History

The World Anti-Imperialist Youth Union (WAYU) was officially founded during its first congress held on 29 October 2014 at Boğaziçi University, Istanbul, under the term leadership of the Youth Union of Türkiye (TGB). This founding marked a historic milestone aimed at uniting progressive and patriotic youth movements worldwide in a common front against imperialism. Reviving the legacy of anti-imperialist youth organizations that once supported national liberation, socialist, and anti-colonial struggles, WAYU now seeks to adapt this tradition to the 21st century. It rises as a response to today’s imperialist threats such as NATO expansionism, U.S. militarism, and global economic domination, calling for a multipolar and just world order.

The congress brought together youth organizations and representatives from over 20 countries across Latin America, Africa, the Middle East, Asia, and Europe. Delegates exchanged reports on the anti-imperialist struggles in their regions and laid the foundation for long-term cooperation based on mutual respect and sovereignty. The Union declared its mission to build a world shaped by independence, peace, and productive development, resonating with the rising wave of Eurasian and Global South integration. With a program focused on joint campaigns, educational initiatives, and international mobilizations, WAYU positions itself as a strategic center of youth resistance against all forms of imperialist aggression.

WAYU was founded under the motto “Peace at Home, Peace in the World!” (Yurtta Barış, Dünyada Barış!)

On March 17–23, 2018, WAYU hosted a landmark international youth forum in Istanbul, uniting over 200 young delegates from 22 countries under the slogan “The World’s Youth Will Shape Its Own Future.” The event emphasized anti-imperialist solidarity, national independence, and the defense of public health and education in the face of global exploitation. Participants engaged in panel discussions, workshops, and cultural programs, collectively building bridges of friendship and resistance among youth from different continents.

The gathering was rooted in the philosophy that the youth must be the leading force in resisting imperialist aggression and shaping a multipolar world based on sovereignty, equality, and peace. Delegates from countries such as China, Cuba, Russia, India, Venezuela, Vietnam, South Africa, and Palestine shared their experiences and visions for a just future. The event marked a significant step in forming a common front among patriotic youth movements worldwide and strengthening the ties that will give rise to a new international youth alliance.

A joint demonstration of WAYU and the Iraqi Youth Union in Baghdad, under the banners of both organizations.

On January 17, 2021, the World Anti-Imperialist Youth Union (WAYU) organized a major international webinar titled “The Greatest Agrarian Uprising in History: The Farmer Protests in India.” The event featured prominent speakers such as Prof. Atul Sood from Jawaharlal Nehru University and activist-student Navkiran Natt. They provided critical insights into the political economy of India’s controversial agricultural reforms and the historic mass mobilization of farmers demanding their repeal.

The webinar was attended by young activists, researchers, and political organizers from across the globe. Participants discussed the broader implications of neoliberal agrarian policies and emphasized the importance of global solidarity with the Indian farmers’ movement. This event reflected WAYU’s ongoing commitment to amplifying grassroots struggles against imperialism and corporate exploitation, especially in the Global South.

The World Anti-Imperialist Youth Union (WAYU), represented by the Youth Union of Türkiye (TGB), actively participated in the International Youth Forum held in Tangier, Morocco. The event convened youth leaders from 40 countries in a unified front against imperialist aggression, under the theme “War Against Imperialism, Peace For All.” Former TGB Chairwoman Dilek Çınar delivered a powerful keynote, stating: “We are the ones who will answer imperialist-led wars with revolution—either revolution prevents war or war leads to revolution,” emphasizing solidarity with struggles from Palestine to broader anti-imperialist causes.

TGB and WAYU delegates passionately affirmed the legitimacy of anti-imperialist resistance, particularly highlighting Palestine’s struggle against Zionism and U.S. influence in the Middle East. Dilek Çınar underscored that “Palestine’s cause is just and victory is in sight,” calling on the global youth movement to collectively build a multipolar world and prepare for just wars countering imperialism. The forum concluded with a closing declaration pledging continued international youth cooperation for peace and revolutionary justice.

At the invitation of Iran’s Basij youth organization, our delegation visited Tehran to make high-level contacts. As the WAYU and TGB delegation, led by TGB Chairman Kayahan Çetin, we held important meetings with Iranian academics, journalists, youth organizations, and media institutions. A comprehensive meeting was also held with Alaeddin Boroujerdi, Deputy to Ali Akbar Velayati, Special Representative of Iran’s Supreme Leader. The delegation also visited the grave of Martyr Qasem Soleimani in Kerman.

In particular, steps that can be taken against the disinformation of the Western media about Türkiye, Iran, and other Asian countries were discussed.

Our delegation also exchanged views on possible future joint projects of the Turkish and Iranian youth and the youth of the whole world. The observations of our delegation in Tehran and Kerman also revealed that many of the anti-Iranian news reports are false.

In the festival, which was attended by young people from nearly 200 countries studying and working in all fields, we had the opportunity to convey WAYU’s policies to the youth of the world and to talk about the achievements and crises of the world with young legislators from every continent.

Organizing such a comprehensive event for the Russian Federation, which has become the most sanctioned country in the world, and the prominence of BRICS and regional countries in the event was actually an indication that the actors of a multi-centered world do not succumb to the attacks of the West and that the world continues to change despite a collective attack.

Progressive youth organizations from more than 20 countries gathered for a conference against US imperialism and genocide. We declared the determination of the world’s youth to the whole world!