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Workers' Youth League (Norway)
Encyclopedia
The Workers' Youth League is Norways biggest political youth organization, and is affiliated with the Norwegian Labour Party.
AUF took its current form in April 1927, following the merger of Left Communist Youth League
and Socialist Youth League of Norway
corresponding with the merger of its mother parties, but considers the formation of the predecessor, the 1903 Norwegian Social-Democratic Youth League as the date of its founding. Its ideology is social democracy
and democratic socialism
.
Many former leaders of AUF have later become significant figures in Norway's political life, e.g. Jens Stoltenberg
.
Its current leader is Eskil Pedersen
.
Its central office is situated at the historical seat of the Norwegian labour movement, Youngstorget
in Oslo
, in the Peoples' Theatre building
. At the main office the elected leadership work together with different political advisors with national campaigns, organisation and political issues. It is co-located with the offices of the Oslo
and Akershus
county wards.
The National Congress assembles every second year, and is the supreme body of the Workers' Youth League. The Congress will also elect the party leadership, consisting of a leader, a deputy leader and a secretary general. These three together with 14 other elected members constitutes the Executive Board. On a day-to-day basis AUF is governed by the Executive Board. The highest body between the Congress is the National Delegate's Board, consisting of two representatives from each of the 19 counties and is observed by the Executive Board.
The party magazine is Praksis
, with roots back to 1923.
(IUSY) and the Joint Committee of the Nordic Labour Youth Movement (FNSU). AUF is also an observing member of the Young European Socialists (ECOSY).
on AUF's island (Utøya
) on the Tyrifjorden
lake
. was the scene of a massacre carried out by a right-wing
terrorist
dressed up as a police officer. He shot and killed at least 69 people, most of whom were members of AUF, and wounded several others.
Deputy leaders
AUF took its current form in April 1927, following the merger of Left Communist Youth League
Left Communist Youth League
Left Communist Youth League was the youth organization of the Norwegian Labour Party from 1923-1927. VKU published Den røde ungdom...
and Socialist Youth League of Norway
Socialist Youth League of Norway
Socialist Youth League of Norway , initially founded as the Social Democratic Youth League of Norway , was the youth wing of the Social Democratic Labour Party of Norway...
corresponding with the merger of its mother parties, but considers the formation of the predecessor, the 1903 Norwegian Social-Democratic Youth League as the date of its founding. Its ideology is social democracy
Social democracy
Social democracy is a political ideology of the center-left on the political spectrum. Social democracy is officially a form of evolutionary reformist socialism. It supports class collaboration as the course to achieve socialism...
and democratic socialism
Democratic socialism
Democratic socialism is a description used by various socialist movements and organizations to emphasize the democratic character of their political orientation...
.
Many former leaders of AUF have later become significant figures in Norway's political life, e.g. Jens Stoltenberg
Jens Stoltenberg
is a Norwegian politician, leader of the Norwegian Labour Party and the current Prime Minister of Norway. Having assumed office on 17 October 2005, Stoltenberg previously served as Prime Minister from 2000 to 2001....
.
Its current leader is Eskil Pedersen
Eskil Pedersen
Eskil Pedersen is a Norwegian politician and leader of the Workers' Youth League , the youth organisation associated with Norway's leading Labour Party....
.
Organisational structure
AUF employs county secretaries in all 19 counties in Norway.Its central office is situated at the historical seat of the Norwegian labour movement, Youngstorget
Youngstorget
Youngstorget is a square and marketplace in Oslo, Norway.It is located on the street Torggata, between Storgata and Møllergata. The square was traditionally used as a market place for trade with agricultural produce. It is named for merchant Jørgen Young . It was named Nytorvet in 1852, which was...
in Oslo
Oslo
Oslo is a municipality, as well as the capital and most populous city in Norway. As a municipality , it was established on 1 January 1838. Founded around 1048 by King Harald III of Norway, the city was largely destroyed by fire in 1624. The city was moved under the reign of Denmark–Norway's King...
, in the Peoples' Theatre building
Folketeatret
Folketeatret is a theatre in Oslo, Norway. The building has existed longer than the theatre, and been used as a movie theatre and opera house....
. At the main office the elected leadership work together with different political advisors with national campaigns, organisation and political issues. It is co-located with the offices of the Oslo
Oslo
Oslo is a municipality, as well as the capital and most populous city in Norway. As a municipality , it was established on 1 January 1838. Founded around 1048 by King Harald III of Norway, the city was largely destroyed by fire in 1624. The city was moved under the reign of Denmark–Norway's King...
and Akershus
Akershus
- Geography :The county is conventionally divided into the traditional districts Follo and Romerike, which fill the vast part of the county, as well as the small exclave west of Oslo that consists of Asker and Bærum...
county wards.
