Fifty-four youth organizations from 30 countries in Africa, Asia, the Americas, and Europe took part in the first international preparatory meeting—hosted by the Union of Young Socialists, the youth group affiliated to the Communist Party of Brazil—to discuss and decide on the date, location, and themes of the festival.

The majority of the delegates came from Latin America—Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Cuba, Paraguay, Uruguay, and Venezuela. From North America, the Young Communist League and Young Socialists sent representatives. After Brazil, the largest delegation came from Venezuela.

Most delegates from Venezuela arrived a day late, having stayed in Caracas June 6 to participate in a mass rally to oppose efforts by Venezuelan capitalists and their backers in Washington to overthrow the elected government headed by President Hugo Chávez. The latest such attempt is centered on a presidential recall referendum that is scheduled for August 15.

“A defeat in Venezuela will be a defeat for Cuba,” said Kenia Serrano, head of international relations of the Union of Young Communists in Cuba, explaining the stakes involved in defending the government of Venezuela. Building the 2005 festival is a major part of defending Venezuela and the Cuban Revolution, she said. She also told delegates that the number of doctors and other Cuban volunteers in Venezuela had increased to 16,000.

Delegates described struggles they are involved in for jobs, union organizing, women’s rights, national liberation, and against the U.S.-led occupations of Iraq and Afghanistan.

The previous two world youth festivals took place in Algeria in 2001 and in Cuba in 1997 and were attended by 6,000 and 12,000 youth, respectively, from dozens of countries.  
 
 
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