Introduction

It would not be much of an exaggeration to state the independence of Eritrea was possible because of the decisive and committed involvement of the youth. Furthermore, Eritrean youth are playing a crucial role in post-independence national reconstruction with the same determination and commitment that the previous generation of ‘fighters’ utilised to liberate Eritrea once and for all. 

In short, it was a strong, patriotic and conscious Eritrean youth movement – including the armed struggle – that brought about independence; still now, it is the same Eritrean Youth, characterised by the same traits, that has and will preserve the national sovereignty of Eritrea.

Just as in the past, the role of the youth in the Diaspora is as important as that of the youth at home. The Diaspora youth will have to show the same commitment as the youth at home in order to impact positively on the reconstruction and development drive of ‘new’ Eritrea.

We – the youth – have to foster the national ‘Shaebia’ consciousness in order to make positive contribution to our country. We have to encourage the youth in the Diaspora to form connections with our brothers and sisters at home and around the world. We have to instil the vision and ideals of the PFDJ in the youth of the Diaspora. We have to reinforce the human and material resources necessary to build our country in the image set out in the PFDJ National Charter.

It is with this important historical responsibility in mind that the Young PFDJ groups across the world is organising Eritrean youth to serve our nation and create a platform for the youth to make a positive contribution and this booklet will provide a brief information about the aims, objectives, activities and how to join the YPFDJ and be a member of an exciting youth movement with the aim of building a better Eritrea.

Historical Perspective

Eritrean youth have always played a critical and decisive role through out the Eritrean history struggle; a struggle that has taken generations. The generation of the 1940s and 1950s to 60s was a force that started the national movement for independence. The youth of 1970s and 1980s, another generation, that further demonstrated full of heroic self-sacrifice and dedication to fight for the liberation of our country. This was the generation that put right the course of Eritrean struggle, which was in a verge of defeat in the late sixties and early seventies. It was these youth under the Eritrean People’s Liberation Front (EPLF) who played the decisive role in defining the ideas and strategies for independent nation characterized by dedication, critical and open minded outlook, progressive ideology, and strong conviction in pragmatism and social justice.

EPLF is with few equals in the history of national liberation movements. Not only did it defeat a larger and better equipped enemy that had the support of two superpowers on its own but it also succeeded in ushering profound social, economical and political transformation in Eritrea. The EPLF succeeded in ensuring unity within diversity in Eritrea; The People’s Front succeeded in mobilizing Eritreans for their national cause irrespective of their social background; the EPLF succeeded in bringing about a successful socio-economic transformation of the society; and above all the EPLF succeeded in teaching men and women to withstand the hardships and ordeals of a long armed struggle, to train people who were determined to overcome difficulties and challenges, and above all to mobilize citizens who stood true to the national interest even if it meant sacrificing their precious life with smiles on their faces. The EPLF is an organization that made the impossible possible. It proved wrong all those who were ready to write off the Eritrean revolution as one that: “can never prevail”, and one that is “isolated and ill-fated.”

The successful conclusion of the long struggle for Eritrean independence in 1991 was the end of a very important chapter in the Eritrean history that also laid foundation for independent country. At the same time it was a beginning of a new chapter with even more difficult, long and complicated task of nation-building after a long period of massive human, infrastructure and material destruction.

The new chapter in the Eritrean history required a sustainable political program based on clear principles and an effective, broad-based organizational structure that built upon the vision and rich experiences of the struggle for independence. Hence the Eritrean People's Liberation Front (EPLF) held its third congress in February 1994. The Congress adopted the National Charter outlining the vision and ideals for implementation stage by stage over a long period of time. The National Charter summarizes the vision into six basic goals (National Harmony, Political Democracy, Economic and Social Development, Social Justice, Cultural Revival and Regional and International Cooperation) and six guiding principles (National Unity, Active Participation of People, Decisive Role of the Human Factor, Struggle for Social Justice, Self-Reliance and a Strong Relationship between People and Leadership).

