WFDY marks 81 years of international youth solidarity and anti-imperialist struggle

The World Federation of Democratic Youth (WFDY) was founded on 10 November 1945 at the World Youth Conference in London, emerging from the international anti-fascist cooperation forged during the Second World War. 

The Soviet Union, through its youth organisations, played a central role in this process. The All-Union Leninist Young Communist League (Komsomol) and the Anti-Fascist Committee of Soviet Youth were among the principal forces working to establish an international organisation capable of uniting young people across national and political boundaries against fascism and for lasting peace. Their contribution built upon the international mobilisation of youth that had developed following Nazi Germany's invasion of the Soviet Union in 1941. 

Under the motto “Youth Unite! Forward for Lasting Peace”, WFDY was established, as stated in the preamble of its Constitution, to fight fascism, colonialism, neocolonialism and imperialism, representing more than 30 million young people from 63 countries. Today, WFDY represents 153 organisations from more than 90 countries.

On the 81th anniversary of its founding WFDY reaffirmed that “the World Federation of Democratic Youth and its member organizations, the youth, resist and fight for liberation, peace, sovereignty, freedom, democratic rights, social and national emancipation and progress in favour of the peoples.”

Imperialism seeks to intensify exploitation and the attack on the rights and sovereignty of peoples, on youth, trampling on rights as fundamental as the right to food, health, education, work, housing, cutting short lives, curtailing prospects and dreams, leaving a trail of poverty and suffering for millions of human beings.

As part of the 81st anniversary commemorations, WFDY Headquarters launched a campaign affirming the Federation and calling on each member organisation to develop initiatives in their respective countries on 10 November.

Americas

Communist Youth Union of the Brazilian Communist Party (UJC–PCB) celebrated WFDY's 81 years as one of its founding youth organisations, reaffirming its commitment to the Federation as a space for anti-imperialist coordination, international exchange and solidarity. In a statement and a message from UJC Secretary of International Relations, Eduardo Matos, the organisation emphasised the defence of Cuba and Palestine, the sovereignty of peoples and the struggles of working-class youth. UJC declared that internationalism must be transformed into concrete action against imperialist wars and exploitation.

Communist Youth Union of the Brasilian Revolutionary Communist Party (UJC–PCBR) marked the anniversary by recalling WFDY's origins in the defeat of Nazi-fascism and its role in organising anti-imperialist youth. The statement also addressed the political and organisational challenges facing the Federation, calling for consistent proletarian internationalism and political independence from governments. UJC stressed that working youth must go beyond commemorating past achievements and build a Federation capable of meeting the demands of present struggles.

Communist Youth of Mexico (FJC) reaffirmed that, 81 years after its foundation, WFDY remains active in organising young people for peace and against imperialism and war. FJC emphasised the importance of defending the self-determination and sovereignty of peoples through anti-imperialist youth organisation and international solidarity, concluding with its call for the continuation of the Federation's struggle.

Revolutionary Youth of Panama (JR) extended fraternal greetings to WFDY, highlighting its historical origins in the struggle against fascism and its commitment to peace, democracy and popular sovereignty. Addressing the growth of authoritarianism, fascist rhetoric and far-right forces promoting war, discrimination and persecution, JR called for organised and conscious youth capable of strengthening internationalist unity and solidarity.

Communist Youth of Paraguay (JCP) commemorated 81 years under the motto “Youth united! Onward for lasting peace!” and stressed that the anti-imperialist and internationalist principles behind WFDY's foundation remain essential to organising working youth against imperialist expansion. The organisation also announced a gathering in Paraguay on 13 November to discuss the country's position within imperialist strategies and the Federation's history and significance for contemporary struggles.

Young Communist League of the United States (YCL USA) celebrated the founding of WFDY in London in 1945, recalling how anti-fascist and working-class youth pledged to build a world in which their generation's talents and energy would not be wasted in war. YCL USA reaffirmed its commitment to international fraternity and peace, condemning US imperialism and militarism for making the world increasingly dangerous for young people. The statement concluded with calls against racism and imperialism and for socialism and democracy.