The National Congress assembles every second year, and is the supreme body of the Workers' Youth League. The Congress will also elect the party leadership, consisting of a leader, a deputy leader and a secretary general. These three together with 14 other elected members constitutes the Executive Board. On a day-to-day basis AUF is governed by the Executive Board. The highest body between the Congress is the National Delegate's Board, consisting of two representatives from each of the 19 counties and is observed by the Executive Board.
The party magazine is Praksis
Praksis (magazine)
Praksis is a Norwegian magazine, published by the Workers Youth League.It was started on 15 November 1923 as Den Røde Ungdom by members of the Labour Party who had lost control of the Young Communist League of Norway and its newspaper Klassekampen. Thus Den Røde Ungdom was the official organ of...
, with roots back to 1923.
International affiliations
The organization is a full member of the International Union of Socialist YouthInternational Union of Socialist Youth
The International Union of Socialist Youth encompasses socialist, social democratic and Labour Party youth organizations from more than 100 states of the world...
(IUSY) and the Joint Committee of the Nordic Labour Youth Movement (FNSU). AUF is also an observing member of the Young European Socialists (ECOSY).
2011 Utøya shooting
On 22 July 2011 a campCamp
-Outdoor accommodation and recreation:* Campsite or campground, a recreational outdoor sleeping and eating site* Summer camp, typically organized for groups of children or youth* A term used in New England, Northern Ontario and New Brunswick to describe a cottage...
on AUF's island (Utøya
Utøya
Utøya is a small island in the Tyrifjorden lake in Hole municipality, in the county of Buskerud, Norway. The island is , situated off the shore, by the E16 road, driving distance north-west of Oslo city centre.-Overview:...
) on the Tyrifjorden
Tyrifjorden
Tyrifjorden is Norway's fifth largest lake with an area of 137 km2. It has a volume of 13 km3, is 295 meters deep at its deepest, and lies 63 meters above sea level...
lake
Lake
A lake is a body of relatively still fresh or salt water of considerable size, localized in a basin, that is surrounded by land. Lakes are inland and not part of the ocean and therefore are distinct from lagoons, and are larger and deeper than ponds. Lakes can be contrasted with rivers or streams,...
. was the scene of a massacre carried out by a right-wing
Anders Behring Breivik
Anders Behring Breivik is a Norwegian terrorist, paranoid schizophrenic and the confessed perpetrator of the Norway attacks on 22 July 2011: the bombing of government buildings in Oslo that resulted in eight deaths, and the mass shooting at a camp of the Workers' Youth League of the Labour Party...
terrorist
Right-wing terrorism
Right-wing terrorism draws its inspiration from a variety of ideologies and beliefs, including neo-fascism, neo-Nazism, racism, opposition to foreigners and immigration, and religion. Incidents of this type of terrorism have been widespread, but often lack international cooperation...
dressed up as a police officer. He shot and killed at least 69 people, most of whom were members of AUF, and wounded several others.
Leaders and deputy leaders
Leaders- 2010–present : Eskil PedersenEskil PedersenEskil Pedersen is a Norwegian politician and leader of the Workers' Youth League , the youth organisation associated with Norway's leading Labour Party....
- 2006–2010 : Martin HenriksenMartin HenriksenMartin Henriksen is a Norwegian politician.He was born in Trondheim and grew up in Harstad. From 2006 to 2010 he chaired the Workers' Youth League. He serves as a deputy representative to the Parliament of Norway from Troms during the term 2009–2013...
- 2002–2006 : Gry LarsenGry LarsenGry Larsen is a Norwegian politician for the Labour Party.From 2002 to 2006 she was the leader of the Workers' Youth League, the youth wing of the Labour Party....
- 2000–2002 : Eva Kristin HansenEva Kristin HansenEva Kristin Hansen is a Norwegian politician for the Labour Party.From 2000 to 2002, she was the leader of the Workers' Youth League, the youth wing of the Labour Party....
- 1996–2000 : Anniken HuitfeldtAnniken HuitfeldtAnniken Scharning Huitfeldt is a Norwegian politician representing the Norwegian Labour Party. She currently serves as the Norwegian Minister of Culture in the Second cabinet Stoltenberg.-Life:...
- 1992–1996 : Trond GiskeTrond GiskeTrond Giske is a Norwegian politician and the current Minister of Trade and Industry representing the Norwegian Labour Party in the government headed by Jens Stoltenberg....
