Feature > ee Canadians play unifying role at 13th World Youth Festival By CHRIS FRASER va es» ore than 15,000 young people “in- _ vaded” North Korea this past summer, by far the single larg- est number of foreigners to set foot in the Demo- cratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) Since the Korean War of 1950-53. This time the invasion was peaceful and friendly, and by invitation, for the DPRK was the venue for the 13th World Festival of Youth and Students (WFYS). Young people from more than 150 countries, including Canada, gathered in the capital city of Pyongyang July 1-8 for eight incredible days of culture, athletics, socializing, and political discussions on almost every conceivable topic. Held about every four years since 1947 under the theme “Anti-Imperialist Soli- darity, Peace and Friendship”, the festival IS an unequalled catalyst for bringing together youth of different political, philo- sophical and religious ideas. The festival featured various themes, focusing on peace and disarmament, anti- Imperialist solidarity, the environment and global problems, women’s rights, the non-aligned movement, students rights and education, human rights, and eco- nomic equality between developed and third world countries. “Tam really glad I went to the festival,” Says 16-year-old Tisa Farrell, an anti- racism activist from Toronto. “I would do it again, and again, and again. There were SO many people coming together as one. __ The events at the festival were so beau- tiful,” says Farrell. “What really stayed on my mind was meeting people, shaking ties hands, and supporting their strug- gles.” The 70 Canadian delegates agree that the best aspect of the festival is the rich exchange of ideas and knowledge that f g0es with meeting people from every corner of the world. “The festival really opened my mind to new ideas and viewpoints, and gave me a global view of things,” says 25-year-old Stuart McLean, a unionist from Prince Rupert, B.C., and one of nine Native youth in the Canadian delegation. “I spent a lot of time with the native People from New Zealand (the Maori), learning about the oppression they face, the fact that they are not recognized as the first people in their country,” he says. While some organizations had fears and criticisms about the DPRK, delegates formed their own impressions, separating their opinions of the host country from the festival as an event. Delegates generally praised social con- ditions in the DPRK, but many expressed Teservations about the personality cult around the country’s leader Kim II Sung, and its political system. “How you see the DPRK depends on Where you come from,” says 25-year-old Catriona Johnson, president of the NDP at the University of Victoria. “Third world delegates were amazed at North Korea, because it has so much for a third world country.” On the other hand, Johnson criticized what she called a lack of democracy and the inequality of women in the DPRK. “I was very surprised and amazed at what they’ve done in 30 years,” says 16- year-old Yens Pederson, a National Farmers’ 3%, 8 PHILIP LINK PHOTOS — Ps Top: Canadian delegation on the march during festival proceedings. Fraser is at right (in cap). Bottom: The closing ceremonies. Union member in Cutknife, Saskatche- wan. “Pyongyang had been bombed flat by the U.S. during the Korean War, and now it’s really a modern city,” says Pederson. “There are some areas that aren’t as well off, but there are not any real slums and there are not any homeless people.” In many ways, Pyongyang marked a positive turning point for the festival movement. It was clear that co-operation, dialogue and openness are gaining the upper-hand in the international youth movement f course there were sharp differences of opinion. What _ else can one expect at a gathering that includes youth of political persua- ‘ sions ranging from communist to liberal? “People weren’t always open in the dis- cussion centres,” says 23-year-old Mairi Johnson, deputy-chairperson of the Can- adian Federation of Students. “Although some people made really excellent speech- es, many just toed their party line. “But I honestly believe that this is going to change at future youth festivals,” says Johnson, adding that: “This was the most exciting experience of my life. It was incredible to see so many activities, such a variety of cultures and politi.dl view- points.” The Canadian delegates themselves were endorsed by 141 organizations, such as the Student Christian Movement, the Canadian Federation of Students, the National Farmers Union, the Toronto Disarmament Network, cultural and solidarity groups, and political groups like campus NDP groups and the Young Communist League. “The Canadian delegation was excel- lent, diverse and active,” says 23-year-old Lyndon Surjik, a gay rights activist who represented the University of Regina Stu- dents’ Union. ““We seemed to be on the cutting edge of a lot of issues: solidarity with the Chinese students, Native rights, women’s rights, and gay and lesbian rights. This reflected well on Canada,” says Surjik. Indeed the Canadians embodied the best ideals of the festival. The delegation was broad and united, the product of democratic debate in delegation meetings. And they were active in all aspects of the festival, adding their own positive contri- butions. he Canadians put strong emphasis on equal participation by men and women in the group (36 males and 33 fe- males). Nearly 25 per cent of the delegates were from Quebec, reflecting support for the national equality of fran- cophones. More than 10 per cent were Native youth representing North Ameri- ca’s first nations. “The Canadian delegation was very supportive of indigenous students, in the way they lobbied for a round-table discus- sion on indigenous issues, and the attempt to have fair representation of Native youth on the delegation,” says 22-year-old Bev- erly Scow of the Inter-Campus Native Students Network, a group fighting Can- adian government cutbacks to Native education. “It’s clear that much more needs to be done internationally to raise the issues of indigenous peoples,” says Scow. “There was a lot of discussion about national lib- eration, independence, and anti-imperialist solidarity at the festival. But people also need to look inside their own countries, at their indigenous people who have been struggling for more than 400 years. “We were only able to identify 29 indi- genous people from other countries, out of 20,000 delegates” says Scow. ““We were surprised that there were no indigenous delegates from Latin America, The United States, or the USSR.” ~» Because gay and lesbian rights were not included in the festival program, the Can- adian delegation organized a round-table discussion on the issue at the Canadian club. “For me, the festival highlight was find- ing other gay and lesbian activists for the panel discussion,” says Surjik. “That went really well. One of the delegates told me that it was the most lively discussion in the festival.” When complaints poured in about sex- ual harassment faced by female delegates, the Canadians organized a successful all- women’s social one evening, as well as developing proposals for handling the problem at the next festival. Perhaps the most controversial, and potentially divisive, issue unfolded around solidarity with Chinese students. Through- out the week some delegations favoured action, others were opposed and it appeared that a lack of consensus might divide the festival. To its credit, the Canadian delegation was key in organizing two rallies and in preserving the unity of the festival. This was despite demands by a minority for more provocative actions, such as marching on the Chinese national club, and despite an unsuccessful attempt by the nervous host country to stop the first rally. Perhaps one of the most important things about the youth festival was the way in which it drew the Canadian dele- gates closer together and inspired them. Mairi Johnson says: “Before I went I was starting to lose my idealism, but the festival totally brought it back.” This is why delegates decided to set upa permanent festival committee to promote future world youth festivals and organize annual Canadian events so that many more youth experience this unique and very special movement. Chris Fraser from Toronto was deputy chair of the Canadian delegation, represent- ing the Young Communist League. Pacific Tribune, September 11, 1989 « 5