Dear Collegues, Fellow-activists and Friends.

One more year is ending as we define it. Also, my mandate as President of the LSU has come to an end and I would like to take the opportunity to thank you.

LSU has, during my time in office, expanded a great deal. In LSU we define our mission as strengthening the young civil society in Sweden and around the world and we have adjusted our political programme to use the declaration of the human rights as a catapult for our advocacy. I am proud of what we have achieved the last couple of years and it is with warm heart that I leave the LSU. Hanna Hallin, my successor has a background in the Red Cross Youth and have been responsible for LSU’s advocacy on a global level the last year. Together with Secretary General Richard Bengtsson, our board and professional staff, she is well equipped to enter and bring LSU and our issues to an even higher level.

Today mankind is facing serious environmental and social problems. Billions of people live in extreme poverty, and at the same time the economic welfare is increasing for others. Natural resources are depleted, HIV/AIDS is spreading rapidly and human rights are being violated. In order to bring about justice and sustainable development, there is a need of a global cooperation concerning economic, democratic, environmental and social issues. In addition to young people’s intellectual contribution and our ability to mobilize support, young women and men have a unique perspective. To a high extent, the progress of our societies depends on how much young people are let to be part of building and designing the future. I strongly believe that youth organisations have an important, and necessary, role within this context. During the last year eg the World development report deals with youth perspectives on poverty and Cambodian government has, for the first time ever, drafted a national youth policy. I am proud of all the work that we have done together with our partner organisations all over the world and in Tackling Poverty Together, a project aiming at bringing in the voice of the young in the Poverty Reduction Strategy Papers.

Thank you for the all the effort you put in and the change you bring about. I promise to be dedicated to the issues also in the future. My strength and heart will be put into fighting the existing unjustices.

Through my work in youth organisations and in LSU I have gained beautiful friendships. Thank you for the new perspectives you have made clear for me. Thank you for the coffee breaks, the brainstorms, the out-late nights and the drop-dead boring meetings. I have grown tremendously during my time spent with you all.


Regards,

Åsa Bjering,
former President of LSU

my ideas will now come through on this blog *smile*