Anti-Imperialist Youth of the World hold a successful Meeting in Cyprus

Iakovos Tofari, outgoing President of WFDY addresses the Assembly

Adrien Welsh 

This article was originally published in People's Voice, Canada's leading socialist newspaper. 

From December 3-6, anti-imperialist youth from around the world gathered in Cyprus for the 20th General Assembly of the World Federation of Democratic Youth (WFDY). More than 100 young people participated, representing about 95 organizations from all over the world, including Cuba, Venezuela, Palestine, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea and Western Sahara. The Young Communist League of Canada (YCL-LJC) was also present.

This assembly was the largest in the last 30 years, proving the vitality and the relevance of the fight against imperialism, particularly among youth, since the counter-revolution in Eastern Europe.

Anti-imperialist youth of the world says, “imperialists, hands off Venezuela!”

Special to RY

To mark the anniversary of Cuban-Argentinian revolutionary Ernesto Che Guevara, the anti-imperialist youth of the world launches a solidarity campaign with the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela. Is there any better way to celebrate Che than by showing that young people are determined to fulfill their objective of seeing a free and sovereign Latin America?

The decision to initiate this campaign on June 14 was made by the General Council of the World Federation of Democratic Youth, which met last April in Caracas during a solidarity mission with Bolivarian Venezuela. Around thirty organizations from all over the world have unanimously endorsed this call for mobilization, a timely one considering the growing aggressiveness of Western imperialism against Venezuela and Latin America.

Rebel Youth remembers Stephen Endicott

Special to RY

Rebel Youth remembers and salutes Stephen Endicott who passed away on May 4th as a giant for the Communist movement in Canada.

Stephen wrote impressive books and articles adding to our collective struggle against Capitalism and Imperialism, the details of which can be found here: http://www.yorku.ca/sendicot/.

95th Anniversary of the YCL-LJC celebrated by the World Federation of Democratic Youth

Special to RY

This article was published in the Bulletin of the Commission of Europe and North America of the World Federation of Democratic youth. The bulletin can be found here. In addition to this article on the 95th Anniversary of the YCL-LJC Canada, you can read articles about the 100th Anniversary of the November Revolution in Germany, the rise of repression against popular movements in Spain, a well-informed picture of the situation of the youth in Russia and many other topics related to the youth struggles written by anti-imperialist and communist youth organizations of Europe and North America. 

This year, as we celebrate the 95th anniversary of the Young Communist League, it is important to outline the relevance of this organization. The YCL-LJC is a unique organization that aims to convince the young generation of the urgent need to fight for a better world, a socialist world. Today, we can say that it is the first time since 1945 that youth face a more precarious future than their parents, and all this is to say why we need to organize youth as an entity of its own. Lenin said “frequently the middle aged and the aged do not know how to approach youth in the proper way. Youth must come to socialism in different ways by other paths, in other forms under other circumstances than their parents.”

WFDY on Fidel: “Death is not real when the work of one’s life has been fulfilled"

World Federation of Democratic Youth statement. English translation edited by Rebel Youth.

The World Federation of Democratic Youth receives with deep pain the news of the physical disappearance of the undefeated Commander of the Cuban Revolution, Fidel Castro Ruz.

The youth of our organizations will continue the struggle and act in following the example and the ideas of comrade Fidel for the construction of a world free from of exploitation with equal and full rights for all the people. The legacy he leaves to the history of humanity also includes a legacy for our own Federation, illustrated by Fidel’s role in rescuing of the World Festival of Youth and Students movement in 1997, and also as a model of perseverance and combativeness that must characterize us all when we defend just ideas.

Che Guevara & the struggle of young Communists in Canada

Today, October 9th, marks the 49th anniversary of Che Guevara's assassination by the CIA. The following is an interview conducted by TeleSur with the Young Communist League of Canada's General Secretary Drew Garvie about what Che's legacy means for young Communists today. The written interview was conducted in June of 2016 and contributed to the article Beyond the T-Shirt: What Che Actually Stood For.

Can you tell me about your experience going to Cuba on the Che Guevara Work Brigade? Why did you decide to go, what did you you there and what did you think of your overall experience?

The Che Guevara Volunteer Work Brigade has been running annually for 24 years. It is a solidarity Brigade where between 30-50 people of all ages, from across Canada, visit and tour Cuba for a couple weeks.

