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Situation in Lebanon and our position

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The recent uprising taking place in Lebanon can no longer be ignored by the international community.

The diversity of the country added to its political polarization and economic crisis is becoming an increased threat for a country that is hosting more than 950,000 thousand Syrian refugees according to official UN numbers.

The risks of leaving the situation in the country without any firm stand from international actors is indeed a threat to the Lebanese people primarily , and neighboring European countries.

We ask for an immediate political stand from the European Union towards the uprise. The Lebanese people no longer trust their political leadership, and the country is completely crippled by corruption and the population can no longer sustain the increased taxes.

We ask the European Union to step into the scene, because the high unemployment rates, poverty, economic downturn and increased amount of refugees can reflect on the socio economic structures of the region and Europe.

Another failed state in the Mediterranean region is an extreme threat to the stability of the whole region.

The International Union of Socialist Youth stands firm with the Lebanese people and their righteous demands. Moreover, IUSY asks its member organizations and the international community to stand with the people of Lebanon in their fight for their fundamental rights.

IUSY expresses its concern about Chile’s current situation

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[EN] The International Union of Socialist Youth (IUSY), expresses its concern about the latest events that have taken place in Chile, where the government of President Sebastián Piñera has decreed a state of emergency, giving control of Santiago to the military for fifteen days.

This extreme decision has been the response of the ruling party to the days of protests starring young Chileans, triggered by the rise in the price of public transport, but which, with its overcrowding on Thursday and Friday, accounted for other underlying social demands for the high cost of living in Chile. These acts of civil disobedience have overwhelmed the authority quickly, first ignoring the magnitude, then ridiculing it, then reducing it to mere crime and today disregarding the political leadership role of the country that fits them.

As young socialists we condemn the militaristic regression experienced by the Piñera government, along with regional experiments such as Bolsonaro, Vizcarra and Moreno. It is not the force of arms that leads to the development of inclusive and prosperous societies.

We call to open the dialogue between the different actors so that politics can grant solutions to society, and face a deep transversal discontent, which especially concerns young people. These unpublished demonstrations cannot be confronted only with police violence.

Similarly, we stand in solidarity with the Chileans who are being victims of repression and we call on the Piñera government to stop these acts that threaten the Chilean people. Democracy is something that is built day by day, and not with actions that remind us of the worst moments of the Pinochet dictatorship.

IUSY expresa su preocupación por situación actual de Chile
[ES] La Unión Internacional de Juventudes Socialistas (IUSY por sus siglas en inglés), manifiesta su preocupación por los últimos acontecimientos que se han desarrollado en Chile, donde el gobierno del Presidente Sebastián Piñera ha decretado estado de excepción constitucional, cediendo el control de Santiago a los militares por una quincena de días.
Esta decisión extrema ha sido la respuesta del oficialismo a las jornadas de protestas protagonizadas por jóvenes chilenos, detonadas por el alza del precio del transporte público, pero que, con su masificación en los días jueves y viernes, dieron cuenta de otras demandas sociales subyacentes por el alto costo de la vida en Chile. Estos actos de desobediencia civil han desbordado a la autoridad de una forma veloz, primero ignorando la magnitud, luego ridiculizándola, después reduciéndola a mera delincuencia y hoy despreciando el papel político de liderazgo del país que les cabe.
Como jóvenes socialistas condenamos la regresión militarista que ha experimentado el gobierno de Piñera, a la par con experimentos regionales como Bolsonaro, Vizcarra y Moreno. No es la fuerza de las armas lo que lleva al desarrollo de sociedades inclusivas y prosperas.
Hacemos el llamado a abrir el dialogo entre los distintos actores para que la politica pueda otorgar soluciones a la sociedad, y enfrentar un descontento transversal profundo, que especialmente toca a los jóvenes. Estas inéditas manifestaciones no pueden ser enfrentadas sólo con violencia policial.
De igual manera, solidarizamos con las y los chilenos que están siendo víctima de la represión y hacemos un llamado al gobierno de Piñera a frenar estos actos que atentan contra el pueblo chileno. La democracia es algo que se construye día a día, y no con acciones que nos recuerdan los peores momentos de la dictadura de Pinochet.

Our position on situation in North East Syria

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The conflict in Syria has been going on an endless route. Each day, the number of human casualties increases exponentially, most of which are women, youth and children. It is them who are paying the high price of the non-ending military and political conflict that is increasing in intensity by the day. The situation is now a series of battles that no longer involves two sides but several regional and international players.

