Greetings, European and revolutionary activists. I have finally had the opportunity to update the latest dramas of our maverick and unique group.

  Firstly, I’d like to thank those who voted me in as the new EFAy President, despite the efforts of the airline Ryanair to stop me arriving in Barcelona. It was a rocky beginning. We have a fantastic new bureau, and have so far worked together very well.

I arrived back from Catalunya into the storm that was the G20 meltdown in London. The G20 are the group of 20 largest global economies. They an elite club of highly developed nations, which remain or were empires historically. Generally speaking, they dominate within their borders minority nations, and subjugate billions of landless poor in the developing south; trapping them in debt.

This elite inspired thousands on to the streets of London, to create a street party led by the apocalyptic horsemen of debt, war, homelessness, and environmental disaster. Their peaceful message of financial reform was unfortunately crushed by the English police state.
Many were injured by the rioting policemen including myself, and some were killed such Ian Tomlinson, an innocent newspaper salesman. Multiple peaceful protesters were beaten and attacked around me. There crime was only to peacefully protest. Circled in by a police kettle, I myself was bloodied. Finding myself at the front, a riot policeman first accused me of being a drug addict, before attempting to use my head as a drum. Their distaste for political alternatives and free thinking was apparent throughout.

Let us hope that large states such as Britain can have more tolerance of minority political perspectives in the future; from the political rights of ethnic minorities, and the rights of stateless nations.
Certainly there remains a long way to go.

Some of you may have already heard about the unelected EU Commission’s decision to denny EFAY the “Youth in Action” funding this year. This annual grant is the mainstay of EFAy funding, and keeps us breathing. EFAy arranged to meet the EC grant assessors on the 29th April to find out why. After arrival, our EFAy Secretary General, Lucy Collyer, was informed she was not allowed to take a copy of the funding rejection report.

In the evaluation an EC evaluator had written:
“In one sense the proposal can be viewed in two ways. First, that an opportunity to bring together young people who have a range of minority languages, cultures and special positions is very much what the Youth in Action program is all about. On the other hand, there is a danger that such a focus, and particularly on the base of “regionalism” and “national identity” can potentially lead to major problems, and a potential threat to an overall European Ideal.”

This information was passed on to EFA Members of the European Parliament on the same day. As a result the EFA Group decided to raise a European Parliamentary question about the findings, which it saw as an example of political discrimination against the EFAy and a direct attack on the values of European democracy.

An open letter was sent to the EC President, Mr. José Manuel Durao Barroso, to complain about the political discrimination inherent in the comments made in the evaluation. It asked him to intervene, as stating that otherwise the EFA Group would be forced to take the matter to the European Court of Justice, in order to guarantee just treatment.

As a response to this temporary setback, our bureau has been working on a funding plan to save EFAY. Without funding EFAY can not keep our member of staff and therefore will not be able fullfill our activity and plan and objectives for 2009.
Our first success has been putting together a compilation CD of songs from all the minority nations. We will be releasing this soon. We will also be selling some very interesting, well designed T Shirts.

Despite this, 2009 looks like an exciting year for EFAy. We are looking forward to an “Eco Linguistics” conference in the autumn, comparing biodiversity with endangered languages, and look forward to representing at the December Copenhagen Climate Change talks.

In other news, Breton political activist and bureau member of EFAy; Gael Briand, recently had success building Breton – Manx cultural links whilst visiting the Isle of Man. After being welcomed ashore by Phil Gawne, the Manx agriculture minister introduced Gael to the unusual nation’s constitutional and cultural quirks.
Niether a recognised state, nor technically part of Great Britain, it has a proud and Gaelic Celtic history. It boasts the longest continuing parliament in the world. The language remains under threat, though Gael had the pleasure of visiting a “Bunscoill Gaelgagh” school. Gael reported: “It was great to listen to Manx, and hear that each year more and more children and other ages are learning the language.

This is despite UNESCO classing it extinct, like Cornish, while both enjoy support in local schools.
It seems that only through education, persistence, and hard campaigning that we can gain support from such unelected organisations.

I look forward to speaking to you again soon, and hope you've had successful campaigns in the local and European Elections.

Sowena!

