa and Asia together account for
95% of the world’s maternal deaths, while less than 1% occurs in "developed" regions.
Nearly half of all people living with HIV are female, but as the epidemic worsens, the share of
infected women and girls is growing. Of the 17 million women between the age of 15 and 49
living with HIV, 98% live in "developing countries". Among girls aged 15–24, the difference is
even more pronounced: In the worst- affected countries of Africa, recent national surveys
show as many as three young women living with HIV for every young man.
Only 41 per cent of all women worldwide have the right to end an unwanted pregnancy within
a certain period of time. Every year there are about 53 million of abortions worldwide – 20%
of which are carried out illegally. 40% of these 20 lead to serious health problems, 70 000 to
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80 000 of those have a lethal ending. Woman of so-called “Third World Countries” are at risk
to die from illegal abortions that’s about 15 times higher than anywhere else. Research shows
that one in ten pregnancies will end in an unsafe abortion, with Asia, Africa and Latin America
accounting for the highest numbers.
Family planning is a human right and is essential to women's empowerment. It is central to
reduce poverty, lower fertility and improve child survival and maternal health. Family planning
can prevent a huge part of all maternal deaths. More than half the world's population is under
the age of 25, and a significant number of adolescents are sexually active. From birth through
childhood and adulthood, girls and women need effective services and information to enable
them to lead healthy productive lives.
"The fact is that women have been trapped. Reproduction is used, consciously or not, as a
means to control women, to limit their options and to make them subordinate to men. In many
societies a serious approach to reproductive health has to have this perspective in mind. We
must seek to liberate women."
(Dr. Nafis Sadik, Executive Director, UN Population Fund)
Therefore IUSY calls for:
- Increased information about reproductive matters such as: contraception, pregnancy,
sexually transmittable diseases and abortion
- A non-religious, progressive sex-education in national education systems
- An end of all harmful practices like female genital mutilation
- Free access to contraception
- Access to legal, free and safe abortion
- A stronger inclusion of gender perspectives in national and international health care
plans
- Access to high quality and affordable health care
IUSY calls for action: The 28th of May is the International Day of Action for Women’s Health!
On the border wall between Mexico - United States
Aware that the assumption of Barack H. Obama as President of the United States of America
represents no guarantee to Mexico that the conditions on the border we share will change,
mainly on the building of the shameful wall, which is an act that violates the most basic
human rights.
Considering that both government and social organisations in Mexico have requested the
intervention of international agencies, with no success.
Urges the government of the United States of America to respect the commitments and
international agreements, and to desist from building the border wall that reflects intolerance
and discrimination of its migration policy towards our co-citizens who are risking their lives in
search of better opportunities.
Expresses its rejection to the construction of the border wall.
Rejects recurring human rights violations of co-citizens and Latin American brothers.
Urges the US Government to formalise an immigration agreement ensuring respect for the
dignity of immigrants, recognising their rights to work, and guaranteeing them access to
health services and social security.
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Regional resolutions
Free Belarus: Fighting for Democracy
IUSY Political Declaration and Action Plan on Belarus
As young people and political youth activists meetings in Vilnius on April 24-27 2008, we want
to reiterate IUSY’s call for democracy, equality, social justice and freedom for the people of
Belarus.
The authoritarian rule of Belarus has led to the discrimination of the rights of most
Belarusians. The interference of the State in the private life of citizens, cruel suppression of
freedom of speech, assembly and association are facts of everyday life. Thousands of people
are repressed every year: arrested, beaten, sacked, expelled from universities, intimidated by
KGB agents, have their businesses closed. IUSY is particularly concerned with the situation
of the political prisoners especially of Aliaksandr Kazulin.
We call upon the Belarusian authorities to release all political prisoners and end immediately
pressure on political parties, independent trade unions, non-governmental organizations and
persecution of its activists. We ask for independent research to be undertaken into the
disappearance of political prisoners in 1999-2000.
We urge the authorities to respect the rights of peaceful assembly, freedom of speech,
association and information and we call upon them to create the conditions for the conduct of
free fair democratic elections.
We denounce all forms of repression on the independent trade unions and their members,
which are in direct contradiction of international labour standards set by the International
Labour Organisation.
IUSY condemns the recent police brutality inflicted on journalists during a peaceful
demonstration in Minsk on 25 March 2008. IUSY is concerned with the continuous
harassment of independent journalists by security forces in Belarus. We call upon the
government to launch an independent investigation into the disappearance and abuse of
journalists and we ask for the training of authorities in the fundamental right to freedom of
expression of all people in Belarus in particular journalists.
Freedom of expression of political opinions and freedom of information are a vital element of
any democratic society. This is particularly important with regard to the forthcoming
parliamentary election in Belarus in autumn 2008. We firmly believe that state propaganda;
absence of media freedom and repression of freedom of expression cannot be tolerated in a
democracy.
In addition we call upon the authorities to ensure the independence of the courts and granting
parliamentary powers to a democratically elected national Assembly.
Recently the United Nations has called for a worldwide moratorium on executions and in this
context we are dismayed with the recent executions undertaken by the government of
Belarus and we call upon the authorities to make all efforts to abolish the death penalty.
Young people are key to bringing true democracy to the people of Belarus. We urge the
government of President Lukaschenko to recognize that young people are given their
democratic freedoms and their human rights should be safeguarded. As young people we call
upon the government to ensure an environment is created in which independent student
unions/councils can be established; a national youth council can work independent from the
57
government and where freedom of movement of young people without intimidation is
guaranteed.
We stand in Solidarity with the people in Belarus and we hold in high regard the courage of
the Civil Society who are supporting the ideas and values of democracy. We are determined
to continue our support of young people in Belarus so that we can enable a peaceful
development of the democracy in the country.
In enabling a democratic environment we will work towards building a consensus amongst
young people in political youth organizations, trade unions and NGOs. We commit our
movement to work towards building a strong social democratic movement, student
organisations, (student councils and student unions), a national youth council, independent
trade unions and a board civil consensus on the future of Belarus.
In doing so we join with IUSY in implementing our common vision of the way forward in
Belarus, in our joint effort we will work towards taking action in the following way:
We will work towards working with all democratic and independent youth organisations in
Belarus. Teenagers and Students will be focused upon. We will endeavour to outreach
through information campaigns to young people in all regions of Belarus. Moreover we will
strive for a strong co-operation with young workers and their independent trade unions
especially at the community level.
In outreaching we envisaged to begin by engaging in a ‘dialogue with the young people of
Belarus’ in defining “What is the future for Belarus? “. In doing so this will allow for us to
discuss with young people about their human rights and how together as a cohesive youth
movement can make changes to ensure greater freedom and democracy.
In order to achieve this dialogue our movement in Belarus must firstly be strengthened
through actives at different levels:
At the international level
A Belarus co-operation Network convened by IUSY with its sister organisations ECOSY and
IFM-SEI must be established, which will ensure a global co-ordination of the work being
carried out by its member organisations on the issue of Belarus. The network will enable
through periodical meetings for the arrangement of a global strategy and activity plan, which
can be followed by all member organisations. This strategy needs to involve the launching of
a ‘Free Belarus’ campaign, which can be implemented at international, regional and local
level of our movement. The Campaign itself should include action orientated to the period of
the parliamentary elections 2008. The co-ordination network should be reinforced by the
establishment of an International Solidarity Network of grass-root activists of our movement
who can carry on the campaign.
At regional level
We will strive for co-ordination with our member organisations and other youth in civil society
in the countries surrounding Belarus to bolster the civil society in the country.
We will endeavour to ensure a concrete co-ordination of activity with the regional trade union
movement through its international organization the ITUC in fighting for workers rights in
Belarus.
Given the suppression of the independent work of young people in civil society, we will
establish a educational centre for Belarus in a neighbouring country which can be accessed
by young people, the educational centre will primarily serve in providing capacity building for
young people from our movement, however avenues for co-operation with other youth civil
society groups will be sought so that we outreach to as many young people as possible.
At national Level
1. Well prepared regional and local leaders, for better and effective coordination of work in
different regions of Belarus for mobilization of resources from all regions of the country.
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2. Development of social democratic movement in Belarus and strengthening our member
organization MSD-MH role in catering of strong policy movement.
3. Belarusian activist network should be set up to create non visible chain between different
regions of Belarus which will be used for mobilization of youth and recruitment of new people
into the movement.
4. The network will mobilize the human resources throughout Belarus for the seminars,
trainings and other educational activities organized.
5. The seminars for development and strengthening of MSD-MH and social democratic
movement in Belarus should be done.
6. Number of political seminars should be implemented for the members of MSH-MH and
other individuals of assisting of forming new and advocate for political agenda.
