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Virtual Discussion: Women* & Leadership

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Dear friends, 

IUSY Feminist Working Group has the pleasure to invite you to a virtual discussion on Women* & Leadership, which will take place on the 5th of November at 2PM CET/14:00 CET. 

WHAT: Virtual discussion Women* & Leadership

WHEN: 5th November at 2PM CET / 14:00 CET

WHERE: Zoom / Live on IUSY Facebook page 

Context 

Following the discussion about the women*’s participation in social matters, the IUSY Feminist Working Group launches its second online event, a panel discussion entitled “Women* & Leadership”.

Due to their unique experiences, based on a history of the struggle for political, economic, social and identity rights, women* are powerful agents for change. Women* play a fundamental role, not only in social movements, but also in leadership positions, in establishing and fighting for a progressive agenda, improving gender equality, but also political, economic and social advances for the whole community. 

However, we still observe that women* are under-represented in decision-making politics, as well as in businesses or local communities, facing several challenges to reach leadership positions. 

Due to the multiple global crises, the world has been facing (economic, social, political, health-related, war-related), it is possible to observe the rise of strongman politics/authoritarian male leadership and the consequential struggle for women* leadership, representation, and equality at different levels.

Thus, this panel discussion has the following objectives: 

  1. To understand the main challenges women* face in leadership positions, especially in decision-making politics.
  2. To comprehend the implications of gender, ethnicity and class divides in women*’s representation and leadership.
  3. To discuss possible measures that governments, parliaments, regional and global institutions, as well as political parties and organisations can take to improve gender representation in leadership positions.

About guests 

Kesha Ram recently won the Primary Election to serve Chittenden County in the Vermont State Senate at the age of 34. With her likely election in November, she is poised to become the first woman of color and youngest woman in history to serve in the Senate. Prior to that, she served four terms in the Vermont House of Representatives on behalf of Burlington, where she was elected as the youngest legislator in the country at the time. In 2018, she graduated from the Harvard Kennedy School of Government with a Master in Public Administration. She has worked for the City of Burlington as the Civic Engagement Specialist and for Steps to End Domestic Violence as the Legal Advocacy Director. She also served on the boards of Planned Parenthood of Northern New England and the Vermont Natural Resources Council.

Benedicta Lasi is a Vice President of the International Union of Socialist Youth (IUSY). She is a Lawyer and Executive Director of the Center for African Legal Studies at the University of Professional Studies (UPSA) Ghana. 

Benedicta holds a first degree in Political Science and Sociology and a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) from the University of Ghana. She holds the BL qualification from the Ghana School of Law. She additionally holds a Master’s degree in Conflict, Peace and Security from the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Center (KAIPTC) and a Master’s in Economic Policy Management from the Economics Department of the University of Ghana. She is a member of the Ghana Bar Association. 

Alícia Homs (Balearic Islands, Spain – 1993) and since May 2019, Member of the European Parliament.

Graduated in a BA in Political Sciences at the Autonomous University of Barcelona and a Masters in Diplomacy and International Public Administration by the Centre of International Studies of Barcelona. She worked as an intern in the European Parliament and as an advisor in the regional ministry for Employment, Trade and Industry in the Government of the Balearic Islands.

In August 2019, she was elected president of the Young European Socialists (YES), one of the most important juvenile political organisations in Europe. She is also member of PSOE and the Young Socialists from the Balearic Islands.

As a Member of the European Parliament (MEP), she is a full member of the EMPL Committee (Employment and Social Affairs) and substitute member in the ITRE Committee (Industry, Research and Energy). She is part of the delegation for Central America, and substitutes in the EuroLat and Magreb delegations.

Mafalda Infante (moderation) is a Master’s student in International Studies at ISCTE – University Institute of Lisbon, and has a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science and International Relations at NOVA University of Lisbon. Her main interests are gender studies, democracy studies and European Union foreign policy. 

She is part of different youth projects at the European level and a member of IUSY’s Feminist Working Group.

Fill in the registration form by 5th of November midday (CET) and join the meeting. The link to join the Zoom meeting will be send only to those registered. 

