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APPEAL
To the Youth and Students of the World for the 16th WFYS,
Caracas, Venezuela
The youth make up one of the most progressive, radical, and dynamic
forces of society. Continuously they are the catalystic forces for
social transformation and progress. The future of every country is
shaped by the united efforts of its young people, making them one of the
main targets of capitalist globalization and the ideological offensive
of imperialism. Young people have played effective roles in the fight
against these offensives. In each and every country there are resistance
movements against imperialism, fighting for new social systems that
reject the idea that capitalism is the only option and present the
people's power as the real alternative against the neo-liberal policies.
The massive, global mobilizations against the war in Iraq, FTAA and NATO
were expressions of the resistance of youth and the people.
With the change in the balance of forces in the world, the imperialist
powers have increased their aggression while becoming increasingly
unified in their attacks against humanity and our natural resources. In
order to preserve and deepen their hegemony, U.S. imperialism and its
allies launched a military crusade against whomever stood in their way
under the cover of the so-called "War on Terror" and the threat of
weapons of mass destruction. This policy has resulted the occupation of
Iraq, continuous aggression against Palestine and the economic blockade
and threats against Cuba, Venezuela, DPRK and Syria. It has further
caused suffering in Africa in countries such as Western Sahara, Sudan
and Zimbabwe by imposing sanctions and internal interference. The real
face of aggression, injustice and barbarism has led to the
militarization of societies and their economies against people's well
being.
Young people around the world have been seriously victimized by the
effects of imperialist and neo-liberal policies of international
institutions such as the IMF, WTO, G-8, European Union and World Bank.
At the same time the gap between the rich and the poor, the developed
and undeveloped countries grows wider. Exploitation, hunger,
unemployment, lack of health care, poverty, and misery continue to grow
as a result of the imperialist economic, political and military
policies, resulting in catastrophic effects for millions of people
around the world.
In various forms, and throughout the world, youth have fought
exploitation, blockades, embargos, sanctions, racial discrimination, and
xenophobia. We struggle for peace, national sovereignty, independence,
self-determination, democracy, security, international solidarity and a
world free from nuclear weapons. We demand respect for and the defense
of human and democratic rights, social justice, women's rights,
sustainable development and the environment. We demand that everyone
should have access to employment with dignity, labor rights, education,
health care, sport, culture and technology.
The World Festival of Youth and Students (WFYS), initiated in 1947, is
the biggest event organized by progressive and democratic youth and
students around the world. The WFYS is one of the main expressions of
anti-imperialist, anti-fascist and anti-colonialist struggles led by
youth. After the successful 15th WFYS in Algeria in 2001, held for the
first time on the African continent and Arab region, the 16th WFYS will
take place in Caracas, Venezuela, from August 5 to 13, 2005.
The 16th WFYS in Venezuela affirms and reinforces the Festival's
character and orientation as an international, anti-imperialist,
political-cultural, and broad-based mass event of youth and students.
This also provides an opportunity to extend our solidarity to the youth
and people of Venezuela, its Bolivarian Revolution and all the people
struggling all over the world.
The 16th WFYS should continue to reflect the diversity and richness of
all the expressions of the international youth and student movements
that are committed to the character and spirit of the Festival, as well
as their struggles and demands. The Festival will be a space to exchange
ideas and experiences and provide a platform to coordinate our efforts
and intensify the struggles in our respective countries.
The 16th WFYS is a great moment to strengthen our efforts on the basis
of a common cause and interests to intensify the struggle against
imperialism. We appeal to all youth and students to join in this
struggle and work actively to participate in and strengthen the 16th
WFYS.
For Peace and Solidarity, We struggle against Imperialism and War!
Let us work for a successful 16th World Festival of Youth and Students
in Caracas, Venezuela.
Brasilia, Brazil, June 2004 |
Freie Deutsche Jugend