7. As for the members of different political and non governmental organisations so from the
individual youngsters, to involve as much as possible the series of local and nationwide
internal campaign should be design and implemented permanently by MSH-MH and newly
recruited people.
United in our Action for Peace
We, young political leaders from socialist, social democratic youth organizations gathered in
Tbilisi stand United in our Action for Peace. Our Action for Peace is founded on our common
values of equality, social justice, democracy and peace for all.
As young people we firmly believe that a lasting peace can be achieved in this region through
a myriad of strategies for resolving the existing conflicts both within and between countries.
At the heart of our agenda for peace, we fully recognize that co-operation at all levels -local,
national and regional- between progressive movements are a must.
We fully recognize that vast inequalities and violations of human rights are a major obstacle
to achieving peace. We must all strive to press our governments to enable our societies to
embrace cultural diversity, tackle all forms of discrimination and violation of human rights. In
doing so we will strive to seek co-operation with democratic governments at various levels in
order to achieve this.
As young people we are committed to making a change - a change that will bring about
peace for all. We recognize that Peace can only be achieved through dialogue and a
multilateral approach. We firmly believe that IUSY provides the most crucial platform for this
approach – a framework within which we can address the roots of conflict and look for the
lasting solutions to the problems.
Within this framework, we must address the obstacles to peace. Obstacles, which we identify
as lack of democratization, limited regional co-operation and development, violations of
human rights especially that of women and minorities, the increasing militarism of our
countries and a ‘language of war’ being used by leaders.
The IUSY Framework we believe provides us the momentum and opportunity to foster cooperation and a culture of peace in the region through the:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
Intensification of our dialogue through the BSAC action plan in particular in the
Caucasus;
Promotion a Culture of Peace in our own movement and in society as a whole;
Promotion of inter-cultural and inter-generational dialogue;
Highlighting of best practice examples of co-operation particularly related to conflict
areas;
Promotion of freedom of expression and independent media rights;
Building of alliances with like-minded civil society organizations in order to further our
agenda for peace;
Promotion of the role of Young People and in particular young women as Peace
Builders;
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8.
9.
Campaigning of Governments to ‘Disarm now’.
Exchange of information and best practice on how to bring about greater economic and
social development in the region, in order to ensure a greater future for the young
people of the region through employment, assuring student rights and education.
Finally, we fully commit our organizations to place our agenda for peace at the core of our
national political agendas and will engage all our members in a dialogue of peace in setting
forth our vision of the future for the region.
RESOLUTION ON THE FORMULATION OF CONCRETE ACTION ON THE
DEMOCRATIZATION ISSUES SURROUNDING THE ASIA PACIFIC REGION THROUGH
THE EFFORTS OF THE INTERNATIONAL UNION OF SOCIALIST YOUTH
Whereas, the International Union of Socialist Youth (IUSY) stands for democracy that
espouses free and fair electoral practice, transparency and accountability in governance,
promotes social justice and unity in recognition of cultural diversity, and advocates
participation through active involvement, consultation and representation.
Whereas, the IUSY acknowledges that there exists “pseudo-democracies” that are
characterized by deliberate contradictions of the democratic ideals, specifically in the form of
corruption, political dynasties and patronage, curtailment of civil liberties, and violation of
human rights instigated by elected government officials in our respective countries.
Whereas, the IUSY is aware of and recognizes the dire need to address the following issues
within the Asia-Pacific Region:
1. The attainment of cultural respect and tolerance for the diversity of race and ethnicity
of the Lhotshampa people of Bhutan who were displaced and are being oppressed
because of this by the ruling regime;
2. The continuing repression by the military junta of the Burmese people through a
brutal dictatorial rule that has deprived them of their democratic rights and has also
kept Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, among many others, under unjust arrest;
3. The ongoing armed conflict between Muslim separatists and government forces in
Mindanao, Philippines that have effectively displaced, maimed, and killed countless
civilians most of whom are not directly involved in the dispute;
4. The current political turmoil experienced in Thailand in light of the declaration of a
state of emergency by the current government thereby restricting civil liberties of the
Thai people.
Whereas, the IUSY, through its Asia Pacific Committee, concerned about the various issues
hounding the peoples of the Asia Pacific region which violate the very essence of genuine
democracy, affirms its role to steadfastly and proactively respond to these prevailing issues in
the region that have continuously deprived its peoples of access to democratic rights.
Whereas, the IUSY in its Asia Pacific meeting this 5th to 7th of September in the year 2008,
has received and has noted all country reports submitted by its Asia Pacific member
organizations which tackle pertinent issues that revolve around their respective political
systems and societies in general.
Whereas, the IUSY believes that, in order to effectively and efficiently respond to Asia Pacific
issues, it must first initiate reforms within its organizational structure and mechanisms to
further broaden the impact of the movement to ultimately face all challenges in the next
century.
Now, be it resolved, as it is hereby resolved, that the IUSY shall continue to fight for
democratization throughout the globe to specifically respond to the abovementioned issues.
Resolved further, that the IUSY challenges its member organizations to pressure their
respective state governments to uphold and protect genuine democratic rights.
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Resolved further, that the IUSY shall unite with the organizations that pursue the same
concerns, aiding them in all possible ways to push for the advancement of the democratic
aspirations of the afflicted societies.
Resolved further, that the IUSY, to specifically address the issues mentioned, shall conduct a
series of dialogues and educational activities that are dedicated to raising the level of
consciousness among young people with regard to issues of democratization.
Resolved further, that the IUSY, through animating campaigns, shall capture the attention and
awareness of their fellow youth, who are, all in all, the stakeholders of their respective
nations’ future.
Resolved further, that the IUSY shall implement concrete measures that will be integrated in
its program of action with respect to its proposal for organizational reform.
Resolved finally, that the IUSY shall, in all its capacity and resources, address the issues of
the Asia Pacific in a concrete manner that is genuinely responsive based on the given
diversity of contexts among various countries within the region.
RESOLUTION ON CALLING FOR ACTION ON THE PLIGHT OF THE PEOPLE OF
BHUTAN THROUGH THE INTERNATIONAL UNION OF SOCIALIST YOUTH THROUGH
ITS PRESIDIUM
Whereas, the International Union of Socialist Youth – Asia Pacific Committee (IUSY- APC) is
in solidarity with the people of Bhutan, specifically the Lothshampa, who are struggling to
achieve genuine democracy that fosters cultural respect and tolerance for the diversity of race
and ethnicity.
Whereas, the IUSY-APC condemns discrimination in all its forms, which prevents human
beings from being accorded with dignity that we all rightfully deserve.
Whereas, the IUSY-APC recognizes that the Lothshampa people of Bhutan are being
oppressed by the ruling regime because of their race and ethnicity and now are uncertain of
what would be their stake in the future as refugees.
Whereas, the IUSY-APC believes that it is the role of the organization, together with the
whole International Union of Socialist Youth, to be involved in struggling in the global arena
with and for the discriminated and oppressed citizens of Bhutan.
Now, be it resolved, as it is hereby resolved, that IUSY APC calls on the IUSY through its
Presidium to assist in raising and spreading political awareness of the people of the world,
especially the youth, on the plight of the citizens of Bhutan, which would help to initiate
actions on the issue.
Resolved further that the IUSY APC calls on the IUSY through its Presidium to craft a wellplanned framework to actualize the growth of awareness on the issue, thereby enabling an
atmosphere for constructive dialogue, debate, and concrete action.
RESOLUTION ON CALLING FOR A CONCERTED EFFORT AMONG ORGANIZATIONS OF
THE INETRNATIONAL UNION OF SOCIALIST YOUTH TO FORMULATE POSITION AND
PROPOSE FOR ALTERNATIVE SOLUTIONS ON THE GLOBAL FOOD CRISIS
Whereas, the International Union of Socialist Youth – Asia Pacific Committee (IUSY APC)
recognizes that a crisis on the global food supply exists and continues to escalate
ramifications that mostly affect the impoverished sectors of all societies, especially in
developing countries.
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Whereas, the IUSY APC believes that there should be a concerted effort among different
countries to provide solutions that will ultimately solve this worsening global dilemma.
Whereas, the IUSY APC acknowledges that some proposed solutions, especially those
coming from our respective governments, have been diluted by the lack of consultation and
thorough study and by the absence of political will due to the prevalent culture of corruption
and ineffective implementation.
Whereas, the IUSY APC affirms that the young people of the world that is represented by the
diverse membership of IUSY has crucial role in creating new alternatives to address such
issue.
Whereas, the IUSY APC strongly believes that the youth has the inherent competence,
capacity, and energy to thoroughly study this issue, thereby providing conclusions that
recommend concrete and progressive solutions.