The recent escalation of the war by Turkey is an unprecedented breaching of the international rules and regulations. With the withdrawal of US-Troops in Northern Syria without having made sure of an international solution to protect Rojava, the Kurds have been left exposed especially after relying on them in fighting ISIS. The unacceptable military quest of the Turkish army will leave many more refugees and deaths.

Even though these aggressions had been pronounced by the Turkish government for a long time, no consequences or political solutions had been pursued on international level.

IUSY highly condemns and stands against the recent escalation of the Turkish government against the Kurds in Northern Syria.

IUSY condemns, that the international community has failed in preventing a further humanitarian crisis.

We at the IUSY, stand in solidarity also with the people of Syria who have been tackled by a series of military battles already. We stand in solidarity with those suffering away from their homes as well as those being attacked today.  We also ask for immediate international action, through political and humanitarian intervention on both the political and humanitarian level to save Syria. We demand the international community, especially the states of the region and the UN to pressure political solutions against Turkey immediately. 

IUSY is in favor of a UN-mandated peacekeeping mission for the region of Rojava, as well as international sanctions against Turkey.

Call for Applications APC 2019 – A world to defend, a world to win!

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 Overview

What:             Regional committee meeting for members of the Asia Pacific region

When:             28 November to 01 December 2019 (including travel dates)

Where:           Medan Lake Toba North Sumatra, Indonesia

Age/gender: 18-35 years old and gender balanced delegations only

Size:               2 participants per member organisation

Deadline:       15 October 2019

Outline

The Asia Pacific Committee (APC) Leadership Conference 2019 will bring together the young leaders of IUSY member organisations from the Asia Pacific region. The APC will be organised in partnership with our member organisation Pergerakan Indonesia. The aim of the meeting is to strengthen the partnership among IUSY member organisations and enhance the cooperation in the region. The meeting will offer a platform to discuss current political situations in the region, give space to engage in a dialogue on common struggles and obstacles, and work together to come up with strategies to enact political and social change. Participants can look forward to getting involved in political debates and discussions, sharing experiences and ideas and building up their regional network. There will also be an added focus on skill building. Committee Meetings are the most important platforms for the regions in between the IUSY Congresses and Councils.

The theme of the Committee Meeting in 2019 “A world to defend, a world to win”

 The climate crisis has put a ticking time bomb over our heads. Scientists have warned that we have 11 years left to stop the irreversible damage of our planet but less than 17 months to pressure our governments to take urgent action before Earth is fatally wounded.

While we are all affected when sea levels begin to rise and the climate crisis peaks in the coming years, the poor and marginalized are bearing the brunt of the storm today.

Farmers who are defending their land are being killed everywhere. Indigenous peoples are driven away from their homes. Youth and children are made vulnerable in a time of storms and flash floods.

We don’t have a decade to act on the climate crisis when the majority of the world’s poor are experiencing it now!

The time is ripe for bold plans and action that will shed off the crumbling fronts of capitalism and usher in a new just and caring world. If the problem is global, our solutions should be too.

The International Union of Socialist Youth (IUSY): Asia Pacific Committee 2019 Conference will gather youth activists from all over the region to galvanize action for climate justice. This conference seeks to spark a global campaign to end exploitation, repression, and misogyny to stop the climate crisis.

We have a world to defend to have a world to win!

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

We are very much looking forward to seeing you!

 

With best regards,

 

Johanna Ortega                                                                    Ana Pirtskhalava

           IUSY President                                                                IUSY Secretary General

 

Participant profile

Each member organisation in the region may register up to two participants for the meeting. Please note that delegations MUST be gender-balanced and a delegation cannot consist of two men. All participants must be aged 18-35 years old, with no exceptions. IUSY statutes as well as the Global Project require gender balance in order to be able to participate in the meeting. Participants must hold a leadership position in their organisation and member organisations will need to approve all applications.

Participants must be able to attend the entire programme. The working language of the meeting is English.

How to apply

Participants must apply by completing the online registration form latest by 15 October, 2019. All applicants will receive the outcome of their application within 1 week of the application deadline. Click here to fill in your registration or copy paste the link to your browser: https://forms.gle/Pg25zVQQP16ambgy9

Participation fee

The participation fee for the activity is 30€ per person and must be paid by 01 November 2019. The participation fee will cover accommodation, meals, refreshments and programme for the duration of the event. Any additional nights’ accommodation must be arranged and paid by participants.