Young Communists around the world mobilize for IWD 2016

Special to Rebel Youth

Rebel Youth looks at the actions of young Communists around the world to commemorate International Women's Day and struggle for the rights of women globally. Here's a snapshot of some of the activities that took place in honor of March 8th, 2016.

Britain

International Day of Migrants 2015: behind migrant crisis, there is the capitalist crisis

This article was written in support of the World Federation of Democratic Youth's (WFDY) joint actions on the International Day of Migrants. WFDY's Commission on Europe and North America has launched a campaign for migrant rights and against imperialisms displacement of people.

Adrien Welsh, chair of the Young Communist League of Canada's International Commission

On the International Day of Migrants, 18 December 2015, the Young Communist League of Canada joins with thousands of others around the world to express its solidarity with the millions of women, men and children forced every year to leave their country, family, home and job because of war, economic need or climate change.

Lebanese, Turkish and French youth united in the struggle for peace

The following is a joint statement from young Communist organizations from Lebanon, France and Turkey on the recent attacks on civilians in each of their countries and their united struggle against imperialist war.

Ankara, Beirut, and Paris: Same pain, same responsibilities, same struggle

We, communist and progressive youth organization from Turkey, Lebanon and France declare the following:

We are all deeply affected and saddened by the bombing that struck our peoples and our youths. Our first thoughts are with the victims and their families. Terrorism is a deadly ideology that we shall fight against. The acts perpetrated in Ankara, Beirut and Paris has been committed by fascists.

YCL-LJC Canada in Havana for the 19th General Assembly of the WFDY

Picture from the 19th General Assembly of WFDY
taking place now in Havana

Special to RY

Despite the historical messaging put forward by the hawkish celebrations of our pro-war and pro-business governments, 2015 does not mark the 70th anniversary of a military victory, but a victory of the people against Nazism and fascism. These were not regular armies who routed the Nazi armies, but largely resistance movements, including communists and the people in general, who fought fascist barbarism which had as its main aim the end of communism.

It is in this vein that several organizations were formed with the aim of ensuring world peace and especially to end the system which, as stated by Jaurès, "carries within it war just as rain clouds carry the storm". This system is capitalism, and more specifically, its highest stage: imperialism. Women united under the banner of the Women’s International Democratic Federation (WIDF); workers within the World Federation of Trade Unions (WFTU) and the peace movement joined the World Peace Council (WPC). Meanwhile, young people, with the slogan "Youth unite! Forward for lasting peace!", formed the World Federation of Democratic Youth (WFDY). WFDY’s actions for the liberation of oppressed peoples and for friendship among the people was advanced notably through the World Festival of Youth and Students, which brought together thousands of young people.

WFDY condemns the massacre of youth and students in Suruc, Turkey

Photographs of some of the young people that were murdered
on July 20th, 2015.

Special to RY

On July 20th, members of the Socialist Youth Associations Federation (SGDF) were in Suruc, Turkey on their way to help reconstruct a museum in the Kurdish controlled town of Kobane. Kobane, in Syria, has withstood fierce attacks from ISIS. SGDF members were at a cultural centre having breakfast with Kurdish organizations when the suicide bombing occurred.

The World Federation of Democratic Youth (WFDY), a federation of anti-imperialist youth organizations from around the world, has released a statement condemning the recent murder of at least 30 youth.

Young Communists of Venezuela condemn US aggression

Against the imperialist aggression - Unity, solidarity and struggle

Statement of the Communist Youth of Venezuela (JCV) – National Executive Committee of the Central Council

The Communist Youth of Venezuela (JCV) expresses its strongest condemnation to the executive order signed by the president Barack Obama, last March 9th, when he declared a “National Emergency” after describing Venezuela as an “unusual and extraordinary threat to the National Security and Foreign Policy of the United States”.

The interventionist policy of the US and European imperialist poles against Venezuela has intensified during the last months: unilateral sanctions against the state of Venezuela and recurrent statements by senior US officials and European Parliament have highlighted the development of an international conspiracy against the Bolivarian Process.

