Blog PostsRaise the purchase age? Let’s not.Freedom fighter and champion for liberty, John Banks (along with some others) have come out in favour of raising the purchase age to 20 in the Sunday Star Times this morning. It looks like they’ve canvassed a few members of Parliament to see where their support lies. (more…) Day Two: Passionate Debate The kiwis arrive early for a very good international session on campaigning The morning began early we many attending a progressive campaigning workshop at 7am and Jessie attending one on children with disabilities. At the progressive campaigning workshop speakers from Canada, the UK, and Australian shared their campaigning tips. Rob was busy taking notes as many great points were made and in particular the growth of the National Democratic Party in Canada provided much inspiration. With too many good points to put here, we will try to put Rob’s notes of the session on this blog later. (more…) Day One: Conference Begins Listening to the opening address Conference opened with two good speeches. Firstly, from the Australian Labor Party President and then from the Australian (Labour Party) Prime Minister, Julia Gillard, who spoke on the Labour values policy platform (which was then formally adopted). Exploring the conference we enjoyed grabbing some free badges and t-shirts supporting marriage equality and other causes. As day wore on our delegation split into three with some of our group going to a fringe session on International Youth Perspectives, others to a fringe session on the Environment, and a few others stay in the main conference (where proposed amendments to Labour’s policy platform on the economy, education, engery and working family opportunity were being discussed). (more…) Day Zero: Arriving in Aussie Exploring Sydney The day began blurry eyed as many of us got up at 4am to catch flights out to Sydney. As we staggered into the airport the adventure began with Eric and Ella having tickets for the wrong day and with Eric’s British passport (cause his New Zealand was expired) needing a Australian Visa in order to make it into Australia. After some quick last minute calls and some leaving of tickets at security desks (and embarrassed rushing back to get them) we managed to make it onto the plane and over the Tasman. (more…) Debrief: Video ReportIt took awhile, and despite my best efforts only includes my thoughts, but here is my three minute “IUSY World Festival Report 2011″ followed by a bunch of cool video shot by Socialist Youth Austria. Saturday: And all too soon it is overAndreas here again for the final daily post I learned about fusion voting which I had never heard of before. It used to be the system all over the US but is now only in five states. It works by a candidate being able to be elected under to different labels, in most cases both “Democrat” and “Working Families Party”. This allows the Working Families Party – which is a Left Wing minor party in the US – to operate much like a youth wing of the Democrats and push the Democrats to put forward better candidates and for their candidates to enact some Working Families Party policy if they want to continue getting the extra votes they get under the Working Families Party label. (more…) Friday: More good sessions, swimming, and dancingHey everyone, Andreas here yet again. In the morning we all attended Tim’s (see yesterday’s post) session on “Equal rights to all: Fight HIV/AIDS and not people with HIV/AIDS”. Tim was one of a number of panellists who all agreed it was a very complicated subject and had some interesting points. Some points included: (more…) Thursday: World Council A vote on one of the many Council resolutions  Chelsea "representing" with some of our friends Wednesday: Another day full of sharing ideas One of the morning discussion sessions I popped into before sorting out our travel reimbursement Hello again! Andreas here Tuesday: All over the world, to change it! Sorting out what we will do for the day over breakfast Hey all, Andreas here |
We awoke Satuday morning to a pile of mud. The weather by Saturday had certainly turned and what was once a very sunny camp site was rather wet. So after dragging myself out of bed, some breakie and email checking, and the head of delegations meeting, I went to another morning session on (once again) US politics. 