By Region

EVS Volunteer Wanted!

IUSY Secretariat

After great experiences with the EVS – European Voluntary Service – we as IUSY would like to involve another volunteer from one of our member organizations for another year.

The main purpose of the project will be to assist the IUSY Secretariat in strengthening networks of youth cooperation, including young people in a worldwide debate on current issues, promotion of the core values of our movement and finally empowering each individual activist dedicated to participating in the development of her/his society to be able to use her/his capacities to the fullest.

As the working field from the Secretariat provides a wide spectrum of activities, we offer the volunteer to choose the involved working field that matches the most with her/his profile and interests.

The project will last for one year, starting in October 2014. This work gives unique opportunities, both to the volunteer – for learning, gaining experience and contributing to global youth actions, and to IUSY – especially having in mind the new approaches and fresh ideas that will be implemented.

In the process of recruitment and selection of the volunteer we will need some assistance from the member organizations that are interested in taking part in it. As you may know, for being able to send volunteers to any organization, your organization needs to be accredited for taking part in the EVS. If your organization is interested in taking part in the IUSY EVS project, please let us know the following:

  • Has your organization ever taken part in the European Voluntary Service?
  • Has your organization ever received any type of accreditation before? If yes, what type of accreditation? What was the reference of this accreditation?
  • A brief presentation of your organization.
  • Your PIC code of the Erasmus+ registration.
  • Your potential candidates‘ CV and motivation letter

Since we are already sending the application for this project by the end of April, please send us your response as soon as possible, and not later than April 20, 2014 to volunteer@iusy.org. We will let you know immediately after on the next steps in the preparations.

You can find information on how to take part in the EVS programme, where to apply for accreditations, how to search for vacancies, etc. on the website of the Youth in Action Programme.

If you have any questions please contact the IUSY Secretariat. We are looking forward to receiving your answers to the questions above and to establish cooperation within the framework of the EVS.

Unity among Left Forces in Burkina Faso

IUSY Secretariat

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IUSY accompanies the political process of unity among left forces in Burkina Faso

The President of the International Union of Socialist Youth (IUSY), Felipe Jeldres, and IUSY Secretary General, Evin Incir, participated in the first Congress of Mouvement du Peuple Pour le Progrès (MPP) that took place in Ouagadougú, Burkina Faso, between 3 and 6 April 2014.

MPP is a new political party founded in Burkina Faso as a result of a union agreement between over 10 socialist and social democrat parties and organizations. IUSY Member Organization Jeunesse du Parti pour la Démocratie et le Progrès/ Parti Socialiste – J PDP-PS is among them. The main goal of this new party is to win the upcoming presidential elections scheduled for September 2015.

During their visit, IUSY President and SG met with members from the party’s national executive, led by president Roch Marc Christian Kabore. In those meetings, they shared their vision and expectations about this new party that intends to create a wide majority that can carry out the urgent and necessary political, economical and social transformations in the country.

Following the opening of the Congress, IUSY President addressed an audience over 2500 delegates from all around the country. On behalf of IUSY, he presented a diagnosis of the challenges that the African region faces today highlighting that the only way to overcome them is with a union of socialist forces. Therefore IUSY welcomes this Congress of unity.

The Congress ended with a massive activity in the municipality of Burkina Faso where over 15000 people gathered while local artists livened up the atmosphere. The final note of the event was the closing speech from the Party’s President.

Burkina Faso is still one of the poorest countries in the world with a fragmented political system of more than 100 parties in the country. The decision of a set of ten socialist and social democrat parties and organizations to build a new alternative in their country is undoubtedly great news and from IUSY we will continue to support the political process that is starting now. We hope that it will bring about better life conditions for the peoples of Burkina Faso

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IUSY acompaña el proceso de unidad política de la izquierda en Burkina Faso

 El Presidente de la Unión Internacional de Juventudes Socialistas –IUSY-, Felipe Jeldres, Junto a la Secretaria General de la Organización, Evin Incir, participaron del primer congreso del Mouvement du Peuple Pour le Progrès (MPP) que se desarrolló en la ciudad de Ouagadougú, Burkina Faso, entre el 03 y el 06 de Abril.

El MPP es un nuevo partido político que se ha formado en Burkina Faso, producto de un acuerdo de unidad y fusión de más de 10 partidos y organizaciones políticas de carácter socialista y socialdemócrata, entre las que se encuentra la  Jeunesse du Parti pour la Démocratie et le Progrès/ Parti Socialiste – J PDP-PS , organización miembro de IUSY. Este nuevo partido tiene como primer objetivo ganar las próximas elecciones presidenciales, que se desarrollarán en el mes de septiembre del 2015.

En su visita, el Presidente y la Secretaria General de IUSY se reunieron con miembros de la directiva nacional del partido, encabezados por su presidente Roch Marc Christian Kabore, donde compartieron su visión y expectativas sobre el nuevo partido, que pretende generar una amplia mayoría para hacer las urgentes y necesarias transformaciones políticas, económicas y sociales en ese país.

Luego, en la inauguración del Congreso, y ante más de 2500 delegados de todo el país, el Presidente de IUSY entregó un saludo a nombre de la organización, haciendo un diagnóstico sobre los problemas que enfrenta hoy el continente africano, y señalando con fuerza que la única forma de solucionarlo es con la unidad de las fuerzas socialistas, por lo que desde IUSY ven con muy buenos ojos este congreso de unidad.

El congreso finalizó con una actividad masiva en el estado municipal de Burkina Faso, con más de 15000 personas presentes y la participación de artistas locales que animaron a la gente, para luego dar paso al discurso final del Presidente del Partido.

