People's Democracy

WFDY Asia Pacific Meet in Delhi

      Subir Banerjee

THE Asia Pacific regional committee of World Federation of Democratic Youth (WFDY) hold its two-day meeting in New Dlhi on October 28 and 29. The WFDY, a world body of youth, was founded in 1945 to work for issues primarily concerning youth, e g employment, education, peace and unity. A total of 32 participants, belonging to 19 member organisations of youth in the Asia Pacific region, took part in the meeting. The coordinator of the WFDY�s Asia Pacific regional committee and DYFI�s general secretary, Tapas Sinha, chaired the meeting. From the WFDY headquarters, WFDY�s vice president Yogendra Sahi attended.  

As an important part of its agenda, the committee reviewed the international political situation and discussed the political scenario in the Asia Pacific countries in detail. Members from the constituent organisations in countries China, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bangladesh, Vietnam, Burma etc, and also some delegates from Greece, Lebanon and the WFDY headquarters in Hungry took part in the discussion. 

In the wake of the growing menace of terrorist attacks in the Asia Pacific and other parts of the world, the committee decided to observe December 13, 2009 as the �Anti-Terrorism Day.� All member organisations will observe the day by organising different programmes against terrorism and mobilise youth in their respective countries. 

The meeting resolved to intensify its campaign in solidarity with the �Five Cubans� imprisoned in the United States since more than 11 years. Among other things, the participating organisations will send e-mail messages demanding release of the Cuban Five. The WFDY regional committee has also planned to organise seminars in member countries on the theme of solidarity with the people of Cuba in the golden jubilee year of the Cuban Revolution. 

To commemorate the completion of 60 years of the Chinese Revolution, the committee will organise various types of programmes.

The WFDY Foundation Day will be observed on November 10 by popularising the WFDY slogan of �Youth Unite, Forward for Lasting Peace.� 

The WFDY Asia Pacific regional committee meeting also adopted a resolution on trade agreement for equal opportunities to help ensure equal progress and prosperity for all nations.

The committee also decided to hold a regional festival of youth and students in 2010. In this regard, the offer of hosting the event was extended to Vietnam, India and Nepal.      

On behalf of the DYFI, a three-member delegation based on Tapas Sinha, P Sreeramakrishnan and Mohd Amin Dar attended the meeting.