solidarity with everyone who is walking out of lessons, lectures, demonstrating and occupying universities

On behalf of the Young Greens National Committee, can I extend our support and solidarity with everyone who is walking out of lessons, lectures, demonstrating and occupying universities. Today is only the next step in fighting the devastating cuts to education and public services in general. Our generation has found its voice and we are not idlying sitting by while our futures are ripped up in front of us. Young Greens across the country will be taking part in actions today and we will be following them where we can. If you are involved in an occupation or other action please contact us via Twitter (right hand of page) email co-chairs@younggreens.org.uk or text 07590008249 and we’ll rush out messages of support.

UK Young Greens Participate in Occupation of Conservative Party Headquarters

FYEG Co-spokespersons Delfina Rossi and Sebastian Power support the ongoing actions of the Young Greens of England and Wales fighting against possibly the harshest austerity measures in Europe. 40% of the education budget is being slashed whilst higher education tuition fees are being trebled to £9,000 annually. The postal system is being privatised whilst the National Health Service and schools are being partly privatised. Disability allowance and housing benefits are being reduced forcing an estimated 200,000 people from their homes – tantamount to socially cleansing inner city areas. Women, those with disabilities, ethnic minorities and children will suffer the most from these unnecessary ideological policies.

Sam Coates, co-chair was at Millbank (Conservative headquarters) yesterday, he said:

“The anger at yesterday’s protests was remarkable, especially towards the Lib Dems who have left so many students feeling betrayed and unsure where to turn next. Students have begun the fight against the Coalition’s dangerous and damaging policies. This is what you get when you condemn a whole generation to a lifetime of debt, unaffordable housing and a lack of decent jobs.

Obviously we abhor violence against people, but the events at Millbank were a totally understandable response to pent up anger of young people who feel they are being jilted at every turn. Many of the protesters at Millbank were younger college and sixth form students worried they will be priced out of university by a trebling of fees. Hundreds of people went inside the building and thousands more were cheering from the courtyard. This was a spontaneous action uniting thousands of ordinary students.“

He concluded by calling for an escalation of student protests:

“What happened yesterday generated momentum in the student movement that must be harnessed if these cuts are to be defeated and the movement escalated. We fully support direct action, occupations and other activities that utilise sensible tactics to show the Government we will not accept higher fees, and we will not accept cuts to higher education funding.

The Green Party opposes cuts to public services and is calling for investment in hundreds of thousands of green jobs to kick start a low carbon economy. With money markets desperate to buy government bonds, there is absolutely no reason to panic about Government debt in the short term. In 1945 public debt was 5 times greater than today and our grandparents managed to build the welfare state. The Tories have always tried to argue that we cannot afford decent education, health and housing, and they’ve been proved wrong every time.“

For more info contact Sam Coates sam.coates@walesgreenparty.org.uk or +44 (0)7590008249

Press Release – Green Youth Malta (ADZ): Church and Sexual Education in Schools

In a conference this week at Dar Ġużeppa Debono in Gozo, Bishop Mario Grech stated that the education system may be abusing students if it teaches them about contraception instead of teaching students how to control their sexual urges. In fact according to Grech teaching students about contraception encourages them to give in to the “culture of pleasure”.

Alternattiva Demokratika Zghazagh praised the words of Dr Carabott (GU Clinic) who said “The role of an education programme should be to teach students to live their sexuality in a mature way. Sexuality is more than sex. There is no harm in teaching them about contraception but students should be given all the information: how safe, how unsafe and the health hazards.”

ADZ spokesperson Dirk Urpani added “It is irresponsible of Grech to accuse the education system of being abusive to students for educating them on the theme of contraception. Malta is among the countries with the highest teenage pregnancy rate. And this is only one side of the coin since sexually transmitted diseases among youth are also on the rise among youths in the Maltese Islands, Clearly more education needs to take place with regards educating youths to use contraception.”

It is the responsibility of the state to include the theme of sexuality in the educative system since sexual health is part of youth development. Currently sex education includes information on contraception as well as other themes such STDs, self-respect, and other themes on sexuality which may not necessarily be directly reflecting the theme of sexual intercourse. Accusing teachers of abuse shows a lack of understanding of the positive educational experience in schools around Malta and Gozo.

