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Reacting to the economic slowdown in Europe, the European Liberal Youth (LYMEC) calls for economic reforms. For the first time ever since the introduction of the common currency, the gross domestic product (GDP) in the Eurozone fell last quarter. GDP Read More...
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Dear friends,
This message is to inform you about some changes that happened in Jong VLD.
David NEYSKENS, who was our Internationaal Politiek Secretaris, resigned. The bureau of Jong VLD decided not to elect a new member in the bureau.
From now on, Jasper PILLEN (Vice-President – External Relations) will deal with the international relations of Jong VLD.
We also wants to inform you about the launch of our International Commission. This commission will deal with the international content of our policy. Members of our Commission will be happy to welcome you in Belgium if your organization wants to visit our capital Brussels or our wonderfull country. The Vice-President – External Relations will coordinate this commission.
Please send all your information, questions or invitations tot jasper.pillen@jongvld.be and to info@jongvld.be .
Best regards,
Jong VLD
Contact:
Jasper Pillen
VP External Relations Jong VLD
+32472788917
jasper.pillen@jongvld.be
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European Liberal Youth (LYMEC) firmly condemns the war that has erupted between Georgia and Russia and urges both sides to cease fire and respect international law and civilians' rights. Aloys Rigaut, President of LYMEC, commented: "We had hoped that Read More...
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This weekend LUF Sweden had their annual congress in Rättvik. The congress re-elected Frida Johansson Metso as president. Mae Liz Orrego Rodriguez, former vice-president and international officer of LUF was elected LUF candidate for the European Parliament Read More...
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Reunited in Amsterdam, Jonge Democraten (JD) of Netherlands and
Movimento Liberal Social (MLS) of Portugal deeply deplore the IOC’s role in
what promises the world to be the Olympics of the Broken Promises.
At the eve of the
2008 Summer Olympics, JD and MLS met in Amsterdam’s
own Chinatown, the Nieuwmarkt neighbourhood,
to assess the current Olympic spirit with the International Olympic Committee
(IOC) and the Chinese authorities.
The Olympic Games
were awarded to Beijing
in 2001 by the IOC on the condition that the Chinese authorities would improve
their human rights record and warrant media freedom, including unfettered
internet access. Even though the Chinese Constitution was amended in March 2004
to include the phrase “the State respects and protects human rights”, recent
events have proven otherwise. It has been with
great disbelief and sympathy for the Chinese people that JD and MLS have been
following the statements by Amnesty International, who report to have seen
crackdowns on domestic human rights activists, media censorship and increased
use of re-education through labour as a means to clean up Beijing and surrounding areas.
As journalists
started arriving in Beijing
to cover the Olympics, they found some sites, including news websites and those
of human rights groups, were blocked at Olympic media centres.
Miguel Duarte, MLS president
stated “Shortly after awarding the Games to Beijing in 2001, Jacques Rogge, President of the
IOC, publicly stated that the IOC would act if human rights were not acted upon
to their satisfaction. However, the IOC has neglected to follow up on its statements
in the run-up to the Games. It looks like both the Chinese regime and the IOC
have broken their promises”
Instead of keeping
its promises, the IOC entered into dubious negotiations behind closed doors
with the Chinese authorities and seemed content with the result as a number of
websites that were unobtainable earlier in the week, including Amnesty
International's website, became available to journalists. In the meantime,
restrictions remain. For instance, the website of the Falun Gong, a spiritual
movement banned in China,
is still blocked.
Floris Kreiken, JD
president, added: “It is clearly inexcusable for the IOC to show such
clandestine behaviour. Freedom of information and expression are fundamental
freedoms that are vital for all humans and therefore no topics for horse
trading. We call upon the Dutch national parliament to question prime-minister
Balkenende on the role of crown prince Willem-Alexander, Dutch IOC member, in
the process.
--//--
The Young Democrats
(Dutch: Jonge Democraten; JD) is the social-liberal youth organisation of the Netherlands,
founded in 1984 and counts with over 1850 members. Although independent, the
Young Democrats are affiliated with the Dutch social-liberal party D66.