Burkina Faso es hoy uno de los países más pobres del mundo, y con un sistema político fragmentado, compuesto por más de 100 partidos en todo el país. Por lo tanto, la decisión de una decena de partidos y organizaciones socialistas y socialdemócratas de construir una nueva alternativa para su país, es sin duda una gran noticia, y desde IUSY continuaremos apoyando el proceso político que se inicia, y que esperamos traiga mejores condiciones de vida para el pueblo de Burkina Faso.

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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!

26-03 Huelga General, Paraguay

IUSY Secretariat

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Desde la Unión Internacional de Juventudes Socialistas (IUSY) manifestamos nuestro apoyo a la Huelga General que se llevará a cabo el 26 de marzo en Paraguay.

La mencionada es la primera Huelga General desde el año 1994 y a la cual todas las centrales sindicales  están adheridas, además de contar con el apoyo de diversas organizaciones políticas, entre ellas las que son miembros de IUSY.

Adherimos a las principales reivindicaciones de la Huelga General, entre las que se encuentran el aumento del 25% del salario mínimo legal, el derecho a la libertad sindical, y la derogación de la Ley de Alianza Público Privada (APP), con la cual el Gobierno de Horacio Cartes busca ceder intereses del Estado paraguayo a manos privadas.

Como organización mundial de juventudes socialistas, socialdemócratas y laboristas, reivindicamos el derecho a huelga como una herramienta válida para luchar por mayores derechos, y en contra de injusticias. Manifestamos además nuestro compromiso con las luchas de los trabajdores y las trabajadoras de todo el mundo.

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From the International Union of Socialist Youth (IUSY), we express our support to the General Strike that will be realized on March 26 in Paraguay.

This is the first general strike since 1994. It is supported by all the trade unions, in addition to the support of various political organizations including those that are members of IUSY.

We would like to add to the main demands of the General Strike, amongst which is the 25% increase in the minimum wage, the freedom to union affiliation, and the derogation of the Public-Private Partnership Act (APP), through which the Government of Horacio Cartes will be able to hand over to private hands the interests of the Paraguayan State.

As a worldwide organization of socialist, social democratic and labor youth, we claim the right to strike as a valid tool to fight for greater rights and to combat injustice. We also express our commitment towards the struggles of working people worldwide.

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Depuis l’Union Internationale des Jeunesses Socialistes (IUSY), nous voulons exprimer notre support à la Greve Générale qui aura lieu au Paraguay ce 26 Mars.

Celle-ci est la première Greve Générale depuis 1994. Elle est supportée par toutes les confédérations syndicales du pays, en plus du support de plusieurs forces politiques, y compris celles qui sont membres de l’IUSY.

Nous  adhérons aux principales revendications de la Greve Générale, entre lesquelles nous trouvons la demande d’augmentation de 25% du salaire minimum, la liberté syndicale, et la dérogation de la Loi d’Alliance Public-Privée (APP), avec laquelle le gouvernement d’Horacio Cartes pourra transférer en mains privées  plusieurs intérêts de l’État Paraguayen.

Comme organisation mondiale des jeunesses socialistes, socio-démocrates et travaillistes, nous réclamons le droit a la grève comme instrument légitime pour lutter pour plus de droits et combattre des injustices. Nous exprimons également notre engagement envers les luttes des travailleurs à travers le monde.

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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

Every Day Is The Eight of March

IUSY Secretariat

The yearly International Women’s day took place eight of March, just six days after the IUSY World congress in Copenhagen, Denmark. In the same city, but 104 years earlier and a few month later in august, the second socialist international held their meeting which ended up in a deceleration of what one can call a predecessor to the International Women’s day.

Every year the same date the whole world stands up together to fight discrimination and to promote gender equality. The struggle for equality is deeply rooted in the Social Democratic ideology. It is our firm believes that no person is free before all people are free. It is in the end also an issue of democracy. No person or group must be forced into a life of exclusion and be deprived from their rights just because of their gender. Women have during long time sadly been deprived of exactly these rights and the power has been concentrate in the hands of men.

Still, 104 years later, we haven’t come far. International reports shows that around the world at least every third woman has faced some kind of violation against her rights. Violation against women is a fact that can’t and must not be neglected. In many societies around the world we also see that men earn more than women for the same job. Women are being treated as second class citizens. Socialist and Social Democratic governments have fought for equal right between the genders through harder discrimination laws, good child care system, adequately paid parental leave and women’s right to her own body. The latest struggle and victories we see is in among others Tunisia where the Tunisian Social Democratic party ETTAKATOL managed to, after the revolution and the fall of their dictator Ben Ali, push for a progressive constitution that guarantees women and men the same right.

At the same time other countries are taking the opposite road back in time. In Spain the conservative government Partido Polular (PP) wants to deprive women their right to their own body through very restrictive abortion laws. The proposal for a new law called “Law for the Protection of the Life of the Conceived and the Rights of the Pregnant Woman” only permits interruption of pregnancies in two cases, rape and risk of death for the mother. This doesn’t give women the right to choose when they feel is the right time to become a parent. Instead parenthood is being forced upon them and conservative moral values belonging to the middle age deciding for them.

For us Socialist and Social Democrats there is no time for rest. We need to reconquer the struggle our precursors started. We need to stand up even higher today and demand all people’s rights. Social democracy and feminism is not something to be taking for granted. Only when our voices are not high enough inequality will prevail. But as long as we together stand up, resist and show that we have the solutions of today and the future we will manage to make a change.

An equal world can’t wait. Eight of March is every day.

Published in Debatti by the SONK Finland
Article written by: [ezcol_1half]

p_evinEvin Incir, SSU Sweden
IUSY Secretary General [/ezcol_1half] [ezcol_1half_end]

p_victorVictor Moratinos, JS Spain
IUSY Vice President [/ezcol_1half_end]