The Militant(logo) 
    Vol.61/No.6           February 10, 1997 
 
 
U.S. Committee Is Formed To Build World Youth Festival  

BY ARGIRIS MALAPANIS
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Nearly 20 representatives of youth and other organizations attended a meeting here at the end of January to organize a delegation from the United States to the 14th World Festival of Youth and Students.

The international youth conference is scheduled to take place in Cuba July 28-August 5 of this year. It is sponsored by the World Federation of Democratic Youth, the Asian Students Association, and a number of other international, national, and local youth organizations. It will be hosted in Cuba by the Federation of University Students, Union of Young Communists, and other student and youth groups.

A brochure produced by the international preparatory committee for the event says the festival "will be the continuation of the best traditions of the previous festivals for Anti-Imperialist Solidarity, Peace and Friendship." The last festival of this kind took place in Pyongyang, Korea, in 1989.

Participants at the January 25 meeting decided to form the "U.S. Organizing Committee for the World Youth Festival," which will be responsible for building and making logistical arrangements for the U.S. delegation.

In addition, a couple of other organizations are planning trips to Cuba in July and August and will encourage those who join them to attend the youth gathering. The Venceremos Brigade is planning its annual two-week trip to the Caribbean island at the end of July. And the Detroit-based U.S.-Cuba Labor Exchange is organizing a delegation to Cuba around the same time, which will attend an international conference of trade unionists scheduled immediately after the youth festival.

Participants at the Washington, D.C., meeting included activists in the National Network on Cuba (NNOC), a nationwide coalition of groups organizing activities to oppose U.S. policy toward Cuba. They also included representatives of the All African Peoples' Revolutionary Party, Committees of Correspondence, D.C. Hands Off Cuba Coalition, Socialist Workers Party, Venceremos Brigade, Women's International League for Peace and Freedom, Workers World party, and Young Socialists.

In a number of cities, local Cuba coalitions and student groups have taken advantage of visits by Cuban youth leaders and other speakers from Cuba to get the word out about the festival.

Leslie Cagan, a longtime activist in the NNOC who attended the meeting, said a number of other groups have expressed interest in endorsing the effort and taking part in building activities.

Those interested can contact the "U.S. Organizing Committee" at 2565 Broadway #236, New York, NY 10025; Tel: (212) 866-7270.  
 
 
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