Jezz Anbleydh,
EFAy President.

On Thursday 26th March 2009, a new President of the EFAy was elected. Below the outgoing President, Rhisiart Tal-e-bot, who held the post between 2007 and 2009, reviews briefly his involvement in the EFAy over the last two years.

“It was a great honour for me to be elected to the position of EFAy President at the EFAy General Assembly in Bilbo/Bilbao on April 2007. I had been actively involved with the EFAy and a member of the Bureau for some years before I became President and saw many developments taking place within the organisation.

Year on year the EFAy has become more dynamic and better organised and the commitment and motivation of the Bureau members to fulfilling the aims of the EFAy has grown proportionally. It is always difficult in small European political youth organisations, like the EFAy, who receive limited funding and are heavily reliant on its members and representatives to help push its agenda forward, to make their voice heard at a European level. However despite its size, the EFAy - like many of its members - does and is able to punch above its weight. One of the main reasons for this is that we are unique in Europe and are able to call on the support of a large number of dedicated (albeit generally small) member organisations, who have realised that working together on common goals is much more effective than working alone.

Between 2007 and 2009 the EFAy Bureau worked hard to forward the aims of the organisation in an attempt to further the agendas’ of its members at a European level. This of course wouldn’t have been possible without the help of our members and I would like to thank all of you who were in touch with us on a regular basis, informing us of your news and concerns over the last two years. Your input helped to shape the direction and work of the EFAy and gave the Bureau the encouragement and purpose to continue working –voluntarily - on your behalf.

The work of the Bureau between 2007 and 2009 has, in many ways, been the most successful to date. We have planned and implemented a record number of seminars, visited and supported more of our member organisations, increased our network of members and partners and undertaken more European funded projects than at any time before. Part of the reason for this is that the Bureau has kept in better contact, worked well as a team and been more prepared to give up their spare time – voluntarily - to fulfil the commitment they made to members when they were elected in Bilbo/Bilbao in 2007.

The new 2009 – 2011 Bureau will come up against various challenges within its term - especially as this year we have not received administration funding - but I believe that like with most things they can be over come with determination and hard work. I know most of the new Bureau members well – especially of course the new EFAy President – and am aware of their potential and ability to push the aims of the EFAy further than was possible before. I look forward to hearing about the successes of the EFAy over the coming years and would like to say a big thank you to everyone who I came into contact with in my role as EFAy President, because it was you who made all the hard work worthwhile.”

Rhisiart Tal-e-bot
President of EFAy (2007 to 2009)

A new EFAy President and Bureau weas elected last week at the organisation’s 9th General Assembly (GA) in Barcelona, Catalonia.

This year’s GA was an important one, because, in addition to the election of a new President and Bureau, a number of statute changes had also been proposed. The amendments to the statutes means that the EFAy is now able to implement organisational changes that have discussed within the organisation over the last year.

One such change involved the proposal that would allow the EFAy coordinator to become the Secretary General of the organisation, in line with the way other European organisations function. After lengthy and interesting discussions the statue amendments were approved by the voting GA delegates and the new changes were brought into immediate effect.

The new President and Bureau, elected at the 2009 GA, are listed below:

President: Jezz Anbleydh (Kernow X, Cornwall)

Secretary General: Lucy Collyer

Vice President: Meilyr Hedd (Cymru X, Wales)
Vice President: Arseni Armengou (JERC, Catalonia)
Vice President: Gudrun Kofler (Sud – Tiroler Freiheit)
Vice President: Gael Briand (UDB Youth, Brittany)
Vice President: Antoni Trobat (JEN, Mallorca)

The organisational changes also mean that the new EFAy Bureau will be individual members of the Bureau in their own right and will not represent their organization on the Bureau, as was the case in previous years. Nevertheless, each Bureau member still has to be proposed by their member organization, but will now be accountable to the EFAy.

