Appeal for the 16th World Festival of Students and Youth in Caracas, August 5-13th, 2005

With the change in the balance of forces in the world, the imperialist powers have increased their aggression while becoming increasingly unified in their attacks against humanity and our natural resources. In order to preserve and deepen their hegemony, U.S. imperialism and its allies launched a military crusade against whomever stood in their way under the cover of the so-called "War on Terror" and the threat of weapons of mass destruction. This policy has resulted in the occupation of Iraq, continuous aggression against Palestine and the economic blockade and threats against Cuba, Venezuela, DPRK and Syria. It has further caused suffering in Africa in countries such as Western Sahara, Sudan and Zimbabwe by imposing sanctions and internal interference. The real face of aggression, injustice and barbarism has led to the militarization of societies and their economies against people's well being.

Young people around the world have been seriously victimized by the effects of imperialist and neo-liberal policies of international institutions such as the IMF, WTO, G-8, European Union and World Bank. At the same time the gap between the rich and the poor, the developed and undeveloped countries grows wider. Exploitation, hunger, unemployment, lack of health care, poverty, and misery continue to grow as a result of the imperialist economic, political and military policies, resulting in catastrophic effects for millions of people around the world.

In various forms, and throughout the world, youth have fought exploitation, blockades, embargos, sanctions, racial discrimination, and xenophobia. We struggle for peace, national sovereignty, independence, self-determination, democracy, security, international solidarity and a world free from nuclear weapons. We demand respect for and the defense of human and democratic rights, social justice, women's rights, sustainable development and the environment. We demand that everyone have access to employment with dignity, labor rights, education, health care, sport, culture and technology.

The World Festival of Youth and Students (WFYS), initiated in 1947, is the biggest event organized by progressive and democratic youth and students around the world. The WFYS is one of the main expressions of anti-imperialist, anti-fascist and anti-colonialist struggles led by youth. After the successful 15th WFYS in Algeria in 2001, held for the first time on the African continent and Arab region, the 16th WFYS will take place in Caracas, Venezuela, from August 5 to 13, 2005.

The 16th WFYS in Venezuela affirms and reinforces the Festival's character and orientation as an international, anti-imperialist, political-cultural, and broad-based mass event of youth and students. This also provides an opportunity to extend our solidarity to the youth and people of Venezuela, its Bolivarian Revolution and all the people struggling all over the world.

The 16th WFYS should continue to reflect the diversity and richness of all the expressions of the international youth and student movements that are committed to the character and spirit of the Festival, as well as their struggles and demands. The Festival will be a space to exchange ideas and experiences and provide a platform to coordinate our efforts and intensify the struggles in our respective countries.

The 16th WFYS is a great moment to strengthen our efforts on the basis of a common cause and interests in the intensifying struggle against imperialism. We appeal to all youth and students to join in this struggle and work actively to participate in and strengthen the 16th WFYS.

For Peace and Solidarity, We struggle against Imperialism and War!

Let us work for a successful 16th World Festival of Youth and Students in Caracas, Venezuela.

Brasilia, Brazil, June 2004

U.S. Update - there will be a regional meeting of the NPC in Chicago on Feb.12 sign up for more information below.

Update for the 16th World Festival of Students and Youth to be held in Caracas Venezuela on August 5th-13th

The U.S. Preparatory Committee meeting for the 16th WFSY in NYC was a success, about 37 people attended with another 6 or 7 on a national phone hookup.

Many different groups were their and lots of issues were discussed.

An interim Steering Committee was setup consisting of:

Bolivarian Circle "Professor Alberto Lovera"
Hands Off Venezuela Campaign
YSA
YCL
Choice U.S.A.
F.I.S.T.
United States Student Assoc.
Venceremos Brigade
Indymedia
SGAA- student government group at MBCC
Republic of New Africa
Fortune

People and groups took up committees to work on Outreach/Education, Fundraising and logistics.

The group endorses the idea that it should be broad-based, inclusive, diverse and youth with many solidarity and other issues. One added item was since this event is taking place in Venezuela and that the deepening of the Bolivarian Revolution is taking place that its grassroots should be studied and supported not just in word.

The next meeting of this group will be held in Chicago on Feb.12th and one of the Bolivarian comrades will be their to help put it together.

General Information and to get involved:

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Website: http://www.usnpc.net

To join the listserv to receive updates about the festival, learn about the application process and deadlines, receive newsletters; This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

General Listserv; This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Fundraising Committee; This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Education and outreach: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

We hope to bring 20,000 youth and students for this event.