The International Union of Socialist Youth (IUSY) is an international youthlabour organization, whose activities include publications, supporting member organizations and organization of meetings. Originally named the Socialist Youth International, the union was formed at the 1907 International Socialist Congress at Stuttgart as the youth wing of the Second International.[1]
IUSY claims to have 145 member organizations, including 122 full members and 23 observer members, from 106 countries. IUSY gained prominence as an international youth non-governmental organization (NGO) with UNECOSOC consultative status in 1993.[2]
History
From 24 to 27 August 1907, 21 youth representatives from 13 countries met in Stuttgart and found the Socialist Youth International as the youth organization of the Second International, headquartered in Vienna.
The socialist youth organizations were confronted by the onset of World War I in 1914. The majority of the socialist parties supported their respective countries' war efforts, but the Socialist Youth International remained opposed to it. The organization moved its offices to Zurich and published its journal, Youth International, calling for peace (distributed illegally). This anti-war activism later became a core part of the organization.
The formation of the Communist International in Moscow in 1919 split the worldwide socialist movement into communist, socialist and socdem wings. An alliance between the socialist and socdem wings resulted in a return of Socialist Youth International in 1923.[3]
After the fascist takeover of Italy, the totalitarian government barred Italian Youth from being a part of the organization. This spurred action for anti-fascist causes in the organization. After the Second World War, the organization formally rebranded to become the International Union of Socialist Youth. In the 1950s and 1960s, the group supported decolonization efforts in Africa and Asia. In the 1970s, the organization fought against human rights violations by military governments in South America. Today, the group mostly focuses on economic policy.[3]
Activities
Anti Vietnam war demonstration. Vancouver, BC. 1968
IUSY is led by its Presidium, elected every two years at the Congress, with representatives from all over the world. The current members (2023–2025) are listed below:[5]
As of November 2023, the IUSY claims to have 122 member organizations from over 100 countries, in addition to roughly two dozen observer organizations. The member countries are grouped into five regions: Africa, the Americas, Asia-Pacific, Europe, and the Middle East.
Annen, Niels; Böhning, Björn; Burmeister, Kai; Frye, Sven, eds. (2007). 100 Years of International Socialist Youth, Struggle for Peace and Equality in the World. Berlin: Vorwärts Buch.
JUSOS & Die Falken (August 2007). 100 Years of Struggle for Peace and Equality. Berlin.((cite book)): CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
