International Youth Symposium Successfully Held in Berlin!

The International Youth Symposium organized by the YDG – New Democratic Youth on Saturday, January 10, in Berlin was successfully concluded. A total of 15 youth organizations from France, Germany, the Philippines, Tunisia, Ireland, Cyprus, Canada, Spain, Bangladesh, Switzerland, and Nepal participated in the symposium. The symposium was conducted under the themes The Danger of Imperialist War and Youth, Regional Resistances and the Struggle Experiences of Youth, The Historical Role of Youth in the Anti-Imperialist Struggle, and The International Struggle and Unity of Youth. Within this framework, the crises faced by youth worldwide and their experiences of struggle were International Youth Symposium Successfully Held in Berlin!discussed in a comprehensive manner.

The symposium began with a moment of silence in memory of those who lost their lives in the global struggle for revolution and democracy, followed by the singing of The Internationale. In the opening speech, attention was drawn to the current historical period and the danger of a third imperialist war. It was emphasized that the symposium constituted an urgent necessity for creating a common ground of struggle for youth against imperialist attacks and capitalist crises. Furthermore, it was stated that the economic, political, and ideological attacks of the imperialist system against youth can only be confronted through international solidarity and joint struggle. All participating organizations were thanked for taking part in the event with this sense of responsibility.

Following the opening speech, discussions began on the first topic, The Danger of Imperialist War and Youth. In this section, the YDG – New Democratic Youth, Unité Communiste (Communist Unity – France), the Communist Youth (Germany), Anti Imperialist Action Ireland, and the Revolutionary Workers’ Party (Spain) took the floor.

The first presentation was delivered by the YDG – New Democratic Youth, which emphasized that the danger of imperialist war is a result of the deepening crises of the capitalist system and that this process particularly targets youth. YDG stated that wars do not arise from individual or temporary political choices, but from the struggle of imperialist states over markets, natural resources, and political dominance. It was pointed out that imperialist war preparations are not limited to external aggression, but are simultaneously carried out internally through increased repression, police violence, and the erosion of rights. It was stressed that militarism is systematically presented to youth through narratives of “future,” “security,” and “equality,” constituting an ideological manipulation. Drawing attention to the fact that youth have historically been the pioneers of revolutionary transformations, it was emphasized that the ruling classes’ real fear is organized youth. The presentation concluded with a call to strengthen internationalism, organization, and class struggle against imperialist wars.

After the contribution of YDG, KJ – Communist Youth took the floor and stated that the danger of an imperialist war is increasingly creating both a defining fear and a growing political consciousness among young people in Germany. Despite the intense propaganda activities carried out by the Bundeswehr through social media, schools, and public spaces, KJ emphasized that a significant section of the youth opposes conscription and military service. This anti-militarist stance has taken concrete form in solidarity actions with Palestine, university occupations, and school strikes against compulsory military service. The speech stressed that it is an urgent task to transform the fear experienced by young people in one of the centers of imperialism—Germany—into a revolutionary fighting force and to organize it with the goal of socialist revolution.

Another speaker, Unité Communiste (Communist Unity – France), assessed the position of youth toward imperialist policies through the lens of the war in Ukraine and the accelerating process of remilitarization across Europe. It was stated that the bourgeoisie is carrying out an intensive offensive aimed both at directly turning young people into part of the war and at ideologically binding them to reactionary lines. With specific reference to France, it was noted that a section of the youth has begun to support conscription and that a reformist hegemony is being constructed through social-democratic structures such as La France Insoumise. It was emphasized that the reformist left is steering youth toward imperialist ideology and blocking revolutionary alternatives. The speech concluded by underlining the vital importance of raising youth consciousness against militarist and reactionary pressure and organizing them around revolutionary options.

In its contribution, Anti Imperialist Action Ireland / Revolutionary Irish Socialist Republican Movement (Anti-Imperialist Action – Ireland) drew attention to the deepening global imperialist crisis and the approaching danger of an imperialist war. While noting that the increasing military aggressiveness of the United States and its allies is placing a new imperialist war on the agenda, it was emphasized that revolutionary forces must confront this process not merely with protests, but with organized and revolutionary struggle. Referring to the historical experiences of the Irish revolutionary movement, it was recalled that imperialist wars have been regarded as opportunities for national liberation and socialist revolution. At present, it was pointed out that the British occupation, the partition of the country, and attempts to integrate Ireland into NATO directly target youth and the working class. The struggle against NATO was highlighted as one of the central pillars of resistance against imperialist war, and the speech concluded with a call to strengthen internationalist revolutionary solidarity.

