A delegation from our country, led by Meyvis Estévez Echevarría, First Secretary of the Young Communists Union, is participating in the 21st General Assembly of the World Federation of Democratic Youth, hosted in Namibia.
Author: yuniel@juventudrebelde.cu
WINDHOEK, Republic of Namibia.— "Cuba yes, blockade no!" That expression was heard more than once, amid applause and cheers, in one of the halls of the University of Namibia when Meyvis Estévez Echevarría, First Secretary of the National Committee of the Young Communists Union (UJC), concluded her speech on the opening day of the 21st General Assembly of the World Federation of Democratic Youth (WFDY).
This was the endorsement of the more than 150 participants representing 78 organizations from 57 countries, who gathered in this sister land and continued to defend the cause of the Cuban Revolution in a context of imperialist aggression and a tightening blockade. These demonstrations from the audience also demonstrated their solidarity and the need to continue fighting for that better world that is possible, amidst the current conditions.
Therefore, in her speech, the youth leader—who heads the Cuban delegation to this event—asserted that "building a better future for all is in our hands, and we will not give up until we achieve it," and asserted her full confidence in "the fighting and mobilization capacity of the new generations" to achieve this urgent goal.
The UJC attends the General Assembly with the responsibility of having held the General Secretariat of the WFDY for more than 20 years. This organization, the broadest and most representative international organization of progressive, democratic, and revolutionary youth in the world, was born after World War II and promotes peace, solidarity, and the struggle against imperialism.
In this regard, Estévez Echevarría reaffirmed the Federation "as a symbol of resistance against exploitation, fascism, colonialism, and its new manifestations, in these almost 80 years since its founding," adding that in the times we live in, the key word is unity with strict respect for differences and the self-determination of nations.
These same sentiments were echoed in the words of Namibian President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, who, speaking with the delegates at this meeting, reaffirmed her country's commitment to defending the rights of peoples and the sovereignty of nations, especially in the complex times humanity is experiencing.
In her speech, she emphasized this African nation's duty to international solidarity, expressing her support for the heroic Palestinian people and once again condemning the sanctions imposed against Venezuela, Cuba, and Zimbabwe so that these countries can achieve the success of other parts of the world.
Nandi-Ndaitwah also called on young people to strengthen the bonds of cooperation between nations and to continue promoting a more just and equitable world. She highlighted the role of the new generations in building a future free from external interference and urged them "to take an active role in the social and political transformation of their countries."
Always count on Cuba
The historic leader of the Cuban Revolution, Fidel Castro Ruz, the only head of state to have visited the WFDY headquarters in Hungary, the first to propose that the World Festival of Youth and Students be held outside of Europe, and the person who revived the celebration of these events in the 1990s, which had been halted following the disintegration of the socialist bloc, was remembered on this opening day.
Thus, the First Secretary of the UJC recalled fragments of his speech on August 5, 1995, on the occasion of the gigantic youth march against the blockade held in Havana, which brought together the people of the capital and the guests of the Cuba Vive International Festival, when he pointed out that "the revolutionary must and does dedicate himself totally to a cause, to his ideas, to his noble objectives, without expecting anything..."
Therefore, it meant: "All of us, fully dedicated to building a more just world, one of full social justice and dignity, must always be consistent with the most beautiful quality of a revolutionary, which, as Che Guevara defined, is: 'always being capable of feeling, deep down, any injustice committed anywhere in the world.'"
Estévez Echevarría called for the defense of the cause of the heroic Palestinian people and for not being indifferent to the aggression and genocide committed by the Zionist forces of Israel, with the full support and complicity of the US government.
She also took advantage of this meeting to pay tribute and express his gratitude to the Youth of the South West Africa People's Organization (SWAPO) for hosting this meeting. "To Namibia, all the support and love from Cuba. Right on these lands, the blood and courage of our compatriots united in battle against the apartheid regime, in defense of life."
She acknowledged the unwavering solidarity of the WFDY member organizations with the Cuban people. "We appreciate the ongoing denunciation of the economic, commercial, and financial blockade imposed by the United States for more than 60 years; as well as the denunciations of our country's inclusion on the infamous and unilateral list of states that allegedly sponsor terrorism.
"The US government is incapable of understanding our people's capacity for resilience and victory. More than 60 years of blockade, terrorist acts, biological and media warfare, political and ideological subversion against our youth; and here it is, we will be, and our Revolution will always be firm here.
"Know that we greatly appreciate your solidarity and your ongoing support. You too can always count on young Cubans. For us, as Fidel taught us, Revolution is fighting for our dreams of justice for Cuba, and also for the world," the youth leader concluded her remarks.
Just after two o'clock in the afternoon (local time) this Wednesday, the First Secretary of the UJC and her accompanying delegation arrived in Namibia. They were received at Hosea Kotaku International Airport by Sergio Vigoa de la Uz, Cuba's ambassador to this nation, who is known for the bonds of friendship that united its historic leaders: Fidel Castro Ruz and Sam Nujoma.
As part of his work agenda here, Estévez Echevarría will meet with the top leadership of SWAPO Youth, as well as with representatives of other youth organizations participating in the meeting. She will also attend a major commemoration to be held in this country on May 25th, commemorating Africa Day.
In its 21st edition, the General Assembly will evaluate the work carried out by the WFDY in recent years, define activities for the next period, and elect its new president. It will also analyze the most pressing problems facing the world and agree on the location of the next World Festival of Youth and Students.