The 1st Middle East Youth Conference took place in Amed in 2015. At the end of this conference it was announced that the second will take place in Northern and Eastern Syria.

The Middle East Youth Initiative was founded on 14 July 2018 as a result of discussions and work in Northern and Eastern Syria.

The Kurdish Youth Coordination is made up of Kurdish, Arab, Syriac, Armenian, Turkish and Turkmen representatives from Democratic Syrian Youth Assembly, Komalên Ciwanan, Democratic Conservative Party, Rojava Youth Union, Young Women's Union, MLKP, SYPG, Arab National Coalition, Arab Youth Movement.

The conference will be held on 20 February in Kobanê with the slogan “Towards a Democratic and Multicolored Middle East with Youth”.

It is expected that a large number of youth organizations from the Middle East will participate.

Objectives of the Conference

The conference aims at the recognition of movements, organizations and revolutionary figures in the Middle East, as well as at discussing the Middle East crisis and possible solutions and the establishment of a common mechanism.

In the long term, the conference aims at creating a spirit of democratic and socialist common struggle in the Middle East, to raise the democratic people’s struggle against the crisis and to create a perspective of revolution and uprising against the ruling forces.

‘The conference will be a response to the Turkish state's attacks and threats’

Preparation Committee member Ebdilxenî Omar told ANHA that they aim to form a youth union in the Middle East. “The Preparation Committee is composed of 28 people, Kurdish, Arab, Syriac, Armenian and Turkmen. Within the Preparation Committee, ideology, press, diplomacy and technical sub-committees were formed.

The special purpose of this conference is the creation of the Middle East Youth Association against invasion of the Middle East. Invitations were sent to Middle Eastern countries, and representatives from many countries will attend the conference. Some states may hinder the arrival of young people.”

Stating that the threat of the Turkish state to invade Northern and Eastern Syria has increased, Omar said that the aim of this threat is to break the will of young people. “This conference - he said - will send a strong answer to the Turkish state.”

The main agenda of the conference will be the attack on women

Diplomatic committee member Sêal Hiso said the conference will discuss the attacks and problems experienced by young women, especially in the Middle East.

Sêal Hiso said: “This conference will be an important step against slavery imposed on women in the Middle East. Many topics related to women's history will be discussed at the conference. Special emphasis with be put on the attacks of the occupying states on the body and will of women. Our aim is to break the politics of slavery imposed on women.”

Calling on all young women to attend the conference, Sêal Hiso said: “It’s important to send strong messages and decisions from this conference to respond to the attacks against the Middle East and young people.”