Now, be it resolved, as it is hereby resolved, that the IUSY Asia Pacific Committee, calls on
the IUSY through its Presidium and through concerted efforts of its organizations across the
globe, to take the lead in drafting analysis on the global food crisis.
Resolved further that this analysis shall be foundation of the IUSY position and shall
ultimately arrive with concrete alternative solutions that are attainable, equitable, and
sustainable for the benefit of those affected the world over.
RESOLUTION ON THE CONTINUING STRUGGLE FOR PEACE IN MINDANAO,
PHILIPPINES
Whereas, the Bangsamoro people’s struggle for self determination and for the claim of their
ancestral domain in Mindanao, Philippines, at this point in history, has not seen any genuine
and thorough resolution on the part of the Government of the Republic of the Philippines.
Whereas, the insufficient remedies delivered by the government, in addressing the
actualization of self-determination and the recognition of the ancestral domain of the
Bangsamoro people, have been instrumental in the continuation of war in Mindanao, which
has catalyzed the prevalence of human rights violations against and displacement of not just
the Bangsamoro people, but all those who live in the region.
Whereas, the International Union of Socialist Youth – Asia Pacific Committee (IUSY- APC)
believes that the basic principles of participatory democracy and respect for human rights are
prerequisites for a just and progressive society.
Whereas, the IUSY-APC recognizes and respects the right of the Bangsamoro people for
self-determination, in accordance to their democratic ideals and aspirations.
Whereas, the IUSY-APC condemns all forms of violence as a means to end the current
impasse in Mindanao as it negates the very idea of genuine democracy and humanism.
Whereas, the IUSY-APC strongly affirms the basic human rights position that peace cannot
be attained at the expense of peace.
Now, be it resolved, as it is hereby resolved, that the IUSY APC calls for the reconstitution of
a negotiating panel that would put end to the armed confrontation and work for the historic
and legitimate demands of the Bangsamoro people.
Resolved further, that the IUSY APC, in solidarity with the whole of the International Union of
Socialist Youth, shall initiate actions concerning the Mindanao issue alongside other struggles
for democracy and peace in the Asia Pacific region.
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DECLARATION
We, young political leaders from southern Caucasus, and representatives of: AYF - Armenian
Youth Federation; SDYOA - Social Democratic Youth Organization of Azerbaijan; USYG Union of Socialist Youth of Georgia are gathered in Oslo, Norway, generously hosted by our
sister organization - Norwegian Labour Youth - AUF;
Together we share the common values of Freedom, Justice, Democracy and Solidarity. We
strongly believe that conflict and war is a major threat against humanity, and it creates a
barrier for reaching welfare and universal development. Therefore we set as our common
major goal - PEACE
We, young Socialists, members of international socialist movement, and representing
progressive political forces, fully realize our responsibility and are Committed to Peace and
Democracy in the Caucasus region and worldwide;
We, the young socialists, stand by the principals of international law on territorial integrity of
each state, recognized by international Community, as well as human rights, the right of any
nations on self-determination, and protection of its cultural and historical identity;
We believe there is a great importance of regional cooperation in Caucasus. Development in
the Caucasus region fully depends on peaceful solutions of the existing conflicts in the region.
We underline that no country can develop separately, without first reaching peace and
stability in whole region;
There is a vital necessity of promoting and advancing the peace process in our societies. We
must start rebuilding the relations between our people based on mutual respect,
understanding and trust;
We recognize the necessity of democratic transformation of our countries and the importance
of developing the Civil Society as the only way of achieving the welfare state and creation of
public good;
We firmly believe that peace in the region only can be achieved within a democratic
environment, and by involving the public, and especially youth. Also, we are considering and
respecting different opinions from all sides and stakeholders.
We express our strong will for continuation and intensification of our dialogue and strongly
believe that International Union of Socialist Youth provides fundamental platform for such an
approach. We confirm our wish on establishment of “Caucasus Dialogue” as a permanent
working network in the framework of IUSY Black Sea Area Cooperation and our readiness to
contribute in development of regional cooperation among different social groups of our
societies, and as a first step, to lunch the process of active discussion on these issues in our
organizations.
We completely understand and recognize importance of our challenges and with high
confidence move ahead with our effort for Peace, Stability and Humans welfare in the region.
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No Alternative to Peace
USYG and RSDUY Joint Statement on current situation between Georgia - Russia
We, the Union of Socialist Youth of Georgia and the Russian Social Democratic Union of
Youth, make a statement about our joint principal position.
We believe that modern world should be based on human values such as equality, social
justice, democracy and peace for all. Violent and armed resolution of conflicts is absolutely
unacceptable. Confrontations should be resolved only through negotiations.
We condemn use of violence from both sides during the Russia-Georgia war (August 2008).
Such actions of both countries are inadmissible and far from democratic principles. We
consider that the conflict is not among the nations, but among the non-democratic
governments of both, Georgia and Russia. We are sure that a military action between the
democratic countries is inconceivable.
We, Young Social Democrats are ready to tackle the challenge of improving relationships
between Russia and Georgia by fostering democratic processes in our countries, and we
want to involve the civil societies of both countries in these efforts. We are standing by the
equal partnership between our countries; we condemn any form of imperialism. State
represents its citizen’s interests, which are actually the interests of regular people just like us.
We firmly believe that the upcoming solution should be based on respect of the fundamental
principles of international law, such as state sovereignty, territorial integrity and selfdetermination of nations. We should use peaceful means of conflict resolution.
While Russian and Georgian authorities brought their relationships to the dead end, we call
public, political and social organizations of both countries to develop cooperation on the civil
society level. Nowadays it is the only way to normalize relationships between our countries
and to rebuild the mutual trust. We know that the aspiration of Russian and Georgian citizens
is to make neighbourhood relations better.
Definitely, there’s no alternative to peace!
Latin America: Socialism challenging the future
1. A NEW INTERNATIONAL SCENE. - The historical period that we are living in is marked
by a deep environmental, social, political, and economic crisis. The neoliberal model of
capitalism was not capable of fulfilling its promises. Inequality and poverty have
deepened a lot in the last period; the environmental degradation and global warming are
more critical and urgent than ever. This failure of neoliberalism has created large
instability. The loss of profit for the large banks, product of the excess of speculation, the
interventions of central banks in the markets and the crack in the stock exchanges around
the world are not far from productive economy. Therefore, the possibilities of a great
depression are not smaller.
Facing this, we maintain the position that the socialism is the only alternative in front of
the neoliberal capitalist model. The current Latin-American progressive governments are
showing us every day that this is a realistic possibility, even with all its contradictions.
1.1. MULTI-POLARITY. - The supposed unilateralism has not survived. The rise of new
powers, blocks and political and economic forces (China, India, G20, Union of South
American Nations, etc.) is consolidating a multi-polar world, creating a setting of
more dialogue and less impositions.
1.2. AN UNCERTAIN TRANSITION - The world order that will arise from this transition will
depend on the correlation of forces between capitalism and its alternatives, socialism
being one of them. On the one hand, the capitalism accumulated energy, on the
other, the left and the socialists are surpassing the dispersion that they have
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suffered in the 90’s and have managed to make important progresses and victories
in Latin America, both at elections and in the societies. A lot of guarantees are
required to surpass the limits and fragilities of these experiences and to assure
continuity and deepening of these advances. The continent needs to consolidate as
a geopolitical pole to dispute the courses of this transition and to build an alternative
setting to the capitalist proposals for fighting the crisis.
2. TOWARDS THE INTEGRATION OF LATIN AMERICA AND THE CARIBBEAN. - All the
actors that are taking part in Democratic Socialism should support the bases of the postneoliberal society in Latin America and build a political agenda adjusted to the realities of
the countries. Only in this way will be achieved a truly progressive integration that
includes cultural, political, and social aspects supporting each other in the actions for
peace, social justice and democratic stability. The indisputable asymmetries among the
countries of the region should also be considered, in order to find adequate answers to
this problem.
2.1. PROPOSALS AND ACTIONS.- To achieve this, all the aspects of the processes of
integration in Latin America and the Caribbean should be taken into account, to
strengthen and to improve them:
- Regional communication, we already have important examples such as Telesur and
the proposal for the starting of Radiosur.
- Integration around the issues of oil, re-starting the struggle of the countries for energy
sovereignty, with proposals such as “Regional Energy Ring” and the already present
Petrosur and Petro – Caribe.
- New structures for multilateral integration, as for example the process of the Union of
South American Nations.
- The reaffirmation of the role of the Organization of American States (OAS) as the
guarantee for democracy in our continent, thanks to the change of course assumed in
the new direction headed by the comrade secretary general José Miguel Insulza.
