Venstres Ungdom

Infobox Political youth organization
name_english = Venstres Ungdom

chairperson = Thomas Banke
colorcode = Blue
foundation = 1908
headquarters = Nørre Voldgade 82, 4.
1358 København K
ideology = Classical liberalism
international = International Federation of Liberal & Radical Youth (IFLRY)
regional1_type = European
regional1_name = European Liberal Youth (LYMEC)
regional2_type = Nordic
regional2_name = Nordic Liberal and Radical Youth (NLRU)
student = Liberal Students of Denmark
mother_party = Venstre
website = [http://www.vu.dk/ www.vu.dk]

Venstres Ungdom ["The organisation's name is officially not translated into any other language. Similar rules apply for the name of the mother party Venstre. In Danish, Venstres Ungdom is usually referred to simply as "VU"."] (literally: "Youth of the Left") is the youth wing of the Danish Liberal Party Venstre. The ideology of Venstre is centre-right. Venstres Ungdom is, in most matters, placed slightly further-right supporting such concepts as free migration and a completely secular state (the Evangelical-Lutheran Church is an integrated part of the Danish state).

History

The first branch of Venstres Ungdom was founded in Kolding in 1908, and the nation-wide organization was established in 1912. This makes the youth wing older than the mother party, Venstre, which was established in its current form in 1910.

When Venstres Ungdom was founded, Denmark had a bicameral parliament, and suffrage to one of the houses ("Landstinget") was reserved for men no younger than 35. Consequently, Venstres Ungdom was intended as an organization for Liberals younger than 35. When turning 35, a member became entitled to transfer his membership to the "real" political party Venstre. When "Landstinget" was abolished in 1953 this distinction became irrelevant, and members are now free to choose if they wish to belong to Venstres Ungdom, Venstre or both organizations. Most members transfer their membership from Venstres Ungdom to Venstre when they approach the age of 30.

Venstres Ungdom today

Venstres Ungdom is one of the largest political youth organization in Denmark. As of 31 December 2006, it had 1,755 members. Members play a major role in the election campaigns of Venstre. Other activities include organizing seminars and debates. The nation-wide organization has a committee corresponding to each cabinet department headed by a Venstre politician. These committees hold regular meetings with the relevant cabinet ministers. A VU spokesman is elected to represent the organization for each major area. As of January 2006, the number of spokesmen is fourteen.

Current leaders of Venstres Ungdom (since 14 July 2007)

* Chairman: Thomas Banke, Fredericia
* Deputy Chairman: Mette Bode, Køge

The Chairman and Deputy Chairman are elected by the annual National Congress ("Landsstævnet") along with seven other members to the National Committee. The Treasurer is appointed by the National Committee. The National Congress is held in late June or early July.

Organization

Important characteristics of Venstres Ungdom include
* Decisions made by Venstre are not binding for Venstres Ungdom (and vice-versa).
* Venstres Ungdom is, legally speaking, completely independent and not a mere branch of Venstre.
* The national organization has no control or ownership over its local branches. The most important part of the organization is the local branches. Each branch is represented by two members in the County branch, and each County branch sends one representative to the National Committee ("Landsstyrelsen"). The county deputies account for more than two thirds of the members of the National Committee. The remaining nine members, including both Chairman and Deputy Chairman, are elected by the annual National Congress. It is an important aspect of VU ideology, that the national organization is organized "bottom-up". All offices are elected with a term of office of one year. [http://www.vu.dk/type.php?type=20]

The combination of these characteristics makes Venstres Ungdom unique among the Danish political youth organizations.

The organization of the more recent Youth of the Socialist Peoples Party and Socialist Youth Front shows some similarities to the VU organization.

A reform of the organization's structure will be implemented effective the 2008 convention abolishing the county branches.

Prominent (former) members of Venstres Ungdom

* Anders Fogh Rasmussen (Chairman 1974-1976). Prime Minister of Denmark since 2001.
*Aage L.H. Elmquist (Chairman 1915-1917, VU's second Chairman and first Deputy Chairman). Justice Minister from 1945 to 1947.
* Lars Løkke Rasmussen (Chairman 1986-1988). Interior Minister and Health Minister since 2001.
* Kresten Philipsen (Deputy Chairman 1970). County Mayor of South Jutland County from 1982 to 2000.
* Carl Holst (Chairman 1993-1995). First Chairman of Region Syddanmark (2007-). He served as County Mayor of South Jutland County 2000-2006.
* Kristian Jensen (Chairman 1995-1997). Member of Parliament since 2001. Tax Minister since 2004.
* Troels Lund Poulsen (Chairman 1997-1999). Member of Parliament since 2001. Spokesman on foreign policy 2001-2006. As of 2006, political affairs spokesman for "Venstre".
* Peter Christensen (Chairman 1999-2001). Member of Parliament since 2001. Spokesman on finances for "Venstre".
* Torsten Schack Pedersen (Chairman 2001-2003). Member of Parliament since 2005. Spokesman on science for "Venstre".
* Claus Horsted (Chairman 2003-2005).
* Karsten Lauritzen (Chairman 2005-2007). Currently standing for Parliament in Hjørring constituency.
* Ellen Trane Nørby (former member of the National Committee). Member of Parliament since 2005. Spokeswoman on culture for "Venstre".
* Anders Basbøll (former member of the National Committee). Currently standing for Parliament in Odense East constituency.
* Bo Libergren (Treasurer 1990-1992 and 1993-1995). Member of the Region Council of Region Syddanmark (2007-). Chairman of the Prevention and Health Committee in Funen County (2002-2006).
* Lars Christian Lilleholt (Deputy Chairman 1985-1987). Member of Parliament since 2001. Spokesman on energy and relations with Greenland for "Venstre".

Trivia

A traditional way of recognizing a resigning member's work for the organisation is by electing the person in question to the office of second deputy auditor ( _da. anden revisorsuppleant). This election takes place on all levels of the organization as part of the annual general meeting, along with the more serious elections of two auditors and a (first) deputy auditor. Unlike the first three mentioned, the second deputy auditor is a purely honorary title.

This tradition dates from the founding of the first VU branch in Kolding in 1908, when the newly elected second deputy auditor was informed by his high school principal that if he did not relinquish this new office immediately, he would be expelled from his school since it would be futile to attempt combining academic pursuits with a political career. Since the student's office carried virtually no obligations, VU history records this as the first clear case of harassment against the organization. Since then the unfortunate student's title has been used for honorary purposes.

Literature

* Holst, Carl (1996), "Drevet af ideen - historier om Venstres Ungdom." Copenhagen : Breidablik.
* Madsen, Jens Løgstrup (1983), "Den moderne liberalisme - rødder og perspektiver." Copenhagen : Breidablik.

Notes

External links

* [http://www.vu.dk VU website]
* [http://www.nejtilovervaagning.dk/ No to More Surveillance] . A joint Venstres Ungdom / Radikal Ungdom campaign.