- 1989–1992 : Turid BirkelandTurid BirkelandTurid Birkeland is a Norwegian politician for the Labour Party. She was Minister of Culture 1996-1997. Today she is festival manager for the Risør Chamber Music Festival, and since June 2006 she has also been running Café Solsiden in the same town. She has also worked in television, hosting...
- 1985–1989 : Jens StoltenbergJens Stoltenbergis a Norwegian politician, leader of the Norwegian Labour Party and the current Prime Minister of Norway. Having assumed office on 17 October 2005, Stoltenberg previously served as Prime Minister from 2000 to 2001....
- 1981–1985 : Egil Knudsen
- 1977–1981 : Thorbjørn JaglandThorbjørn Jaglandis a Norwegian politician for the Labour Party, currently serving as the Secretary-General of the Council of Europe...
- 1975–1977 : Sissel RønbeckSissel RønbeckSissel Marie Rønbeck is a Norwegian politician for the Labour Party. She was Minister of Administration and Consumer Affairs 1979-1981, Minister of Environmental Affairs 1986-1989, and Minister of Transport and Communications 1996-1997. Between 1981 and 1993 she was a parliamentary representative...
- 1973–1975 : Rune GerhardsenRune GerhardsenRune Gerhardsen is a Norwegian politician, representing the Norwegian Labour Party. He is son of Einar Gerhardsen.He chaired the Norwegian Skating Association from 1986 to 1990 and 2001 to 2003.-References:...
- 1971–1973 : Bjørn Tore GodalBjørn Tore GodalBjørn Tore Godal is a Norwegian politician for the Labour Party. He was Minister of Foreign Affairs 1991-1994, as well as acting Minister of Foreign Affairs 1993-1994. He was then Minister of Foreign Affairs 1994-1996 and 1996-1997, and Minister of Defense 2000-2001 in the first cabinet Stoltenberg...
- 1969–1971 : Hans RaastadHans RaastadHans Raastad was a leader of the Workers' Youth League in Norway from 1969 - 1971. He succeeded Ola Teigen.-References:...
- 1964–1969 : Ola TeigenOla TeigenOla Teigen was a Norwegian politician for the Labour Party.He was born in Ankenes.He served as a deputy representative to the Norwegian Parliament from Nordland during the term 1965–1969...
- 1961–1964 : Reiulf SteenReiulf SteenReiulf Steen is a Norwegian politician for the Norwegian Labour Party. He was active in the Norwegian Labour Party from 1958 to 1990, serving as deputy party chairman from 1965 to 1975 and chairman from 1975 to 1981....
- 1958–1961 : Bjartmar GjerdeBjartmar GjerdeBjartmar Alv Gjerde was a Norwegian politician for the Labour Party. He held several posts as a government minister between 1971 and 1980, and was Norway's first Minister of Petroleum and Energy...
- 1955–1958 : Reidar HirstiReidar HirstiReidar Andreas Hirsti was a Norwegian newspaper editor and politician for the Labour Party.He was born in Tana, and his first language was Sami. During his childhood he experienced Norwegianization as well as the brutal scorched earth retreat by Nazi German occupants in 1944. He finished his...
- 1952–1955 : Ivar Mathiesen
- 1949–1952 : Frank Andersen (AUF)
- 1946–1949 : Rolf Åkervik
- 1945–1946 : Trygve BratteliTrygve Bratteliwas a Norwegian politician from the Labour Party and Prime Minister of Norway in 1971–1972 and 1973–1976.-Early life and career:...
(acting) - 1934–1945 : Gunnar SandGunnar SandGunnar Sand was a Norwegian politician for the Labour Party.He was organized in the Norwegian Union of Postmen, and joined the Labour Party in 1925...
(partly in exile) - 1931–1934 : Kåre Hansen
- 1927–1931 : Hjalmar Dyrendahl
Deputy leaders
- 2010–present : Åsmund Grøver Aukrust
- 20xx–2010 : Eskil PedersenEskil PedersenEskil Pedersen is a Norwegian politician and leader of the Workers' Youth League , the youth organisation associated with Norway's leading Labour Party....
- 2002–2004 : Eirik Øwre Thorshaug
- 2000–2002 : Gry LarsenGry LarsenGry Larsen is a Norwegian politician for the Labour Party.From 2002 to 2006 she was the leader of the Workers' Youth League, the youth wing of the Labour Party....
- 1996–2000 : Jo Stein Moen
- 1994–1996 : Anniken HuitfeldtAnniken HuitfeldtAnniken Scharning Huitfeldt is a Norwegian politician representing the Norwegian Labour Party. She currently serves as the Norwegian Minister of Culture in the Second cabinet Stoltenberg.-Life:...
- 1992–1994 : Beret Bråten
- 1989–1992 : Geir AxelsenGeir AxelsenGeir Axelsen is a Norwegian civil servant and politician for the Norwegian Labour Party.-Early life:Born in Oslo, he has a cand.oecon...
- 1987–1989 : Turid BirkelandTurid BirkelandTurid Birkeland is a Norwegian politician for the Labour Party. She was Minister of Culture 1996-1997. Today she is festival manager for the Risør Chamber Music Festival, and since June 2006 she has also been running Café Solsiden in the same town. She has also worked in television, hosting...
- 1985–1987 : Grete BergetGrete BergetGrete Anni Berget is a Norwegian politician for the Labour Party. She was born in Nord-Fron, Oppland, and worked as a journalist in her early career. Berget was private advisor to the Prime Minister 1990–1991, and Minister of Children and Family Affairs 1991–1996. From 2003 she has...
- 1983–1985 : Jens StoltenbergJens Stoltenbergis a Norwegian politician, leader of the Norwegian Labour Party and the current Prime Minister of Norway. Having assumed office on 17 October 2005, Stoltenberg previously served as Prime Minister from 2000 to 2001....
- 1981–1983 : Norvald Mo
- 1977–1981 : Anne-Lise BakkenAnne-Lise BakkenAnne-Lise Bakken is a Norwegian politician for the Labour Party. She was a member of the Norwegian Parliamentfrom 1977-1989. In 1986 she was appointed Minister of Administration and Consumer Affairs in in the Second Brundtland Government, but was forced to retire due to perceived misconduct in...
- 1975–1977 : Sigbjørn JohnsenSigbjørn JohnsenSigbjørn Johnsen is a Norwegian politician for the Labour Party and the current Norwegian Minister of Finance....
- 1973–1975 : Sissel RønbeckSissel RønbeckSissel Marie Rønbeck is a Norwegian politician for the Labour Party. She was Minister of Administration and Consumer Affairs 1979-1981, Minister of Environmental Affairs 1986-1989, and Minister of Transport and Communications 1996-1997. Between 1981 and 1993 she was a parliamentary representative...
- 1969–1973 : Rolv Lasse Lund
- 1967–1969 : Britt HildengBritt HildengBritt Hildeng is a Norwegian politician for the Labour Party.She was elected to the Norwegian Parliament from Oslo in 1997, and has been re-elected on two occasions....
- 1964–1967 : Kurt MosbakkKurt MosbakkKurt Mosbakk Kurt Mosbakk Kurt Mosbakk (born 21 November 1934 is a Norwegian politician for the Labour Party. He was Minister of Trade and Shipping from 1986 to 1987, when the ministry was closed; he continued as Minister of Trade until 1989....
- 1961–1964 : Sverre Gullikstad
- 1958–1961 : Bjørn SkauBjørn SkauBjørn Skau is a Norwegian politician for the Labour Party.In 1959, during the third cabinet Gerhardsen, he was appointed personal secretary in the Ministry of Social Affairs. He was promoted to state secretary in 1961, but lost the position temporarily in 1963, when the cabinet Lyng held office...
- 1955–1958 : Bjørn Sørensen
- 1952–1955 : Reidar HirstiReidar HirstiReidar Andreas Hirsti was a Norwegian newspaper editor and politician for the Labour Party.He was born in Tana, and his first language was Sami. During his childhood he experienced Norwegianization as well as the brutal scorched earth retreat by Nazi German occupants in 1944. He finished his...
- 1949–1952 : Bjarne AndersenBjarne AndersenBjarne Andersen was a Norwegian actor, stage producer and theatre director.He was born in Stavanger. He worked for Det Norske Teatret from 1944 to 1951. He served as theatre director at Rogaland Teater from 1958 to 1960, and at Den Nationale Scene from 1961 to 1963...
- 1946–1949 : Erling Nordberg
- 1937–1946 : Rakel SeweriinRakel SeweriinRakel Seweriin, née Solberg was a Norwegian politician for the Labour Party. She was the Norwegian Minister of Social Affairs from 1953 to 1955....
(not in exile) - 1934–1937 : Finn MoeFinn MoeFinn Moe was a Norwegian politician for the Labour Party.He was born in Bergen.He was elected to the Norwegian Parliament from Oslo in 1950, and was re-elected on four occasions. He had previously served in the position of deputy representative during the term 1945–1949.-References:...
- 1931–1934 : Per LiePer LiePer Lie was a Norwegian labour activist who was imprisoned and killed during the occupation of Norway by Nazi Germany....
- 1927–1931 : Arne Strøm