The final speech of the first thematic block was delivered by the Revolutionary Workers’ Party (Spain). It stated that the imperialist system is in deep crisis due to the contradiction between capital and labor, tensions with dependent countries, and competition among the great powers. The tensions between the United States and China, along with rising military expenditures, were said to be increasing the risk of a new world war, particularly in Europe, where rearmament is being justified through this threat. It was emphasized that the relationship between the European Union and the United States is based on military and economic dependency, while at the same time serious conflicts of interest and divisions exist within the EU itself. The speech noted that alongside the imperialist crisis, far-right and fascist tendencies are gaining strength in Western countries and democratic rights are rapidly eroding. With specific reference to Spain, attention was drawn to attempts to legitimize rising military spending through anti-migrant rhetoric and the threat of war. The Revolutionary Workers’ Party called for the reorganization of the workers’ movement, the expansion of popular movements, and the building of a strong anti-imperialist struggle.

Following the speech of the Revolutionary Workers’ Party of Spain, participants took the floor to share their assessments, criticisms, and proposals. After the discussions, the first thematic block of the symposium was concluded.

Regional Resistances and Youth Struggle Experiences Discussed in the Second Session

The second session of the symposium was held under the title “Regional Resistances and Youth Struggle Experiences.” This section addressed the current state of youth movements in different regions of the world, while regional resistance practices and struggle experiences were shared by the participating organizations. Speakers included the Patriotic Democratic Revolutionary Youth Organization (KIFAH – Tunisia), Anakbayan (Philippines), the Revolutionary Student-Youth Movement (Bangladesh), and the Revolutionary Youth Association of Nepal (RYAN).

The first speech was delivered by the Patriotic Democratic Revolutionary Youth Organization (KIFAH – Tunisia). KIFAH emphasized that the deepening crisis of global capitalism and the growing threat of a third imperialist war are particularly targeting youth. It was noted that young people in the Arab region live under conditions of unemployment, political repression, and imperialist dependency, while the uprisings of 2011 revealed both the revolutionary potential of youth and the limits imposed by a lack of organization. The Manich Msamah movement in Tunisia, the Stop Pollution movement in Gabès, and the leading role of youth in the Palestinian resistance were cited as examples. KIFAH stated that anarchist tendencies and hostility toward organization weaken youth movements, stressing the necessity of an organized Marxist-Leninist perspective for youth struggle. The speech concluded with a call for international youth solidarity against imperialism.

Following KIFAH, Anakbayan (Philippines) took the floor and presented the current situation in the country. The speech emphasized that the Philippines is experiencing a semi-colonial and semi-feudal crisis under the US-backed Marcos regime. Dependence on foreign capital, rising debt, low production levels, and massive job losses are worsening the living conditions of the population. Climate disasters, combined with environmental destruction and state neglect, are devastating agriculture and residential areas. Under these conditions, widespread anti-corruption protests led particularly by youth and students have emerged, and calls for the resignation of the Marcos and Duterte governments have grown stronger. Anakbayan stressed that youth, together with workers and peasants, play a decisive role in the national-democratic and anti-imperialist struggle, and that the Filipino diaspora must also strengthen its ties to this struggle.

The Revolutionary Student-Youth Movement from Bangladesh was unable to attend the symposium physically due to visa restrictions but contributed to the discussions through a written message. The message emphasized that at a time of growing danger of a third imperialist world war, the united anti-imperialist struggle of youth is an urgent task. The ongoing genocide in Gaza and the low-intensity wars in Africa, Asia, and Latin America were described as a common product of the imperialist system. It was also stated that in Bangladesh in 2024, the Awami-Hasina regime was overthrown through a mass youth and student uprising, but that the process was hijacked by religious-fascist and pro-imperialist forces. The organization called for waging the struggle against Indian expansionism along a revolutionary line and for strengthening internationalist anti-imperialist solidarity on the basis of Marxism-Leninism-Maoism.

Following the message from Bangladesh, the Revolutionary Youth Association of Nepal (RYAN) took the floor online. Speaker Dorchi Sherpa recalled that Nepali youth had been part of the People’s Liberation Army during the ten-year People’s War, which controlled 80 percent of the country. Today, however, youth are scarcely able even to interpret their own history due to economic exploitation, unemployment, and imperialist intervention. Millions of young people are forced to work abroad under near-slave-like conditions because of the lack of educational and employment opportunities. RYAN stated that while fighting corruption and poor governance at the national level, international solidarity against imperialist and expansionist forces is indispensable. Referring to the shared lessons of youth struggles in Palestine, the Philippines, Bangladesh, and Tunisia, the importance of organizing youth on a regional and global scale was emphasized.

After the presentations and contributions of participants, the second session concluded following the discussions.

The Historical Role of Youth in the Anti-Imperialist Struggle Addressed in the Third Session

The third session of the symposium was held under the title “The Historical Role of Youth in the Anti-Imperialist Struggle.” Speakers included Young Struggle, REBELL (Germany), Union of Cypriots (Cyprus), Comité de Jeune Garde Strasbourg (France), and Revolutionary Youth Zurich (Switzerland).