ADZ – Green Youth Malta

The Federation of Young European Greens says German “Leitkultur” has failed!

With her latest announcements at a congress of Junge Union, the Youth organisation of CDU/CSU in Germany, Angela Merkel has shown her lack of insight into the reality of the German society. Germany is and has already been for a long time a multicultural country. Once again in history, it is apparent that the concept of German “Leitkultur” has failed. Nobody really knows what it means, but “Leitkultur” as a term is frequently used in the discussion in order to pretend that there is such a thing like a German culture.

With this statement Merkel gets involved in an absolute aimless debate about integration that is taking place in Germany at the moment. Merkel is obviously trying to show that the Christian Democrats are still the “right” choice for racists. Her xenophobic rhetoric is leading nowhere in the current debate on integration of “foreigners” in Germany and just links in with the many racist stereotypes that are still reproduced in German society.

General Strike in France Against Reform of Pension System

Social movements, unions and political parties called for an ongoing general strike against the reform of the pension system proposed by the French government. Despite the number of people in the streets never being so high, the law was adopted yesterday by the Senate.

The French Young Greens and the Federation of Young European Greens (FYEG) support this ongoing mobilisation in France which may have implications throughout Europe. Facing the economic crisis and budget restriction requirements, many governments are trying to curb social standards. Together with the French Young Greens and the youth collective RAJE (la Retraite est aussi une Affaire de JEunes – Pension also concerns Youth), FYEG denounces the attack made on the poorest, youth and women.

Rising the age of pension cannot be a solution until a problem is found to unemployment. In France, unemployment in the age group 18-30 years old has risen to 25%, more than 35% in poor districts and more than 50% in some Ultra-Peripherical Regions! The level of unemployment is also detrimental to women (part-time, maternity leaves) whom level of pension is already 38% under the level of men.

What’s more, no step can be undertaken towards a reform of the pension system without changing our conception of work: to take into account internships, social activities (NGO, political parties, volunteering or sports) or any other activity that is useful to the society without bringing remuneration as a necessary step towards a more equalitarian society. The length of studies rising as well, it should be included into the point counting for the pensions.

The strikers make another statement: the financial situation does not entirely justify the current reform. Almost 10% of millionaires live in France, which means 2,2 million out of 66 million inhabitants. The contribution of the richest to the social system has been diminishing for years and no new taxes or financial tools (tax on financial flows or carbon tax) have been created to fund the fight against growing inequalities.

And while Nicolas Sarkozy estimates that he can ‘control the situation until the youth get mobilised’, the Young European Greens alert him: in universities, high-schools and beyond, the atmosphere is heating up!

FYEG against UK tuition fees

FYEG supports the Young Greens of England and Wales in their fight against tuition fees.

The Young Greens, the youth branch of the Green Party of England and Wales, has condemned the recommendations of the Browne Review which call for the cap on tuition fees to be scrapped. They expressed concern that UK institutions may soon be charging the highest level of fees in the world, as universities such as Oxford and Cambridge compete with U.S. Ivy league institutions.

Charlotte Dingle, co-chair of the Young Greens said: “The UK already charges some of the highest fees in the EU (1). Now we’re looking at the highest in the world with the adoption of this free-market system. This will likely lead to a two tier system – one for the rich in elite universities, and a race to the bottom for the rest.”

She outlined the need to view higher education as a public good and of benefit to society as a whole, rather than being viewed merely as improving employment prospects for individual students:

“We believe education must be free, equally accessible to all, ideologically independent and of high quality as well as meeting the individual developmental needs of each student. Browne’s recommendations undermine these principles, as students from low-income households will be put off by debt. Rather than widening access to university, these proposals will make our already unfair system more elitist.

The only way to ensure an equitable system is to scrap tuition fees altogether, funding higher education through increased taxation on top earners. That way, those who benefit most from higher education pay towards the cost without saddling all students with crippling debts at a time when jobs are scarce and housing costs are spiralling out of control. The Green Party is now unique in supporting free education for all.

But it’s not just the coalition government who are responsible for this. The Labour party also need to accept their share of responsibility for the position students now find themselves in. It was Labour who introduced fees, and their failure to argue that a highly educated society benefits everyone means we now have to fight against this hike.

Young Greens are supporting the National Union of Student’s demonstration against cuts to higher education funding in London next month, and we encourage all students to join this protest.”

