International Young Democrat Union
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]
Abbreviation
IYDU
March 1991
World federation of conservative youth organizations[1]
Worldwide
Michael Dust
Eva Dohalova
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[edit]
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[edit]
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]
Source:[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
: União Jovem do Brasil
Brazil
: MSDS
Bulgaria
: Young Conservatives
Canada
: Youth National Renewal, New Generations of Independent Democratic Union
Chile
: New Generations of Conservative Party
Colombia
: Youth of National Integration Party
Costa Rica
: Protoporia, Youth of the Democratic Rally (NEDISY)
Cyprus
: Res Publica (IRL)
Estonia
: Youth of the European People's Party (YEPP), European Young Conservatives (EYC), European Democrat Students (EDS), Nordic Young Conservative Union (NUU), Nordic Conservative Student Union (NKSU), Democratic Youth Community of Europe (DEMYC)
European Union
: Moderate Youth League (MUF), Young Christian Democrats (KDU), Fria Moderata Studentforbundet
Sweden
Current IYDU members are (as of November 21, 2022[10]):