Workers' Youth League Norway

Workers' Youth League (Bokmål: Arbeidernes Ungdomsfylking, Nynorsk: Arbeidaranes Ungdomsfylking, or AUF) is the youth organization affiliated with the Norwegian Labour Party.

AUF was formed in April 1927, following the merger of Left Communist Youth League and Socialist Youth League of Norway. Its ideology is social democracy and democratic socialism. The current leader is Eskil Pedersen. Many former leading figures in AUF have gone on to serve in positions in government, such as the incumbent Prime Minister of Norway, Jens Stoltenberg.

Organisational structure

AUF employs county secretaries in all the 19 counties in Norway, who together with active members in the local branches work with politic issues and activities all over the country.

Its main office is situated at the historical seat of the Norwegian labour movement, Youngstorget in Oslo. At the main office the elected leadership work together with different political advisors with national campaigns, organisation and political issues.

The National Congress assembles every second year, and is the supreme body of the Workers' Youth League. The Congress will also elect the party leadership, consisting of a leader, a deputy leader and a secretary general. These three together with 14 other elected members constitutes the Executive Board. On a day-to-day basis AUF is governed by the Executive Board. The highest body between the Congress is the National Delegate's Board, consisting of two representatives from each of the 19 counties and is observed by the Executive Board.

The party magazine is Praksis, with roots back to 1923.

International affiliations

The Workers' Youth League is a full member of the International Union of Socialist Youth (IUSY) and the Joint Committee of the Nordic Labour Youth Movement (FNSU). AUF is also an observing member of the Young European Socialists (ECOSY)

2011 Utøya shooting

On 22 July 2011 an AUF camp at Utøya was the scene of a massacre carried out by a man dressed up as a police officer. He shot and killed at least 68 people, most of whom were members, and wounded several others.

Leaders and deputy leaders

2010–present : Eskil Pedersen

2006–2010 : Martin Henriksen

2002–2006 : Gry Larsen

2000–2002 : Eva Kristin Hansen

1996–2000 : Anniken Huitfeldt

1992–1996 : Trond Giske

1989–1992 : Turid Birkeland

1985–1989 : Jens Stoltenberg

1981–1985 : Egil Knudsen

1977–1981 : Thorbjørn Jagland

1975–1977 : Sissel Rønbeck

1973–1975 : Rune Gerhardsen

1971–1973 : Bjørn Tore Godal

1969–1971 : Hans Raastad

1964–1969 : Ola Teigen

1961–1964 : Reiulf Steen

1958–1961 : Bjartmar Gjerde

1955–1958 : Reidar Hirsti

1952–1955 : Ivar Mathiesen

1949–1952 : Frank Andersen (AUF)

1946–1949 : Rolf Åkervik

1945–1946 : Trygve Bratteli (acting)

1934–1945 : Gunnar Sand (partly in exile)

1931–1934 : Kåre Hansen

1927–1931 : Hjalmar Dyrendahl

Deputy leaders

2010–present : Åsmund Grøver Aukrust

20xx–2010 : Eskil Pedersen

2002–2004 : Eirik Øwre Thorshaug

2000–2002 : Gry Larsen

1996–2000 : Jo Stein Moen

1994–1996 : Anniken Huitfeldt

1992–1994 : Beret Bråten

1989–1992 : Geir Axelsen

1987–1989 : Turid Birkeland

1985–1987 : Grete Berget

1983–1985 : Jens Stoltenberg

1981–1983 : Norvald Mo

1977–1981 : Anne Lise Bakken

1975–1977 : Sigbjørn Johnsen

1973–1975 : Sissel Rønbeck

1969–1973 : Rolv Lasse Lund

1967–1969 : Britt Hildeng

1964–1967 : Kurt Mosbakk

1961–1964 : Sverre Gullikstad

1958–1961 : Bjørn Skau

1955–1958 : Bjørn Sørensen

1952–1955 : Reidar Hirsti

1949–1952 : Bjarne Andersen

1946–1949 : Erling Nordberg

1937–1946 : Rakel Seweriin (not in exile)

1934–1937 : Finn Moe

1931–1934 : Per Lie

1927–1931 : Arne Strøm