Greek young communists ‘combatively marching for a socialist tomorrow’

Delegates and observers at the Communist Youth of Greece's
11th Congress, December 2014

By Adrien Welsh

From the 19th to the 21st of December, the Young Communist League of Canada attended the 11th Congress of the Communist Youth of Greece (KNE), held under the slogan “Pioneer youth of KKE (Communist Party of Greece), combatively marching for a socialist tomorrow, without crises, wars or exploitation.” It was an occasion to reinforce the ties between our organizations and increase collaboration based on the principles of proletarian internationalism.

Among European countries, Greece is certainly the most ravaged by the current crisis of capitalism. After two memorandums imposed by the Troika (European Union - IMF - World Bank), the unemployment rate totals 60% among youth, and yet, this has not been enough. In 2014, a restructuring plan forced the loss of almost 500 000 jobs in the public sector. Hospitals and schools are closing and the population now relies on help from the Red Cross and other humanitarian associations to provide them with the medical care they need. As for education, with the quality of the public system declining, parents are turning towards private schools, with Greece having the highest enrolment in private schools of any country in the EU.

In these conditions, a new political alignment is developing with the rise of two forces aimed at safeguarding the system.

From Ayotzinapa to Montreal: Overview of the Global Student Struggle

Special to RY

Student struggle week of action underway

Every November 17th, International Students’ Day, is commemorated by remembering the important role of students in fighting for a better world. In honour of this day, the World Federation of Democratic Youth’s Commission on Europe and North America has called for a student week of action against the current attacks on our education system taking place across the region. The week of action runs from November 17th-23rd.

In Canada, students are facing skyrocketing tuition fees, mounting debt, the privatization of education, cuts to student services, attacks on the living and working conditions of campus workers, the elimination of programs and classes, and the corporatization of research. More and more students now graduate without a future: either unemployment, or work in precarious, part-time, low-paid, non-unionized jobs. Students in Canada are fighting for free, accessible, quality and emancipatory education. They are fighting for a future!

Canada is not alone in this fight. The attack from governments and corporations is being resisted, at home and internationally. In recognition of this week of action, Rebel Youth Magazine takes a look at ongoing international student struggles:

Attacks on young communists in France, Serbia and Venezuela are the latest violent examples of growing fascist threat

Communist Youth of Venezuela respond to attack
targeting their office and activists

By Drew Garvie

General Secretary, YCL-LJC of Canada

In late October, the World Federation of Democratic Youth, a global anti-imperialist federation of youth organizations founded after the fascist defeat in Europe in 1945, issued two statements condemning fascist violence in both Venezuela and Yugoslavia. These attacks had occurred in the preceding weeks.

In the early morning hours of October 21st in Caracas, members of the Communist Youth of Venezuela (JCV) were finishing their work at their central offices. Several firebombs were launched at the building and a fire was started in their meeting room. Fortunately no comrades were injured in the attack and the fire was extinguished.

The JCV Executive Committee released a statement contextualizing the attack against them: "This deed occurs within the framework of violence imposed by fascism since February of this year carried out by mercenaries and paramilitaries serving the extreme, pro-imperialist right." This references an upsurge in right-wing protests that took place from February through June, which led to the deaths of 43 people. Most recently, Robert Serra, the youngest parliamentarian elected in Venezuelan history, and a member of Venezuela’s Socialist Party (PSUV), was murdered with Colombian paramilitaries being implicated.

Cyprus: Commemoration of the 40th Anniversary of the Island’s partition

WFDY poster commemorating 40th anniversary of partition

 By Adrien Welsh - Chair of the International Commission of the YCL-LJC

During the 27th Pancyprian Festival of Youth and Students organized by EDON, the Communist youth of Cyprus, the World Federation of Democratic Youth organized an international solidarity event for freedom and unification in the divided capital of the Country, Larnaka on July, 4th. This action was the occasion to condemn the continuous occupation of the northern part of the country by Turkish troops and to demand their withdrawal.

This July commemorates the 40th anniversary of the double crime of NATO on the Mediterranean island.

On the 15th of July, 1974, EOKA 2, the fascist junta ruling Cyprus by that time, led among others by the notorious anti-communist Grivas - who had served against the National Liberation Army (ELAS) during Greek Civil War - perpetrated a coup d’État in order to achieve the annexation of Cyprus to Greece (“Enosi”), an idea long defended by the nationalist right. As a consequence, Turkey invaded the northern part of the country five days later legitimated by the defense of Turkish Cypriots’ interests, enacting the partition of the island.

