Saturday, November 04, 2023

PKK/YPJ/YPG KURDS

World Youth Conference on its second day

"In today's world of chaos, wars and crisis, it is again the Youth that will lead the way to a free world!"


ANF
PARIS
Saturday, 4 Nov 2023, 

Yesterday, over 300 activists, from over 60 different countries, came together in Paris to officially open the first day of the World Youth Conference. The conference started with an opening ceremony that included introductions by the participants and greetings via video from groups and movements that couldn’t physically be present.

"At the peak of the crisis - Understanding today's world" - The day went on with a panel discussion among 4 representatives of 4 organizations: the Union Des Associations et Coordination d'Associations Pour le Developpement et le Droits Des Demunis (UACDDD) from Mali; Ciwanen Bakur, Youth from North-Kurdistan; Anakbayan from the Philippines, and Poder Popular from Argentina, who presented different analysis of the socio-political and economic contexts of their local reality, in their region and country, and of the overall current international stage. The discussion focused particularly on analyzing the dynamics responsible for some of the world’s biggest problems: including inadequate housing and land dispossession, food insecurity, poverty, environmental degradation, biodiversity loss, political repression and persecution, war, and genocide. Drawing from their local struggles and experiences, the panelists discussed the need to create a real alternative to the current system, one that can be shaped by the people and that can ensure peace and freedom.

"The history of our regional revolutionary movements, like the ones from Cuba and Nicaragua, and the resistance against the US-backed military dictatorships that our parents and grandparents in the 70s built, should inspire us and show us that fighting for a new world is possible and it is our responsibility," said one of the young Argentinian activist, Sofia from Poder Popular.

"Once again, during this first panel, we’re reminded of the emergency we’re in and the ever more pressing need for international solutions. The problems that our panelists face in their home countries, have common root causes and impacts across different continents, as was pointed out."

"Thousands of comrades, from all over Kurdistan, are currently in prison, building great resistance even in the face of relentless oppression, and that’s why we understand very well the situation of Palestinian people. We are never on the side of those who wage war on society, who, on behalf of nationalist and fascist interests, commit genocide," said Erdal from Ciwanen Bakur, North-Kurdistan.

All panelists have emphasized on this first day, that nation-states, like China, the US, Turkey, Israel, among others, are in a state of deep contradictions and crisis which are shown in their inability to hide the deep crisis affecting our society, resorting to repression against any form of dissent.

“We need to use all possible means to fight oppression: it's the responsibility of the youth to create a democratic society and live by an ideology that can help us to resist the nation-state’s attempt to depoliticize and alienate the youth,” continued the speaker from Bakur.

"Simultaneously, several social struggles are being waged, in particular the securing of land ownership, a common family heritage that must be protected against the commodification imposed by capitalism; the right of women and young people to manage the land, the symbol of our future; respect of human rights, particularly the ones of peasants, the first victims of expropriation. The fight against the environmental crisis by changing production methods towards ecological agriculture and halting deforestation; and the fight against the rural exodus, particularly the one of young girls leaving to work in the big cities where they find themselves exploited by domestic work that tramples on their rights," said Amidou from Mali representing the UACDDD.

Today, Saturday, the conference will continue with 12 workshop topics, such as "Youth Militarism & Fascism", "Youth of the Middle East as the Center of the 3rd World War", "Problems of Indigenous Youth and Oppressed People", "Jin, Jiyan Azadi, Towards a Women's Revolution".



World Youth Conference in Paris dedicated to Abdullah Öcalan

"Ronahî - Youth Centre for Public Relations" and the "Youth Writing History" network are organising the internationalist World Youth Conference from 3 to 5 November 2023 in Paris.


