Solidaritätsjugend Deutschlands

The Solidaritätsjugend Deutschlands (commonly known as Solijugend or Soli) is the independent youth organisation of the Rad- und Kraftfahrerbund "Solidarität" Deutschland 1896 e.V. (RKB), a German cycling and motorcycling association rooted in the workers' movement. It was founded in August 1954 when more than 100 youth leaders adopted their own guidelines, formally separating the youth wing from the adult association. The organisation is headquartered in Offenbach am Main, where its federal office and youth education centre are located, and it maintains a representation in Berlin. The Solijugend is active in youth sport, youth culture, youth education, youth politics and, above all, international youth work. Its international activities include seminars, workshops, international youth encounters and an international youth camp in Germany. It is a member of the German Federal Youth Council (Deutscher Bundesjugendring) and the Information and Documentation Centre for Anti-Racism Work (IDA). With around 30,000 members across Germany (self-reported for 2006), it is considered a small youth association. The organisation traces its roots to the Arbeiter-Rad- und Kraftfahrerbund "Solidarität" (ARKB), which by 1930 had become the world's largest cycling association. After the Nazi seizure of power in 1933, the ARKB was banned, its assets confiscated, and many functionaries and members were imprisoned or sent to concentration camps. After World War II, former members worked to rebuild the association, leading to the first West German federal congress on 1 July 1949. The youth remained fully integrated into the adult association until 1954, when the Solijugend was established as an independent youth organisation. Today the Solijugend continues to enrich association life and society through its commitment to youth education, culture, politics, sport and international understanding. It offers a wide range of activities open to members and interested individuals of all ages, including seminars, workshops, international youth exchanges and the International Youth Camp in Germany.

The history of the Solidaritätsjugend Deutschlands is closely tied to that of its parent organisation, the Arbeiter-Rad- und Kraftfahrerbund "Solidarität" (ARKB), later known as the Rad- und Kraftfahrerbund "Solidarität" (RKB). By 1930, the ARKB had become the largest cycling association in the world. However, after the Nazi seizure of power in 1933, the ARKB was banned by the NS regime. The association was destroyed, an unknown number of functionaries and members were arrested and sent to prisons and concentration camps, and the association's assets and all properties were confiscated. After the end of World War II, former members worked to rebuild the ARKB Solidarität. On 1 July 1949, the first West German federal congress took place with participants from associations in the American and British zones. The French occupiers prohibited participation because of the "communist" name "Solidarität" in the context of the emerging Cold War. At this congress, a federal youth committee was created with a federal youth leader, at that time Albert Röder from Hanover, as chairman. However, the youth was still fully integrated into the adult association and had to clear its decisions with the boards, as the older functionaries thought little of an independent youth. Financially, the youth also depended on the adults. In August 1954, the Solidaritätsjugend became an independent youth association when more than 100 youth leaders adopted their own guidelines. This marked the formal establishment of the organisation as a separate entity within the RKB. Since then, the Solijugend has developed its own profile, particularly in international youth work, which became its mainstay. The organisation is headquartered in Offenbach am Main, where its federal office and youth education centre are located. It also has a representation in Berlin. With around 30,000 members across Germany (self-reported for 2006), it is considered a small youth association. It is a member of the German Federal Youth Council (Deutscher Bundesjugendring) and the Information and Documentation Centre for Anti-Racism Work (IDA). Today, the Solijugend continues to be active in youth sport, youth culture, youth education, youth politics and international youth work. It offers a variety of activities including seminars, workshops, international youth encounters and an international youth camp in Germany. Its international activities aim to foster cultural and political friendships and encounters, which have always been its goal and strength.

• 1954

  In August, more than 100 youth leaders adopt their own guidelines, founding the Solidaritätsjugend as an independent youth association.

• 1949

  First West German federal congress on 1 July; a federal youth committee is created.

• 1933

  The ARKB is banned by the Nazi regime; assets confiscated and members persecuted.

• 1930

  The ARKB becomes the largest cycling association in the world.

A small, independent youth association within the workers' cycling and motorcycling tradition, with a strong focus on international youth work and social engagement.

1. 1Startseite - Solijugendsolijugend.de
2. 2Geschichte - Solijugendsolijugend.de
3. 3Landesverbände neu - Solijugendsolijugend.de
4. 4Solidaritätsjugend Deutschlandswikidata.org
5. 5Solidaritätsjugend Deutschlandsde.wikipedia.org