Once you have made the bank transfer, please send a payment receipt to iusy@iusy.org. Please be aware that IUSY cannot take responsibility for any bank fees. If you are unable to make a bank transfer in advance you must inform us before 01 November 2019.

Outstanding membership fees and/or debts

Please note that only organisations without outstanding membership fees or debts are entitled to receive travel reimbursement. Therefore, we would ask for organisations to transfer their outstanding fees or debts by bank transfer as soon as possible.

If you are unable to pay your membership fee and/or debt, please contact the IUSY Secretary General Ana Pirtskhalava (ana.pirtskhalava@iusy.org) and IUSY President of Control Commission (roland.gur@iusy.org) to discuss possible options.

Travel reimbursement

Travel reimbursement is available up to a fixed reference price. Only economy tickets will be reimbursed. Kindly note that only gender balanced delegations are entitled to the maximum amount of reimbursement. To receive the amount of travel reimbursement you are entitled to, please contact your international secretary or the secretariat directly.

All travel reimbursements will be made in euro via bank transfer after the meeting. No travel reimbursement will be available in cash on the event without prior agreement at least one week in advance of the event. This applies to very exceptional cases and should be discussed with the Secretariat.

Please note that IUSY can only reimburse cost of travels proven by original documents. Therefore, do not forget to keep and hand in to the IUSY Secretariat ALL of the following documents at the meeting:

Flights:

  1. Booking confirmation, itinerary and ticket (emailed in advance to iusy@iusy.org)
  2. Local travel tickets, where relevant (given to the Secretariat on arrival)
  3. Travel Reimbursement form
  4. Your bank account details (please make sure you bring them with you)

Train/coach:

  1. Booking confirmation, itinerary and ticket (emailed in advance to iusy@iusy.org)
  2. Original, stamped tickets for all journey segments (given to the Secretariat on arrival)
  3. Local travel tickets, where relevant (given to the Secretariat on arrival)
  4. Your bank account details (please make sure you bring them with you)

Car:

  1. Origin address and route map (emailed in advance to iusy@iusy.org)
  2. At least one gas/fuel receipt (given to the Secretariat on arrival)
  3. Your bank account details (please make sure you bring them with you)

Visas

The IUSY Secretariat will support visa applications for the event. If you require a visa, please send a copy of your passport to iusy@iusy.org as soon as possible, so the secretariat can draft a visa invitation letter for you. Please note that you have to arrange the appointment with the consulate/embassy yourself.

Travel

Arrivals and Departures

Day of arrival for the IUSY Asia Pacific Leadership Conference is 28 of November and the day of departure is the 1 December. Please make sure to arrange your travel accordingly and do not forget that IUSY will NOT be able to cover accommodation or any other additional expenses for delegates who need to stay additional nights in Indonesia.

How to get to the hotel

Details on the how to get to the hotel and venue will be provided at least two weeks before the event. Please note that to be able to get an airport transfer you need to send us your travel details by the 20 of November.

Accommodation and meeting venue

Detailed information about the hotel and meeting venue will be sent to all participants nearer the time, at the latest two weeks in advance of the event.

 Cancellations

There will be a 30€ cancellation fee charged to each organisation whose participant withdraws after 15 of November, 2019 without a valid reason.

Contact

Amanda Lilliefeldt

IUSY Project Manager

Email: iusy@iusy.org or amanda.lilliefeldt@iusy.org

Phone: +43 699 135 32 970                   

We are looking forward to receiving your registrations!

Resolution of IUSY African Committee Leadership Conference 13-14 September 2019

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The IUSY African Committee Leadership met from 13-14 September, 2019, at Gaborone, in Botswana. The conference was held under the theme Youth Opportunities in Africa & How We Can Guarantee Decent Work for Youth was officially opened by Ms. Motsei RAPELANA, BCP Chairperson and UDC Executive member and the conference was chaired by Benedicta LASI (IUSY Vice President).