To fill in the registration form, please click HERE

IUSY CONDEMNS ATTACKS ON NIGERIANS

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The International Union of Socialist Youth finds worrying, the several acts of violence visited on many peaceful patriotic protesters in parts of Nigeria who have been, in recent times demanding for reforms in the Nigerian Police Service, particularly the abolishment of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad. These acts as have been undertaken by the Police and Military Service are inhumane and unprofessional.

We join all conscientious Nigerian Youths across the globe in demanding that an end be brought to Police brutalities and all forms of violence during these protests and beyond. The recent incident at Lekki is an indication of the government’s position on the protests and the demands being made by the peaceful protesters. The government is not willing to listen to it’s people. 

IUSY calls for proper investigations into the acts of violence that have been visited on peaceful protesters and adequate sanctioning of those responsible. 

The government and its agencies must not let the death and injury of innocent civilians be in vain. Justice must prevail.

To all Nigerian youths, we continue to stand by and solidarize with you as we follow the developments in your country. 

SOUTIENT AU PRESIDENT ROCH MARC CHRISTIAN KABORE ET AU MPP

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French version

Union international des jeunes socialistes suit avec une tres grande attention le deroulement du processus électorale couplée, présidentielle ET législatives du 22 Novembre 2020 au Burkina faso. En ce sens nous aimerons traduire ici notre soutient au President ROCH Marc CHRISTIAN KABORE candidat du MPP (Mouvement du peuple pour le progrès), a tous les candidats aux élections législatives, et à la direction de la campagne.

Nous sommes convaincus qu’une fois de plus la sociale démocratie primera sur les forces rétrogrades et libérales.

Vive la Gauche et le progrès sociale au Burkina Faso.

English version

International Union of Socialists Young is following with great attention the progress of the coupled electoral process, presidential and legislative of November 22, 2020 in Burkina Faso. In this sense we would like to translate here our support for President ROCH Marc CHRISTIAN KABORE candidate of the MPP (People’s Movement for Progress), for all the candidates for legislative elections, and for the leadership of the campaign.

We are convinced that once again social democracy will prevail over backward and liberal forces.

Long live the Left and social progress in Burkina Faso.

Global Seminar 2020: (Post)pandemic Political Education and Youth Work

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Dear friends and comrades,

We have the pleasure of inviting you to the forthcoming Global Seminar 2020.

Overview

The Global Seminar 2020 will gather together IUSY member organisationsfrom all over the world to meet and share the challenges young people and youth organisations have been facing since the beginning of the pandemic. 

Two-day Seminar will be a space for sharing our realities from different thematic perspectives. We will try to make this event as dynamic as possible with the elements of panel discussion, contribution of guest speakers and group work. 

Together we will imagine and map the recommendations for young people and youth organisations having youth work and political education in their agenda. 

As in 2019, this year we again cooperate and create our programme with the International Federation of Liberal Youth (ILFRY). This event will be a joint Global Seminar bringing both organisations and activists together. 

The aim of the Seminar will be to provide to the Member Organisations and to the SSU representatives a platformto discuss and come up with recommendation on how we can battle the shrinking spaces of democracy and imagine a post pandemic space for political education and youth work. 

A secondary aim is also to strengthen collaboration with IFLRY on topics that we agree on. The seminar will be an opportunity for us to learn and reflect upon new ideas and partnerships in our work for a fairer and more equal world. 

For any questions or remarks please don’t hesitate to contact the IUSY Secretariat at iusy@iusy.org.

With best regards,

Johanna Ortega                                           Ana Pirtskhalava

IUSY President                                            IUSY Secretary General 

Participation Profile & Selection Process

Each member organisation may register up to one participant for the meeting. 


The selection criteria will be based on
1. The questions listed in the application form

2. Gender Balance (both IUSY statutes and the global project require gender balance)

3. Regional Balance 

Participants must be able to attend the entire programme of the seminar.

It’s preferable that participants have an interest in workers rights, trade unions and decent working conditions. 

All participants must be aged 18-35 years old, with no exceptions. 

How to apply

Participants must apply by filling in the registration form that you can find here

 OR copy paste it to your browser: https://forms.gle/yEQcmWPrfgdnzVVa9

Deadline for registration is 1st of November 12:00pm CET.

Selected participants will receive the programme, the link to join the event and the technical information in advance.

