Statement of Nikolas Papadimitriou, President of the World Federation of Democratic Youth, after his meeting with the General Secretary of the C.C. of AKEL Andros Kyprianou
On behalf of the World Federation of Democratic Youth I would like to thank the General Secretary of AKEL for our meeting today, thus we had the opportunity to develop a constructive discussion regarding the life and actions of WFDY and also about the international struggles of WFDY.
On the same time we also thank AKEL for the support that provides through all over its history to WFDY. This support is considered as very important, especially today that the youth all over the world is under the aggressive results of the economic crisis and the imperialist wars.
The World Federation of Democratic Youth celebrates its 70th anniversary. For 70 years now WFDY leads the struggles of the international youth movement against imperialism and exploitation. With the consignments of the great anti-fascist victory of the peoples WFDY continues fighting against fascism, nationalism and the religious fanaticism. With the initiatives that WFDY develops it stands in the front line for the rights of the young generation, like the right to free education, to work, to work with rights.
WFDY through its struggles had been valorised in the consciences of the young generation of hundreds democratic and progressive organizations through all over the world with millions of members. Through its history WFDY is next to the struggling peoples expressing its support and solidarity. This practical solidarity was shown by WFDY and it continues, to the struggle of the people of Cyprus for freedom and reunification. By the first moment WFDY condemned the double crime of imperialist against Cyprus, and stood next to the refugees of Cyprus.
In the presidency of the federation today is EDON and this is not only an important moment for the history of EDON but it is also important and honorary for Cyprus as well. Through the presidency of WFDY but also through the actions of EDON in the history of WFDY, EDON managed with its own way to internationalize Cyprus Problem.
With this opportunity WFDY express once more its support and solidarity to the people of Cyprus that continues to struggle against occupation and invasion. Especially it stands next to Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot youth, next to the students, next to the youth workers and next to the unemployed youth that struggle against the brutal political approaches that impose the sale of education, the privatisation, poverty and pauperization.
We call them to close their ears to the sirens of fatalism and apathy and to stand up. To get involved in the organized struggle and fight for their rights.
Nikolas Papadimitriou
President of WFDY
16 January 2015