--//--
The Liberal Social
Movement (or MLS for short) was founded in 2005 and has as objective to promote
social liberalism in Portugal.
The movement is a platform of individuals who believe that the old left/right
dogma make little sense today, and that it is possible to have a different and
constructive type of politics in Portugal.
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WTO talks aimed at striking a global free trade agreement to bring new wealth to rich and poor countries alike, known as the Doha round, collapsed this week once again. Even though the negotiations seemed to be going well well at first -agreements were Read More...
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![Coalición Juvenil Martiana]()
Republicans
or Democrats that is the question.
The elections in United States
are close, and both parties are going to fight for White House and other
representative positions. In a globalized world where power circles, economic
interests, communications and culture nexus conform a supranational network, we
take a closer look at the political process in the neighbouring country.
Since 2000 National
Convention, Republicans project a strong politic commitment to Latin America, giving to the Cuban case high priority. However,
the 9/11 has changed the Administration’s regional commitments and has put its
focus and attention on other sceneries.
The plans to make TV Martí more
effective haven’t become reality, even though millions have been spent in this
task. On the other hand, restrictive measures –very unpopular – about family
remittance and travels to Cuba,
don’t damage the regime, because it recovers the money establishing draconic
taxes on the money Cuban exiles send to their families. Finally the Free Cuban
Commission lets doubts on its viability when they assure they aren’t going to
allow a succession in the Caribbean tyranny.
We consider the
representatives become elected should create more intelligent politics in order
to help the transition process in the Island.
In this sense the speech of South Florida democrat leadership looks
interesting, basis on their critical analysis of the bad managing of funds for
democracy, taking a stand for changing strategies and ways of collaboration
with groups who are fighting amongst themselves (the true actors); the
elimination of restrictions on family remittance and travels, the history prove
that closed regimes are strongest when isolated; and the solution of the
ineffective TV Martí, that we have never seen come to life in Cuba.
Even though we have some
differences with candidate Barack Obama, we have to express our sympathy to the
leader, who have attracted and incorporated the American youth to politic
dynamics in his nation, an important achievement if we take in consideration
the indifference of this social group, as a consequence of political blindness
and the need of participative spaces.
The solving of the conflict
between people of Cuba and its military government in power by half a century
depends on the ability to create a smart policy able to crack down the archaic
myth of regime; a policy come to life by including it in a bilateral
disagreement with United States, as a vestige of the Cold War.
We suggest to Cuban-American
candidates to lobby in favour of relevant elements, besides the suggestions mentioned;
we believe the modernization of the leadership is indispensable, since it must
drive the needed democratic process. They should realise the scholarship
program, suggested by the Free Cuban Commission, with 10 million dollars.
This significant project
hasn’t been viable up to now because of refuse of regime to let the students go
overseas. Distance studies could be developed if it were not for the slogan excluding
youth: “la universidad es para los revolucionarios, part of a discriminatory
official policy. We recommend the implementation under management of University of Miami,
a prestigious centre that have a big capacity to offer, in connection with
other universities from Europe and Latin America.
Yuri Pérez Vázquez
Edgard López Moreno
Vicepresident President
Coalición Juvenil Martina,
organization member of the International Federation of Liberal Youth (IFLRY).
Republicanos o
Demócratas, esa es la cuestión.
Contrario al criterio de que no hay nada más parecido entre un
republicano y un demócrata, esta vez se vislumbra un escenario diferente. Se
acercan las elecciones en los Estados Unidos, cuando ambos partidos se disputarán
la Casa Blanca y otros cargos electivos. En un mundo cada vez más globalizado
donde los círculos de poder, los intereses económicos, los medios de
comunicación y los vínculos culturales conforman un entramado supranacional que
no nos permite obviar los procesos políticos en un vecino tan cercano.
