CALD meets IFLRY in Vienna

Young liberals from all over the world gathered in Vienna, Austria, from 27 March to 5 April 2015 for a series of activities organized by the International Federation of Liberal Youth (IFLRY). Co-organized with IFLRY Full Member Junge liberale NEOS (JUNOS), and with the support of the European Youth Foundation of the Council of Europe, the activities commenced with a five-day seminar themed: “You(th) in the <3 of Conflict Transformation #Mechanisms.” Organized from 28 March to 2 April, the international seminar brought together 35 young individuals with the aim of exploring the role of young people as conflict transformers, and to develop practical approaches to conflict transformation vis-à-vis local contexts for follow-up local activities.

The first few days were spent with productive discussions designed to facilitate a deeper understanding of conflict, conflict transformation, and on different tools for conflict mapping and analysis. IFLRY Belarus Programme Course Director Tanya Lyubimova, IFLRY Head of Pool of Trainers Kjersti Brevik Møller, UK Liberal Youth International Officer Ab Brightman, IFLRY Assistant Jockum Nyber, and IFLRY Vice President Danylo Korbabicz, served as resource facilitators.

By mid-week, the group took a short break and paid a visit at the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) headquarters in Vienna. The OSCE is a 57-member state regional organization that addresses a wide range of security-related concerns, including arms control, confidence- and security-building measures, human rights, national minorities, democratization, policing strategies, counter-terrorism, economic, and environmental activities.

Thereafter, as a direct practice of the concepts and tools learnt, participants were grouped and tasked to do conflict mapping and analysis on specific cases – the Southeast Asian Maritime Disputes was one of the areas under discussion. Group reports on the case studies, coupled with conflict resolutions, were presented and held  during the last day of the seminar. Participants also pitched follow-up activities and initiatives ranging from capacity-building seminars, communication and advocacy campaigns through social media, and cultural events as a means to further facilitate conflict transformation in key areas.

“What happens when you put young people from different regions and conflicts together? A break from the current dogma, and an understanding about what we actually care for: freedom, stability and prosperity” said Arvid Plugge, seminar participant and International Officer from Jonge Democraten Leiden-Haaglanden of the Netherlands.

Following the seminar programme, from 2 to 5 April, more young liberals from IFLRY Member Organizations (MOs) arrived in Vienna and convened for its 38^th General Assembly and Conference: “Climate Change – the Challenge of the 21st Century”. Around 100 youth representatives were present.

“IFLRY’s 38th General Assembly was yet another opportunity for the member organizations to hold the IFLRY leadership and themselves accountable to IFLRY’s vision and mission. It is something that I am the most proud of, e.g. our ability as youth organizations to govern ourselves on the international stage – being an example to follow on internal democracy for many other organizations”, said IFLRY President Christian Scharling.

Following the lectures, delegates took time to review the IFLRY Climate Change Position paper – a document which outlines IFLRY’s priorities with regard to climate change. According to IFLRY Climate Change Programme Manager Tone Bjorndal, “with the conference, we wanted to increase knowledge on climate change issues, as well as increase optimism with regard to the solutions. This way, we can create a basis for the members when they are working with climate change. A solution-based approach is crucial: that way we can change the global climate crisis into positive solutions for a better world.”

“The status quo suggests a time where states, economies, institutions, and communities are challenged by global problems. As liberals, we recognize that sustainable solutions are attainable through dialogue and cooperation. CALD, as a regional member organization, believes that IFLRY serves as an ideal platform for the international liberal youth community to collectively discuss these issues and decide upon best ways and strategies to approach”, said CALD Program Officer Paul Rafael.