About IUSY100

It was a modest circle of 20 youth representatives coming from 13 different countries who gathered in the German town of Stuttgart from August 24th to August 26th to found the "Socialist Youth International". What united these representatives were their convictions of the necessity to fight for peace, for decent working conditions and against discrimination in all its forms. Today we can look back with pride on the centennial of a great institution, the central ideas of which manifested themselves during the early years of the 20th century.

The first 100 years have passed - our stuggle will continue

100 years after the foundation of the Socialist Youth International, the organization which was newly founded after World War II under the name "International Union of Socialist Youth" (IUSY), now comprises over 140 member organizations from more than 100 states. The IUSY now represents the world's largest political youth organization and unites social democratic and socialist youth organizations, as well as the organized labour youth, from all continents. Today we look back on a century of struggle for peace, equality, feminism and decent work and labour conditions. The situation in the Middle East which is characterized by the use of force and the threat of war, the ongoing discrimination against persons on the basis of culture, race or religion or their sexual orientation, the still far reaching discrimination against women in public life and the unworthy working conditions prevailing in many countries keep us fighting passionately for our principal aims.

A big anniversary celebration to honour the IUSY

The centennial of the IUSY now gives us occasion to gather for a big birthday festival from August 23rd to August 26th in Berlin. Here we want to remind ourselves of our traditional values and emphasize what they mean in the context of today's world. IUSY100 in Berlin will be the central act of a series of regional events worldwide to celebrate the anniversary of IUSY. On this occasion, the JUSOS of the German Social Democratic Party (SPD), SJD-Die Falken and IUSY are happy to invite 1,500 guests to Berlin from the IUSY member organizations active worldwide.

At the XXVI IUSY Congress in Esbjerg, Denmark, in January 2006, it was not only decided to celebrate a big IUSY birthday party, but was also determined that we should both cast our minds over the past and begin to shape our future during this festival. History is a vivid part of the everyday life of our organization - we want to get together in Berlin to honour our traditions and to carry them forth into the new century. During our conferences to be held on Friday we will delve deeper into the four central themes - peace, equality, feminism and decent work - in order that participants will be able to reflect on the political heritage of the movement and integrate this into their future activities. The participants should remember the event as a place where the elements of 21st century`s democratic socialism - socialism international solidarity, peace, equality, democracy and human rights - took centre stage.

Future manifesto - to guide us into the coming 100 years

Moreover, on Friday, we would like to adopt a Future Manifesto which outlines the way forward for the next 100 years of our work in the spirit of democratic socialism. This is not just a question for the leadership; it is also one for our grass-root members who form the front line of our movement, and the strength of our voice and of our actions. Therefore, it is up to you to discuss this guiding manifesto within your organizations during May and June and to bring with you the results of your discussions. Finally, on August 24th, we would like to adopt a manifesto in plenum which - as a result of a discourse that has been held in an atmosphere of international solidarity - will be supported by all member organizations.

A ceremonial act among members and friends

On Saturday, we wish to look back on the first congress of the socialist youth and our path-breaking first "100 years of struggle for peace and equality" with a great ceremonial event. There will be around 2.000 people present to celebrate this. Next to our comrades from IUSY, we will welcome IUSY veterans and loyal friends of the labour movement from Germany and from all over the world. We will also welcome our special guests of honour, Kurt Beck, chairman of the SPD, the Federal Chancellor of Austria, Alfred Gusenbauer, UNDP Director Kemal Dervis and the President of the Socialist International (SI), George Papandrou, who will be among those share with us this commemoration and celebration of the history of the international labour youth.