- Strengthening of the already existing integration areas, such as MERCOSUR, CAN,
CARICOM, etc.
- Strategic areas of integration from the point of view of economy. Today is advancing
one of the most ambitious projects in this area, the creation of the Southern Bank, as
the answer from our reality to the IMF, the World Bank and the BID.
- To promote the creation of defence systems at regional level.
Concrete actions that can mark the ways of integration in this region can be given if all of the
above described is realised successfully, such as a common passport or ID card, or emission
of a common regional currency.
3. NORTH - SOUTH RELATIONS. - As democratic socialists, we continue to hold the
historic flag of the right to free determination of peoples. In this sense, we can evaluate
this process and dedicate ourselves to its strengthening.
3.1. DEVELOPMENTS IN THE NORTH - SOUTH RELATIONS: We stay firm that one of
the main points we need to discuss should be the economic model in power in Latin
America. The Latin-American progressive governments need to include in their
governing programs a plan for sustainable development, composed from the
regional perspective, keeping in mind the reality of each country but prioritising the
perspectives of the block. Only in this way we will be able to avoid the anti
democratic interference that the multinational businesses are imposing on the
national sovereignties. These, supported by the media monopoles, are promoting
the restarting of the separatist movements lead by right-wing groups.
3.2. THE SOUTH - NORTH MIGRATION: Another point on the relations between the
developed and the developing countries is the recent decision of the European
Union to deny our right to free movement. We strongly point out that the right to
migrate freely in the world is fundamental and we reject the use of human life as a
variable of adjustment.
OBAMA THE OPORTUNITY: The recent elections in the United States are opening
a lot of expectations and uncertainty concerning the politics to follow. Expectations
because the triumph of Obama was the product of a strong process of increasing the
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democratic participation in the United States. Uncertainty because the course of his
international politics will largely determine our problems. Only time will confirm if
Obama is at the height of the moment, right now we only have the certainty of the
change of the picture of the US society in the eyes of the world.
4. CONSOLIDATING THE DEMOCRATIC SOCIALISM: TODAY’S CHALLENGES. Today’s task is to build the new democratic policies. To connect the present challenges
with the everyday life of hundreds of thousands of people experiencing exclusion,
intolerance, exploitation and misery. Democratic socialism should be set as a central
actor in the articulation of the social struggles for the creation of a democratic and more
just society.
4.1. RIGHTS AND DEMOCRACY. - It is therefore indispensable that socialism initiates the
strengthening of democratic institutions, the enlargement of social rights, and the active
role of the State and the participation of the civil society in the issues of public interest.
Democratic socialism should have lead in the proposals for more rights, good political
proposals for youth - the serious figures of youth unemployment and the precariousness
of labour conditions that affect the youth are urging us to face this critical reality. We
should initiate in our countries public policies that are based on the principles of
democracy, cooperation, and equity and are facing the precariousness, insecurity and
lack of opportunities for hundreds of thousands of young people.
4.2. PROGRESSIVE PROPOSALS. - The democratic socialism should be recognised as a
political force in the service of the new struggles, for the recognition of difference and the
equality of rights. We should politically recognise the need for deep cultural change in the
world and in our continent. Consequently, the democratic socialism should contribute to
the struggles and demands of the LGBT population, the central role of women in the
social life and the diversity of the world of the youth. We need politics connected with the
cultural transformations that are acceptable in the modern society of today, and of the
future.
4.3. URGENT ENVIRONMENTAL ACTIONS: The environmental deterioration, the loss of the
ozone layer, the global warming and the problems with water should be at the top of the
agendas of each country of Latin America and the Caribbean. We need a regional
strategy on these issues. It should be clear that we are a key region for natural resources,
set against the conflicts in the future that may arise from the their scarcity.
4.4. NEW ECONOMIC BASIS. - Democratic socialism should not renounce to constitute a
political force that is set to surpass and defeat the inherent contradictions that the
capitalism is generating in its current neoliberal phase. We need an economy oriented
toward the development of the human Being and the respect of the environment. Not an
economy founded on the principle of the profit, but one in which what is produced in the
society is distributed to the society as a whole. We should be part of the international
debate on the construction of alternatives to the economic model and the prevailing
economic opinions. The struggle of the socialists has its end in the economic and social
equality.
Human Rights of People with Disabilities
American committee of International Union of Socialist Youth, IUSY, at the meeting in La Paz,
Bolivia, gathering the women and men of socialist, social democratic and left wing youth
movements in America,
CONSIDERS
That the Human Rights for people with disabilities represent an important topic at world level,
being that they represent about 10% of the world population (650 millions of people) that are
usually living in social discrimination and powerlessness, which are stopping them from
having a proper human development.
That essentially, in order to perceive the perspective of people with disability in terms of
human rights and social development, it is necessary to consider which ones are living as
subjects and not objects to their disabilities.
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That the UN has recently adopted a Convention on the rights of the people with disabilities,
UN, December 13 2006 (a/res/61/106).
And therefore
RESOLVES
1. That the people with disabilities must be treated and considered as human beings.
2. That the right to active participation in social life is inherent to human beings and therefore
we must speak for and express our solidarity with the struggle for human rights, political rights
and economical rights of the people with disabilities.
3. IUSY will do what it takes to involve our many organisations in proposing to their respective
governments programmes that are helping to encourage actions against discrimination and
establish conditions of equality in human rights for the people with disabilities.
4. IUSY will do what is necessary to tackle this issue at the forthcoming World Council that is
to be held in Zacatecas, Mexico, in an open debate or a panel discussion with an expert.
IUSY congratulates the US Citizens on electing the change
The US Presidential and Congress elections in 2008 represent an historic moment being that
for the first time the elected US President is an Afro-American, Barack Hussein Obama, as
well as for the significantly increased number of seats for the Democrats in the Senate and
the House of Representatives. In this year a record number of US voters clearly voted against
corruption, inefficient administration (like the shameful response to the Hurricane Katrina) and
the overall vision of the Republican Party during the unfortunate economic changes following
the recent hipothecary and bank crisis. The defeat of John McCain and Sara Palin, whose
campaigns were based on the right-wing populism, the new-McCarthyism and the racially
tendentious declarations, shows the critical rejection of reactionary politics.
Obama, who openly managed a moderate candidature, seems to be inclined towards a
central type of governance. Political limits are not as important as the new possibilities
opening to us. Our progressive social movements should use the energy and enthusiasm
coming from the victory of Obama. We should show “critical support” to his administration and
make pressure in order to promote the policies that we are standing for. The left helped him
arrive to the White House and he should have our continuous support. The left cannot make
the mistake of defending Obama against the attacks from the right that are helping him to
calm the conservatives and neoliberals in the name of “bipartism”. If he does not become
more serious we shall only lose.
The USA will have the possibility to reach important achievements in terms of the rights of
immigrants, the workers’ rights, the environment (including the “ecologic work”), racial justice,
women’s rights and a foreign policy that is more coherent with all of the countries in the world.
Certainly, there is nothing sure in politics. Obama and the elected Democrats will suffer
pressure from all sides. IUSY will therefore follow closely the actions taken by the Obama
administration, ready to criticise errors and poor policies as well as to welcome victories and
progressive policies.
Tribute to Dr. Raúl Alfonsín and joining in the commemoration of 25 years of
the recovery of Democracy in Argentina
Considering the vital importance that the democratic period initiated on December 10, 1983,
when the military dictatorship was toppled in order to move towards institutional democracy in
Argentina, had in the process of recovery of Democracy in Latin America.
67
Recognising the utmost importance of the Prosecutions carried out during the government of
President Alfonsín towards the military Juntas that committed genocide in Argentina between
1976 and 1983, as well as of the joint efforts that this government implemented together with
Brazil towards regional integration, the creation of MERCOSUR and political support to the
processes of democratic recovery in our region.
Knowing that President Alfonsín symbolizes all of the values that are necessary to guarantee
democracy in the future.
Knowing that to evoke the figure of Dr. Raúl Alfonsín, former Vice President of the Socialist
International, we must follow his example of defending democracy with social content,
freedom, equality and ethics of solidarity.
The IUSY American Committee resolves:
1 – To join in the commemorative celebrations of 25 years of the recovery of Democracy in
Argentina.
2 – To pay tribute to Dr. Raúl Alfonsín in his commitment to democracy and freedom, in his
struggle for life and for peace; and in his strong engagement in the ideology and values of
social democracy.
IUSY American Committee resolution celebrating the electoral victory of
Fernando Lugo Méndez in Paraguay
Considering that the electoral victory of the Alianza Patriótica para el Cambio (Alliance for
Patriotic Change) in Paraguay represents an important step towards the consolidation of
democracy in the region.
