IFLRY is currently working on tracking down previous Bureau members. It has been an interesting task, as we divulge into the history and the people that have made IFLRY what it is today. As the Alumni project progresses further toward the Anniversary celebrations on August 26, 2007 in Cambridge, we have heard from previous IFLRY members who are now Members of Parliament, business leaders, and influential leaders. To get involved, please contact alumni@iflry.org or Frederik Ferié Frederik@iflry.org.

At the office, we recently received a phone call from Mr. Tonny van Renterghem. Most times, receiving a call at the office would not be out of the ordinary but this time it was a call from a gentleman who was attended the August 26th 1947 WFLRY founding meeting!

He shared with me a wonderful story of an early rendition of young liberals who came together at a very politically sensitive time. In August 1947, the first post-war International Young Liberal and Radical conference was held at Cambridge University and would prove to be a boisterous and controversial meeting that had attendees from colonies, communist countries, and war affected countries. It was one of first post-war conference in which the German delegate was allowed to participate in.

Tonny, who was fluent in English, French, Dutch, and German would play a key role in unifying young liberals from around the world. From the accounts recorded in the minutes, you can see that many countries were against the acceptance of the German delegates but in the end, voted to keep the German delegates as part of the organizations.

From Tonny’s memories:

“The French, who spoke neither English or German, had found out that one of the Germans had been a soldier in the German Air Force who then spread this information around o the British Tabloid Press, who demanded that the Germans be thrown out of the conference and out of the country! Since the British spoke no German and hardly any French, the young Germans had no way to explain that the one had been a conscientious objector and a medic on a German rescue-sea-plane which recovered downed pilots from North Sea. The other German had spent two years in a concentration camp as an  anti-Nazi. I dragged the two with me to the pub where the French and British hung out, explained the whole thing in three languages, and got everyone a beer, till peace was restored and friendship replaced animosity.” -TVR
 
When I heard Tonny tell his story with such conviction, it was a reminder of why some of us work on international politics. It provides us with a forum for intercultural dialogue and participation, builds our cultural networks, and helps reduce barriers between our nations and young leaders.

...and…at times when cooperation seems so far off, it takes a little bit of a personal touch, communicational abilities, and…a beer. (or insert non-alcoholic beverage)

Sarah