The role of YPFDJ

The current Eritrean young generation is now sharing the burden of responsibility in both building prosperous Eritrea and challenging the threats to deny the Eritrean people from their endeavour to pursue complete national independence and the chance to live in peace and harmony. As our history demonstrates, the role of the youth is one of the most decisive factors in achieving our national goals; establishing a viable state, a sustainable economy and an active, independent and creative new generation through our combined action. Hence YPFDJ main goal is:

To build a strong, conscious and patriotic youth movement.

To ensure the continuity of all the values of the popular front that enabled to serve the interest of Eritrean people. 

Therefore, the role of the YPFDJ is to play a leading role in organising the young Eritreans and creating a platform where young Eritreans can play significant role to contribute towards building a viable state of Eritrea. To ensure an effective organisation exists where young Eritreans can agree on a common vision 

YPFDJ Main activities

YPFDJ is involved in numerous activities that benefits the national interest of Eritrea and contributes to the successful completion of national programs adopted by PFDJ to serve our nation. The following activities are some of the priorities YPFDJ groups concentrate:

• Engages in critical and thought provoking discussions and lectures on relevant national topics with the aim of raising political and ideological awareness of the youth through forums, seminars and other methods.

• Learning about the Eritrean values, sacrifice, our history and revive and maintain Eritrean culture.

• Actively works with other associations, such other youth organisations, community associations, lobbying groups and others in helping to tackle the social and cultural issues of our society.

• Aim to mobilize, organize and integrate the talent and potential of youth in Diaspora to our national capacity building.

• Engages in the media and diplomatic works, with the aim of enhancing Eritrea’s regional and international cooperation.

• Carries out continuous and fruitful engagement with YPFDJ groups across the world and the youth of our region with the intention of contributing in shaping our collective destiny.

Who can be a member?

Any young Eritrean who has the passion to work for the advancement of Eritrea and its people both at home and in Diaspora. YPFDJ membership is open to all committed, patriotic, willing to learn and serve our nation. 

To be a member of YPFDJ is to be a member of dynamic movement of young Eritreans who are willing to commit their dedication, knowledge and ability for the advancement of our society and country.

Expectation

Commitment is one of the core characteristics of YPFDJ. Members are expected to attend monthly meetings and willing to participate in projects and take initiatives in their area of interest and participate in organizational activities. Lack of time, school, work and family obligations are the common reasons for not being part of YPFDJ. Ironic as it may seem, that is exactly the type of individual that is desired by YPFDJ. A busy individual, who has the ability to deal with multiple tasks, possesses time management skills, is capable of understanding complex issues, and has an appreciation of challenging circumstances.

Contribution to society and yourself

As a member you will have a range of duties to perform and can always find a suitable project to be involved. Furthermore, the services you provide will result in a mutual benefit to you as well. For instance, evidence shows that young people who embrace their culture and identity excel in achieving their personal goals, further more you will gain psychological reward and personal benefits from the economic and developmental prosperity you help to build. YPFDJ members gain an in-depth knowledge of Eritrea and the global-social, economic and political challenges and opportunities that exist.  As a member you will get the opportunity to interact with other members around the globe and you will acquire various leadership skills such as working in a dynamic team, mechanism of conflict resolution, strategic planning, facilitating meetings, and tolerance etc.

YPFDJ Conference

YPFDJ hosts annual youth conference where young Eritreans from around the world meet annually to exchange their ideas and share their experiences. YPFDJ conferences offer a platform to asses the vast array of work carried out by the youth movement and also allows Eritrean youth to learn and interact with Eritrean leaders about Eritrea's affairs. It is a unique platform organised by the youth with the help of the Eritrean community that  allows like-minded Eritrean youth to work each other, ask questions, share resources and opportunities. It is also a community of young Eritreans whose members work together and support each other for a noble and common goals.

Annual YPFDJ conference is being held both in Europe and North America. The first Europe YPFDJ conference was held in Germany and this was followed by Sweden, UK, and Holland respectively.  The 2009 Europe YPFDJ conference will be held in Italy. The annual YPFDJ conference in North America was held three times in Washington DC and once in Toronto.

Further information and contact list

If you want to be a member of this exciting youth movement and be part of young Eritreans who are prepared to contribute towards shaping the destiny of our nation and people and get further information you can refer to the following contact details.

http://www.youngpfdj.com  Or  http://www.ypfdj.com

Email addresses:

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