Keeping in mind the commitment that the President Fernando Lugo has taken in public, to
start, after 60 years of rule of one party in the country, a new period of change in Paraguay
that will be based on tolerance, respect of values of the republic, consolidation of democratic
ideology and development of the country implementing the standards of social equality to
assure better living conditions for the citizens of Paraguay.
And understanding that the IUSY American Committee should make commitment and support
this process of change initiated in Paraguay.
1 - To declare support to the new government in Paraguay lead by Fernando Lugo Méndez.
2 - To make a commitment to strengthen political connections with the youth political
organizations in Paraguay integrated in IUSY, creating spaces of international cooperation,
specifying the declared support.
Resolution of support to the Organización Nacional de Juventudes Liberales
in their fight for reaffirmation of the Social State under the rule of Law in
Colombia
CONSIDERING
That the Partido Liberal de Colombia (Liberal Party of Colombia - PLC) since 1848 plays a
socialist and democratic role, acting directly towards the people of Colombia. At the same
time it is promoting the principles of equality, equal opportunities, solidarity, peace and
fraternity, contributing in this way to the strengthening of the socialist principles, which today
68
represent a challenge and responsibility for all organizations taking part in this committee, the
rest of the world and for Latin America.
That the PLC, with the Organización Nacional de Juventudes Liberales (National
Organization of Liberal Youth - ONJL), has released a radical opposition toward the neoliberal
government of Álvaro Uribe Vélez. In addition, they have taken the task to morally strengthen
the people of Colombia, that are conscious of long processes and struggles that the LPC has
started not only in their country, but in the rest of the world as well.
That the PLC in its current political actions continues fighting for the rights of workers,
women, children, the elderly, the young, in order to assure the guaranteed minimum income,
social security and other fundamental rights included in the Political Letter from 1991, aiming
to establish Colombia as a social state under the rule of law.
That the PLC plays a fundamental role in the struggle of this committee to establish a
democratic socialist government in Colombia and in the fight for defense of democracy,
freedom, equality and ethics of solidarity that are today developing all over the world and
especially in Latin America.
1 - To greet the representatives of ONJL, that will unite at the first Political Summit of Liberal
Youth in Bogota on November 22 and 23.
2 – To call on democratic youth organizations from Colombia to continue in their firm
commitment to the struggle for a fair and more just society, protected under the principles of
Democratic Socialism.
3 – To reject the violations of international treaties by the Colombian government and its army
that are arbitrarily using logos that represent international neutrality such as of the Red Cross.
4 – To firmly support the strengthening of democracy that the ONJL from Colombia is putting
in action as coherent opposition to the anti-democratic government of the President of
Colombia Álvaro Uribe Vélez.
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Decisions on IUSY membership
Recommendations on Membership decisions to be put forward to the XXVIII
IUSY World Congress
1) Applications for change of name of IUSY Member organisations:
Country:
- Hungary
Organisation:
- Fiatal Baloldal
Application for:
- Name change to
Country:
- Iceland
Organisation:
- Samband Ungra Jafnadarmanna
Application for:
- Name change to
Societas - New Movement
UJ
Recommendation to the Congress:
- To confirm
- To confirm
2) Applications for change of status of IUSY Member organisations:
Country:
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
Organisation:
- Young Social Democrats (of Rep. Srpska)
Application for:
- Full membership
- To confirm
3) New applications for membership in IUSY:
Country:
- Brazil
Organisation:
- J PT
Application for:
- Observer membership
- To confirm
Country:
- Paraguay
Organisation:
- País Solidario
Application for:
- Observer membership
- To confirm
70
Elections
As the Council and IUSY Member organisations have already been informed, the Presidium
faced a difficult situation at the end of 2008 when the IUSY Secretary General Yvonne
O’Callaghan resigned from the position. The Presidium suggested Johan Hassel, the Vice
President from Sweden, to replace her.
The suggestion was made and approved at the Presidium meeting in La Paz, Bolivia in
November 2008 and Johan started at the IUSY Secretariat in December 2008, preparing the
World Council in Zacatecas. This opened another position for a Vice President coming from
the European Committee.
At the XXVII IUSY World Congress the Mediterranean Committee agreed for the member
organisations in Israel to share the mandate of the Vice President, being represented one
year each and making the change at the World Council. Therefore the switch between the
representative of Young Meretz Yachad and Labour Young Leadership as IUSY Vice
President was due to be realised at this World Council.
The IUSY World Council elected by acclamation the following members of the Presidium:
Secretary General
Vice Presidents
Federica Mariotti, Sinistra Giovanile, Italy
Maayan Amodai, Labour Young Leadership, Israel
(Taking over from Uri Zaki, Young Meretz Yachad, Israel)
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Composition of the IUSY Presidium
Portfolio of the IUSY Presidium
President
Jacinda Ardern, NZYL, New Zealand
SI Presidium, ICMYO, GPF Geneva group
Secretary General
European Youth Forum, Council of Europe, SI Ethics/ Finance committees
Vice-Presidents
African coordinator
Vuyiswa Tulelo, ANC YL, South Africa
Development cooperation
Francisco Crespo, JID, Ecuador
Wellington Arnaud Bisono, JRD, Dominican Republic
Caribbean
Daniel Manouchehri Lobos, JS, Chile
Climate change
Pavel Meléndez, J PRD, Mexico
Migration
Marie Chris Cabreros, Akbayan Youth, Philippines
Asia-Pacific coordinator
European coordinator
UN coordinator
Nela Celik, DY, Serbia
Balkans region
Cordula Drautz, Jusos, Germany
Chair of Drafting committee, Disarmament
Federica Mariotti, SG, Italy
Mediterranean coordination and Middle East
Silje Rygland, AUF, Norway
Political education
72
Dimitri Tskitishvili, USYG, Georgia
Black Sea Area cooperation, Election observation
Ismail Sommad, Fateh Y, Palestine
Maayan Amodai, LYL, Israel
Working groups and thematic networks
Feminist Working Group Coordinator
Jonas Gunarsson, SSF, Sweden
LGBT Working Group Coordinator
Students Working Group Coordinator
EU-Arab dialogue coordinator
Social Movements, Global Progressive Youth Forum (GPYF)
Sven Frye, SJD-Die Falken, Germany
Control Commission President
- Application of the IUSY Statutes (Rules and procedure for membership and
sanctions on the membership)
- Reform of the regional distribution within the IUSY Presidium
- Anna Lindh Programme applications control
Permanent Invited Members
ECOSY President or Secretary General
73
Speech of Johan Hassel, elected IUSY Secretary General
IUSY Comrades,
Olof Palme once described politics as a question of will, he said:
“Politics is to want something. Social Democratic politics is to want change, because change
holds out the prospect of improvement, offers food for the imagination and encourages
initiative, dreams and visions.”
IUSY Members,
The world needs hope again. A new president has been elected in the United States, Barack
Hussein Obama, is starting to recreate hope in the world after calling for change. The
differences between us and Obama are several. The will of change unifies us. As IUSY we
say “All over the world to change it”. It is time for change to come and to be filled with our
content.
2009 will be the year when the worlds change from believing in fundamental market liberalism
to start to believe in politics. We have the politics but as democratic socialist we have for too
long been out of self-confident. The right wing has dominated the world. The path that lies
behind us is filled with violence and lack of freedom. Human Rights are constantly violated.
Poverty remains, the gap between rich and poor states as well as rich and poor people
creates tension between states and in societies. The millennium goals will not be reached.
Climate Change is more over us than we realise; demanding stronger and faster actions. The
financial crisis will lead to an even worse situation for the most vulnerable in our societies.
Our values are timeless. Equality, Solidarity and Freedom is more than ever requested and
the mistakes that have been made are proving us right. But politics is just not about being
correct. Politics is most of all about getting your political message put in practise.
And that is our challenge as IUSY. We know which change we want. It is our time to show the
will. The will of taking the political leadership and to lead the change. IUSY has a great history
and an even brighter future. As a global movement we consist of parties and political leaders
with great history in the fight for freedom, equality and solidarity among people. We bind
together all parts of the world. We must better take the advantage of this. Dialogue between
civilisations; inter culture projects are usually seen as something special. For us it is daily life.
The dynamic that our movement represents makes us unique. I hope that IUSY these coming
years will lead the way inside the socialist family. We have talked the talk for too long. It is
time to walk the walk. It is a question of will.
As Democratic Socialists Human Rights and Democracy are the corner stones of our
movement. If Human Rights and Democracy constantly was put first the world would be a lot
different. We are all the same and deserve the same rights. Lesbian and Gays. Christian.
Muslims. Jews. Atheists. Girls or Boys. Rich or Poor. Black or White. Young or old. Women or
Men.
