Second International Youth Camp meets THE YOUTH organizations linked to the Fourth International held their second summer camp this year at the end of July. More than 800 people attended.
This was 200 more than last year and surpassed the expectations of the organisers. In fact, in the first days the cooks had a difficult from the Lutte Ouvriere group were included in the French delegation.
Moreover, comrades who are active in the antiracist struggle in France in various associations, such as the FASTI [Federation 'Associations de Soutien aux Travailleurs Immigres -Federation of Associations Supporting Immigrant Workers], took part in discussions on this subject.
We were also pleased to have a representative of Sinn Fein and of the FMLN-FDR, as well as a large delegation from the New Caledonian liberation organization, the FLNKS, who participated in the workshops and in the final rally.
The enthusiasm with which these representatives were welcomed showed that thev can count on the wound time providing for so many people! SERGE EMERY
The attendance this year was also younger. The average age of the participants was between twenty and twenty and a half, instead of twentyone, as it was last year. So, the age of the youth organizations is going down, following the example of the youngest, aleration 19 yech was the Belgian delegation, which was the
The number of participants who belonged to adult organizations linked to the Fourth International amounted to just 36 percent. In other words, more than five hundred youth came from every corner of Europe and from further afield to learn about the Fourth International.
The Dutch delegation had by far the best proportion of women, who represented 56%. The percentage of the total attendance who were women was only 35%. So, recruitment of younger people does not necessarily mean recruiting more women. There is a lot of work yet to be done in this area.
There is more to organizing a youth camp than just getting people to come along. Above all, it is part and parcel of building the youth organizations, and spreading the idea of the need for revolution. Here too we are justified in claiming success. What other example is there of such a large gathering where young revolutionists could discuss and feel at home?
The enthusiasm of the participants at the end of the camp shows the way forward for building youth organizations. They must not be imitations of the adult ones but organizations that integrate the concerns of all young people in their day-to-day political life, from music to anti-racism, in order to fight for a new world. This second summer camp was a further step in this direction.
This road does not mean a sectarian self-affirmation of the youth organizations linked to the Fourth International. An essential part is the determination to discuss together with all those who are fighting against imperialism and the bureaucracy. So, for example, about a dozen comrades that they can count on the young revolutionists of the Fourth International throughout the world to support their struggles.
In fact, the youth camp was a gathering of revolutionists from all over the world. It brought people from Mexico, the USA, Canada, New Zealand, Japan, and all of Europe who wanted to get together to advance the revolution without any protocol, bureaucracy, or paternalism. That is exactly what young people are looking for today.
What we thought ... The Irish delegation to the FI youth camp was comprised of three delegates from People's Democracy and one observer. There was also a comrade from Sinn Fein. We thought the camp was a success and very interesting and enjoyable. We attended many workshops on matters such as women's liberation, Iran, Lesbian and Gay liberation and so forth. We found these workshops to be very useful to us. However, the best discussion had was with Andre Calves, a partisan veteran from Brittany. This was very interesting because of the parallels between Nazi occupied France and British occupied Ireland. The Irish delegation also held a workshop of their own which explained the present situation in Ireland. We received a very positive response to this and look forward to next year, hoping for the social life to be every bit as good as this year! Gerry Lynch (17 years old) Two young miners from Penrhiwceiber lodge/branch of the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) in South Wales came as part of the British delegation to the camp and this was one comment ... . -I'm involved with Socialist Action at home and we have had discussions on various things there but its much more educational to actually meet people involved in the various struggles — more than you can ever read in any article. Lots of links can be made between our struggle and others -whether they're as advanced as that in Nicaragua or like the miners' strike. As a result of the youth camp we'll have the basis to operate the campaign for amnesty [for sacked and imprisoned miners] within the youth organisations.' Nigel Bevan (19 years old) The PRT, Mexican section of the Fourth International sent two delegates to the camp. In fact there were a further ten who wanted to come. I came both to represent Mexico and to give information on the struggles which exist there but also to get an idea about what Europe and life in Europe is like. I found that it was totally different to my country.
The camp seemed incredible to me as I had never been at such an event and I thoroughly enjoyed it. The organisation was very good as was the food! I was delighted to see the enthusiasm of the European youth especially for the struggles of the peoples of Central America. We should all say with one voice; — "Todos somos jovenes revolucionarios' — We are all revolutionary youth'. Maria Hernandez
International Viewpoint 16 September 1985