Training young people in politics. That was the goal of Institute Casla last week when he brought together youth leaders from countries throughout Ibero-America with the intention of exchanging experiences and training around democratic values and human rights.
The meeting held in Madrid for five days was attended by speakers from different areas of politics, economics, human rights defenders and promoters of freedom. The objective of these meetings, known as lock-ins, is to strengthen the formation of leaders through talks and debates, on issues such as freedom, the strengthening of democracy and respect for human rights.
Transitions from communism to democracy in Eastern European countries were also discussed. Similarly, the lessons of its leaders were highlighted, particularly Václav Hável, whose thinking is the fundamental basis of the Casla Institute.
#Madrid. Annual meeting #YouthCASLA @caslainstitute 4 days of learning in democratic values and human rights with our Latin American Youth. They are the future and hope! pic.twitter.com/ON04Cl1PgD
— Tamara Suju (@TAMARA_SUJU) June 4, 2022
The Casla Youth Debates
The participants discussed the importance of individual freedom, led by the Spanish businesswoman and politician Rocío Monasterio; also on the lessons of the Spanish transition, with Ramón Tamames; for his part, Miguel Henrique Otero, editor-in-chief of the newspaper The National, spoke of the challenge of democracy and the role of youth; Alejo Vidal, a Spanish physicist and politician, and Dionisio García, a former Spanish senator, moved the young people with their stories. They also filled them with hope in the defense of democratic values.
His Excellency Ambassador of the Czech Republic outlined the challenges of the West in the face of the war in Ukraine. Similarly, the Spanish deputy Cayetana Álvarez de Toledo spoke about her book politically undesirable, and the importance of values in politics; Hermann Tertsch MEP on the European Parliament’s relationship with Latin America; and Yunior García, who recounted his experiences in Cuba and his journey towards freedom. Finally, he discussed transparency and open government with Mercedes de Freitas, director of Transparencia Venezuela. While Joseph Humires on hemispheric security, the consequences of the presence of Russia and Iran in Latin America and the war in Ukraine.
youth for freedom
For the young people, the training given by the president of the Casla Institute, Fredo Arias King, was a way to remember the history of the world without neglecting the fun. The classes of the Sovietologist and specialist in transitions made us understand the importance of the role of politicians with values in post-communist Europe.
Finally, Tamara Suju, director of the institute, is clear that the meeting is a way to promote freedom not only in the region but throughout the world. “The meetings with the youth of the Casla Institute are a fundamental part of our work to promote freedom in Latin America,” she said.
“It serves as a center for discussion and debate on the ideas of freedom and a platform for new leaders in different areas of knowledge. This year it has been the largest group and with the most nationalities which makes this meeting even more special”, he added.
The Casla Institute highlighted that they are already preparing for the next Casla Youth meeting, which they hope will have leadership and presentations of the same level as they have done during all these years.
