Leader Ocalan: I believe youth will play pioneering role

The Youth Council of the People’s Democratic Congress (HDK), the Youth Assembly of the People’s Equality and Democracy Party (DEM), and the Assembly of Free Students in Istanbul (İSOM) organized a seminar titled “The Role of Youth in a Socialist Society.”

The seminar was held at the Su Fine Arts Center in Istanbul’s Fatih district and drew a large turnout of young people. Banners reading “Woman, Life, Freedom” and “We unite with the spirit of social solidarity and attain freedom” were raised.

After the opening address of the seminar, a message from Leader Abdullah Ocalan was read out. The text of the message is as follows:

“First of all, I salute those working in this field, as well as the youth who are discussing the peace process and the democratic society, the group of young communist comrades, and all young people who struggle on the basis of communist comradeship with deep love. Processes of social construction can only be achieved through the participation and leadership of youth, as they are the primary driving force of change, transformation, and renewal. The chances of success for political and social struggles are extremely limited when youth do not shoulder the burden of their ideology and do not organize themselves in practice. Therefore, a society that loses its youth is not merely a failed society, it is a society that has lost its right to exist. The opposite is also true: youth who lose their society and their social spirit lose their future. Where the socialist social spirit and the victory of its struggle do not exist, degeneration, fragmentation, and annihilation prevail. The individual has no meaning except as part of an organized society, and society cannot exist except through organized individuals.

Organize yourselves and organize everywhere

Building society, achieving a socialist society, and attaining freedom are only possible through organization. Any existence that does not organize itself in its place and time by making use of available opportunities will sooner or later disappear. As I have said before: ‘Organize yourselves everywhere and organize everywhere.’ This is not only a political necessity; at the same time, it is an essential requirement for social existence and freedom. The yearning for freedom is a dynamic characteristic of youth, and leading historical social change and transformation is a natural outcome of this dynamic. Fulfilling this task is not merely a choice, but a duty for freedom and a dignified life. Ensuring freedom and social existence is possible through social organization. Because of this tendency and this dynamic among freedom-loving youth, destructive death has attacked them throughout history using all methods of decay and corruption.

I am confident that youth will play their pioneering role

Through collective struggle and organizational awareness based on communist comradeship, the dynamic power and energy of youth can be transformed into a will for change, transformation, and construction. Just as freedom is inherent in the vitality of youth, freedom and socialization are defining features of socialism. In this era, which is witnessing the collapse of capitalism, it is of utmost importance for youth to discuss democratic socialism, reconstruction, and methods of struggle. Such discussions, alongside intellectual enrichment, will bring with them new paths and methods of struggle. At a time when fundamental human values are under attack by capitalist modernity, I believe that youth will fulfill their pioneering role. On this basis, I once again salute with great affection all young comrades who struggle for democratic socialism, and I wish them success.”

Following the reading of the message, the seminar continued behind closed doors, with no access granted to the press.

A-H

ANHA