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