Mediterranean

WFD 2014 – Call for Participants

IUSY Secretariat

Dear friends,

We are pleased to inform you that the European Youth Foundation of the Council of Europe is launching a call for participants to a youth activity within the 2014 edition of the

WORLD FORUM FOR DEMOCRACY:
FROM PARTICIPATION TO INFLUENCE: CAN YOUTH REVITALISE DEMOCRACY?

taking place in Strasbourg from the 31st October till the 6th November 2014.

As a result of this call, 300 young people, out of 75 which non-European, will be selected to participate in a youth meeting prior to the World Forum (31st October-3rd November, and to the World Forum itself (3rd-5th November). Selected participants will work together on an online platform between July and October to explore the concept of democracy, share existing good practices and develop new prototypes of democracy.

This year, we want young people to go beyond existing challenges
in order to DREAM DEMOCRACY. 

You will find the detailed presentation of the event as well as the call for applicants here.
Please note that your application should be composed of both an online filled-in application form AND a short video. All detailed instructions can be found on the website notably the need for your reference letter if you represent an organization.

The deadline for applications in Sunday 22nd June!!!
For more information about the World Forum for Democracy, please look here.

In order to apply, you should:

  • Be aged 16-30 (exceptions can be made in special cases);
  • Be resident in one of the 50 signatory States of the European Cultural Convention of the Council of Europe; 75 places will be made available for participants from other regions outside the European continent;
  • Be able to communicate and work in English;
  • Be actively involved in civil society Democracy initiatives;
  • Be motivated to contribute to developing new ideas on youth and democracy;
  • Be supported by a youth organisation or network or informal group working on democracy; some non-organised individuals will also be accepted;
  • Be ready to adopt a solution-oriented approach by bringing in new ideas and visions of democracy;
  • Be ready to dream democracy;
  • Be available to participate fully in the World Forum on Democracy and the preparation process before.

 

End criminalization and discrimination of LGBT all over the world

IUSY Secretariat

On the International Day against Homophobia and Transphobia (IDAHOT), the International Union of Socialist Youth (IUSY) would like to express our solidarity with lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people all over the world who are facing criminalization and gender discrimination.

Today, homosexuality is considered a crime in 83 countries around the world. This unacceptable statistics tells us that many LGBT including young LGBT people are facing every day struggles with regards to their sexual orientation or gender identity and expression.

On the International Day against Homophobia and Transphobia, we call to end criminalization and discrimination all over the world and demand our member organizations to comply with the principle of non-discrimination. We also demand the United Nations to pass the legally-binding human rights instruments for LGBT rights promotion and protection including the establishment of the United Nation Special Rapporteur on LGBT rights.

IUSY reaffirms the foundation principle that all human beings are born free and equal. No one should be criminalized and discriminated based on their sexual orientation, gender identity and expression.

IUSY World Festival 2014

IUSY Secretariat

We are glad and proud to invite you to the

IUSY World Festival 2014
from the 20th to the 26th of August
at the Ghajn Tuffieha Camping Site in Malta

The aim of the World Festival is to gather young political activists from all over the world to shape new politics. It offers a high-profile platform for political youth leaders and policy experts to map out their progressive vision for the future. The World Festival has a long tradition and is the highlight for IUSY, its member organizations and all the young people who come to meet new friends, have fun and discuss politics.

“Overcoming poverty is not a task of charity, it is an act of justice.
Like Slavery and Apartheid, poverty is not natural. It is man-made
and it can be overcome and eradicated by the actions of human beings.”

Many great socialists and social democrats have fought for long for an equal world. One of them was Nelson Mandela has recently passed away and left us with the hope that everything is possible as long as we believe in our strength to achieve it. The World Festival therefor focuses on “15 Actions to Eradicate Poverty in 15 Years”, which we believe is one of the biggest tasks for socialism and social democracy to deal with as one of its struggle for an equal and just world. .

>> PLEASE FIND ALL THE NECESSARY INFORMATION HERE <<

If you have further questions or need support, please do not hesitate to contact us (iusy@iusy.org). Kindly note to start your preparations as soon as possible, since it will make it a lot easier for all of us and cheaper for you.