IUSY comrades,
Our organisation must reflect on our political goals. We don’t only demand that from other but
as IUSY this is also something that we demand from ourselves. Especially when it comes to
the rights of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transsexual we have a lot of more work to do.
Women’s rights and participation is not either as it should be. It is not just IUSY that we need
to put demands on. We also need to put the demands on our member organisations and the
message needs to be taken to the world. We have an individual and collective responsibility.
We have to lead the change.
IUSY members,
Above all we are democrats. And as democrats we are concerned about what is happening in
the world today. Democracy is falling back again. Together with civil society and social
74
movements we have to put democracy back on its track. Building civil society. Educating
people. And having democratic parties that gives an alternative is some ways of moving
forward. Ways that we practise as IUSY.
The abuse of democracy is going to be on of the worst consequence of the Bush
administration. We see the effects of the attempts to try to democracy in place by bombs in
Afghanistan and Iraq today. Democracy is supposed to show the will of the people. It is easy
to start wars. To create peace – that is the real challenge – is more difficult. In a lot of places
in the world democracy needs a new start.
Friends,
During this meeting we will talk about the financial crisis. Equality and strong economic
development is tools for creating hope. Without having and independent economical situation
you are not able to make free choices. Without education you are not giving the chance to
change your future. Without the right to your culture you cannot express your selves, the right
to culture is the right to breath. Without social justice and social security you don’t have the
safety needed for you or your family to live a life with good living conditions and without being
worried of what happens if you loose your job or gets sick. The welfare state has never been
more relevant and modern.
The rights of political, economical, social and culture democracy are most of all about
equality. With the economical system of today equality it is not possible. The financial and
economical crisis that we are now seeing is again showing that the free market is not perfect.
It needs to be regulated. The market is a bad lord but a good servant. We as Democratic
Socialists must use the opportunity that this crisis gives us. A new economical world order
needs to be built. One that puts humans instead of greed first. More of regional and global
solutions are needed. The global financial institutions need to be reformed. Goals for fighting
poverty as well as unemployment must be on top of the agenda. Human Rights, Democracy
and Economic development are closely linked together.
IUSY members,
We have the visions. We got the policies. We have the people. What IUSY today need is to
be put into practise. A reconstruction of the organisation is what is on top of our agenda.
Communication must work. Regional Committees - the heart of IUSY – needs to happen.
Working groups, campaigns, trainings, projects all must come back and new things must be
added. The meetings between people, the exchange of ides and experiences and the
common will to do better is some of what IUSY is all about. It is our task to make this
happen. No more. No less.
th
st
Our will; to do this will be tested at the IUSY Festival the 15 to 21 of July in Hungary. The
mobilization from each member organisation each President, Secretary General or
International Secretary, from regional committee will show the will of our movement. IUSY as
well as Democratic Socialism is depending on our will. And so is the world.
75
List of participants
Country
Organisation
Delegate
FULL MEMBER AND OBSERVER ORGANISATIONS
Argentina
Juventud Partido Socialista Popular
Argentina
Juventud Radical
Armenia
Armenian Youth Federation
Austria
Sozialistische Jugend Österreich
Austria
Belgium
Benin
Bhutan
Bosnia-Herzegovina
Chile
VSSTÖ
Animo
Jeunesse PSD
Youth Organization of Bhutan
SNSD YF
Juventud Radical Socialdemócrata
Colombia
Croatia
Cyprus
Czech Republic
Juventud Liberales de Colombia
Croatian Social Democratic Youth
Socialist Youth of Cyprus - EDEK Youth
Young Social Democrats - MSD
Denmark
DSU
Dominican Republic
Finland
Juventud Revolucionaria
SDY
Germany
JungsozialistInnen in der SPD
Germany
SJD-Die Falken
Greece
PASOK - Youth
Hungary
Ireland
Societas
Irish Labour Youth
Israel
Italy
Lebanon
Labour Young Leadership
Sinistra Giovanile
Progressive Youth Organisation
Mexico
J PRD
Alejandra Soledad Garavano
María Fernanda Sintora
Rodrigo Ernesto López Tais
Shushanik Boyadjian Itutmazian
Vache Thomassian
Kati Hellwagner
Sebastian Schublach
Carmen Fischer
Georg Hufgard
Tsang Wai-Hoi
Oloughegoun Judicaël Biaou
Rajen Giri
Srdjan Mazalica
Christian Román
Jenny Lindo Díaz
Jaime Hernández Amín
Marko Filipovic
Andreas Konstantinou
Vaclav Klusak
Anne Paulin
Camilla Schwalbe
Jin Borggren
Peter Hummelgaard Thomsen
Stefan Hvenegard Sorensen
Ruth Estrella
Wellington Arnaud Bisono
Marianne Muona
Cordula Drautz
Simone Burger
Nils Hindersmann
Sven Frye
Tim Schrock
Petroula Nteledimou
Christos Myronidis
Akos Komassy
George Horvath
Hazel Nolan
Eran Schafferman
Maayan Amodai
Federica Mariotti
Ziad Nasr
Eva Sánchez Valdez
Herandi Muñoz Hernández
Roxana Luna Porquillo
Angel Avila Romero
Manuel Gómez García
Pável Meléndez Cruz
Janna Besamusca
76
Netherlands
Niger
JS in de PvdA
Organisation de Jeunesse du Taraya
Norway
Palestine
Norwegian Labour Youth - AUF
Fateh Youth
Paraguay
Juventud País Solidario
Peru
Phillipines
Portugal
Senegal
Juventudes del APRA
AKBAYAN Youth
Juventude Socialista
MNJS
Slovenia
Mladi Forum
South Africa
Spain
ANC - YL
Juventudes Socialistas de España
Sweden
Social Democratic Youth-SSU
Sweden
Social Democratic Students
Thailand
Tibet
Uganda
Ukraine
Uruguay
Western Sahara
Young People Democracy, YPD
Tibetan Youth Congress
Young Democrats
Social Democratic Perspective
Juventudes Socialistas Uruguay
UJSARIO
Zita Schellekens
Sido Hasane Issa
Julie Lodrup
Silje Rygland
Erik Pedersen
Martin Henriksen
Hasan Faraj
Johanna Ortega Ghiringhelli
Isaac Emmanuel Almirón
Patricia Carolina Tubillo Casanova
Juan Raúl Marticorena Pérez
Marie Chris Manzano Cabreros
Pedro Delgado Alves
Barthelemy Dias
Silvia Josefina Contreras Barrera
Mitja Cestnik
Betty Mokena
Lindewe Gunuza
Aurora Bonnin
Jytte Guteland
Mattias Vepsa
Alaa Idris
Magnus Manhammar
Kodchawan Chaiyabutr
Chaiwat Treewitthaya
Metha Matkhao
Dhondup Dorjee
Sulaiman Serwadda Kindala
Oleksandr Antonov
Viviana Piñeiro
Mahfoud Ali Salem Ahmed
INVITED ORGANISATIONS
ECOSY President
ECOSY Secretary General
Giacomo Filibeck
Ania Skrzypek
IUSY
IUSY President
IUSY Secretary General
IUSY Political officer
ECOSY Political officer
Jacinda Ardern
Johan Hassel
Fernando de Miguel Cuesta
Katy Dillon
77
IUSY Statutes
I.
Name and Aims
1
The International Union of Socialist Youth - IUSY - is the union, allied with the Socialist
International in the international labour movement, which brings together democratic socialist
youth and student organisations in their fight for socialism, democracy and internationalism.
2
IUSY aims at realising the democratic socialist ideas, such as expressed in the Declaration of
Principles. In this respect, the primary task of IUSY is to build ever stronger solidarity among
all young socialists in the world, thus making cooperation, common mobilisation and success
for socialism possible.
IUSY serves the youth through its member organisations by:
1) Gathering members for common understanding and learning in order to develop policies
and forceful actions.
2) Representing the global socialist youth movement towards international associations and
inter-governmental bodies, on the basis of the Declaration of Principles and decisions taken
by IUSY bodies.
3) Organising joint activities and information exchanges to promote and develop the political
and social work of member organisations.
3
IUSY promotes gender equality. Our goal is to reach 50% women representation in IUSY as
well as in each member organisation. To reach this goal, everybody, including all IUSY
bodies and all IUSY member organisations, is taking measures to support and encourage
women. Quotas are therefore applied to reach equal gender representation in all decisionmaking bodies in the socialist movement.
A quota system is an extraordinary measure. It is necessary to change the consciousness
concerning traditional roles, behaviours and political structures.