A number of resolutions (and emergency resolutions) were also passed at the GA, on the following topics:

Use of fireworks at cultural festivities in the Mediterranean (JEN, Mallorca)
Reunification of Brittany (UDBy, Brittany)
Trident renewal plans to be ditched (YSI, Scotland)
Homecoming Scotland 2009 (YSI, Scotland)
Closing of Guantanamo Bay (YSI, Scotland)
Free movement of workers across the European Community (YSI, Scotland)

Emergency resolutions:

Higher education (UDBy)
Women's right to abortion (JERC)
Tax on international transfers to be donated to developing countries (SFN)

Several organisations were also accepted by the GA as Observer/Full Members of the EFAy, as shown below:

Observer Members:

Youth Südschleswigschen (State of Denmark)
Youth Lista per Fiume (State of Croatia)
Lega Giovanile Separatista – Giovanni Indipendentisti Siciliani (State of Italy)

Full Members:

Youth Sud Tirol Freiheit (State of Italy)
Youth Hungarian Roma Party (State of Hungary)

The new Bureau for 2009 to 2011 also held their first meeting in Barcelona, following the GA, on 27th March 2009. At the meeting Lucy Collyer was formally appointed as Secretary General and Arseni Armengou was appointed as Treasurer.

EFAy Secretary General, Lucy Collyer, warmly welcomed the new Bureau saying:

“I am encouraged by your enthusiasm and motivation and hope that this continues so that we can work together to strengthen EFAy.”

The European Free Alliance Youth is working towards a Europe that respects the cultures and the territories of all peoples. In this spirit, the EFAy utterly condemns the harsh sentence imposed on six young people for acts of graffiti in the city of Nantes and would like to issue the following statement.

On February 12th 2009, six young people were arrested in Nantes accused of defacing property, using graffiti as part of the campaign to publicise the reunification of Brittany. On 5th March the same six defendants were each sentenced to a two month suspended prison sentence, a 30000€ fine and 100 hours community service for each of the youths.

The EFAy believes that this sentence is disproportionate to the crime to which the six young people stood accused and believe that the sentence may have been politically motivated, because of the nature of the attacks. The EFAy believes that the six youths were merely using the only means available to them to demonstrate their discontentment with the democratic process. The reunification of Brittany with the Loire Atlantique department (which includes Nantes) has widespread support in the department and throughout Brittany, but Breton reunification has been denied the people through every democratic means.

The EFAy therefore believes that this is an unjust verdict and demands that fair and just treatment is administered by the French courts in such matters that are proportionate to the crime.

It is a fact that Brittany was deliberately split into two parts in 1941 under Vichy France and the debate about its future has been deliberately stifled by the President of the French Pays de la Loire region of which the Loire Atlantique department is now part. The EFAy is aware that institutional reform is currently being discussed by the central French Government in Paris, which could mean the reduction of the number of French regions from its current 22 to 15. This could mean that Loire Atlantique(including Nantes) is finally reunified with Brittany, making it again into the historic territory it so rightly deserves to be and in accordance with international agreements.

For EFA Youth,
Rhisiart Tal-e-bot
President

UDB Youth

The second edition of a brochure encouraging young Scottish people to make the most of the opportunities that are available to them at a European level has been launched by Scottish Nationalist Party EFA MEP, Alyn Smith.

The brochure, entitled “Opportunities for Bright Scots in Europe” will be sent to all secondary schools, universities and libraries in Scotland and is also available on request in electronic format. The booklet provides an overview of what jobs are on offer in the main institutions such as the European Commission and the European Parliament as well as information on funding and exchange programmes.
MEP Alyn Smith, who is Scotland’s youngest MEP, said:

"There are a whole host of opportunities available for students across the EU. It is a grave shame that so many Scots are unaware of these possibilities. I have produced this brochure because I want to open as many doors for Scots as I possibly can.
"As a proud Scot working in Europe and a fellow intern back in 1996, I want to see more and more Scots making their mark across Europe. With a lot of pessimism surrounding the job market at the moment I want to reassure bright young Scots that they can have a bright future if they make the most of opportunities that are readily available."

Young Scots for Independence (YSI)

Saturday (31st January 2009) saw the close of the World Social Forum (WSF) in Belém do Pará, Brazil.

The three day event featured exhibition space devoted to the the theme of ‘Collective Rights of Peoples’, which discussed issues related to self determination, minoritised languages and indigionous peoples. It was the first time that such a theme has been held at the WSF and was run in collaboration between Escarré international Centre for Ethnic Minorities and Nations (CIEMEN) and the Catalan Agency for Development Co-operation.

