WINDHOEK – Namibia is organising to host more than 5 000 youths from 120 countries who will gather in Windhoek to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the World Federation of Democratic Youth (WFDY), of which Namibia is a member.
The right to host the event follows the participation of Namibian youth in the World Festival of Youth and Students that took place in Quito, Ecuador, in December 2013, where the WFDY executives said Namibia demonstrated a commitment and willingness to the spirit of WFDY’s struggle against imperialism.
“The decision to host the [anniversary] event in Namibia was the participation and commitment of Namibia [at] Ecuador [event],” says Dalfino Guila, the vice-president of WFDY who is based in Budapest, Hungary. Guila visited Namibia to meet with youth leaders who will spearhead the organisation of the event.
Although the precise date is yet to be determined, Guila says they are looking at the months between April and July. The event is assured to attract between 5 000 and 10 000 youth from 171 youth organisations in 120 countries worldwide.
In December last year, more than 230 young Namibians held their own at the youth festival in Ecuador in a number of discussions including those on using the natural resources to benefit ordinary people as well as the influence of the mass media and imperialism.
It was the Namibian youths who reminded the youth from Europe that often the European leftist youths are not vocal in their support for Africa to have a permanent seat in the UN Security Council.
Among the activities that took place in Ecuador were lectures, seminars and presentations by youths on their views on world politics, especially on the elements of capitalism and imperialist antagonism, fighting for sanctions and instilling a revolutionary spirit against the establishment of foreign military bases in countries, as well as looking at the modern day role of religion, and ethnic conflicts.
However, for next year besides celebrating the 70th anniversary of the WFDY – the federation was founded in 1945, as part of the World Youth Council, to fight against fascism and the federation’s website speaks of youths uniting for lasting peace and 65 years of struggling against imperialism – the event will also feature the annual general meeting of the federation.
Guila also says they will be inviting a number of political leaders in keeping with the theme of the legacy of the liberation movements and the role of youth.
Before next year though, the African youth leaders are set for a meeting in South Africa for the Pan-African Youth Organisation congress, on November 28 to 30, when they will elect a new hierarchy.
The Democratic Republic of Congo is vying for the position of the presidency, while Mozambique is vying for the vice-presidency and Zambia for the deputy secretary general position.
By Staff Reporter