ANF
PARIS
Friday, 3 Nov 2023

In the Youth Writing History network, various youth organisations have joined forces in the search for an alternative life beyond capitalism, the destruction of nature and gender oppression. The network follows the principles of youth autonomy, women's liberation and system change. The global network brings together young people with different backgrounds, such as environmental protection, civil disobedience and human rights activism. Feminist, anti-capitalist and socialist groups as well as people's movements fighting for the return of their countries, culture and self-determination and educational groups also take part in the network.

The three-day World Youth Conference kicked off in Paris on Friday morning with an opening speech and a minute of silence in memory of the revolutionary martyrs. Young people from all around the world are taking part in the conference, the foundations of which were laid with the conference in Amed (Diyarbakır) in 2015 and in Kobanê in 2019.

The opening speech was made by Florian André, who announced that the conference this year is dedicated to Kurdish leader Abdullah Öcalan who is held captive on the Turkish prison island of Imrali and has been held in incommunicado detention for years.

Florian André noted that the Turkish state launched a large-scale war in Kurdistan after the 2015 conference in Amed, and occupied Girê Spî only six months after the 2019 conference in Kobanê.

Florian André continued: “It is time now. Young people can lead society out of this darkness. A revolution is taking place in Rojava in the 21st century. To those who argue that ideologies, struggles and paradigms have come to an end, we say no! Our struggle continues.”

The opening speech was followed by a video screening about capitalism and the struggle of young people, and presentation of messages from various countries, including Lebanon, South Africa, Rojava and Medya Defense Zones (the guerrilla-held areas in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq). The messages highlighted the importance of joint struggle against capitalism and the resilient spirit of the youth.

A representative of the Lebanon’s Progressive Socialist Party International Relations spoke about the recent developments in the world and stated that the conflict in Lebanon drove people into poverty and migration. “In Gaza, war crimes are being committed amidst the ongoing war. We need to stand in solidarity with the people of Palestine. Progressive youths are building the future. Our struggle against occupation will continue.”

The following message came from the Women’s Defense Units (YPJ) and the Internationalist Commune of Rojava. The YPJ message said: “With the hope and belief that in this gathering very important and valuable discussions are going to happen, and influential decisions are going to be made to build a world and society that is free and victorious. Because we know that the existing system has set societies on fire everywhere in the world. With war, with isolation, with genocide, all methods of annihilation of cultures and societies, there is a very brutal war going on. Because of this, we, as a force and as youth, need to struggle in a very strong and dynamic way.”

The message by the Internationalist Commune of Rojava highlighted the importance of freedom and resistance as the only way out against the capitalist system amidst the arising Third World War. “We resist capitalism and build a new life here. We follow the path of Leader Öcalan. This conference is of great importance, not only for history, but for all of us.”

In a message to the conference, South African Socialist Movement member Nehlali Bassum stated: “We are against decisions made about us without considering us, the young people, who are the target of the existing system. It is time for us to raise our voices. Thousands of young people are unemployed and living in poor conditions. The system does not want young people to rise up. We want to build a fair society. 25 friends of ours have been executed since our foundation. The people here have no hope left. Young people are manipulated. The source of all these is the capitalist system. It is time now. Young people should write their own history. Long live socialism!”

Komalên Ciwan Coordination member Özgür Şerker saluted the conference and all the participants, saying: “It might be that we have not seen or got to know each other. Some of us come from Kurdistan, some others from the Mididle East, Europe and South Africa. However, we are all in search of a free life. In this conference, we see the spirit of the 68 youth joining hands. For this very reason, such a gathering will bring about a great victory. Humanity has suffered a lot at the hands of the sovereign and exploitative powers in history. With the capitalist modernity, attacks against humanity have hit the peak. Everything in this system serves the sovereign. All those who want to understand this system should have a look at Kurdistan, which is a litmus paper for this system. For 50 years now, we have been fighting against this under the leadership of Leader Öcalan and the struggle under his leadership has consequently spread to the whole world. For this reason, Leader Öcalan has been held in isolation for 25 years. However hard the conditions are, Leader Öcalan has never taken a step back.”


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