We reprint below the Resolution of the Committee of Europe and North America to the 21st General Assembly of the World Federation of Democratic Youth, which took place in Windhoek, Namibia in May 2025.
The 21st General Assembly of the World Federation of Democratic Youth convenes in a framework of escalating global tensions, driven in no small part by the offensive of the U.S. imperialism and its allies in the European Union and NATO against the peoples, as well as the growing confrontation against China and other countries worldwide—tensions further intensified by the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. In a framework characterized by concertation and rivalry among their big powers, imperialism, in its relentless pursuit of new markets, resources, and spheres of influence, means militarism, war, hunger, and exploitation.
The decay of capitalism is growing. As the capitalist contradictions intensify, imperialism and large economic conglomerates are resorting to warfare and an arms race, jeopardizing the lives and futures of millions of young people. Simultaneously, there is a concerted effort to promote reactionary ideologies, including fascist tendencies, through political, economic, media, and academic mechanisms—attacking progressive, anti-imperialist, and communist forces. One of the striking examples of this is the unacceptable attempt to equate communism with Nazi-fascism. Fascist and Nazi ideas continue to be imposed by the extreme right-wing groups. Despite this, WFDY member organizations continue to fight fascist propaganda in their countries.
Across Europe and North America, young people face mounting difficulties: the cost of living has risen exponentially; wages remain low and jobs precarious; access to education is increasingly elitist; and housing, culture, sports, and healthcare are becoming ever more inaccessible. These challenges are rooted in a system that is based on exploitation and permits a privileged minority to accumulate enormous wealth at the expense of the majority.
The recent declarations and statements of Trump administration in the United States shows the internal contradictions of U.S. capital and confirms the country’s longstanding policy of interference in sovereign affairs. Despite the ongoing hardships faced by various segments of the U.S. population—especially young people—Trump, like his predecessors, seeks to impose the interests of certain sectors of US capital through threats, coercion, and war. In recent months, while the core objectives of U.S. foreign policy have remained largely unchanged, the Trump administration—acting on behalf of powerful economic interests—has shifted its strategic focus to directly confront with the People’s Republic of China, which it views as a primary global rival.
Furthermore, in a framework of inter-imperialist competition/concerted action with the US, the European Union continues its involvement in the war in Ukraine whilst pursuing individual competing interests in relation to the US.
A conflict that finds its roots in the counterrevolution and the dissolution of the USSR and the socialist bloc in Europe and in the NATO enlargement. Though this conflict began in 2014, it escalated significantly in 2022 with increasing provocations by the USA, EU, and NATO—and the military intervention of Russia in Ukraine. EU has announced the €800 billion “Rearm Europe” initiative—an arms race that serves the interests of important part of the EU capital, including the military industry.
At the same time, it is the Russian and Ukrainian populations who continue to suffer from this war. It is urgent and necessary to assert a different path: one of lasting peace that stops this war, that respects the principles in international relations enshrined in international law – with the anti-fascist Victory in the Second World War and the balancing presence of the USSR – and that is based on and guarantees the peaceful coexistence of the peoples.
While billions are spent on weapons and military operations, countless young people and children perish in the Mediterranean Sea. Since the last General Assembly, the number of deaths has grown as a direct consequence of war and destruction propagated by the USA, EU, NATO and Israel across the Middle East—particularly in Palestine—causing mass migration, famine, and devastation. Syria has been fractured even further after December 8th decreasing the possibility of Syrian refugees chances of returning to their home in a foreseeable future. The Mediterranean Sea, and the U.S.-Mexico border, have become intolerable graveyards. At the same time, the European Union reinforces policies of neglect and aggression, exemplified by agreements with the Libyan and Turkish coast guards, and the continued operations of FRONTEX.
Those who promote war, genocide, sanctions and blockades, are the same who promote big business profits, exploitation and attacks on rights. This is clear in Europe, where especially, by the US, NATO and European Union, imperialist forces warmongering policies, economies are becoming more militarized, military spending is rising and some countries are bringing back mandatory military service with war purposes. In this situation, we need to strengthen international solidarity and develop organized ways to fight imperialism and its warmongering plans.
WFDY confirms its support towards the people of Cyprus and their demand for freedom and reunification under the solution of a bicommunal, bizonal, federal state with a single sovereignty, a single international personality, a single citizenship, with political equality between the two communities as it is prescribed in numerous UN Security Council Resolutions and without any foreign guarantors. The comprehensive solution shall include: the full demilitarization of Cyprus, closure of British bases and withdrawal of foreign forces, the withdrawal of Turkish occupation forces, the restoration of the unity, territorial integrity and sovereignty of the Republic of Cyprus, the respect of the independence of Cyprus, the respect and restoration of the human rights and freedoms of all Cypriots, including the right of all refugees to return to their homes and properties.
We salute the heroic resistance of the Palestinian people and call for continued solidarity with Palestine, demanding: an end to Israel’s genocide, aggression and criminal policy; the implementation of a permanent ceasefire and urgent access to humanitarian aid; the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from the Gaza Strip and an end to their attacks in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, the release of all Palestinian political prisoners; the fulfilment of the national rights of the Palestinian people, with an end to the occupation and the creation of the State of Palestine and the return of its people in accordance with United Nations resolutions; an end to Israel’s aggression against Lebanon and Syria and the withdrawal from the territories it illegally and militarily occupies in these two countries, as well as its repeated threats against Iran and Yemen.
To end arms deliveries, in which the USA, Germany, and other European countries are particularly involved; and a just and lasting peace in the Middle East, which has been successively obstructed and boycotted by the US and Israel.
We denounce the intensification of the economic, commercial, and financial blockade that Cuba is subject and is unilaterally imposed by the United States, whose enforcement has been worsened by the inclusion of its extraterritorial nature and by the adoption of other measures, such as the reinclusion of Cuba on the U.S. list of so-called “State Sponsors of Terrorism”, with significant impacts on the relations between our region and Cuba. In this regard, we reaffirm our solidarity with the Cuban people and with Cuba, an example of dignity, resistance, and determination in the face of the United States’ aggressive actions. We demand respect for Cuba’s sovereignty and independence, call for the immediate end of the U.S. blockade against Cuba, and urge the prompt removal of Cuba from the aforementioned list of state sponsors of terrorism.
The situation for youth in Europe and North America is indeed difficult. However, these challenges coexist with significant opportunities. Across both continents, peoples, workers, and especially youth are actively engaged in the struggles against imperialism, exploitation and oppression, with WFDY member organizations playing a crucial role in mobilizing and organizing actions within their respective countries, bringing great prestige to our federation.
Advancing youth struggles within each country remains a central task of our organizations: for a better life, for access to education and healthcare and for labor rights. Within this framework, the strengthening of CENA—and by extension, of the World Federation of Democratic Youth—remains essential. As a broad, united front of youth in the struggle against imperialism, in pursuit of lasting peace, equality and the revolutionary transformation of the society, WFDY must continue to serve as a beacon for international solidarity, resistance, and hope.