Young Struggle opened the session by drawing attention to the historical responsibility of youth under today’s conditions of intensifying imperialist war danger. Referring to the legacy of Lenin, Rosa Luxemburg, and Karl Liebknecht, it was emphasized that the alternative “socialism or barbarism” remains valid today. The ongoing genocide in Palestine, imperialist attacks, and the repressive climate in Europe were cited as examples. Young Struggle stated that youth are not only subjects of solidarity in the anti-imperialist struggle but also active agents of class struggle in their own countries. The speech concluded with a call to strengthen internationalist ties and expand the revolutionary struggle.

Subsequently, Revolutionary Youth Zurich (RJZ) reported on the long-term revolutionary practice of youth in Zurich. RJZ stated that the struggle lasting more than 18 years has been expressed in May Day actions and protests against the World Economic Forum (WEF). It was emphasized that youth are waging a militant street struggle against imperialist wars, neoliberal globalization, and local repression, while maintaining a tradition of international solidarity stretching from Vietnam and Iraq to Palestine and the Kurdish movement. RJZ stressed that an organized and conscious youth stands at the center of the global struggle against imperialism.

REBELL (Germany) addressed the historical role of youth in the German context. The speech referred to the struggle of German working-class youth against social chauvinism and fascism, as well as the anti-militarist legacy of Liebknecht and Luxemburg. Today, amid renewed debates on conscription and increasing militarization, attempts are being made to ideologically encircle youth. REBELL emphasized the importance of organizing youth around genuine socialism and internationalist anti-imperialist struggle in opposition to reformist approaches. It was noted that the mass protests on December 5 demonstrated the resistance potential of youth, and that 2026 would be a decisive test year for revolutionary youth.

In the contribution of the Union of Cypriots, it was emphasized that youth have historically stood at the forefront of the anti-imperialist struggle. From Algeria to Palestine, from Greece to Egypt, young people have played a decisive role. With regard to Cyprus, it was recalled that youth stood in the front lines of both armed and civil resistance from the EOKA period to the occupation of 1974. The speech underlined that these historical experiences offer important lessons for today’s struggle for a united and democratic Cyprus.

The final contribution of the third session was delivered by the Comité de Jeune Garde Strasbourg. It was recalled that Jeune Garde had been banned by the French state. As one of the largest and most influential youth organizations in France, it was regarded as a threat by the state and therefore dissolved. Despite the ban, the organization continues its struggle under different names. The representative emphasized the significant role of French youth in the anti-imperialist and anti-fascist struggle and concluded with a call to strengthen organization and international struggle.

After this contribution, the third session was concluded.

In the fourth and final thematic block of the symposium, “The International Struggle and Unity of Youth” was addressed. This session discussed how international youth movements can be brought closer together in the coming period and how their struggle perspective can be strengthened. All participating organizations took the floor and shared their assessments and proposals for expanding the youth struggle. It was collectively emphasized that in the face of the approaching danger of imperialist war, raising youth consciousness, strengthening organization, and deepening international solidarity are essential.

The organizations stressed that youth must act not only at the national level but also internationally as a united force. As ways to strengthen the common struggle, the establishment of continuous and strategic relations between international youth organizations, the sharing of experiences, and the strengthening of coordinated action networks were highlighted. It was also emphasized how crucial it is to politically educate youth and channel them into organized struggle in the face of increasing repression, unemployment, and militarist policies in different regions.

The common thread of all contributions was the necessity of backing international solidarity with concrete organization and bringing youth into the streets as an active force in the anti-imperialist struggle. The symposium concluded with a call to further develop this common perspective and strengthen international youth movements in the coming period.

After the speeches, the final declaration of the symposium was read out by YDG – New Democratic Youth. The declaration emphasized that youth stand at the forefront of the struggle against imperialism, capitalist exploitation, fascism, and all forms of oppression. It was stated that young people are surrounded by unemployment, precarious work, the denial of the right to education, and a lack of future prospects. The declaration underlined the necessity of organizing youth internationally across national borders and of building common lines of struggle against imperialist wars, militarism, and militarist propaganda. It also called for organizing youth against fascism, racism, chauvinism, and sexist policies, and for carrying the lessons of national liberation and class struggles into current battles. Finally, it was emphasized that it is a central task to make youth an active and conscious subject of revolutionary class struggle.

Following the reading of the final declaration, the closing speech was delivered. It was noted that the current period and the period ahead would be marked by an intensification of attacks on youth, while resistance would grow in parallel. It was emphasized that confronting this process in an organized, collective, and internationalist manner would bring major gains for youth and all oppressed people. The symposium concluded with thanks to all participating organizations and a call to join the subsequent LLL (Luxemburg, Liebknecht, Lenin) demonstration. With international slogans, the symposium ended in a militant and enthusiastic atmosphere.