We are looking forward to seeing you in Malta!

Take Action! React Now! Save Kessab!

IUSY Secretariat

Statement by the Armenian Youth Federation  

The Armenian Youth Federation is seriously concerned about the critical situation in the Armenian-populated town of Kessab, in Syria. The last few days have been a real nightmare for the peaceful civilians of Kessab when al-Qaeda related extremists attacked the town.

Take Action! React Now! Save Kessab! 

Located in the northwestern corner of Syria, near the border with Turkey, Kessab had, until very recently, avoided major battles in the Syrian conflict. The local Armenian population had grown in recently years with the city serving as a safe-haven for those fleeing from the war-torn cities of Yacubiye, Rakka and Aleppo.

On the morning of March 21st, extremist foreign fighters launched a vicious attack on Kessab civilians. Subsequent attacks occurred on March 22nd and 23rd and included mass looting of local residences and the desecration of Armenian Churches in the area. Within days of the onslaught launched from Turkey, nearly the entire Armenian population of Kessab has fled to neighboring Latakia and Bassit to avoid slaughter. Civilians, who were not able to flee, have reportedly been taken hostage, while churches and homes are being systematically desecrated and looted. Further, there are reports that indicate that injured extremists are returning to Turkey for medical treatment.

If the suspicions that Turkey are facilitation the attacks is true it is very worrying. A facilitation of al-Qaida affiliated foreign fighters and their attacks on innocent civilians in Syria undermines ongoing international efforts to bring peace to a country ravaged by violence for far too long. Turkey’s direct cooperation with al-Qaida extremists would then show that a country which is negotiating to enter the European Union is directly linked to the world’s most extremist organization. This kind of behavior must not be excepted.

For Armenians in the region and around the world, the situation is horrifying and bitter reminder of the genocide committed against the Armenians by the Ottoman Turkish authorities from 1915-1923. The situation in Kessab is critical, and can be even more desperate if the extremists reach Latakia. We urge an international reaction on Kessab.

We urgently request IUSY and all sister organizations to urge their respective governments to condemn any kind of support and cooperation with Al-Qaida affiliated foreign fighters against the civilian population of the predominantly Armenian region of Kessab, Syria.

We together have the power to stop this support and assistance to these radical groups and send a clear message that targeted military strikes against innocent civilians are unacceptable under any circumstances and are a clear violation of human rights.

The international community must react immediately to stop further violence. As socialist youth, we cannot stay indifferent to the ongoing violence in Kessab! 

Take Action Now! Save Kessab!

Stand Up Against Racism – Every Day!

IUSY Secretariat

International Day against Racism on March 21st: IUSY FIGHTS RACISM EVERY DAY!

Today is International Day against Racism. Racism still hits a huge amount of people, all round the world. Some of them every day. Some of them deadly. In some parts of the world we even see how it spreads and brings with it war and inequality.

The International Day against Racism is important to help making daily discrimination more visible. But in fact: as IUSY we say no to racism every day! As IUSY we want zero tolerance against racism! We raise our voice against it, against the extrem-right. Against racism in asylum- and migration policies and against racism in everyday life. It is about firmly standing for our ongoing struggle: against racism and fascism.

Dividing lines between groups of the society are not cultural or ethnic ones, but social and economic ones. Racism is often described as a phenomenon at the margins, but in fact it is quite the opposite. Racism has been and is becoming part of the political discourse and is thereby seen as a “valid political opinion”. We can find it in the whole society, at all levels -whether speaking about laws, institutions or our work environment. Whether we are walking on the street, watching TV or reading newspapers.

As socialists and social democrats, we will never accept a shift in the political debate to be about hierarchies between groups. We must tackle the roots of the problem. We believe that these include social injustice, inequality, unemployment and segregation as part of a capitalist system.

As IUSY we believe in diversity. And we are fighting racism all over the world. In single steps, one after the other. We will not succeed on one single day. Maybe not until tomorrow and maybe not even until the day after. But every single day, we are making a difference.  STAND UP AGAINST RACISM – EVERY DAY!

