ISTANBUL - Ali Talay from the HDK Youth Assembly announced that they will be holding a conference on “Youth and Democratic Society” on 15-16 June, saying, “We believe it is important to have a common stance rather than the same ideas at the conference”. 

 

The People's Democratic Congress (HDK) Youth Assembly is preparing for the "Youth and Democratic Society" conference at a wedding hall in Istanbul's Kağıthane district. The conference will be held on 15-16 June. The dynamic power of youth, socialism, internationalism and resistance will be discussed. Young people from many organisations, institutions and establishments are expected to attend the conference. 

 

THE PROCESS TO BE DISCUSSED 

 

Ali Talay, a member of the HDK Youth Assembly, pointed out that a new process had begun after Kurdish leader Abdullah Öcalan's "Call for Peace and a Democratic Society" on 27 February, emphasising that young people were one of the most important actors in this process. Talay stated that they will exchange ideas with leftist and socialist youth at the conference about the process: "As young people, we must respond to this message (call). After the call, youth began to take centre stage in events such as 8 March, Newroz, 4 April, 1 May, and 18 May, entering neighbourhoods and workplaces. We need to expand and develop this. We need to work neighbourhood by neighbourhood, house by house." 

 

"Some people oppose the process. Why do they oppose it, what makes them uneasy, why are they anxious? We need to listen to all of this. We need to explain this process. Today, young people cannot remain silent about this process. Because we are talking about a process that will determine the next century. We, the youth, are the ones who will live through this century-long process. That is why it is very important for us to speak up and show our words in practice. We will discuss the process following the call, our ideas, concerns, anxieties, and what we need to do," Talay said. 

 

'EMPHASIS ON ORGANISATION' 

 

Referring to the protests that began on 19 March following the arrest of Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (İBB) Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, Talay said: "The protests began, but then Saraçhane Park was left to the fascists. Racist and sexist slogans flew through the air. Young people from the left, socialist and Kurdish freedom movements were left with no right to speak. Why did this happen? Don't we know the dynamics of society? We need to discuss these issues as well."

 

Stating that they have the goal of a democratic society, Talay stressed: "The essence of a democratic society is an organised people. This is also the mission of the HDK. It has adopted a model of organisation from the bottom up, based on neighbourhood communes. The perspectives that come with the call are within this scope. We are also trying to organise the people in this sense. On 4 April, there were two headings in Önder Abdullah Öcalan's message to young people. One was a socialist society, and the second was “Organise, organise” to young people. We are also trying to organise the people, especially young people, within this scope."

 

CALL TO YOUTH 

 

Talay concluded: "It will be a conference where people from all walks of life will present their ideas. Our aim is not to have a large number of participants, but to hold a high-quality conference. We want the conference to have a common stance, not the same ideas. Every young person who wants to see a dignified and lasting peace must fight for it. We invite all our young friends to the conference we will hold on 15 and 16 June. Let's discuss, exchange ideas and fight together. Let us all work together to make this process a social one. The slogan ‘There is no salvation alone, either all of us or none of us’ is being heard a lot in the squares these days. Yes, no one can be saved alone. We can be saved and lead the process to victory when we all join hands. That is why we are inviting all our young friends to the conference."

 

MA / Ömer İbrahimoğlu