Los republicanos, desde su convención del 2000 proyectaron una política
más comprometida con la democracia en el hemisferio, priorizando el caso Cuba. Sin
embargo, el 11 de septiembre de 2001 marcó el divorcio de la administración con
sus compromisos regionales, desviando su atención hacia otros contextos.
Los planes para hacer efectiva TV Martí no se concretaron, pese a que se
gastaron millonarios recursos. Por otra parte las medidas restrictivas –muy
impopulares- en cuanto al envío de remesas familiares y viajes a la isla, no
afectaron al régimen, pues compensó sus perdidas con gravámenes draconianos a
las remesas. Finalmente la Comisión para una Cuba Libre dejó dudas de su viabilidad
desde la hora en punto en que aseguró que no permitiría la sucesión dentro de
la tiranía caribeña.
Consideramos que quienes resulten electos deben plantearse políticas más inteligentes que coadyuven a un
proceso de transición en la Isla. En ese sentido nos parece interesante el
discurso del liderazgo demócrata del sur de la Florida, basado en un análisis
crítico del mal manejo de los fondos destinados a promover la democracia, a
partir del cual apuestan por un rediseño de las estrategias y canales de
colaboración con los grupos que luchan dentro de Cuba (verdaderos protagonistas);
el levantamiento de las restricciones a las remesas y viajes, debido a que los
regimenes cerrados se fortalecen con el ostracismo; y la solución de la
ineficacia de la TV Martí, que nunca se ha visto.
Aunque tenemos algunas diferencias con el candidato Barack Obama, no
podemos dejar de expresar simpatías por el líder que ha sabido atraer e incorporar
a los jóvenes a la dinámica política de la nación, un importante éxito si se
tiene en cuenta el fenómeno de la apatía, resultante de la ausencia de visión y
espacios participativos.
La solución del conflicto del pueblo de Cuba con el gobierno militar en
el poder desde hace medio siglo, depende en buena medida de habilidad, astucia
y una política capaz de acabar con la arcaica justificación del régimen, de
enmarcarlo en un conflicto bilateral con los Estados Unidos, vestigio de la
Guerra Fría.
Recomendamos a los candidatos cubano-americanos hacer lobby a favor de
elementos que a nuestro juicio resultan oportunos. Además de las valiosas
propuestas mencionadas, creemos imprescindible, si se quiere modernizar el
liderazgo, que deberá guiar el inevitable proceso democrático, realizar el plan
de becas, para el cual la Comisión para una Cuba Libre ha recomendado 10
millones de dólares.
Este proyecto hasta ahora inviable por la negativa del régimen de
permitir la formación en el exterior de los estudiantes, puede concretarse con
estudios a distancia para la juventud excluida, bajo el slogan de que: “la universidad es para los revolucionarios”,
política oficial discriminatoria. Proponemos desarrollarlo bajo el auspicio de
la Universidad de Miami, prestigioso centro que ya ha ofrecido su capacidad, en
colaboración con otras de Europa y América Latina.
Yuri Pérez Vázquez
Edgard López Moreno
Vicepresidente
Presidente
Coalición Juvenil Martina, organización afiliada a la Federación
Internacional de Juventudes Liberales (IFLRY).
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The democratic world is today relieved by the news on the arrest of Radovan Karadzic, former Bosnian Serb wartime leader. Radovan Karadzic was the political leader of Bosnian Serb forces during the devastating war in 1990s. The troops under his command Read More...
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The Executive Committee of the International Federation of Liberal Youth (IFLRY), the umbrella organization for the world's young liberals, will be gathering in Manila this coming 24 – 28 July 2008 for their regular meeting.
"They're very excited to come here. IFLRY has long wanted hold its Executive Committee Session in the Philippines, and now is as good a time as any, it will be the first time in Manila, and the second Asian City to host such event" Prof. Jan-Argy Tolentino, Vice President of IFLRY and Secretary General of the Kabataang Liberal ng Pilipinas (KALIPI) said. KALIPI will be serving as host for the IFLRY Executive Committee and other delegates during the four day event. More than Forty (40) foreign guests are expected to attend the Executive Committee of IFLRY.
