The International Young Democrat Union (IYDU) is a global alliance of center-right political youth organizations and the youth wing of the International Democracy Union.
The IYDU in its current form was founded in March 1991 in Washington, D.C. A previous organization of the same name had been established in July 1981, also in Washington, but subsequently ceased to exist.
The IYDU fights for conservative and free-market policies worldwide.
IYDU host a number of events for member organisations each year including a Freedom Forum (mid-year), an annual Council Meeting, and overseas study visits.
Following almost 6 years of the IYDU being split over differences in the interpretation of the IYDU constitution, the International Young Democrat Union Joint Council Meeting elected an unified IYDU Board in Brussels on 21 October 2017.
Contents
Principles
Per the IYDU, it was first established in 1981 and "is a global alliance of center-right political youth organizations united by a common desire for greater freedom and less government. "It claims that members have become cabinet ministers, members of parliament, senior advisers and leaders within their respective industries in public and private sectors."
Parent organisation
The parent organization to IYDU, the International Democracy Union (IDU), is a working association of 71 full and associate members from 63 different countries. Formed in 1983, founder members included Britain's Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher; US Vice-President George H. W. Bush; Mayor of Paris, and later French President, Jacques Chirac; and German Chancellor Helmut Kohl.
Board 2025
Source:
Chair:
Austria // Eva Dohalova
Deputy Chair:
Nepal // Hikmat Jung Karki
Secretary General:
Greece // Orestis Trasanidis
Deputy Secretary General:
United States // Andrea Catsimatidis
Treasurer:
Australia // Angus Webber
Vice Chairs:
Belgium // Thomas Belligh
Morocco // Marwa El Ansari
St. Vincent and the Grenadines // Nick Francis
France // Théophile de Muizon
Ukraine // Dinara Habibullaieva
Ghana // Isaac Jay Hyde
Brazil // Daniel Kennedy
Italy // Roberto Pellizzaro
United Kingdom // Harriet Cross MP
Finland // Jere Tuononen
Germany // Charlotte Warken-Luxenburger
Members
Current IYDU members are (as of August 3, 2025):
Africa // Young Democrat Union of Africa
Albania // Youth Forum of the Democratic Party of Albania
Anguilla // One Anguilla Youth
Argentina // Young PRO
Armenia // Young Republicans of Armenia
Australia // Australian Liberal Students Federation; Young Liberals; Young Nationals
Austria // Young People's Party
Azerbaijan // Azerbaijan National Independence Party Youth
Belgium // Jong CD&V, Jong N-VA
Belize // United Democratic Party Youth (Youth Popular Front)
Bolivia // Juventud Demócratas
Bosnia and Herzegovina // Mladež Hrvatska Demokratska Zajednica Bosne i Hercegovine; Youth Association of SDA
Brazil // Young Republicans
Bulgaria // Youth Union of Democratic Forces; MGERB
Caribbean // Caribbean Young Democrat Union
Chile // National Renewal Youth; New Generations of Independent Democratic Union
Colombia // New Generations of Conservative Party