Stay tuned!

Call for IUSY Political Officer

IUSY is looking for a Political Officer to its Secretariat. As Political Officer of IUSY you are engaged in all our activities and will get a very broad and multicultural management experience. You will also get a unique chance for a couple of years to study the world from a political and social perspective, to travel around the world and meet new friends.

IUSY Secretariat is a small team consisting of the Secretary General who leads the work and two Political Officers. The job is full time, including frequent travel and work during weekends. The Secretariat is located in Vienna, Austria and it is required that you are ready to move and live here. We hope that you are ready to start working in September 2010.

Profile of IUSY Political Officer

- Have interest in human rights, democracy building and international solidarity.

- Have several years of experience of work/activism within a youth organization

- Be familiar with IUSY and be an active member of a IUSY member organization

- Share the values and ideas of IUSY

- Language skills: Be able to communicate fluently in written and spoken English; French and/or Spanish are essential

- Capacity to organize conferences, run programmes, campaigns, seminars, trainings etcetera

- Management skills, capacity to carry out financial and administrative tasks, applying for funding

- Be communicative and capacity to work in a team as well as individually and in the multicultural ambiance of IUSY

- IT skills: documents, presentation programs and websites, bookkeeping

- Excellent attention to details and highly organised; and ability to meet deadlines

- Be ready to be flexible in terms of working hours and able to work under time pressure.

Brief Job Description for IUSY Political Officer

1. Activities

In cooperation with the Secretary General and the rest of the Secretariat, the PO assists in the management, preparation and running of seminars, statutory meetings and other political initiatives set out by IUSY. PO is responsible for the financial issues in all attended IUSY activities.

2. Finances

PO is responsible for all bookkeeping and for managing membership fees. PO is also responsible, in cooperation with the secretary General, for all communication with the different foundations and institutions that are supporting IUSY

3. Daily tasks

In addition to the previous mentioned tasks, the PO assist in the daily running of the secretariat, such as answering mails and phones, updating the website and whatever the Secretary General needs in the running of the office.

About IUSY

IUSY is a global NGO made up of about 150 socialist, social democratic and labour youth organisations from over 100 countries all over the world. IUSY is the world’s biggest youth organization. IUSY has consultative status within the UN. IUSY is the political youth organization to the SI, Socialist International.

IUSY does activities all over the world; Conferences, Meetings, Seminars, Workshops, Trainings, Study Visits and Festivals. As political youth movement we are a part of the global civil society. We believe in a world based on equality, sustainability and solidarity. We want young people to be able to shape their own future; this is not the situation today. Therefore the struggle for democracy and human rights comes first for us!

Applications should be sent in to IUSY Secretary General by latest Monday 26^th of July 2010.

The application should include the following documents:

- Curriculum Vitae

- Motivation Letter

- 2 reference details

All candidates will be informed of the results.

Contact

Johan Hassel, IUSY Secretary General

johan@iusy.info

+ 43 699 171 208 30

Call for IUSY Political Officer

IUSY Presidium had it’s second meeting in New York, the 18th-20nd of June.

Main topic of the meeting was to set the portfolios within the Presidium. It was a very working meeting and the Presidium outlined the action plan for the coming years. One of the main things of the action plan is that IUSY this year will launch a global campaign on Equality.

The IUSY Presidium is ready for a kick-ass year. We hope you are as well!

IUSY Presidium participated at the SI Council in New York. It was a very big SI Council with over 300 participants from all over the world.

The Council addressed four main issues and priorities of the social democratic movement in its agenda: the Global Economy in the run-up to the G8 and G20 Summits in Toronto, peace in the Middle East, working for an international unified response to Climate Change; and recent developments in the field of Disarmament and Non-proliferation.

IUSY Presidium meet with President of  SI and Greek Primeminister George Papandreou.

SI Secretary General Luis Ayala meet with the IUSY Presidium prior to the SI Council to inform IUSY on the coming event but also to update IUSY on the agenda of the SI. We will see more SI and IUSY cooperation in the future!

IUSY President Viviana Pineiro held a speech about Youth Employment under the topic of Global Economy.