ENDS

Notes: The Young Greens are holding their annual Convention in London on 23-24th October, where activists from across the UK will be planning a campaign against the Government’s cuts to public spending, highlighting how these will hit young people particularly hard. For more information go to http://younggreens.org.uk

References: (1) Education at a Glance 2010: OECD Indicators http://www.oecd.org/document/35/0,3343,en_2649_39263238_45897844_1_1_1_37455,00.html

Anti-racism pro freedom of movement

FYEG supports the EGP resolution calling for real European Citizenship. The resolution, “Freedom of Movement and Roma expolsions” strongly denounces the current situation – the scapegoating of Roma minorities by right wing parties who claim they are increasing security. However, their policies do not achieve the stated goals and only serve to increase xenophobia and racism in times of economic crisis. We demand an end to all racist policies and call for unrestricted freedom of movement in order to maintain a real European Citizenship.

FYEG in the EGP Council in Tallinn!

“Over 300 Greens from all over Europe will gather in the Estonian Capital City, Tallinn, from Friday 8^th October to Sunday 10^th October for the EGP’s 13^th Council Meeting. Delegates from 36 member parties in 32 countries , as well as representatives of the EGP’s observer parties, will take part in a wide range of debates, discussions and workshops and will, on the final day of the council, adopt a range of resolutions outlining green solutions for many of Europe’s most pressing economic, social and environmental problems.”
And of course, FYEG is here representing all the young greens of Europe!!! We have a compromise of build a green Europe and therefore we cooperate hard with the Green Family! FYEG had presented two topical resolutions: Youth Unemployment in Europe and the political position for the next Climate Change Conference, COP 16, in Cancun.

You will be able to follow FYEG activity in the council in this blog and on facebook! Give us your inputs!

 

 

 

Belgrade Pride

Serbian Green Youth and the Federation of Young European Greens (FYEG)
support the Pride in Belgrade and express solidarity with the LGBTQ
community. The Pride is a celebration of gender liberty, demonstration
of human rights and fight against sexual discrimination and homophobia
and is an important step towards a more inclusive society.

Serbian Green Youth said: “We see Pride as an important civil protest
which will continue to raise awareness and increase understanding of
the LGBTQ community. We hope this will help in ending the long history
of discrimination and often violence the LGBTQ community has suffered.
Pride will no doubt inspire debates and dialog which we consider a
positive aspect of this protest. But we call for all people to be
tolerant and understanding in their discussions and not resort to any
kind of violence.”

However, FYEG is concerned that tolerance may not be respected: “The
Belgrade authorities must guarantee the safety of all participants of
this protest. On previous occasions this has not been the case with
some people abusing their positions of authority by provoking a hostile
reaction to the Pride. This is totally unacceptable and cannot continue
in a free and fair society.”

Sympathetic citizens hope to demonstrate their support and help
confront the misinformation and fear surrounding this event. Serbian
Green Youth said: “We see this as a great oportunity to create a better
understanding of the many differences which exist and hope these can be
seen not as problems but as something to be celebrated.”

Julija Basic
SGY Co-spokesperson

Delfina Rossi
FYEG Co-spokesperson

Sebastian Power
FYEG Co-spokesperson

Nikola Mladenovic
SGY Co-spokesperson

Elections in Brazil: Marina da Silva achieves 19% of the vote.

With a great emotion I inform that the Brazil’s presidential candidate for the Green Party (PV), Marina Silva, ended the election with almost 20% of the votes.  This means 19.620.234 of people voting for the Green Party of Brazil!!

FYEG congratulates Brazilian greens as well as young greens, who participated in a strong campaign and reached a clear compromise to build a green future for Brazilians.

FYEG also feels happy that the majority of the votes went to two women: Workers Party candidate Dilma Rousseff and Marina da Silva. Concretely, centre-left candidate Jose Serra, the Social Democratic former governor of Sao Paulo state, got the 33% of the votes, and Lula’s candidate Dilma Rousseff got 48%. Ms Silvan  was the third-place candidate, with 19% share of the ballots, which was far higher than the 14% forecast for her.

The run-off will take place on the 31st of October between Dilma Rousseff and José Serra.

More information about Marina da Silva: http://marinadasilva.com/