As a step to reach equality, a minimum of 45% women must be elected to all IUSY bodies
(Presidium and Control Commission). In all activities, a 50% quota must be followed,
therefore priority in selection and financial assistance will be given to women, if nominations
otherwise do not provide for equal participation. In the International Congress, World Council
and Regional Committees delegations not following the requirement for equal female
representation will lose half their votes.
II.
Membership
1
Every youth and student organisation is a full member of IUSY which:
a) Accepts the Declaration of Principles and the Statutes.
b) Undertakes to cooperate to achieve the aims mentioned under I.
c) Covers the age group between fourteen (14) and thirty-five (35) years, fully or mainly, with
all or the majority of their members.
78
d) Is accepted as full member of IUSY in the way mentioned in these Statutes.
2
Every youth and student organisation is an observer member which fulfils the conditions for
full membership and is accepted as an observer member in the way mentioned in these
Statutes.
3
Every national, regional or international youth or student organisation, which wishes to
cooperate with IUSY, is associate member, when accepted as an associate member in the
way mentioned in these Statutes.
4
The International Congress decides upon membership. The Presidium prepares the
proposals according to the Rules of application approved by the Congress and published.
Applications for membership are to be sent to the secretariat. To adopt a full or observer or
associate member a 2/3 majority must vote in favour, not counting abstentions.
The Council meeting is entitled to accept members with a unanimous vote, not counting
abstentions. Such decisions must be ratified by the next Congress without any of the
concerned organisations voting on the decision. Applications not accepted by the Council can
be submitted to the Congress for consideration.
In case of split of a member organisation, the IUSY Presidium can by a unanimous decision
suspend the membership rights until the next Council respectively Congress and/or propose
by a majority decision a change of status. In these cases the Council respectively the
Congress decides upon the further status of the organisation.
5
Full members have the right to speak and vote in meetings of the International Congress, the
Council, regional committees and working groups. Observer and associate members have
the right to speak in those meetings. Each member organisation has the duty to pay the
membership fee assigned to it by the International Congress.
6
The right to vote of a member organisation is automatically suspended, if all outstanding
membership fees have not been received by IUSY by the end of April of the current year.
Failure to fulfil membership duties leads to the suspension of membership by the Council and
exclusion from IUSY by the International Congress if a solution is not reached in advance.
7
Membership can be suspended by:
a) A 2/3 majority of the Council (abstentions not counted)
b) A decision by the statutorily empowered body of the member organisation concerned,
which has been communicated to the Secretary General in written.
c) A decision of the International Congress.
A member organisation can be excluded by the International Congress by a 2/3 majority.
A IUSY member organisation, full or observer member, is automatically disaffiliated if it is not
paying its membership fees for a period of three years without any claim to the IUSY Control
Commission.
8
Full members and observer members of IUSY can only have a status in another international
organisation with the agreement of the International Congress or the Council. The
79
organisations are themselves responsible for communicating their status in other international
organisations to the International Congress or the Council of IUSY.
III.
IUSY Bodies
The Bodies of IUSY are:
a) The International Congress of Socialist Youth
b) The Council
c) The Presidium
d) The Regional Committees
e) The Working Groups and Thematic Networks
f) The Secretary General
g) The Control Commission
h) The Arbitrating Body
IV.
The International Congress
1
The International Congress of Socialist Youth is the supreme body of IUSY. It determines
policies and ensures its implementation within the framework of the Declaration of Principles
and these Statutes, which it can change. It controls the work of other IUSY bodies.
2
The International Congress convenes once every 2 years and is convoked by the Presidium,
three months in advance. The Presidium proposes an agenda for the Congress. An
Extraordinary Congress can be convoked when the Presidium or 1/3 of all full member
organisations propose to do so.
3
The delegation of a full member organisation has the right to 4 delegates and two votes,
provided that its delegation fulfils the gender quota. The Presidium may apply a higher
participation fee for additional delegates from the same organisation, which are allowed as
long as the gender balance is respected.
4
The right to participate as observers in the International Congress belongs to:
a) The Presidium
b) The Control Commission
c) Representatives from observer member organisations, the maximum number being
determined by the Presidium.
d) Representatives from associate member organisations, the maximum number being
determined by the Presidium.
5
The International Congress elects the President, the Vice Presidents, and the Secretary
General. The Presidium is responsible to the Congress for its activities.
6
The International Congress elects the Chair and the members of the Control Commission.
7
The International Congress decides about the minimum membership fee of each member
organisation (full, observer and associate). The fee can only be changed by a Congress
decision.
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V.
The Council
1
The Council determines the policy of IUSY between the Congresses and ensures its
implementation within the framework of the Declaration of Principles and these Statutes. It
controls the activities of the Presidium.
2
The Council assembles the year between years of an International Congress and is convoked
by the Presidium three months in advance. Full member organisations have the right to send
two delegates. The voting rights of the International Congress apply.
VI.
Presidium
1
The Presidium is composed of 19 members, who have not reached the age of 35 at the time
of their election. The nineteen members of the Presidium include the President, the Vice
Presidents and the Secretary General. Ten members of the Presidium, present or
represented, constitute a quorum. A female member of the Presidium can only be
represented by another woman. Members of the presidium represent IUSY, not their IUSY
member organisations.
The Presidium, during its first meeting after the World Congress, defines each Vice
President's portfolio and means, among which is Regional Committees Coordination, and
informs the member organisations of the distribution of responsibilities.
2
Presidium members have to be members of a full member organisation of IUSY. If the full
member organisation to which the Presidium member belongs has changed its status in
IUSY, if the Presidium member ceases to be a member of his/her organisation, or if s/he
resigns, the Council elects a new member.
3
The members of the Presidium are elected by the International Congress for the period
between the Congresses. These members will not be elected for more than two periods in the
same position and for more than three periods in total.
4
The Secretary General will execute the decisions made by the International Congress, the
Council, and the Presidium. The Secretary General manages the work of the secretariat.
5
If the Secretary General resigns, the Presidium elects a new Secretary General to be ratified
by the next Council.
6
The Secretary General will work out a political, organisational and financial report which is to
be presented to the Presidium for approval. The report shall then be presented to the Council
and to the International Congress.
7
On important matters the Secretary General consults the President, the Vice Presidents and
the Chair of the Control Commission.
8
The Presidium in its entity is responsible to the Congress for the finances of IUSY.
81
The sources of finance are membership fees; incomes from activities and publications;
donations, inheritance and other allocations; and grants from national, regional and
international institutions.
9
IUSY is represented through its President and its Secretary General or another, specifically
appointed, Presidium member. On financial matters it is exclusively the Secretary General
and the President together or the Secretary General and another person who, through a
decision of the IUSY Presidium, has been given the responsibility in financial matters who
have signatory power. The authority to sign is only valid in the framework of the decisions
made by the IUSY bodies.
10
The member organisations will be informed about the long-term plans for IUSY seminars.
Through the IUSY electronic communication the Presidium will communicate which Presidium
members - individually or collectively - bear the responsibility for such preparations on behalf
of the Presidium.
VII Regional Committees
The Regional committees are the African committee, the American committee, the AsianPacific committee, the European committee and the Mediterranean committee. The Congress
may establish other regional committees.
One vice-president from the respective region coordinates the Regional committees.
Regional Coordinators ensure permanent coordination of their work with IUSY Presidium.
Concerning the voting rights, the rules of the International Congress and the World Council
apply.
VIII
Working Groups and Thematic Networks
1
The Permanent Working groups are the Feminist Working Group, IUSY Students and the
LGBT Working Group. The Congress may establish other working groups.
2
The Working groups develop IUSY policies and activities in their particular fields of concern
and decide upon their working methods, within the framework of decisions by the
International Congress and the Council. Work is coordinated with the Presidium and
secretariat. The coordinators of Working Groups are invited to Presidium meetings. They
have to report on their activities to the World Congress and Council.
3
The Coordinators of Working Groups are elected by the International Congress for the period
between the Congresses. If the full member organisation to which the coordinator of a
Working group belongs has changed its status in IUSY, if the coordinator of a Working group
ceases to be a member of his/her organisation, or if s/he resigns, the Council elects a new
Coordinator.
4
Thematic Networks are established every two years by the Congress. Vice-Presidents
are in charge of the Thematic Networks in connection with their portfolios.
82
IX
Control Commission
1
The Control Commission is made up of five members, including the Chair, elected by the
International Congress. These members will not be members of the Presidium.
2
The Control Commission has to control the execution of the decisions of the statutory bodies
and the Secretary General.
3
The Control Commission is to be consulted on financial matters and agreements.
4
The members of the Control Commission have to be members of a full member organisation
of IUSY. Should a member of the Control Commission cease to belong to a full member
organisation during his/her time of office, or if a member of the Control Commission resigns,
the Council elects a new member.
