History of WFDYS

Ever since the WFD was established in 1951, there were activities for Deaf youth. But since 1995 where WFDYS officially were established, the level of activities has increased.

2006

— 1st Children Camp, Castberggård – Denmark

2005

— 3rd Junior Youth Camp, Leksand – Sweden

2003

— 3rd Youth Camp, Val Morin – Canada. 90 participants from 30 countries. At the WFD World Congress in Montreal, the 3rd Youth Assembly was held. WFDYS increased from having 5 members into 7 members. With election of 7 new members of WFDYS Team:

President Vivien Batory, Denmark
Vice–President Juan Angel De Gouveia, Venezuela
General secretary Therese Rollven, Sweden
Tresaure Juliette Dalle, France
Patrick Lazure, Canada
Alda Padeiro, Portugal
Victoria Skorikova, New Zealand

At the YA, delegates from 25 countries approved the first official Internal Rules of WFDYS.

2001

2nd Junior Youth Camp, Lisbon – Portugal. 86 participated from 14 countries.

1999

— 2nd WFD Youth Camp, Brisbane – Australia. At the WFD World Congress, a Youth Forum was held with delegates from 17 countries. A new WFDYS elected with 5 members:

President: Joe Murray, USA
Vice–President: Jolanta Lapiak, Canada
Stephen Nicholson, Australia
Liya Yidhego, USA/Ethiopia
Vivien Batory, Denmark

1997

— For the first time ever, a WFD Junior Youth Camp was held in Ireland. Around 70 participants of 13–17 years old.

1995

— For the First time ever, a WFD Youth Camp was held, prior the WFD World Congress in Austria. 97 participants from 23 countries.

During the WFD Congress the first formal WFDYS Youth Forum was held, delegates from 21 countries participated. The Youth Forum was held outside, all sitting on the lawn.

5 Members elected to the Youth Section:

President Nina Sivunen, Finland
Vice–President Joe Murray, USA
Antonio Martinez, Spain
Maurizio Guiranna, Italy
Darlene Thornton, Australia

1991

— WFD World Congress in Japan, a WFD Youth Group established. A new Team WFDYS was elected to the Youth Section:

President Jussi Pekka Hannikianen, Finland
Vice president Maurizio Giuranna, Italy
General secretary Daniella Olympia E.Josberg, Sweden
Asian/Pacific Represenative Hye Moon, Korea

1987

— Gathering of Deaf Youth in WFD World Congress, Finland. A working group was established.

WFDYS

— The first reaction among most Deaf Youth when they see the word WFDYS would be "Camps" — this is a very natural reaction since WFDYS have 3 different camps as our major actions. The camps are: Children's Camps, Junior Youth Camps and finally Youth Camps. The Youth Camp will take place right before the WFD World Congress.

Who We Are

WFDYS have 7 members:

–President: Vivien Batory, Denmark
–Vice–President: Juan Angel De Gouveia, Venezuela
–Secretary: Therese Rollven, Sweden
–Treasurer: Juliette Dalle, France
–Member: Alda Padeiro, Portugal
–Member: Patrick Lazure, Canada

Why WFDYS?

WFDYS focuses on Deaf Youth around the World, in accordance with WFDs philosophy. Camps are of a great importance; here there will be possibility of cultural exchanges, gatherings and so forth.