 

#TwitterIsBlockedInTurkey

IUSY Secretariat

The Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan stated his intention to block Twitter —”We’ll eradicate it” — hours before cutting if off. 

For us as an organization fighting for democracy and human rights the developments in Turkey continue to be alarming.  Democracy requires peace and freedom, but these cannot be ensured as long as fundamental human rights are violated.

We, as the biggest youth organization of socialist, social democratic and labour organizations all over the world appeal to our mother parties and also to the international community to stand up for democracy and demand ending those developments.

Peace and democracy require all people’s freedom!

#TwitterIsBlockedInTurkey

The New IUSY Presidium

IUSY Secretariat

IUSY is happy to announce the new IUSY Presidium members elected on the IUSY World Congress in Copenhagen:

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PRESIDENT:
Felipe Jeldres, JS Chile

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SECRETARY GENERAL:
Evin Incir, SSU Sweden

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VICE PRESIDENTS:

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Africa

Mikael Baguin, JPDP/PS Burkina Faso
Samuel Muyizzi, UYD Uganda
Senia Bachir Abderahman, UJSARIO Western Sahara

America

Johanna Ortega, JPS Paraguay
Lucia Zapata, JSU Uruguay
Sebastian Melchor, JS Argentina
Zac Mukuy Aracely Ramirez, JPRD Mexico

Asia-Pacific

Pimisiri Petchnamro, YPD Thailand
Rafaela Mae David, AKBAYAN Youth Philippines

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Europe

Alexander Grandt Petersen, DSU Denmark
Ana Pirtskhalva, YS Georgia
Anna Bruckner, SJÖ Austria
Jan Lichtwitz, JUSOS Germany
Roberta Capone, GD Italy
Srdjan Subotic, CSDY Croatia
Victor Moratinos, JS Spain

Mediterranean

Nimrod Barnea, Young Meretz Israel
Raed Deby, FY Palestine

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Nominations for the IUSY World Congress 2014

IUSY Secretariat

We, the International Union of Socialist Youth are happy to announce the following candidates for the XXX. IUSY World Congress 2014 in Denmark:

General Seceretary
Evin Incir (SSU Sweden)

President
Nimrod Barnea (YMY Israel)
Felipe Jeldres (JS Chile)
Raed Bou Hamdan (PYO Lebanon)

Chair of Control Commission
Stephan Köker (SJD-DF Germany)

Members of Control Commission
Maria Lila Castillo (JR Argentina)
Gloria Reyes (J PRD Domenican Republic)
Martin Clavijo (JNE Uruguay)
German Andreas Henao Ortega (JLC Colombia)

Vice Presidents – Europe
Anna Bruckner (SJ Austria)
Jan Lichtwitz (Jusos Germany)
Srdjan Subotic (CSDY Croatia)
Ana Pirtskhalava (YS Georgia)
Alexander Grandt Peterson (DSU Denmark)
Roberta Capone (GD Italia)
Jack Storry (Labour Students UK)
Victor Martinez (JS Èspagna)

Vice Presidents – Asia-Pacific
Pimisiri Petchnamrob (YPD Thailand)
Rafaela Mae David (AKBAYAN Youth Philippines)

Vice Presidents – Africa
Mikael Baguin (JPDP/PS Burkina Faso)
Abdourhamane Assoumane (OJT Niger)
Senia Bachir Abderahman (UJSARIO West-Sahara)
Samuel Muyizzi (UYD Uganda)
Omayma Achour (J Ittihadia Morocco)

Vice Presidents – Mediterranean
Raed Debiy (FY Palestine)

Vice Presidents – America
Sebastian Melchor (JS Argentina)
Lucas Sebastian Duran (JR Argentina)
Valeria Villegas (JRS Chile)
Juan Diego Gomez (JL Costa Rica)
Jean-Luis Rodriguez (J PRD Domenican Republic)
Zac Mukuy Aracely Ramirez (J PRD Mexico)
Johanna Ortega (JPS Paraguay)
Lucia Zapata (JSU Uruguay)
Guillermo Miguelena (JAD Venezuela)