5
The Control Commission meets at least twice a year.
6
Between the Congresses the Control Commission is the only body which can interpret the
Statutes.
X
The Arbitrating Body
In all cases of conflict arising within IUSY the Arbitrating Body decides. The Arbitrating Body
is made up of five people: two representatives of each part in conflict and a chairperson who
is elected by the IUSY Presidium by simple majority. The Arbitrating Body decides on the
basis of a simple majority. Its decisions are final. Those members who do not submit
themselves to the Arbitrating Body or who do not respect its decision can be excluded from
the International by the IUSY Presidium.
XI
Dissolution
Dissolution of IUSY can only be decided by a specially convened International Congress, by a
2/3 majority of all votes present. After fulfilment of all liabilities any existing assets have to be
transferred to another youth organisation whose aims and principles are similar to those of
IUSY. Detailed decisions for the execution must be taken by the above-mentioned, specially
convened Congress.
XII General
1
In such cases not specified by the present Statutes, all decisions requiring voting are taken by
simple majority of all present, valid and non-abstaining votes.
To be elected an absolute majority of votes is required. All votes must be cast for the number
of persons of each gender that are to be elected. If the number of candidates receiving an
absolute majority is insufficient, only those with a majority of votes are elected, while a new
vote is held among the candidates with most votes, the number of whom cannot exceed the
double number of posts still to be elected.
83
If more persons reach an absolute majority than the number of posts to be elected, those
candidates who get most votes are elected.
If a quota applies and is not fulfilled by the result, those with least votes from the group not
benefiting from the quota are discarded until the quota is fulfilled. An absolute majority of
votes is still required and new rounds of voting may be required.
For all sessions of the International Congress, Council, Presidium, Control Commission, an
official report must be made.
All proposals regarding the Declaration of Principles and Statutes must reach the Secretary
General not less than two months in advance of the Congress (one month in the event of an
extraordinary Congress). If an urgent question arises later, it can be put on the agenda by a
decision of the Congress.
The bodies of IUSY make their own rules of procedure.
Political officers are appointed by the Presidium on the proposal of the Secretary General.
Job descriptions must exist for political officers.
2
Changes to these Statutes will be taken by a two-third majority. These Statutes are in force
as soon as they are adopted.
84
List of IUSY Member Organisations
IUSY FULL MEMBERS
Albania
Albania
Algeria
Angola
Argentina
Argentina
Argentina
Armenia
Australia
Austria
Austria
Azerbaidjan
Barbados
Belarus
Belgium
Belgium
Benin
Bhutan
Bolivia
Bosnia-Herzegovina
Brazil
Bulgaria
Bulgaria
Burkina Faso
Cameroon
Canada
Cape Verde
Chile
Chile
Chile
Colombia
Costa Rica
Croatia
Croatia
Cuaracao
Cyprus
Czech Republic
Denmark
Dominican Republic
Ecuador
Ecuatorial Guinea
Estonia
F.Y.R. of Macedonia
Faroe Islands
Fiji Islands
Finland
Finland
France
Gabon
Georgia
Germany
Forum Eurosocialist Youth - FESYA
Social Democratic Youth
FFS
Juventude do Partido MPLA
Franja Morada
Juventud Partido Socialista Popular
Juventud Radical
Armenian Youth Federation
Australian Young Labor
Sozialistische Jugend Österreich
VSSTÖ
League of Young Socialists
MSD-Maladaya Hramada
Animo
Mouvement Jeunes Socialistes
Jeunesse PSD
Youth Organization of Bhutan
MSM
SDP of BiH - SD Youth Forum
Juventude Socialista-PDT
European left Youth alternative
Socialist Youth
PDP/PS
Social Democratic Front-Youth Cameroon
New Democratic Youth of Canada
J. do PAICV
Jóvenes Por la Democracia
Juventud Radical Socialdemócrata/ Chile Radical Youth
Juventud Socialista
Juventud Liberales de Colombia
Juventud Liberacionista
SSU
Croatian Social Democratic Youth
MAN - Movementu Antiyas Nobo
Socialist Youth of Cyprus - NEOS
Young Social Democrats - MSD
DSU
Juventud Revolucionaria
Juventud de Izquierda Democrática
Convergencia para la DS
Estonian Social Democratic Youth
Socialist Youth
Fiji Labour Party - Youth
Social Democratic Students - SONK
Mouvement des Jeunes Socialistes
Union des Jeunesses Joseph Rendjambe
Union of Socialist Youth
JungsozialistInnen in der SPD
85
Germany
Great Britain
Great Britain
Greece
Greenland
Honduras
Hungary
Iceland
India
India
Iran
Iraq
Ireland
Israel
Israel
Italy
Italy
Ivory Coast
Jamaica
Japan
Japan
Latvia
Lebanon
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Malaysia
Mali
Mali
Malta
Mexico
Moldova
Mongolia
Montenegro
Morocco
Mozambique
Netherlands
Nepal
Nepal
New Zealand
Nicaragua
Niger
Norway
Palestine
Panama
Paraguay
Peru
Phillipines
Poland
Poland
Portugal
Puerto Rico
Romania
San Marino
Senegal
Serbia
Serbia
Slovakia
SJD-Die Falken
Labour Students
Young Labour
PASOK - Youth
Siumut Youth
Juventud Pinuista
Fiatal Baloldal
Samband Ungra Jafnadarmanna
Rashtra Seva Dal
Yuva Janata Dal
Democratic Youth Union of Iranian Kurdistan
Kurdistan Studens Association, KSA
Irish Labour Youth
Labour Young Leadership
Young Meretz Yachad
Federazione dei Giovani Socialisti
Sinistra Giovanile
Jeunesses du Front Populair Ivorien
People's National Party Youth
Young Socialists(Minsha Youth 2001)
SDP- Yout Bureau
Jaunatnes Sociáldemokrátiská Savieníba
Progressive Youth Organisation
Lithuanian Social Democratic Youth Union
Jeunesses Socialistes Luxembourgeoises
Democratic Action party Socialist Youth
Jeunesse ADEMA/P.A.S.J.
UJ-RPM
Labour Youth Forum
Juventud Democratica
Democtratic Youth
MDSYU
Social Democratic Youth SDYM
Ittihadia Youth
FRELIMO - Youth
Jonge Socialisten in de Partij van de Arbeid
Nepal Students Union
Nepal Tarun Dal
New Zealand Young Labour
Juventud Sandinista 19 de Julio
Organisation de Jeunesse du Taraya
Norwegian Labour Youth - AUF
Fateh Youth
Frente de la Juventud del PRD
Juventud Revolucionaria Febrerista
Juventudes del APRA
AKBAYAN Youth
Polish Labour Youth-fmup
FMS
Juventude Socialista
Juventud del PIP
Tineretul Social Democrat -TSDR
MGSS
MNJS
SDY in SDU
Democratic Youth
Young Democratic Left
86
Slovenia
South Africa
Spain
Swaziland
Sweden
Sweden
Switzerland
Tanzania
Thailand
Uganda
Ukraine
Uruguay
Uruguay
USA
Venezuela
Western Sahara
IUSY OBSERVER MEMBERS
Argentina
Benin
Bolivia
Bosnia-Herzegovina
Botswana
Burma
Burma
Cyprus
Eritrea
Gambia
Guinea Bissau
Guyana
Iraq
Northern Ireland
Palestine
Russia
Russia
Serbia
Taiwan
Tibet
Togo
Turkey
Ukraine
Venezuela
Mladi Forum
African National Congress-YL
Juventudes Socialistas de España
Swaziland Youth Congress
Social Democratic Youth-SSU
Social Democratic Students
Schweizerische JungsozialistInnen
CCM Youth League
Young People Democracy, YPD
Young Democrats
Socialist Youth SMS
Juventud Nuevo Espacio
Juventudes Socialistas Uruguay
Young Democratic Socialists
Juventud Acción Democrática
UJSARIO
Frente Grande
Jeunesse ASD
MAS
SNSD
Botswana National Front YL
All Burma Students League
DPNS
AGONAS
NUEYS
Youth of United Democratic Party
Juventude Africana Amilcar Cabral
Working People's Alliance Youth
Kurdish Youth and Freedom Organisation, KYFO
Social Democratic Labour Party, SDLP
General Union of Palestine Students
RSDSM
MSDR
SD league of Vojvodina
Taiwan Labour Front
Tibetan Youth Congress
CDPA
DEHAP
Social Democratic Perspective
Juventud del MAS
INVITED ORGANISATIONS
European Union
ECOSY
87

ADOPTED DOCUMENTS AND RESOLUTIONS

Transcription

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