IFLRY gathers together the youth wings of the world's liberal parties, as well as other liberal youth organizations that share the liberal democratic ideology. KALIPI, the two-decade old youth wing of the Liberal Party, is its first Asian member, and two previous KALIPI officers – Former Congressman and Constitutional Commissioner Chito Gascon and former Bukidnon congressman Neric Acosta – have served as its Vice Presidents.
IFLRY is currently headed by Ms. Paola Silva, a political scientist and active NGO worker from Colombia who served as Vice President from 2003 – 2005. Aside from Tolentino, the other sitting Vice Presidents of IFLRY are Ahissata Camara from Abidjan in the Ivory Coast, Africa; Frederik Ferie of Germany, and; Jelena Spasovic from Serbia. Bart Woord of the Netherlands, one of IFLRY's longtime stalwarts, currently serves as its Secretary General, while Chris Gallaway, the former president of the Young Democrats of America, is the organization's Treasurer.
Among the young liberal leaders attending the meeting is Rajendra Mulmi of Nepal, the President of the Young Liberal and Democrats of Asia (YLDA), the regional organization for Asian young liberals, Aloys Rigaut of Belgium, President of European Young Liberals (LYMEC), Deependra Chaulagain, President of Liberal Youth of South Asia (LYSA) and former Manila congressman Miles Roces, President of KALIPI.
"For this Executive Committee Session, we'll be focusing on the impact of the growing role of China in regional and world politics and its challenges for young liberals," Tolentino said. He added that aside from the Regular Session, there will be interactions with local youth and a debate using the All-Asians Format on the meeting's theme. Local experts on international politics from the academe and civil society were invited to speak in the forum part of the meeting on July 25th.
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Yalta European Strategy (YES) international network, a non-government forum on the issues of Ukraine and the EU, held its 5th annual meeting in Yalta, Ukraine, on 10-13 July 2008. Over 160 politicians, public figures, businessmen, diplomats and journalists Read More...
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RESOLUCIÓN SOBRE LOS PRESOS POLÍTICOS EN CUBA La Unión Colombiana de Jóvenes Demócratas Considerando 1. Que
en febrero de 2008 Raúl Castro asumió como presidente de la República
de Cuba. Este hecho ha generado en la comunidad internacional
expectativas de cambio hacia un proceso democrático en la isla. 2. Que
debido a motivos políticos, como el promover la disidencia, alrededor
de 400 personas se mantienen encarceladas por el régimen cubano
cumpliendo condenas de 20 y más años, algunos desde comienzos de la
década de los 80's. 3. Que
Amnistía Internacional ha adoptado alrededor de 80 prisioneros
políticos cubanos bajo el término acuñado de Prisioneros de Conciencia. Con base en 1. Que la libertad es un derecho fundamental de todo ser humano. 2. Que
la libertad de expresión, el disentir y el promover la disidencia
política de un régimen no deben ser vulnerados por ningún individuo ni
poder u órgano alguno. Resuelve 1. Instar al estado Cubano a liberar todos sus prisioneros políticos. 2. Hacer
un llamado a la comunidad internacional a ejercer presión para que el
régimen cubano libere cuanto antes a los presos políticos. 3. Invitar
al Gobierno de Raúl Castro a que dé muestras al mundo de disposición
hacia el cambio en la isla. Libertad para los prisioneros políticos y
elecciones con posibilidades reales de participación para la
disidencia, pueden ser pasos hacia ese objetivo. 4. Sumarse
a la campaña que llevan a cabo organizaciones como Amnistía
Internacional para que se de apoyo a los prisioneros de conciencia y a
sus familias, utilizando como vía las personas que viajan a la isla. 5. Hacer
la salvedad de que la UCJD se pronuncia de la misma manera contundente
instando a cualquier régimen que persiga a sus ciudadanos por razones
políticas, religiosas, culturales, sexuales, étnicas, etc.
