The United Democratic Youth Organisation (EDON), is an independent, democratic, mass political and cultural youth organisation. EDON is the continuation of the Communist Youth of Cyprus (CYC) and of the Progressive Youth Organisation (AON) and, as such, forms an integral part of the Cypriot Left Movement, thus maintaining close links with it.
The progressive youth movement in Cyprus, since the founding of CYC in 1926, of AON in 1944 and EDON in 1959, has participated in every struggle of the Cypriot people against colonialism, for freedom, democracy and national independence. Whenever the country so requested tens and hundreds of members of AON and EDON sacrificed their own life for the achievement of national liberation and peace.
At the same time, EDON and its predecessors have contributed immensely in the social and political struggles of the working class and farmers, for the demand of youth rights at work and in education, as well as for the improvement of living standards in general.
It is for this reason that EDON has become, in the conscience of our people, and the youth in particular, the pioneer, mass, democratic youth organisation of the Left, which includes in its ranks thousands of young men and women from every corner of Cyprus; workers, peasants, students and pupils.
Based on its constitution EDON strives for:
· The achievement of a better future without economic exploitation and social oppression of the youth. · The establishment of a free, independent, sovereign, territorially integral, federal, non-aligned and demilitarised Cyprus where all its inhabitants will live in peace and fraternity, regardless of ethnic origin, religion and language. · The cultivation of the youth in the ideals of the Left and of Socialism; the ideals of peace, democracy, social progress, social justice, social equality, humanism and international solidarity. · The resolution of youth problems at work, in education and at leisure.
For the materialisation of the abovementioned objectives, EDON seeks to achieve unity of action among the Cypriot youth and advocates for reapprochement, friendship and co-operation between the Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot youth.