Today, 40 years later, a “Green Line” still separates the country, affecting 250 000 people, that is, more than 20% of the population; 38% of the island is occupied by armed forces defending Turkey’s colonization enterprise.

Overthrow the system responsible for the misery of the workers!

Maki and Hadash's May 1st event in Nazareth. Photo by M. Adivi

By the World Federation of Democratic Youth,
Budapest

On the First on May, the Workers Day. The day that resembles the righteous of the peoples in a prosperous developed world. In a world, that reaches their presence as individuals with a right to produce, a developed society. Being the ones that benefit from their own production, taking this advantage of their qualities for a better life.

On this great day, history strikes its events, that shouldn’t be forgettable, in the necessity of overthrowing the system responsible of the misery of the workers for decades. The exploitation of the workers’ capability, so that the minority can rule, on the flesh of the majority.  The attack of the workers’ trade union, to deprive the workers from organizing their strength. The measures of the liberal economy, privatization and open market, turning the workers into slaves of the monopolies. Working in the lowest conditions, for the benefits of these monopolies.

On this great day, history also strikes with the struggle of the workers that forced their rights, and forced the resemblance of their right on this day. The struggles of the workers, that rejected the exploitation of the capitalist system, the privatization of their national wealth, the long working hours, the monopolization of the product and means of production by the capitalist system. The wars, invasions, and intervention done by their name, only benefiting the monopolies and capitalist system.

From the struggles of the workers, to the peoples, forces, and systems that supported, fought, and struggled to obtain the legitimate right of the peoples and workers through the history. Into the measures and character of imperialism depriving this right.

The World federation of Democratic Youth salutes the workers and youth of the world in the First of May.

As well as, confirms its position among the workers’ struggles, against their exploitation. Besides the progressive forces fighting against imperialism, its measures and aggressions. Into a world that insures the workers’ right.

Long live workers’ struggle!

We can not have another World War.

Contribution to the Lisbon meeting of the World Federation of Democratic Youth's Commission of Europe and North America by the Young Communist League of Canada.

Dear comrades,

We would like to thank the World Federation of Democratic Youth and our hosts, the Juventude Comunista Portuguesa, for organizing this important meeting. We meet on the eve of the JCP's 10th Congress to which we send warm fraternal greetings. We are confident our work today will strengthen the efforts of the WFDY in the European and North American region.

This year, 2014, marks the 100th anniversary of the beginning of a social nightmare -- the First World War.

The Canadian government is launching a campaign to re-write history. To use this anniversary to celebrate militarism.

This is a horrible lie. The First World War saw close to 40 million civilian and military casualties.

Those who survived said: No! Never again!

The Great October Socialist Revolution in Russia helped end that war. The Soviet Union began to build a socialist society, based on peaceful cooperation.

Such history may seem dusty and old to some in our generation. But 100 years later it still frames our struggle, as the progressive youth grow more determined in our fight for the future, and we in WFDY advance the slogan of revolutionary social transformation.

World Federation of Democratic Youth rejects violence of fascist in Venezuela

February 16th saw a mass rally for peace in Caracas

Statement of the World Federation of Democratic Youth in solidarity with Venezuela.  

February 14, 2014


In recent hours, the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela has come under attack from the fascist right-wing, as a the plan of imperialism against the revolutionary process; supported by the most reactionary sectors -inside and outside- of Venezuela, with a format similar to the coup d’état driven in 2002 against the President Hugo Chavez.

Video and final declaration: 18th World Festival of Youth and Students

 The 8000 of delegates of the 18th World Festival of Youth and Students who gathered from 88 countries in Quito, Ecuador, under the slogan “Youth united against imperialism, for the World of Peace, Solidarity and Social Transformation” declare the following:

We salute the people of Ecuador and its struggles; we express our solidarity in the struggle of the Ecuadorian people for popular conquests and radical social-political changes. With the support of the progressive and militant youth of Ecuador which in the past years have made important steps forward and achievements through its struggle through the process of the “Citizens Revolution” the international anti-imperialist youth movement constructed another important moment in the history of its organized struggle. We gathered in Latin America, a continent were the youth movement is steadily growing, once again for the biggest anti-imperialist youth event in the world to strengthen our common struggle towards our common goal: the overthrown of Imperialism.