An interview for a Turkish paper with Cathrine Frederikke Pedersen,
Chairman of DKU - Communist Youth League of Denmark
How is it going with the preparations for the international Youth camp in Denmark ?
We're working full time with the preparations for the camp. Our programme is growing
day by day, culturally as well as politically. We have a very good location for the camp
in the area of Copenhagen , here we are preparing a global village for a week.
Cathrine Pedersen
In a situation where the youth all over the world have had enogh, enough of war, racism,
cutbacks and poverty is it a very exciting task to arrange an international youth camp.
The responses to the camp both internationally and in Denmark are very positive
and its a great joy to watch as the pieces fall into place.
How many will attend the camp and from which countries?
We're really happy that so many international delegations have signed the camp.
From Europe about 200 people will come – mainly from Germany , UK , France, Spain , Finland and Turkey .
Smaller delegations will come from Southamerica - Equador, Dominican republic, Brazil and Columbia ,
from the Middle east – mainly Iraqis and Palestineans and Africa – Nigeria, Ghana, Ivory Coast.
Also Americans will participate.
Many Danes will of course also attend the camp. Some for the whole week others for a few days.
What is the political programme for the camp and the main themes?
We have divided the camp into different main themes, so each day will represent a new theme
starting with a main contribution in the morning followed by a broad range of different workshops
in the afternoon and evening. The starting weekend will concentrate on the U.S imperialist strategies
in the middle east, the question of Palestine and the effect of solidarity movements.
Representatives of the Iraqi and Palestinean resistance movements and Patrick MacManus,
spokesman of the organisation 'Rebellion' (Dk), indicted by the Danish terror laws for international solidarity,
facing a long prison sentence, will be some of the highlights.
The themes during the week will be: Neoliberalism, EU and the struggle of the youth.
Focusing on the struggles in France and Denmark with representatives from the peoples movement
against the European Union and PLS - a student organisation.
Latin america and socialism, here the South American delegations will play a central part.
The global struggles of the youth – these days focuse on the global problems the youth is facing and fighting.
In the middle of the week there will be a manifestaion in central Copenhagen.
An international demonstration and peacewatch will be a part of this day.
What about the cultural programme?
We're very proud of the cultural programme so far. First off all will the international
delegations bring cultural elements to the camp such as music, dancing and theater.
This will keep culture at the camp growing and alive.
There will be a lot of cultural workshops, from German theater to video broadcasting of political slogans.
Besides that there will be several art-exibitions located at the camp, from well known Danish artists
as Jens Galschiødt and Jørgen Buch to upcoming Danish political artists and peace exibitions.
We are preparing two very big concerts/party nights with a lot of different artists,
mostly Danish progressive bands but also for example the American protest singer David Rovics.
Besides that we have two cafes at the camp which will be open every night.
The international cafe will function as a frame where the delegations can perform,
here will also be a theme night about Christiania and a reggae night.
The second cafe at the camp is organised by message from the grassroots.
Naja Koppel, a member of the well known Danish band, Savage Rose
will be in charge of the programme and we can gurantee a smashing political cultural programme here.
During the whole camp our cinema will show a broad range of Danish
and international documentaries and movies, free of charge.
Last but not least several sport and game tournaments will be held during the camp.
Which expectations do you have for the camp?
We expect this camp to be a very valuable contribution to the Danish and international
struggle of the youth. The camp is a great chance for young antiimperialists and antifascists
from all over the world to gather and share experiences. We are all fighting the same enemy.
We have suceeded to connect the camp with some of the most progressive forces
among the danish youth and we think that the camp can be a great step forward for
the antiimperialist movement in Denmark as well as in the participating countries
What is the current situation for the danish youth and which claims are central?
Two elements are very central for the danish youth at this time.
1: The danish participation in
the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq .
2: The announcement of neoliberal cutbacks
directed especiellay against the youth.
These past few years we have seen a lot of people protesting against the war
and against the cutbacks. The youth have played a central role in these struggles.
Both in the sharpening of demands and in continuing the struggles.
Central claims have been: End the illegal war against Afghanistan and Iraq , the danish troops home NOW.
Danish Prime minister Anders Fogh must go, he is personally responsible for the war in Iraq
and his neoconservative government is responsible for racism and of
anti social welfare cutbacks which we don't want.
I know that you have had very strong movements against the war coalition and the European Union
in Denmark . Which part does the youth play in these struggles?
As I mentioned before the youth plays a central part in these particular struggles.
Driving them forward and sharpening demands.
In many years there has been quite quiet in Denmark and it has not been possible to arrange
manifestations off the masses. But there's a new generation now which sees through the lies
of the politicians and which is willing to fight the crimes of the danish government.
The most progressive and the leaders off those struggles will attend the 20 th antifascist,
antiimperialist youthcamp in Denmark this summer.
ABOUT DKU
DKU is the Communist Youth League of Denmark.
DKU is the Danish host of the International Youth Camp.
DKU was refounded in 1999 after nine years without any communist youth organization.
The refounding was build upon the acknowledgement that a communist youth organisation is a necessity
in the struggle of classes.
DKU decided in the year 2000 to support APK as an organisatorical independent youth organisation.
From 1999 – 2005 Troels Riis Larsen was the chairman.
He was replaced by Cathrine Frederikke Pedersen in 2005 which is the current chairman.
DKU fight consequently against imperialism and to improve the conditions of the working class youth.
HOMEPAGE
www.dku99.dk
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