CALD Youth Chair Attends 39th IFLRY GA

On 14-17 April 2016, the International Federation of Liberal Youth (IFLRY) held its 39^th General Assembly (GA) in Istanbul, Turkey. More than 80 participants from nearly 30 countries were present to convene for the GA and for a conference with the theme “Refugees” Welcome?”. CALD Youth, as an IFLRY regional bureau member, was represented in the event by its Chairperson, Ms. Bulgan Bayasgalant.

At the actual GA, the CALD Youth delegate was familiarized with IFLRY’s overall activities in the last two years from the reports delivered by the former Bureau, and she observed a lively discussion through questions and feedbacks provided by the members. The event was co-organized by 3H Movement, a classical liberal youth association in Turkey. Despite the challenging political circumstances it confronts, the 3H movement has been successfully organizing successful projects in Turkey and has shared their best practices in promoting the rule of law, civil liberties and freedom of expression for the youth and students. As for the membership application approvals, IFLRY welcomed two new members; VESNA Youth Democratic Movement from the Russian Federation and observer member Liberal Alliances Ungdom from Denmark to join the international liberal youth family.

Participants also adopted several resolutions on the most pressing issues including illegal use of the rainforest, promoting mental health awareness, sexual and reproductive health rights, assisting LGBTQ2 refugees, Nagorno-Karabakh border incidents and accelerating the closing of coal-fired plants around the world. As part of the program, participants also exchanged updates from their respective organizations which proved helpful in enriching CALD Youth’s knowledge of the latest updates in its sister organizations.

The highlight of the GA was the new Bureau election. A strong and experienced team was formed as a result of the election. For the next two years, IFLRY would be led by President Pauline Kastermans from JD, Netherlands, Secretary General Tone Bjørndal from NUV, Norway, Treasurer Danylo Korbabicz from YLC, Canada as well as Vice- Presidents Sven Gerst, (JuLis, Germany), Ab Brightman, (Liberal Youth, UK), Anders Rehnberg (LUF, Sweden) and Ahmad Al Rachwani (Future Youth Movement, Lebanon)

CALD Youth Chair held a meeting with the former President Christian Scharling and the team to congratulate on their great cooperation with CALD Youth through several works they had organized together. Ms. Bulgan also attended a meeting with the new Bureau to discuss continuing cooperation between the two organizations starting with the most immediate climate change event proposed to be held in Bali, Indonesia in August 2016.