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.

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“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)

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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.”

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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

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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)

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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

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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

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"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/"

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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

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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

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It can be accessed here.

For more information, or to be added to the newsletter mailing list, please contact Lucy Collyer on coordinator@efay.eu.

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EFA MEP Mikel Irujo spoke about the role of regions within the EU and how improving their decision making capacities can contribute to a more democratic and more sustainable Europe.

The full final statement, produced by the participants and showing their position on regionalism and nationalism, can be found here.

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Over 200 young delegates from National Youth Councils and International Non Governmental Youth Organisations gathered in Rotterdam to elect a new Bureau for
2009-10 and adopt a Work Plan and budget for the coming two years. The General Assembly also adopted different policy documents during its working sessions that will shape its actions in representing youth interests towards its partners in Europe.

The General Assembly approved a proposal for a new youth agenda for the European Union stating YFJ's main expectations of the next mandate of the European Parliament and the European Commission (2009-2014). The EFAy welcomes the adoption of a common proposal and sees the initiative as a strengthening of a common European youth policy.

Along with YFJ GA delegates the EFAy were invited by the Club de Madrid to participate in an evening event of the First Global Forum on Leadership for Shared Societies.
During this event, the "young leaders of tomorrow" had the opportunity to share their experiences and ideas with some of the former and current leaders of the world, officials from international organisations, international experts and civil society leaders.

The EFAy look forward to continue working closely with YFJ and its members. Being a young European today means having common experiences and shared responsibilities. Therefore the EFAy takes an active part in the process of building a future Europe.

European Youth Forum website
http://www.youthforum.org/

Article by EFAy in a YFJ publication "Recognition and self-determination for a European-wide democracy"

http://www.youthforum.org/Downloads/Press_publications/yo/2008/YO_futureagenda.pdf

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The Conference took place in the Breton town of Plevin on the 8th and 9th November 2008 and was attended by EFAy coordinator Lucy Collyer and EFAy President Rhisiart Tal-e-bot. At the conference a number of resolutions were passed, which included significantly, a resolution that allowed for a representative of the youth branch of the party to take up a place and hold voting rights on the new UDB Bureau.

Among the speakers at the conference was Alain Retière, the United Nations Director of the new CLIMSAT centre in Brest. Mr Retière presented the work of the CLIMSAT and the importance of its location in Brittany as a centre of satellite services in the fight against climate change. As part of his address, Mr Retière argued that the future of the Breton environment lay in greater autonomy for Brittany.

Rhisiart Tal-e-bot also addressed the conference. In his speech, the EFAy President outlined the role of the organisation and how it was structured. He also emphasised the importance that young people have on the European dicision making process, saying:

"Europe was founded on mutual forms of understanding...by participating in the European debate we can help to create the Europe of the future and with it a more prominent role for the young people of our nations and regions."

Jeunes of UDB (youth of UDB)

Union Démocratique Bretonne

Video of UDB Conference

Video link explaining the work of climsat (in French)

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The protests were organised to campaign against a Spanish Constituional Court decision to stop a consultation taking place in the Basque Country, asking the electorate two questions related to the future of three of the seven Basque Provinces. The first part of the consultation, which was due to take place, last week (25th October 2008), was intended to ask if people are in favour of a 'negotiated solution' to the ETA conflict if the armed group ended its violence. The second question, which was to be put to a second consultation next year, would ask if all Basque political parties should work toward an agreement on what it calls the Basques 'right to decide their future'.

The consultation, which the Spanish Government insists on calling a referendum, would only take place in the three Basque regions (Álava, Vizcaya and Guipúzcoa), in the state of Spain (that form part of the Basque autonomous community) and not in the autonomous community of Navarre (also in the state of Spain) or the three Basque provinces in the French state (Baxe-Nafarroa, Lapurdi and Zuberoa).

The Spanish Constitutional Court ruled earlier this month however that the consultation was illegal and now the Basque Government are taking their case to the European Court of Human Rights, arguing that it is their democratic right to carry out such a consultation. The Basque Government have said that the referendum does not go against the Spanish Constitution, because it is non binding and merely seeks the opinion of the electorate. The Spanish Government have argued though that the consultation is a veiled push towards independence.