Consejo de Delegatarios, Unión Colombiana de Jóvenes Demócratas, 14 de Julio de 2008
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Bogotá, Colombia, July the 14th 2008
Dear liberal friends of the world,
The last week, we Colombians had the opportunity of being happy after
many sad news caused by our intern armed conflict. The release of 15 hostages,
among them French-Colombian and former presidential candidate Ingrid
Betancourt, 3 American citizens and 11 Colombian police and military men, make
us feel joy but at the same time it encourages us to continue demanding freedom
for all still kept under captivity.
Freedom is a basic human right and a principle that liberals must defend
everywhere. On July the 20th we celebrate Colombia’s Cry of Independence,
but besides this date which is of course important, we would like to take the
opportunity to demonstrate our refusal to kidnapping. No person could be
deprived from its freedom because of political or economical reasons. At the same
time we want that day to be key to start the dialogue between different parties
in the conflict for constructing a lasting peace in Colombia.
The reason of this invitation is to ask you, as friend-liberal
organizations of Colombian Union of Young Democrats (UCJD), your support in the
mass demonstration by the streets of different cities of the world on July the
20th- in the terms of the enclosed resolution- where Colombians together
with citizens of the international community will claim freedom and peace for
Colombia.
Our International Committee is leading this initiative that pretends to
engage you. Don’t hesitate to contact us if you have any question, inquiry or
suggestion. Below, we will mention the people –with their e-mail addresses- in
charge of the cooperation with different regions of the world, to whom you can
contact:
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Dionisio Lizarazo
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Aleyda Ortega
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The Americas’
Cooperation Officer
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North and Western-European
Cooperation Officer
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chepediony@gmail.com
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aleyda0007@gmail.com
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Lázaro Ramírez
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Fabio Piñeros
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Vicepresident of International
Affairs, Eastern-European Cooperation Officer
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Asian, Caucasian,
Middle-Eastern and Oceanic Cooperation
Officer
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lazaroramirezsalazar@yahoo.com
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fabiobonilla1985@hotmail.com
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Dayana Moreno
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African Cooperation Officer
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dayanitamoreno@yahoo.es
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During the following days we will give you more details about the
gathering places and people you can contact in your countries’ different cities
where demonstrations will happen.
Thanks a lot for your support,
Council of Delegates,
Colombian Union of Young Democrats
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Bronislaw Geremek, a Polish ALDE MEP died yesterday in a car accident. European Liberal Youth - LYMEC wants to express its deepest condelances to his family and friends. Former leader of the Polish democratic revolution, Minister of foreign affairs and Read More...
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From today on, Jong Spirit will be known as L². This has been announced
by President Neal Raes at an informal members' event in Oostende. L² is
the independent youth wing of VlaamsProgressieven, the Flemish
left-liberals. As a baseline, L² will use the term 'JongProgressieven'
(YoungProgressives). After the mother party Spirit changed its name in
April, the youth wing had to look for a new name as well.
Rather than just focussing on the marketing, Jong Spirit used the
occassion to go through a process of internal renewal. The organization
looked at what it meant to be young & left-liberal. It was decided
that the new name had to reflect the core values of the organization,
as Jong Spirit has stood for progressive liberalism for quite a while.
Neal Raes, president of L², explains: "By using L², we make clear that
our liberalism is not just one-dimensial, but has both depth and
breadth. The subtitle JongProgressieven is a reference to our mother
party."
As a strategy, L² intends to make reaching young people a greater
priority. Neal Raes: "Almost daily, the younger age groups are under
attack. Conservative parties want to dictate what young people can do,
or rather, cannot do. Young people are also targetted specifically when
there are no real grounds to actually do so, such as policies against
driving under influence. Last week, conservative ministers in the
federal government wish to limit the possibility of students to work.
This is going too far. It seems that the the role the Church used to
play in Flanders, is now being replaced by conservative and christian
democratic parties. As L², we want to fight back." Soon, L² will launch
its Youth Manifesto.
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We would like to formally congratulate the new Young Liberals of Canada – British Columbia president and executive on their election! Read More...
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