The war against the majority
This statement was issued by the "North-South Dialogue" sponsored by the World Federation of Democratic Youth in New Delhi, September 22-23.
Although the cold war between the USA and the USSR may have finished, there seems today to be an intensifying war between North and South, or rather between the powerful governments and corporations and international financial institutions on the one hand, and on the other the vast majority of the population of the world.
This is a war in which the weapons are debt, poverty, hunger, unequal trade, unemployment, environmental destruction and military intervention.
This is one of the main issues of concern that this round table noted. In addition we noted:
- issues such as environment, democratic and human rights, national sovereignty, women's rights, are issues which affect young people greatly but it seems that all these are under threat.
- with great concern the apparent fact that the USA and other western powers are using the United Nations as a cover for their own actions, which makes it necessary to follow a course of democratising the UN and involve Non-government Organisations in a much more major way.
- questions of peace and an end to regional conflicts are very relevant to all people and that the threat of nuclear war is not ended, which means that disarmament still should be on our agenda.
- we also affirmed the importance of solidarity between people all over the world in the face of their common problems and encouraged youth to take part in any solidarity action.
Most of all, this Round Table noted the need for continuing dialogue, exchange and common effort and mobilisation between young people and their organisations in the North and in the South.
We hail all initiatives that aim to increase this dialogue whether on a regional level or an international level.
We would like to invite all young people and their organisations, regardless of background, to be part of this ongoing dialogue about how best we can confront the many problems that face us, and all actions emerging from such dialogue.
The World Federation of Democratic Youth sees such a process and any such initiatives and efforts as being absolutely necessary if we are to live in a peaceful, just and democratic world, a world which is capable of sharing its knowledge and wealth for the benefit of all.