World Federation of Democratic Youth

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Jump to: navigation, search
This article does not cite any references or sources.
Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (August 2007)
WFDY symbol.
Part of a series on
Socialism
Red flag
v • d • e

The World Federation of Democratic Youth (WFDY) is a left-wing youth organization, recognized by the United Nations as an international youth non-governmental organization. WFDY, which describes itself as an "anti-imperialist, left-wing" [1] organisation, was founded in London in 1945. WFDY was formed as a broad international youth movement, organized in the context of the end of the Second World War.

The organization was one of many Moscow's front organizations. WFDY, like the International Union of Students (IUS), targeted a specific age group. Others targeted occupational or other groups. WFDY and other front organizations became part of active measures conducted by the KGB and successor Russian intelligence agencies.[2][3][4][5] Alexander Shelepin was involved in youth movement operations until he became head of KGB in 1958, having became experienced in infiltration.[6] Many Western organizations pulled out of WFDY, due to its association with Soviet-aligned socialist and Communist parties.[7]

Initially WFDY and IUS did little to mask their pro-Moscow purpose, and vocally attacked the Marshall Plan while supporting the Czechoslovak coup d'état of 1948 and the North Korean attack in 1950.[8]

When the USSR and the Eastern Bloc collapsed, WFDY entered a crisis. With the power vacuum left by the collapse of the most important member organization, the Soviet Komsomol, there were conflicting views of the future character of the organization. Some wanted a more apolitical structure, whereas others were more inclined to an openly leftist federation. The WFDY, however, survived this crisis, and is today an active international youth organization that holds regular activities.

The WFDY Headquarters are in Budapest, Hungary.

The main event of WFDY is the World Festival of Youth and Students. The 16th WFYS was held in Venezuela 2005. The next event of the World Federation of Democratic Youth is expected to take place for the first time in the history of the festivals, to be held in South Africa being hosted by the ANC YL.

Contents

[edit] Origins

See also: Active measures

The WFDY was one of dozen large front organizations established by the Soviet Union by 1955 and others included World Peace Council, International Federation of Trade Unions, Women's International Democratic Federation, International Organization of Journalists, International Association of Democratic Lawyers, Christian Peace Conference, International Federation of Resistance Fighters, World Federation of Scientific Workers, World Congress of Doctors, and International Radio and TV Organization.[9][10]

WFDY, like the International Union of Students (IUS), targeted a specific age group. Others targeted occupational or other groups. WFDY and other front organizations became part of active measures conducted by the KGB and successor Russian intelligence agencies.[11][12][13][14] Alexander Shelepin was involved in youth movement operations until he became head of KGB in 1958.[15]

Initially WFDY and IUS did little to mask their pro-Moscow purpose, and vocally attacked the Marshall Plan while supporting the Czechoslovak coup d'état of 1948 and the North Korean attack in 1950.[16]

[edit] Pledge of the WFDY

Guy de Boisson, President of the World Federation of Democratic Youth, speaks at the opening of the 2nd World Festival of Youth and Students (Budapest, 1949)
“ We pledge that we shall remember this unity, forged in this month, November 1945

Not only today, not only this week, this year, but always Until we have built the world we have dreamed of and fought for We pledge ourselves to build the unity of youth of the world All races, all colors, all nationalities, all beliefs To eliminate all traces of fascism from the earth To build a deep and sincere international friendship among the peoples of the world To keep a just lasting peace To eliminate want, frustration and enforced idleness We have come to confirm the unity of all youth salute our comrades who have died-and pledge our word that skilful hands, keen brains and young enthusiasm shall never more be wasted in war

 ”
 
— Pledge of the World Federation of Democratic Youth

[edit] Member organizations of WFDY (incomplete list)

[edit] Africa

[edit] Asia & Pacific

[edit] Europe & North America

[edit] Latin America & Caribbean

[edit] Middle East

[edit] Former members

[edit] Observing members

[edit] See also

[edit] External links

[edit] Members Organizations

[edit] Previous member organizations

[edit] Pending

[edit] References

  1. ^ http://www.wfdy.org/welcome.htm
  2. ^ The cultural Cold War in Western Europe, 1945-1960. Giles Scott-Smith, Hans Krabbendam. p. 169
  3. ^ A century of spies: intelligence in the twentieth century. Jeffrey T. Richelson. p. 252
  4. ^ Soviet foreign policy in a changing world, Volume 1986. Robbin Frederick Laird, Erik P. Hoffmann. p. 211
  5. ^ Europe since 1945: an encyclopedia, Volume 1. Bernard A. Cook. p. 212
  6. ^ The cultural Cold War in Western Europe, 1945-1960. Giles Scott-Smith, Hans Krabbendam. p. 169
  7. ^ Richard Felix Staar, Foreign policies of the Soviet Union, Hoover Press, 1991, ISBN 0817991026, p.84
  8. ^ The cultural Cold War in Western Europe, 1945-1960. Giles Scott-Smith, Hans Krabbendam. p. 169
  9. ^ Europe since 1945: an encyclopedia, Volume 1. Bernard A. Cook. p 212
  10. ^ A century of spies: intelligence in the twentieth century. Jeffrey T. Richelson. p. 252
  11. ^ The cultural Cold War in Western Europe, 1945-1960. Giles Scott-Smith, Hans Krabbendam. p. 169
  12. ^ A century of spies: intelligence in the twentieth century. Jeffrey T. Richelson. p. 252
  13. ^ Soviet foreign policy in a changing world, Volume 1986. Robbin Frederick Laird, Erik P. Hoffmann. p. 211
  14. ^ Europe since 1945: an encyclopedia, Volume 1. Bernard A. Cook. p. 212
  15. ^ The cultural Cold War in Western Europe, 1945-1960. Giles Scott-Smith, Hans Krabbendam. p. 169
  16. ^ The cultural Cold War in Western Europe, 1945-1960. Giles Scott-Smith, Hans Krabbendam. p. 169
Retrieved from "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Federation_of_Democratic_Youth"
Personal tools
Namespaces
Variants
Actions
Navigation
Interaction
Toolbox
Print/export
Languages