The demonstrations - held throughout the length of the Basque Autonomous Community from Gernika/Guernica to Gasteiz/Victoria – called for 'Bai Erabaki' (yes decide) and asked members of the public to sign forms in support of the public consultation. There was also a demonstration in the town of Lizarra/Estella, in the Basque province of Navarre. Lizarra has a symbolic resonance for Basque nationalism, because it was the site of the approval of a joint statute of autonomy for the Basque territories in 1936; a statute that was never honoured.

The President of the EFAy, Rhisiart Tal-e-bot, attended the protest in Lizarra, along with members of Gazte Abertzaleak – the youth movement of EA and EFAy members – to support the Basque right to decide.

In a report to Bureau Members, Rhisiart said:

"In a democratic twentieth first century, Governments should be encouraged to consult as closely with the people, on issues that affect their futures, as possible. The Basque Parliament voted to approve the implementation of the consultation in June this year and that right has to be upheld. By seeking a court order to stop the democratic consultation taking place is not only a snub to the Basque Parliament, but also to the Basque people.

It was encouraging to see so many young people at the demonstrations. After all, it is their political and social futures that are at stake and as a representative of the EFAy, it was a pleasure to be in Lizarra to support our member organisation."

Links:

http://www.euskoalkartasuna.org/

http://www.gazteabertzaleak.org/

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The Young Scots for Independence (YSI) - the youth group of the SNP - invited the EFAy President to attend as an Observer Delegate to the Conference and its offshoot (Fringe) meetings. Reporting on the Conference to EFAy Bureau members today, Rhisiart Tal-e-bot said:

“EFAy attendance at the annual SNP Conference, on the invite of the YSI, is an important part of the strengthening of relations between the EFAy and one of our most influential political members. Over the past year the EFAy has built up good contact with activists from the YSI and the event was an opportunity to meet face to face and network further.

The EFAy have been represented at a record number of its members' General Assemblies and Conferences over the last Bureau period, which has not only helped us to understand better the aims and aspirations of our members, but has shown us how we can work more closely together in the future. On behalf of the EFAy, I would like to thank YSI for inviting us to the Conference and look forward to further cooperation with the EFAy in the future.”

The 74th Annual SNP Conference was held between 16th and 19th October 2008 at the Concert Hall in the city of Perth in the Scottish city of Perth. Held every autumn, the SNP's annual conference is one of the largest political events in Scotland.

Link:

http://www.snpyouth.org/ysi/

www.snp.org

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The event was an opportunity for the EFAy to network with other European youth organisations, ahead of the EYF meeting with the European Ministers of Youth. These events are organised regularly by the EYF and this time the EFAy was represented by its Coordinator, Lucy Collyer.

During her stay in Kiev, Lucy met with EFAy 'Friend' and President of the Youth Association for Human Rights (Ukraine), Eugene A. Kovalenko.

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The interviews are intended to highlight the role and work undertaken by young people involved in politics in Europe. The first interview, the link to which can be found below, was with the President of the European Free Alliance Youth (EFAy), Rhisiart Tal-e-bot.

http://jeunes.udb.over-blog.fr/article-23280191.html

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The EFAy asked the EC to start an investigation into the safety and human rights implications of the use of such a device. The EC said that “it is the Member States who are responsible for ensuring that safe products are placed on the market, that an independent test report was conducted with respect to this equipment and that the Commission is unable to intervene for alleged breach of fundamental rights, because there is no link with Community law.”

The letter also says that the matter was also raised in the European Parliament(the reply for which is given in the link in the letter).

The original letter sent to the European Commission by the EFAy can be found here and their reply here.

See related EFAy news item here.

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The trainee will be based in Brussels, Belgium. The person will work both in the EFA party headquarters and/or in the Bureau of an EFA MEP in the European Parliament. The EFA stagiaire will be assisted by the EFA staff and EFA assistants, which will orientate him/her in the daily tasks. There will also be structural contacts with the EFAy -co-ordinator and the new Political Foundation CMC —Centrum Maurits Coppieters-.

The selected candidate will be interested in EU knowledge and willing to work in an international atmosphere. He/She will have good interpersonal and management skills. Experience in co-ordination will be an asset. The selected candidate will be familiar with the EU structures and policies. The ability to effectively communicate is essential. Familiarity with linguistic rights, regions, nations, minorities and other important issues of the EFA policy is highly desirable.

The stage will be oriented as much as possible to the candidate’s skills.

The stage will last 3 months.

Please, click here to access the complete document of the call for candidates.

EFA website press information

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