groups from 15 countries will organise the 14th youth camp in solidarity with the Fourth International.
This year's camp focuses on the European integration process governed by the Maastricht and Schengen accords. The development of the "bosses' and cops' Europe" involves the looting of the public sector, privatisation of universities, attacks on women's rights, restricting entry across Europe's external frontiers, massive waves of redundancies, and the replacement of full time jobs with part time and short term contracts.
This camp is an occasion to share our experiences of these struggles, to co-ordinate our activities, and to come together in opposition to the bosses and cops Europe of Maastricht and Schengen.
This camp is about preparing the social and political movements which are the only way to impose another kind of Europe: open, social, ecological and democratic.
For most of the organising groups, European capitalist integration is an important theme.
"Belgium is in the centre of Europe," says Ataulfo Riera of the Belgian Young Socialist Guard (JGS/SJW). "Most of the EU institutions are based in Brussels. The country is also a cross-roads for European struggles. Protests against the closure of the RenaultVilvorde plant has demonstrated the need for another Europe, an alternative to that proposed by the European bourgeoisie."
"The Italian government is using European integration and the Maastricht convergence criteria to justify a series of neo-liberal and austerity measures, which are destroying the social security system, and worsening living and working conditions," says Angelica Lepori, a member of the Bandiera Rossa current in Italy's Communist native to the EU."
According to Christine, a 19 year-old SAP member and high school student, "the politicians say that the EU is necessary for social progress. As far as I can see, it brings about the opposite. The situation for women has worsened in many countries.
"Abortion rights are under attack, and our position on the labour market is in danger. I think it is necessary to work together in Europe, but without the European Union."
Portugal's Revolutionary Socialist Party (PSR) is also campaigning on Maastricht, and the need for a referendum on a common currency. But as Sergio Vitorino admits, "many young people, including those who join the PSR, are indifferent to this theme.
"They are neither informed nor aware of the effects that this new Europe will have on the lives of Portuguese and European workers, on immigrants here in Portugal, or even on their own lives."
Nevertheless, "participation in the Fourth International camp is very important for the formation of an internationalist consciousness among younger militants"
Whatever the difficulties in campaigning on European themes, the choice of focus for this 14th Fourth International youth camp is unlikely to deter prospective participants.
"Participation in the camp would be a central priority for us, whatever the theme," stresses Ataulfo Riera of Belgium's SJW/JGS.
"It is a unique chance to live a week of political debate in the company of young militants from all corners of Europe and the world, in a self-managed, alternative context."
Vive la revolution! The youth camp is a real breath of fresh air. Along with the debates and discussions come nightly discos, revolutionary beer, and good times.