During the two days, delegates from IUSY organisation members discussed:

  1. The correlation between Youth Unemployment and the rising Crime rate in parts of the continent. Participants have identified unemployment as the main causes of the high rate of crime. Furthermore, they identified among others, corruption, poor quality and lack of education, lack of materials and infrastructure as causes of youth unemployment.
  2. Participants also asserted that Corruption is the main cause of unemployment in Africa, and corollary poverty and inequality. Faced with all ills, participants have identified the continent underutilised opportunities and youth who makes around 60% of the continent’s population as a force capable to bring solutions and change the trend. Among the continent’s opportunities identified are the transformation of natural resources and development of tourism and agriculture. Along with these opportunities, they also stated the need to consider the fourth industrial revolution and knowledge economy as emerging ideas that required attention of African governments. Participants, also, stressed on the need for youth political participation. They urged youth to lead from all positions – academia, business, politics, etc.
  3. Participants reflected on decent work for youth. Each organisation highlighted some challenges and has proposed solutions being short, medium and long-term to identified challenges. For:
  • Botswana Congress Party (BCP): Slow economy growth, lack of infrastructure, resource-led economy and corruption are main challenges to decent work.
    The party has proposed investment into and modernisation of infrastructure such as roads and railway lines; implementation of labour intensive and public programmes and; robust development of SMEs and of informal sector as solutions to decent work challenges.

  • National Democratic Congress – NDC (Ghana): High rates of corruption and nepotism within the current government has stalled equitable economic development within the country. This has caused high rates of unemployment and the quality of work has also been impacted negatively. The party advocated for an aggressive fight against corruption and the advancement of progressive policies that will guarantee development not just for the rich but for the indigent.
  • People’s Democratic Party – PDP (Zimbabwe): Autocratic regime and corruption have been identified as challenges to decent work for youth. As regards to solutions to these challenges, the party recommended democratisation of the country, Zimbabwe, and the creation of Anti-corruption Commission.
  • SWAPO Party (Namibia): Highlighted resource-led economy as the main challenge and they recommended industrialisation and development of agriculture.
  • SWAYOCO (Swaziland): Corruption and nepotism have been identified as challenges to decent work for youth. Democratisation of Swaziland is seen as the solution for decent work by the party.
  • UDPS (Democratic Republic of Congo): Corruption, outdated education system and poor education quality and mineral resources-led economy are challenges to decent work for youth.The party has proposed as part of the solutions;
    Concerning Corruption: Payment of good salary to public employees; Asset Declaration Bill; and the Creation of an independent Anti-corruption Directorate. As regards to Education; Review of educational curriculum according to economic needs; Improvement of teachers’ living conditions. Economic diversification with development of labour intensive sector such as agriculture and tourism; Creation of youth funds; Entrepreneurship promotion and Crowd funding have also been identified as solutions to decent work.
  • UJSARIO: Current Moroccan occupation, the plunder of natural resources by Morocco and the Status of refugee imposed to Western Saharan people are main challenges to decent work for youth.
    As solution, the party has requested the support and advocacy to the campaign about the plunder of Western Sahara’s natural resources with the slogan STOP THE PLUNDER.
  1. As regards the AU policy on enhancing youth employment, H.E. Malainin Mohamed MOH-FADEL, Ambassador of Western Sahara in Botswana, said unemployment is not the problem that the continent is facing, it is rather the symptom of the many problems that are lack of adequate infrastructure, corruption and poor quality of education lacking innovation.

Many policies, programmes and strategies have been developed by AU since 2007 but however, none of them has been implemented.

He has further stressed the necessity for youth to educate themselves about AU policies and strategies such as, for instance, the TVET Continental Strategy and Youth Decade Plan of Action that focus on 5 key priorities areas namely: Educational and Skills Development; Youth Employment and Entrepreneurship; Governance, Peace and Security; Youth Health and Sexual Reproductive Health Rights and lastly; Agriculture, Climate Change and the Environment.

Concerning the contribution of socialist movements, His Excellency, has pledged among others to Left parties to go back to the socialist principles, raise awareness among young people regarding the AU’s policies since they are very socialistic. He also urged young people to political engagement.

  1. IUSY AFC organisation members raised concerns about funding challenges for political activities of youth wings of political parties on the continent. They also recommended, as strategy to raise political interest among youth as well as strengthening governance, the engagement of young persons, under 18 as they form the foundation of the next generation of leaders and it was imperative to preparing them for leadership and as change agents for their community as done by SWAPO Party Youth league – SWAPO Party Pioneers Movement.
  2. The IUSY AFC requested organisation members to set up 6 working groups namely:
    1. Economy and Trade Working Group
    2. Education Working Group
    3. Politics, Rule of Law and Governance Working Group
    4. International Relations and Partnerships Working Group
    5. Youth Empowerment Working Group; and
    6. Women Empowerment Working Group

Organisation members are requested to report on activities of these working groups or Networks and communicate to IUSY AFC leadership names of their representatives. The deadline for this is set for 31st October 2019.

