International Young Democrat Union

Global association of centre-right political youth groups

(Learn how and when to remove this template message)
International Young Democrat Union
The IYDU logo is a stylised globe criss-crossed with blue lines.
AbbreviationIYDU
FormationMarch 1991; 33 years ago (1991-03)
TypePolitical international
PurposeWorld federation of conservative youth organizations[1]
HeadquartersOslo, Norway
Region served
Worldwide
Official language
English
Chairman
Michael Dust
Secretary General
Eva Dohalova
Parent organisation
International Democracy Union
Websitehttp://iydu.org/

The International Young Democracy Union (IYDU) is a global alliance of centre-right political youth organisations and the youth wing of the International Democrat Union.[2][3][4]

The IYDU in its current form was founded in March 1991 in Washington, D.C. A previous organisation of the same name had been established in July 1981, also in Washington, but subsequently ceased to exist.[3]

The IYDU fights for conservative and free-market policies worldwide.[5]

IYDU host a number of events for member organisations each year including a Freedom Forum (mid-year), an Annual Council Meeting, and overseas study visits.

Following almost 6 years of the IYDU being split over differences in the interpretation of the IYDU constitution, the International Young Democrat Union Joint Council Meeting elected a unified IYDU Board in Brussels on 21 October 2017.

Principles

Per the IYDU, "The International Young Democrat Union is a global alliance of centre-right political youth organisations united by a common desire for greater freedom and less government.

First established in 1981, two years before its parent organisation the International Democrat Union (IDU), then re-established in 1991, the IYDU has grow from 14 members to 127, from more than 81 different nations. Our membership is diverse. We come from a rich array of histories, cultures and political traditions, but we are united by a shared commitment to freedom, and to fighting socialism. Some of us come from established democracies with deep-rooted beliefs in individual freedom and liberty; some have experienced first-hand the destructive evil of communism; others are still fighting for basic freedoms.

Throughout the year the IYDU hosts a number of events around the world. Current and future leaders network, discuss ideology, share ideas and build friendships. Our events include a Freedom Forum in the middle of the year, a Study Trip, and a Council Meeting held towards the end/start of the calendar year.

Becoming involved in IYDU demonstrates a commitment: to a better world, created through genuine democratic process. Participants at our conferences have progressed to become cabinet ministers, members of parliament, senior advisers and leaders within their respective industries in public and private sectors."[6]

Parent organisation

The parent organisation to IYDU, the International Democrat Union (IDU) is a working association of 71 full and associate members from 63 different countries. Formed in 1983, founder members included Britain's Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher; US Vice-President George H. W. Bush; Mayor of Paris, and later French President, Jacques Chirac; and German Chancellor Helmut Kohl.[7]

Chairmen

Name Years Organisation Country
Mark Heywood 1992–1994 Young Liberals  Australia
Tony Zagotta 1994–1998 College Republicans  United States of America
Andrew Rosindell 1998–2002 Young Conservatives  United Kingdom
Shane Frith 2002–2004 Young Nationals  New Zealand
Donald Simpson 2004–2006 Conservative Future Scotland  United Kingdom
Peter Skovholt Gitmark 2006–2008 Young Conservatives  Norway
Tim Dier 2008–2010 Conservative Future  United Kingdom
Daniel Walther 2010–2012 Junge Union  Germany
Nicolas Figari 2012–2012 New Generations Independent Democratic Union  Chile
Aris Kalafatis 2012–2014 Youth Organisation of New Democracy  Greece
Gerti Bogdani 2014–2016 Youth of Democratic Party of Albania  Albania
Simon Breheny 2016–2017 Young Liberals  Australia
Bashir Wardini 2016–2018 Lebanese Forces Youth Association  Lebanon
Abdelmajid Fassi Fihri 2018–2019 Youth Istiqlal Party  Morocco
Bruno Kazuhiro 2019–2021 Juventude Democratas  Brazil
Michael Dust 2021– Junge Union  Germany

[8]

Board 2023[9]

 Germany Michael Dust

 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Nick Francis

 Austria Eva Dohalova

 Taiwan Cheng-Hao Shen

 India Sourabh Choudhary

 USA Rick Loughery

 Armenia Lilit Beglaryan

 Italy Roberto Pellizzaro

   Nepal Hikmat Karki

 UK Nicola Richards

 Finland Maria Miala

 Morocco Marwa El Ansari

 Croatia Judita Emic

 Ghana Nana Asafo Adjei Ayeh

 Honduras Frank Alley

 Jamaica Kendron Christopher

 Belgium Thomas Belligh

 Greece Orestis Trasanidis

 Sweden Carl Pfeiffer

 Argentina Julieta Altieri

 Australia James Porter

  Switzerland Flor Roggenbauch

 Lebanon Paul Saadeh

 Iraq Falah Hasan

Members

Current IYDU members are (as of November 21, 2022[10]):

Footnotes

  1. ^ "Youth – IYDU | International Democrat Union". 12 February 2018.
  2. ^ Mercer, Paul (1994). Directory of British political organisations 1994. London: Longman. p. 174. ISBN 978-0-582-23729-2.
  3. ^ a b Yearbook of International Organizations 2005/2006. Vol. 1. Munich: K. G. Saur Verlag. 2005. p. 2033. ISBN 978-3-598-24521-3.
  4. ^ "Ma touts Taiwan's democratic accomplishments". Taiwan Today. Retrieved 14 December 2014.
  5. ^ Lester, Ray, ed. (2008). The New Walford Guide to Reference Resources: Volume II - Social sciences. Facet Publishing. p. 215. ISBN 978-1-85604-498-1.
  6. ^ "About the IYDU". 8 July 2021.
  7. ^ "Home | International Democrat Union". www.idu.org. 1 February 2018.
  8. ^ "About the IYDU – IYDU". IYDU.org. Archived from the original on 28 September 2021. Retrieved 28 September 2021.
  9. ^ "2023 Board Elected". 24 June 2023.
  10. ^ "Members". 8 July 2021.
  • v
  • t
  • e
International political youth organisations
Related articles: