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The 29th annual conference of the l'Union Démocratique Bretonne/ Unvaniezh Demokratel Breizh (UDB) took place last weekend (8th and 9th November 2008) in the Breton town of Plevin.
During the conference a large number of resolutions were passed on topics as diverse as the current economic crisis, Breton language and culture, young people, the Internet and European elections. In addition, a number of speakers from outside of the party addressed the conference, including the League's General Secretary (GS).
The GS was invited by the Jeunes of UDB (youth of UDB) to speak about the work in the European Free Alliance youth (EFAy), a European youth organization, and Mebyon Kernow – the Party for Cornwall. Other speakers, included Mr. François Alfonsi, of U Partitu di a Nazione Corsa (PNC), the nationalist political party of Corsica and Alain Retière, the United Nations Director of the new CLIMSAT centre in Brest.
Mr Alfonsi, spoke about his own party, preparations for the European elections next year and the work of the Régions et Peuples Solidaires, for which he is the Treasurer. The RPS is a federation of nationalist and regionalist political parties from the French state that work together to promote common interests and debate issues of common concern. Mr Retière in turn spoke about the work of CLIMSAT and the importance of its location in Brittany as a centre of satellite services in the fight against climate change.
The GS spoke about the importance of young nationalist people engaging fully in the European debate in order to be able to influence the EU of the future and the struggle for greater political freedom by other peoples across Europe, including those in the other Celtic countries.
Reporting to the Celtic League after the Conference, the GS said:
"Whenever I come to Breizh I am always surprised at the number of people who tell me they have lived for some time in one of the other Celtic countries, especially in Cymru. Breton people are very interested and well informed about what's happening with regard to the linguistic and political situation in Cymru and find a great deal of inspiration from it.
On the other hand, very little was known by delegates about the political and linguistic situation in Kernow. Despite advances in multi media and telecommunications, a number of people informed me that they were more up to date with developments in Kernow during the 1970's and 80's. Delegates were however greatly interested by the Fighting Fund campaign to recognise the Cornish under the Framework for the Protection on Framework Convention for the Protection of National Minorities, because it is an issue they have been fighting for over a number of years."
The GS went on to say that in typical Breton fashion, the two day conference was interspersed with a large dose of singing and dancing, but was also impressed by how hard delegates worked over the two days, with meetings starting at 0800 and finishing at midnight.
The UDB has grown in number and support over the last few years and now enjoys membership that is over 1000 people strong. Especially important, the youth branch of the party has become noticeably active and are highly visible in all UDB related events. In the 2004 regional elections 83 councillors were elected, including three members of the Conseil régional de Bretagne/Breton Regional Council, which was the first time the Party has taken any seats here. Christian Guyonvarc'h, UDB elected member, was later appointed to the post of Vice-President of the Conseil régional de Bretagne. During the conference, tribute was paid to the hard work that the Regional Councillors have undertaken since their election.
Links:
UDB :
Jeunes of UDB (youth of UDB):
Video of the UDB Conference 2008 (in French):
Régions et Peuples Solidaires
J B Moffatt Director of Information Celtic League 12/11/08
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