About The Armenian Youth Federation
The Armenian Youth Federation (AYF), founded in 1933 in the United States, serves as the youth organisation of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF).Today, the organisation’s goals have remained the same as when the AYF was first founded by Karekin Njdeh:
- The establishment of a Free, Independent, and United Armenia.
- Armenia must be a democratic and socialist independent republic.
- The Armenian people, including its dispersed masses, must assemble on the territory of Independent Armenia.
- The still unpunished crime of the Genocide against the Armenian people must be condemned and redressed by the return of the occupied territories and by the just reparation for losses to the Armenian people.
- The basic laws of the Republic of Armenia shall be decided by the constitutional assembly of Armenia elected on the basis of universal, equal, direct, secret, and proportional representation.
During his 1978 visit to Australia, ARF Bureau Member from Lebanon Papken Papazian encouraged and put the foundations in place for an AYF group to be established.
The ARF ‘Tro’ Committee immediately went to work and chose a five-member AYF Central Executive. This body’s duty was to establish chapters within Australia, to create regional elections for Executives, to put into effect internal rules and regulations and to organise educational seminars.
Three chapters were established; Northern Sydney - Willoughby, Western Sydney - Fairfield and Melbourne. Within the first six months, the Armenian Youth Federation of Australia had over 160 members, with the Northern Sydney chapter hosting the majority - approximately 120 members, while Western Sydney and Melbourne had close to 20 members each.
30 years later, the AYF in Australia is now as active as ever, represented by the 'Nigol Touman' Chapter of Willoughby and consists of 40 members.
AYF meetings are held every fortnight at the Armenian Cultural Centre in Willoughby, during which announcements are made, forum discussions on world news takes place, educational topics are presented, and members separate into their committees for work.
AYF Australia has four working committees under the AYF Executive; Social/Fundraising, Public Affairs, Educational and Badani, whose members are those in charge of the AYF Juniors.
The AYF 'Kaleh' Juniors (Badani) is an active group of over 50 members under the age of 16. They meet every week at the Armenian Cultural Centre in a social and educational Armenian environment.
Stable foundations, dedication of members and the support of the Armenian community throughout the years have contributed to the continual development and success of the AYF in Australia, such that over 30 years on, the organisation celebrates its achievements and continues to work for the Armenian Cause and realisation of its goals.
