International Youth Congress

Statement issued by the Commission on Students

We stand for a free democratic-educational system, the use of science for the benefit of mankind and the fullest development of art and culture by the peoples of the world. We realise that Fascism perverts science and learning into weapons for the subjugation of the people. Therefore we declare that Fascism is the deadliest enemy of all peoples including the students, and that its destruction is our most urgent task. We realise that only in making the maximum effort in the present can we ensure a full and happy future for our generation.

We resolve to use our time and our energies so as to make the greatest, contribution to the speediest possible defeat of Fascism and believe that as students our main duty is to raise our level and speed of study to the highest possible in order to provide the community with trained scientists, teachers, doctors and others in the shortest possible time. We shall use our vacations for more study to speed up our own training and do practical work in factories and on the land. We will improve our courses and our practical training so that we are fully equipped to take our place in war society.

Our tasks as students put on us the responsibility of clear understanding and the greatest awareness of the nature of Fascism and its deadly effects. Student organisations have the task of educating their own members so that they can never be deceived by the lies of Fascist propaganda. Equipped with facts we can do educational work in youth organisations and among the people.

Students have a long tradition of internationalism. The work of the international Council of Students in Great Britain must be developed so that it becomes an educational and driving force in the fight against Fascism. The presence of the Soviet delegation in this country and at this conference is historic and lays the basis for full co-operation from now on. The International Student Assembly in Washington, its wide representation and its clear programme for students marks a great step forward in the international student movement, and we must follow up the proposals which it has laid down. We now have the possibility of linking the international student movement in the United States, Great Britain, and the U.S.S.R., which will greatly further our joint progress.

Our work in all these fields will serve as an encouragement to the peoples in occupied countries from whose brave resistance we gain constant inspiration, and will greatly strengthen their struggle.

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