  1. The IUSY AFC inform member organisations about the Decent work for Youth Campaign and requested them to engage in the campaign by providing pictures, videos and statement where party’s logo and that of IUSY should be shown. The campaign would be held in October 2019.
  2. The IUSY AFC condemn the arrest of Mr. Gift Ostalos SIZIBA, Secretary General of MDC Alliance of Zimbabwe, on 12th September 2019 at the Zimbabwean airport who was on his way to attend this Africa Committee meeting in Gaborone. We call for the case instituted against him by the Government be dropped and his passport handed over to him. The AFC considers this an onslaught on democracy and fundamental Human Rights and condemns it in no uncertain terms.

DECENT WORK FOR YOUTH 

Gaborone, Botswana, 14th September 2019

IUSY saluda la instalación de una mesa de diálogo nacional en Venezuela 

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[ES]
La Unión Internacional de Juventudes Socialistas (IUSY por sus siglas en inglés), saluda con beneplácito la instalación de la nueva mesa de diálogo entre el gobierno de Venezuela y sectores de la oposición venezolana, quienes han anunciado acuerdos que garantizarán la convivencia política, el reconocimiento de los sectores políticos y la nacionalización del proceso de diálogo.

Los anuncios que se dieron en esta instalación de la mesa nacional de diálogo, corresponden a la aspiración de la mayoría de los venezolanos, solo una negociación plural y entre los venezolanos permitirá encontrar las soluciones a la grave crisis que vive el país.

Reiteramos nuestro compromiso, con La Paz, el reencuentro de los venezolanos y la democracia.

[EN]
IUSY celebrates the installation of a national dialogue table in Venezuela

The International Union of Socialist Youth (IUSY) is pleased to welcome the installation of the new dialogue table between the Venezuelan government and sectors of the Venezuelan opposition, who have announced agreements that will guarantee political coexistence, the recognition of political sectors and the nationalization of the dialogue process.

The announcements made in this installation of the national dialogue table correspond to the aspiration of the majority of Venezuelans, only a plural negotiation and among Venezuelans will find solutions to the serious crisis that the country is experiencing.

We reiterate our commitment to the Peace, the reunion of Venezuelans and democracy.

[FR]
L’IUSY salue l’installation d’une table de dialogue national au Venezuela

L’Union Internationale de la Jeunesse Socialiste (IUSY) salue la mise en place de la nouvelle table de dialogue entre le gouvernement vénézuélien et les secteurs de l’opposition vénézuélienne, qui ont annoncé des accords garantissant la coexistence politique, la reconnaissance des secteurs politiques et la nationalisation du processus du dialogue.

Les annonces faites dans cette installation de la table de dialogue national correspondent à l’aspiration de la majorité des Vénézuéliens, seule une négociation plurielle et entre Vénézuéliens permettra de trouver des solutions à la grave crise que connaît le pays.

Nous réaffirmons notre engagement en faveur de la paix, de la réunification des Vénézuéliens et de la démocratie.

IUSY urges for the protection of human rights of people in Jammu and Kashmir

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The International Union of Socialist Youth (IUSY) is condemning the outrageous developments in Jammu and Kashmir after the abrogation of Article 370, a provision in the Indian constitution granting autonomy to the state, by the government of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

After the abrogation of the state’s autonomous status in August 5, the state was put on lockdown. Communication services have been cut off in the early days of the abrogation, preventing residents from connecting with people outside of the area. The press in the region have also been clamped down arbitrarily. There have been alarming reports of harassment and detention of political leaders in the region as well.

We express concern over reports of minors, young people and elderly citizens who have experienced violence in the days following the abrogation. IUSY calls for a fair and swift probe on reports of human rights violations and urge law enforcement in the region to exercise maximum restraint.

As a long-term objective, IUSY urges all parties of the Kashmir conflict to work on stable agreements about peaceful solutions for the region and especially to elaborate a binding frame to exclude the use of nuclear weapons as an option.

IUSY urges for the Indian government to review its decision on Article 370 to allow a multitude of voices to be heard and to prevent an escalation of the conflict in the region. The Indian government must lift all restrictions on the right to freedom of expression, speech, and protest, which should include the restoration of the communication lines and the reported gag on the free press in the region. IUSY urges for a peaceful settlement of the issue between India and Pakistan, with a framework of justice for the poor and oppressed as priority.

Image Credit: two.circles via Flickr, used under a Creative Commons license available at https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/