Quim Arrufat, who is in charge of international relations for CIEMEN, said that one of the aims of the exhibition was to:

"bring the World Social Forum process, the aims of the alter-globalization movement and the existence of other stateless peoples to the attention of the Catalan public."

In turn, Andreu Felip, who is the Director of the Catalan Agency for Development Co-operation, said that the idea behind the theme of the ‘Collective Rights of Peoples’ was to say "... that another world is not possible if the right to self-determination of nations is not respected. " Mr Felip added that the aim was also "to set up a worldwide network comprising peoples which have their national rights restricted or unresolved”.

The European Free Alliance Youth (EFAy) is currently working on a short film project, which will be launched in March 2009, giving the views of people across Europe on the topic of self determination and what it means to them.

Links:

CIEMEN

Nationalia

World Social Forum 2009

Blog of exhibition

The Centre Maurits Coppieters (CMC) is now looking for a full time employee to work as an Administrative Coordinator.

The deadline for applications is noon on 20th February 2009 and should consisit of a detailed curriculum vitae and a covering lettering outlining your motivation in applying. Applications should be forwarded to:

Mr. Günther Dauwen
CMC Secretary
info@cmc-foundation.eu

CMC was founded in September 2007, under a pilot programme of the European Commission. It was recognised as a European political foundation affiliated to the European Free Alliance (EFA).

More information about post can be found here.

Links:

Centre Maurits Coppieters (CMC)

European Free Alliance

Below is a news release from the youth of Union Démocratique Bretonne:

"Join the Breton Democratic Union's call

The President's words about the Breton identity of Nantes are not without ulterior motives and obviously embarrass socialist leaders, among them the mayor of Nantes.

Yet, those words, coming from the head of state, give a great importance to the Breton unity question, justifying thereby the struggle of all those who have fought for reunification.

At the same time, however, the Balladur Committee works on a reformation of local authorities and a redrawing of administrative boundaries we fear will not answer our demand of a five departments Brittany.

We want an integrally reunified Brittany endowed with the same powers as euro-regions' such as Catalonia, the Basque Country or Scotland.

Petition link:

http://3596.lapetition.be/"

Kernow X had their annual pre New Year leadership team meeting in Truro, Kernow/Cornwall to discuss plans for the organisation for the forth coming year.
A number of issues were discussed including the General Assembly of the European Free Alliance Youth (EFAy), how the group could get involved with the European elections 2009 and the Kernow X website. The team also discussed the successful rise in membership over the last year and hoped to continue to pull in politically active members in 2009 at the same rate.

It was confirmed at the meeting that Jezz Anbleydh would become the new acting National Convenor of the group, taking over from Loic Rich. Rhisiart Tal-e-bot, the National Secretary of Kernow X and EFAy President also attended the meeting and was able to update the team on recent EFAy developments.

Links:

Kernow X website

Facebook group

The President of the EFAy met with members of the leadership team of Cymru X last week (7th January 2008) in Cymru/Wales.

Cymru X, the youth group of EFA members Plaid Cymru, invited Rhisiart Tal-e-bot to Caerdydd/Cardiff for an informal meeting to talk about the role of the EFAy and Cymru X involvement. Among some of the issues discussed were the collaboration between the EFAy and Cymru X in future European youth seminars, the EFAy General Assembly and the European elections in 2009. Cymru X also invited EFAy to attend its own General Assembly, which is due to take place in April 2009 in Caerdydd/Cardiff.

Rhisiart said after the meeting:

“In a European wide organisation like the EFAy, it is extremely important to meet up personally with member organisations to discuss matters that are of common interest. Every one of our member organisations is unique and even though all our members have many shared aspirations and ideals, it is essential that each member gives its input and be kept up to date on new developments.

Cymru X is one of the EFAy’s oldest member organisations and it was a pleasure to be able to meet with some of its members in Caerdydd. In the past they have contributed significantly to the work of the EFAy and we hope that this will continue into the future. We look forward to meeting their representatives at the EFAy General Assembly later this year.”

Link:

Cymru X

Facebook group