Contact
iusy@iusy.org/ +4369913532960

Desde IUSY felicitamos al pueblo boliviano por el rescate de la democracia y al Presidente electo Luis Arce Catacora

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Desde la Unión Internacional de Juventudes Socialistas (IUSY por sus siglas en inglés), felicitamos al pueblo de Bolivia por la recuperación de la democracia, de la alegría y del orden institucional. 

La victoria popular, fue lograda gracias a la profunda conciencia de cada boliviano: del campo y la ciudad, obreros, campesinos, juventudes, mujeres, que vieron reflejado en Luis Arce Catacora y el proyecto político del MAS IPSP, sus sueños y esperanzas.

Desde IUSY saludamos la contundente victoria lograda por Luis Arce y David Choquehuanca en las elecciones celebradas este domingo 18 en Bolivia, quienes en primera vuelta obtuvieron más del 50% de los votos emitidos. La fórmula encabezada por Arce superó ampliamente a sus rivales, resultado que no fue vaticinado por analistas y encuestadoras. 

Hace un año, desde IUSY condenamos el quiebre institucional propiciado por las fuerzas militares y policiales, aliadas con sectores políticos autoritarios, que llevaron a la renuncia de Evo Morales. Repudiamos en ese entonces los actos de violencia contra la dirigencia del MAS-IPSP, los sectores movilizados y sus familiares, que incluyeron la muerte, exilio, persecución, secuestros, linchamientos y vandalismo en contra de sus viviendas.

Desde entonces, el gobierno de facto de Jeanine Añez, impulsada por oscuros intereses de multinacionales, ha cometido graves atropellos a las libertades individuales, contando con el silencio cómplice de la OEA y de los gobiernos conservadores de la región.

Finalmente, celebramos que la salida a la crisis institucional que se vivió, haya sido por la vía pacífica y democrática como así también que el gobierno entrante haya convocado a la reconciliación nacional.

————————————————————————-English version: 

IUSY congratulate the Bolivian people for the rescue of democracy and the President-elect Luis Arce Catacora

The International Union of Socialist Youth (IUSY) congratulate the Bolivian people for the recovery of democracy, happiness and institutional order.

The popular victory was achieved thanks to the deep conscience of each Bolivian: from the countryside and the city, workers, peasants, youth, women, who saw their dreams and hopes reflected in Luis Arce Catacora and the MAS IPSP political project.

IUSY greet the resounding victory achieved by Luis Arce and David Choquehuanca in the elections held this Sunday 18 in Bolivia, who in the first round obtained more than 50% of the votes. The formula led by Arce widely outperformed its rivals, a result that was not predicted by analysts and pollsters.

A year ago, IUSY condemned the institutional breakdown caused by the military and police forces, allied with authoritarian political sectors, which led to the resignation of Evo Morales. At that time, we repudiated acts of violence against the MAS-IPSP leadership, the mobilized sectors and their families, which included death, exile, persecution, kidnapping, lynching and vandalism against their homes.

Since then, the de facto government of Jeanine Añez, driven by shadowy multinational interests, has committed serious violations of individual liberties, counting on the complicit silence of the OAS and the conservative governments of the region.

Finally, we celebrate that the solution to the institutional crisis that was experienced has been through peaceful and democratic means, as well as that the incoming government has called for national reconciliation.

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Estimados/as compañeros/as, 

Estamos contentos/as y orgullosos/as de invitarles a nuestra reunión regional del Comité Americano 2020, en esta oportunidad, nuestro encuentro regional, coincide con la pandemia COVID-19, lo cual si bien limita la realización de eventos físicos, reposiciona con más fuerza la necesidad de repensar la globalización y de promover con mucha mas fuerza los valores de la solidaridad frente a los desafíos de la humanidad y especialmente por los que atraviesa la juventud. 

El comité americano de IUSY, es el evento más importante en la región al que podrán participar las organizaciones miembros e invitadas, donde se abordarán temas políticos de la región y se definirán los nuevos objetivos del comité americano de IUSY, los cuales, estarán en conocer, desde la participación de nuestras organizaciones miembros, las situaciones actuales que se producen en cada uno de los países de la región, los desafíos y las agendas de nuestras organizaciones, donde juntos/as podremos definir propuestas y atender las luchas que nuestros pueblos asumen por la democracia, la igualdad, la justicia y la libertad. 