IUSY Secretary General Johan Hassel spoke on the situation on the Middle East.

Read more about the SI Council at: www.socialistinternational.org

At the IUSY Presidium meeting in New York IUSY decided to focus more on the United Nations. Five persons in the Presidium have been given the portfolio of UN Co-cordination in order to bring the UN into the work of IUSY but most importantly to give IUSY a voice within the UN system.

UN is based upon membership of countries but in it’s work it also takes into account the perspective of civil societs. IUSY has a consultative status within the UN as a global NGO. Now it is time to make sure that the political agenda of IUSY get’s an impact on the UN.

IUSY Presidium in the General Assembly of the UN in New York.

22 May 2010, the Algerian support organisation for the national self-determination of Saharawi people and the UJSARIO together organised a global solidarity conference in Algiers on the occasion of the 37th anniversary of the foundation of th Frente POLISARIO. Some of the Saharawi people are inhabitants of refugee camps, near Tindouf, South-western Algeria, others suffer under the Moroccan occupation of the Saguiet el-Hamra e Rio de Oro for 35 years alread. Then, immediately after the departure of the Spanish colonisers, the Moroccan army occupied the entire Western Sahara. The occupation is maintained unchanged, while Morocco and foreign corporations – among them Europeans and North Americans included – exploit the few natural resources the Saharawi lands are able to provide. The international community observes and narrates the situation with no serious, decisive input. The United Nations established a Mission for the Referendum on National Self-determination (MINURSO) 19 years ago. For MINURSO almost two decades have not been sufficient for the implementation of their mission. In addition, the situation and the life conditions of the Saharawi people have only worsened since then.

The International Union of Socialist Youth has always been a keen supporter of respect, freedom and the full right of national self-determination for the Saharawi people. This is demonstrated by several of our declarations on the issue, by the IUSY full membership of UJSARIO, the youth organisation of the Frente POLISARIO, as well as by the fact that the keynote speaker of the IUSY Festival 2009 in Zánka, Hungary was Mohammed Abdelaziz, the President of the Saharawi Arab Democratic Republic and the Secretary General of the Frente POLISARIO.

Under these circumstances, it was a very important moment, when I was given the opportunity to represent IUSY at the global conference of solidarity in Algiers. The traditional solidarity conference assembled representatives of youth organisations from approximately 40 countries. In the greeting order, I was given the opportunity to deliver the solidarity statement of IUSY as the first international speaker, followed by other international organisations such as IFM-SEI and WFDY, later on including the greetings of IUSY member organisations such as JUSOS, SSU, Giovani del PD, FGS, JSE. On behalf of IUSY I have delivered the following message:

Ladies and Gentleman, Dear Friends,

Today is a glorious occasion for us. In the wonderful city of Algiers, we have gathered to raise our voice. We gathered to remind the entire world to an horrible debt. To remind everyone that the entire democratic world is awfully indebted to the Saharawi nation. For 35 years now, Saguiet el-Hamra e Rio de Oro could exist fully as an independent country. But the Western Sahara is not independent, because it is the last colony of Africa. Due to the oppression of Morocco, the Western Sahara is occupied since the Spanish colonisers left. These 35 years are the most unforgiveable debt of the democratic world today.

I am Akos Komassy, and I brought along two important messages with me today. I am the Vice-President of the International Union of Socialist Youth, the largest youth movement of the world. Ever since the occupation began, we are devout supporters of the national self-determination of the people of Western Sahara. This is also the reason why we have a wonderful strategic co-operation of our Saharawi member organisation, UJSARIO. I would like to congratulate UJSARIO for the arrangement of this successful solidarity conference.

I salute you, especially for bringing together young Saharawis from the occupied Western Sahara as well as the refugee camps to this event.

We, young socialists believe in democracy and the supremacy of human rights. National self-determination is an essential part of human rights. Thus, our conviction is that occupation was more than enough. It is time for the democratic world, to take leadership and install democracy and the rule of law in the Western Sahara. I call upon the Spanish presidency of the European Union and the United Nations, to act. The mandate of MINURSO shall include the monitoring of the respect for human rights in the Western Sahara and in the camps near Tindouf. Beyond this, the referendum about the independence of Western Sahara must be held as soon as possible.

