Alliance Youth hails success in joining International Federation of Liberal Youth

2.31.00pm GMT Tue 18th Dec 2007

Alliance Youth Chair Stephen Martin has hailed the successful application by Alliance Youth, the youth wing of the Alliance Party, for candidate membership of the International Federation of Liberal Youth (IFLRY). IFLRY is an international political umbrella organisation promoting cooperation among youth and student organisations to spread liberal values whose members include the Young Democrats of America, the Young Progressive Democrats of Ireland and LDYS, the youth wing of the Liberal Democrats.

Stephen Martin said: "Alliance Youth has, for the past number of years, played an important role on the European stage in liberal youth politics under the chairmanship of Councillor Ian Parsley. On Saturday, we have been successful in taking the first step towards full membership of IFLRY, a global partnership of liberal youth political organisations by being granted candidate membership of IFLRY at their General Assembly meeting in Bosnia.

"Membership of IFLRY will allow Alliance Youth to present a positive, vibrant image of Northern Ireland to our partners around the world while, at the same time, sharing the unique experiences of a society that has suffered from division. It is my firm belief that AY will gain much from organisations that we have not had previous links with such as the Young Democrats of America. We will build on our relations with our new partners so that Alliance Youth can play a role in international liberal discussion."

The Lagan Valley representative added, "Young people today are rightly pressuring governments to make progress on issues that extend beyond borders and, through IFLRY, Alliance Youth will be able to work with like-minded people to effect positive change. I would invite all young people who believe in a united community here in Northern Ireland and who care about pressing global issues such as climate change, fair trade and global poverty to join us and make that vision a reality."

ENDS