Nuestra región está atravesando por momentos de grandes debates sobre estas luchas, que son una parte esencial de nuestros principios. El progresismo de los nuevos tiempos nos obliga a ser capaces de diferenciarnos de los extremismos, y siendo la socialdemocracia un movimiento reformista por naturaleza, los jóvenes estamos llamados a asumir con valentía nuestra visión política, en el animo de demostrar que la izquierda no es izquierda si no es progresista, solidaria y democrática. 

Johanna Ortega– Presidenta de IUSY     

Ana Pirtskhalava–Secretaria general de IUSY         

Jesús Tapia– Vicepresidente de IUSY y coordinador del Comité Americano

Inscripción

  • Cada organización miembropuede registrar hasta dos participantes
  • La delegación deberá tener equilibrio de genero
  • Cada organización invitada puede registrar solo un participante
  • Fecha de límite para inscripción 22 de noviembre. 

Contacto

Gohar Ghandilyan

IUSY Project Manager

EMAIL: gohar.ghandilyan@iusy.org

Phone: +43 699 135 32 960

¡Con muchas ganas de verlos/as!

Statement on situation in Armenia and Azerbaijan

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In the early morning hours of 27 September, Azerbaijan launched largescale military attacks along the Artsakh (Nagorno Karabagh)-Azerbaijan line of contact, as well as direct attacks on the civilian populations of Stepanakert and other cities.

Azerbaijan has launched these operations in spite of the 1994 ceasefire agreement between Armenia, Artsakh, and Azerbaijan, and in spite of the recent appeal by the United Nation’s Secretary-General for a global ceasefire in the time of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Especially concerning is the fact that, Turkey has brazenly declared its limitless support to Azerbaijan. Turkey which has a long history of human rights violations including oppressions against Kurds, military invasion in Syria, Libya, provocations against Greece and Cyprus continues its belligerence. Both Turkey and Azerbaijan have trampled the principles of democracy and destabilized the region for many years and continue to undermine peace and stability in the region.

IUSY strongly condemns Azerbaijan’s latest attack on Artsakh and urges to immediately terminate hostilities, especially towards civilians. History has proven that military action cannot lead to anything constructive, and no side will ever benefit from the full-fledged war.

IUSY also condemns Turkey’s aggressive stance and its continuous reckless steps which have contributed to destabilizing the region.

IUSY believes that a peaceful resolution to the conflict is possible only through de-escalation and negotiation process led by the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe Minsk Group (OSCE Minsk Group) and its co-chairs, by a negotiation process based on international law and the principles established in the Helsinki Accords of 1975.

IUSY calls upon the international community to urge for de-escalation and stop hostilities immediately.

Two day virtual event on Queer Fights and Labour Issues

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Dear friends, 

IUSY Queer Working Group has the pleasure to invite you to the two-day virtual event on Queer Fights and Labour Issues, which will take place on the 28th and 29th September at 13:00 CEST.

WHAT: Two-day event on Queer Fights and Labour Issues

WHEN: 28th and 29th September, at 13:00 CEST

WHERE: 28th September, IUSY Facebook page livestream 

               29th September, Zoom platform

The event will consist of two parts. 

Day 1, 28thSeptember:  Virtual talk on Queer Fights and Labour Issues with queer activists from all over the world. The talk will be livestreamed at IUSY Facebook page at 13:00 CEST. The event will be created on Facebook and shared with you in advance. 

Day 2, 29th September:  Meeting of queer activists from IUSY member organisation in Zoom platform for sharing and working on a common RESOLUTION. The meeting will take place at 13:00-15:00 CEST. 

We are planning to work together on identifying queer labour issues, showing a queer-socialist perspective to labour issues and the economic and climate crises socialism as the solution, solidarity of queer-socialists with all comrades from the socialist and queer movement in our work for a just economy for young people. 

Fill in the registration form by 28th of September, at 18:00 CEST and join the meeting. The link to join the Zoom meeting on the 29th of September will be send only to those registered. 

To fill in the registration form, please click HERE.