Communist Youth of Venezuela (JCV) issued a communiqué through its Central Council calling on working and student youth to organise and mobilise against imperialist aggression, wars of plunder, capitalist exploitation and reactionary forces. The essage defined WFDY as an essential space for encounter, unity and coordination among anti-imperialist youth worldwide. Declaring that “There is no future under exploitation! There is no peace under imperialism!”, JCV called for stronger internationalist unity and solidarity.

Asia and Oceania

Bangladesh Students' Union (BSU) marked the anniversary through a discussion in Dhaka titled “The Challenges Facing Students and Youth in Bangladesh Amid Renewed Imperialist Interventions”. Organised jointly by WFDY member organisations in Bangladesh – BSU, BYU and SSF – the event addressed the challenges confronting young people amid renewed imperialist interventions. The organisations reaffirmed their commitment to international solidarity.

Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPIM) celebrated 81 years of international solidarity, describing WFDY as a major international organisation bringing together progressive, democratic and anti-imperialist youth from across the world. Message recalled the Federation's origins in the aftermath of the Second World War and highlighted the World Festival of Youth and Students as an important platform for international exchange and common struggle. Emphasising the continuing importance of anti-fascist and anti-imperialist organisation, CPIM called for youth unity for peace and socialism and reaffirmed its commitment to proletarian internationalism.

Europe

Communist Youth of Austria (KJÖ) emphasised that international cooperation and solidarity among young people remain essential to confronting imperialism and capitalism. Recalling WFDY's foundation in London in 1945 and its subsequent international development, it highlighted the Federation's campaigns, general assemblies and World Festivals of Youth and Students, including the 2025 gathering in Namibia. Addressing wars, imperialist interventions, the blockade against Cuba and the genocide against the Palestinian people, KJÖ argued that international youth organisation remains indispensable for building a future free from war, exploitation and imperialism.

Young Communist League of Britain (YCL) commemorated the young people who gathered in London on 10 November 1945 to establish WFDY after the defeat of fascism, with the determination to organise for peace, independence and international solidarity. It recalled the Federation's World Festivals of Youth and Students, beginning in Prague in 1947, which have brought hundreds of thousands of young people together from every continent. YCL reaffirmed its pride in being part of WFDY's tradition as a member organisation.

United Democratic Youth Organisation of Cyprus (EDON) celebrated WFDY's 81st anniversary by highlighting its worldwide membership, representing millions of young people through organisations across numerous countries. The message refeenced  EDON's own role in the Federation's leadership, its World Festivals and the organisation's solidarity with the struggle of the Cypriot people. EDON's message concluded by reaffirming its commitment to WFDY and international youth solidarity.

Communist Youth of Bohemia and Moravia (KSM) recalled the founding of WFDY at the 1945 World Youth Conference and the determination of the post-war generation to prevent the horrors of another world war. It highlighted the Federation's continued struggle against racism, colonialism and fascism, while defending young people's access to education, healthcare, housing, food and a dignified life. In the context of ongoing imperialist wars, KSM stressed the importance of the international struggle for lasting peace and against capitalism and imperialism.

Socialist German Workers' Youth (SDAJ) marked the anniversary by reaffirming its longstanding participation in WFDY, describing itself as an active member since the Federation's founding. Its message celebrated 81 years of international youth organisation and solidarity, emphasising the continuity of its commitment to the Federation and its internationalist mission.

Portuguese Communist Youth (JCP) highlighted WFDY's role as the world's largest youth organisation fighting imperialism, colonialism and fascism, bringing together more than 150 organisations. It stressed the growing importance of strengthening international youth mobilisation in response to threats to peace and the militarist policies of US imperialism. Referring to Palestine, Cuba, Western Sahara and Cyprus, JCP reaffirmed the Federation's commitment to the youth struggle for lasting peace, public education, work with rights and social progress.

Communist Youth of Turkey (TKG) extended its greetings to WFDY on the anniversary of its foundation on 10 November 1945, recognising the Federation's historic mission of uniting young people across the world against imperialism, exploitation and war. TKG reaffirmed the importance of building a united international youth struggle for peace and solidarity, in keeping with the principles on which WFDY was established.