Belarus Young Social Democrats seek youth rights

The MSD (Young Social Democrats) is an independent Belarusian youth association, which is ruled according to the principles of democratic socialism.

MSD was created in May 1999 as a youth fraction of Belarusian Social Democratic Party. In October of the same year MSD formed as independent non-governmental association of supporters of social democratic values irrespective of their party membership, social status and nationality.

MSD sees its aims in the protection of rights and legal interests of youth, facilitating the establishment of democracy and civil society in Belarus, supporting the increasing influence of ideals and values of democratic socialism (freedom, equality, solidarity, social justice and priority of human rights) in Belarusian society, the development of the national culture and education, preserving the cultural and historical heritage and the defense of the environment of Belarus.

The structure of the organization is built on the principles of equality and democracy on all its levels. The supreme body of MSD is the Congress of the organization, which solves all questions and takes place annually.

On the Congress the members adopt the program for the next year, important documents and the Statute and also elect the executive body of MSD - the Executive committee. Between the Congresses the organization is ruled by the Central Council, which consists of the Executive committee and the leaders of the structures of MSD (local branches and others).

The representatives of the local branches have a traditional majority of the Central Council.

The Executive committee observes decisions of the Congress and the Central Council. The Executive committee consists of the Chairperson, two Vice Chairpersons (responsible for organizational questions and for regions), the Secretary General, the Press Secretary, the International Secretary and the Treasurer.

The Audit Commission watches the conformity of the activity of the organization to the law and Statute of MSD, the members of which have no right to occupy the leading positions on all the levels to preserve the objectivity and the independence of the commission.

Everyone MSD believes in the values and principles of social democracy: Freedom, Equality and Democracy.

For the liberals freedom is stressed as Economic Freedom: free market, free enterprise and trade, freedom from taxes and so on; profit oriented freedom which cannot escape from the exploitation and the abuse of the freedom of the others.

Freedom for social democrats means social freedom: the liberation of every individual, regardless of class, gender, sexual orientation, age, ethnic identity or belief and the right of everyone to equal opportunities and a fulfilling life in community; a product that can only be realized of both individual and collective efforts. Here comes Solidarity, of the workers and the people at large, which achieved great result in the favor of introducing an eight-hour working day, total voting rights, and equality as a norm; Equality, against any form of discrimination among individuals be it social justice, gender equality, equal opportunities and equal access to knowledge, never putting limits in development of a human, irrespectively of his nationality, sex and income. And based on these principles of freedom and equality, democracy images a modern civilized society and state, human rights and stable development; a social democracy, against authoritarianism, populism and dictatorship, for the right to self-determination, to liberty and freedom of expression of all the peoples. That is because only democracy tries to listen to the opinion not only of the majority, but also of the minority.

MSD participates actively in election campaigns of the social democratic candidates on elections to the House of Representatives of the National Assembly of the Republic of Belarus.

MSD members also work on blocking elections in those constituencies, where democratic candidates were not registered.

In 1999-2000, members of the MSD took part in actions of protest, demonstrations and pickets of united democratic opposition against the ruling regime in Belarus.

Its youth partners are Youth of United Civic Party, Youth Christian Social Union and Belarusian Association of Young Politics. In April 4, 2003 MSD appealed to the governments of Great Britain and United States of America with letters to their embassies in Minsk, in which "Young Social Democrats" expressed a protest against the war in Iraq.

A special appeal was sent by "Young Social Democrats" to the prime minister of Great Britain Tony Blair, who had occupied this position in leadership of the country as a representative of the Labour Party.

The MSD took an active part in the election campaign of the leader of the Federation of Trade Unions. Also, MSD is a member of the Public confederation "For social changes", has close contacts with other non-governmental organizations and political parties.

Belarusian Social Democratic Party "Narodnaya Hramada" recognizes the MSD as its fraternal partner organization.

The MSD participates and independently organizes different cultural events (poetry readings, concerts of young opposition bands and music evenings, the release of a cassette with music of young bands, and collections of poetry and songs), and also events for protection of ecology. The "Young Social Democrats" made several educational programs (seminars on leadership, democracy, work in social democratic NGO, campaigning) and took part in variety of seminars and conferences. The MSD was publishing its bulletin "Post Factum" for a long time at its own resources.

Internationally, the MSD became an observer-member of the European Community Organization of Socialist Youth (ECOSY) in year 2001. It is also an active member in East-European Social-Democratic Youth Forum (AESJF).