We, Hungarians, and the entire global community of young socialists were very extraordinarily honoured, when His Excellency, Mohammed Abdelaziz visited us last year. He was the highest guest of honour at the World Festival of IUSY in Zanka, Hungary, in July 2009. We believe that it was an enormously powerful demonstration of our support of the referendum on the independence of Western Sahara. A new era of support for the national self-determination of the Saharawi people has begun in Central Europe.

My second duty is to deliver you the message of solidarity of the Central and Eastern European Alliance for Solidarity with the Saharawi People. We, citizens of young democracies in Central and Eastern Europe, have fresh memories of how crucial it is for an independent nation to live up to its right to self-determination and to do it by peaceful means.

Ladies and Gentleman,

time has come to act! The freedom of Western Sahara is not a local issue. It is the global debt of the entire democratic world. The United Nations’ mission for the referendum in Western Sahara is operational now for almost twenty years. Time has come to act and make the monitoring of the respect for human rights a part of the mandate of MINURSO and go ahead with the referendum.

Our solidarity continues unchanged. We, young socialists from all over the world call for an end to the violation of human rights, we call for an end to the occupation of the Western Sahara. The struggle continues, and we believe that it is time to act now !

Thank you.

31 May 2010/Akos Komassy, Vice-President

IUSY strongly condemns the Israeli actions against the aid convoy – Ship to Gaza. It is a tragedy that people have been killed and wounded by Israeli military in an illegal attack on international water, which is a war crime. The International Community must respond strongly. IUSY expects the UN Security Council to strongly condemn the actions and engage further in the region.

The Israeli blockade against Gaza must immediately end. It only causes suffering and, as proved by Israeli, violence. IUSY have for long stated that an end to the Israel/Palestinian conflict and peace and security to all in the region can only be reached by through the partners and by respecting international law and international agreements. It is clear that Israel as the stronger partner has a bigger responsibility, which it is not taking.

Statement on the Global Campaign for Burma

and to Condemn the Upcoming Undemocratic Elections of the Military Regime

Today, the International Union of Socialist Youth (IUSY) and all member organizations reaffirms its support to Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, our Burmese comrades and to all the people of Burma who have been struggling for more than two decades to restore democracy, peace, and justice to their motherland. We offer our support by launching a global campaign to democratize Burma and in the immediate to condemn the upcoming military-led elections—a process which we believe together with the Burmese people is a sham as it closes all available avenues for the country to realize genuine democracy and national reconciliation.

Moreover, today, the 27^th May, we celebrate the 21^st anniversary of the election of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, which saw the Burmese people voting for peace, justice and democracy. Despite the unparalleled showing of the Burmese electorate for Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and the National League for Democracy, the Burmese military disregarded the outcome of the elections and instead incarcerated Daw Aung San Suu Kyi together with thousands of political activists. The regime repressed all the democratic oppositions including ethnic nationalities by committing severe human rights violations in order to silence the voices of the democratic movement and the peoples of Burma. And now, it is planning yet another bogus election not only to further entrench its military rule in Burma but more importantly, to create a facade of consent for its continuing brutal dictatorship in the eyes of the international community.

In order to entrench its military rule, in 1993, the regime has implemented its so-called road map to “disciplined democracy.” It laid down the principles for a new constitution at a pseudo-national convention and endorsed this constitution through a fraudulent referendum which was held during a national disaster when Cyclone Nargis destroyed the lives of hundreds of thousands of Burmese in early May 2008.

The said constitution exempted army personnel and officials from persecution for high crimes they committed against their own people. Furthermore, it granted the Burmese army the illegitimate mandate to lead the country’s political, social and economic life. As such, under this constitution, Burma will continue to be a military state and any political exercise conducted under its auspices such as the coming elections will never reflect the Burmese people’s genuine sentiment.

The Burmese government up to now is a military dictatorship regime, cut from the same glass as the previous military governments, which emerged in Asian and Latin American countries during the 70s, despotic governments which were toppled by successive people’s revolts. The Burmese military regime has no place in the current world. The atrocities they commit do not belong to our time, lest we allow it. No regime-led elections can legitimize its continued power over the people. Results of an election conducted under an environment of fear and oppression, conducted over hostilities to ethnic minorities, conducted without the release of political prisoners can never be recognized.

