60 YEARS IN SERVICE OF YOUTH AND THEIR RIGHTS

Dear Friends:

On November 10, 1945 the World Youth Conference, organized in London, founded the World Federation of Democratic Youth (WFDY). This historic Conference convened at the initiative of the World Youth Council, which was formed during the II world war to fight against fascism by the youth of the allied countries, brought together for the first time in the history of the international youth movement representatives of more than 30 million young people of different political ideologies and religious beliefs from 63 nations. On the occasion of the 60^th anniversary of WFDY we salute our friends and partners that have been struggling along with us for these 60 years.

Enclosed with this letter you will also find a special edition of the “World Youth”. The “World Youth” is the historical magazine of WFDY, which started to be printed during the decade of 40’s. This magazine became - in the second half of the 20^th Century - a very important forum for the International Youth Movement. It reported the main historical facts and the struggle of several young generations, analyzed the most important issues related with youth people and played a very important role for the unity of all democratic and progressive youth organizations in the fight for peace and friendship. At present, the “World Youth” is published, after almost fifteen years of absence, to celebrate the 60 years of WFDY, taking also advantage of the organization of its Historic Files we have developed. This special edition spotlights on our activity during these years and it gives a general view on the World Festivals of Youth and Students – from Prague 1947 till the 16^th Festival, its importance for the anti-imperialist struggle, and its role trough different historical periods.

The World Federation of Democratic Youth is getting inspired by the noble ideals and goals of the founder generation of WFDY and of all other generations, which fought vigorously against imperialism and its mechanisms, always on the side of the poor and the oppressed, hand in hand with the workers and peasants, with the progressive intellectuals, for a different society, without exploitation man by man, where the peoples will be masters of their own fortunes in peace and social prosperity. After 60 years of struggle the ideals that were present at WFDY foundation are completely actual. WFDY has continued to struggle over the years for the noble ideals of human liberation from all kinds of oppression, discrimination and imperialist domination.

WFDY, as anti-imperialist, progressive, democratic and massive international youth organization that gather more than 160 organization from more than 100 countries all over the world connected to the reality of the struggle in their countries is a space that promotes the unity, cooperation, organized action, solidarity, exchange of information and struggle’s experiences among the progressive youth forces, playing an indispensable role on the struggle against war, imperialism, fascism, colonialism, occupations, hunger, poverty, misery, blockades, embargos, sanctions and all forms of exploitation, for peace, independence, national sovereignty, internationalist solidarity, youth rights. We are committed to and struggle for a world of peace, free from nuclear weapons; for a different socio-economic system that holds the human being as a center and main maker, a system based on social justice, national sovereignty, independence, self-determination, democracy, security, international solidarity and cooperation. We demand respect for and call for the defense of human rights, women’s rights, sexual and reproductive rights, sustainable development and the environment. We demand that everyone should have access to employment, labor rights, education, health care, sports, culture and technology.

YOUTH UNITE! FORWARD FOR LASTING PEACE!

On behalf of the Coordinating Council / Headquarters of WFDY

(Miguel Madeira)

President of WFDY                                                                                      Budapest, 10^th of November 2005

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