The military junta despite international clamor continue to its show arrogance and mindfulness over its tyranny and totalitarianism. Proof of which was the report of the Special Rapporteur Tomas Quintana on the human rights situation in Burma in March this year. Quintana delivered his report to the Human Rights Council on his return from his third mission to the country. He concludes his report with an endorsement for an investigation into crimes against humanity committed by the military junta.

We earnestly call on governments and the international community to support the recommendation of the Special Rapporteur on the human rights situation in Burma to establish a commission of inquiry with a specific fact-finding mandate to address the question of crimes against humanity and at the same time acknowledge that the upcoming elections which exclude all democratic forces and parties, held under a military-favored constitution will not be credible.

Present in over 100 countries worldwide, we initiate and will continue to mount through our member, fraternal and partner organizations series of actions to expose the deceptive Burmese military-led elections, to pressure our respective parties and governments not to recognize its results, and to recognize the democratic leadership of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and other elected leaders as well the role of ethnic nationalities that the Burmese people upheld two decades ago.

Read all about the last IUSY World Congress in our Booklet.

Reports from 2009 - Political Resolutions - Ideological Debate Paper - Elected Presidium

IUSY World Congress 2010 - Booklet

The Thai Government Announced that it will start crackdown of demonstartions at 3PM Today in Bangkok. This is the Statement of IUSY Asia Pacific Committee. Stop Political Killings Now!

Statement on Political Crisis in Thailand

15.05.2010

We are deeply concerned about political unrest in Thailand regarding the event on 13 May 2010, the Center for Resolution of the Emergency Situation has announced the measures to ‘increase the pressures against the Red-Shirt demonstrations’ and cut off all commuting routes around the demonstration area. This includes ceasing all public bus, boat, elevated rail (BTS), electricity, street lights, water, blocking all mobile phone signals in the area. At the evening of the same day, the Emergency Act was extended to 17 more provinces in the Central, North and Northeast of Thailand to control the area and block any support coming in from the provinces.

At late night of the same day, at least one Red-Shirt protestors was killed in firing by the army. M79 was shot in Silom area, causing around 20 protestors to be injured. Armored personnel carriers and snipers, sharpshooters all with live bullets are employed to execute in this mission. This use of heavy weapons already causes the violence from the government for the past one month.

On 14 May 2010, the fatal clashes between armed soldiers and civilians began at King Rama IX Road. The clashes have been going on until now and spread out around the center of Bangkok.

Now the situation is getting worse and worse, the numbers of dead people are increasing every hour. The Government officially announced 35 dead and 239 wounded including 5 journalists. Thailand’s political unrest has now left at least 47 people dead and more than 1,400 wounded.

This tragedy is a phenomenon of the rapid change of Thailand that brought about complexity in the society. Red Shirts are a result of the big gaps between the rich and the poor, between the urban and the rural people. The conflicts have been rooted at different stages, from national down to family level. Long term solution needs to be created by reconciliation and collaboration among different actors. However, immediate actions need to be taken now to safe life of everyone.

We, Young Socialists strongly condemn any use of violence against innocent people. We also strongly condemn any threaten of media freedom, it is not the way that democratic country would do.

We demand that Thai government must immediately stop using heavy weapons, dissolve the parliament and hold the new election as soon as possible. To be genuinely democratic, the military and the elite must not intervene nor wage coup d’etat; the people should be given due space for political participation.

We appeal that Red shirts leaders and demonstrators do not fight back the troops since the government will claim that it is legitimate massacre. The confrontation must be stopped and both sides must go back to negotiation now.

All related issues involved with death and destruction should be investigated with transparency and same standard by independent agency.

We urge the international community and the media to put pressure to the Thai government in stopping the violence and coercion to its people and focus on long-term social redress and action toward political reconciliation and stability.

Thailand needs political and social reform for its long term development, ending the current violence and looming dictatorship that wil pave the way for real democracy and lasting peace.