Yesterday Flemish
social democrats concluded their debate on the PES manifesto. Over
the last month Sp.a, the Flemish social democratic party, has hosted
four debates on the themes of the PES manifesto consultation –
yesterday evening was the closing event, a final discussion of
common priorities for the 2009 elections.
Among other things the evening featured testing of ‘carbon footprints’,
videos, debates with NGOs, labour unions and politicians, and
speeches by Caroline Gennez, leader of the Sp.a, and Poul Nyrup
Rasmussen, PES President.
See more pictures from the evening in Brussels hereread more
Published Thursday, April 17, 2008 at 11:48
by
Salvador E. Becker
in New Social Europe (317 views and 1 comments)
Within the last weeks, a working group of the regional SPD in Berlin,
discussed and published 8 building blocks to put the PES manifesto debate
on a more concrete level. Following the analysis of the
European element in the different national programmes, we tried to
focus on some 8 main topics, of which we were sure, that there
should be consensus amongst Europe's socialist and social
democratic parties.
Our idea was, that if it wouldn't be possible to agree on a PES
manifesto as a whole, it should at least be possible to find some
key ideas to put in the different national programms for the
European elcections in next year: at the last election in 2004 not
even the national programme became very popular in the German
public... Which is why we hope, that a more discussed and therefore
implemented manifesto in all EU member states would not only gain
more success in the elections itself, it could in addition help to
give the citizens of Europe a better idea of socialist or social
democratic policy in an for europe!
Les socialistes français, très pris par les élections municipales
qui se sont tenues les 9 et 16 mars, se mobilisent pour le
Manifeste du PSE.
Dans cette optique, une journée complète de travail à Bruxelles a
été organisée sur les changements opérés au sein du PSE depuis
2004 et le Conseil de Bruxelles, la novation introduite avec les
militants du PSE et surtout l'élaboration du Manifeste 2009.
La plupart des Secrétaires fédéraux Europe et/ou International
ainsi que les Premiers Secrétaires fédéraux d'une trentaine de
fédérations présents ont bien saisi l'enjeu que représente le
Manifeste. Evidemment, la campagne référendaire de 2005 est
encore dans les têtes mais dans l'ensemble c'est pour mieux la
dépasser. L'instrument essentiel pour réaliser ce dépassement
étant la consultation des adhérents.
Autre enseignement tiré des dernières élections européennes de
2004, réussir la politisation de la campagne sur un plan
européen, notamment en mettant en avant 5-6 mesures communes.
The Eurosocialists in Geneva have also sent in their
ideas for the PES manifesto - read the full document here. The group proposes the following four
objectives for the EU in the world theme:
Eliminating poverty, promoting decent work and respecting
human rights
Towards more equitable and effective taxation (at all levels)
Towards better global governance
Enhancing our security in the framework of NATO and the
European Neighbourhood Policy
Do you have any ideas to add? Leave a comment and debate with
Eurosocialists Geneva!
A group of German PES activists are the first to send in a paper
with ideas for the PES manifesto. Read the German contribution in the documents section of
Yourspace.
The EU working group from the SPD in Berlin proposes eight 'building
blocks' for the PES manifesto:
Prioritisation of human rights and democracy in the world.
This area of prioritisation must affect political support and
trade conditions in countries and areas globally. Workers rights
and women’s rights must be included as well. EU must show
clearly, that there is a difference in the treatment of countries
and areas, where democracy and human rights are respected.
Economic, climate and social sustainability We need to give
technological support, build states, and give right to energy to
the citizens. All people should further have a right to
education. All of this is to be implemented with a view to
sustainability.
Human ressources Knowledge sharing, education, and
sensitivity to brain drain must be thought into EU global policy.
The workshop was introduced by Yildiz Akdogan, member of the Danish
Parliament. She presented her thoughts on the dilemmas posed by our
belief in democratic institutions governing by majority decisions
while seeking to protect the civil and human rights of individuals
as well as groups to live their life respecting their cultural
heritage and personal life-choices.
Our perception of modern society should include a compromise
between individual and collective needs, strengthening democratic
influence on European institutions while securing minority rights.
The workshop participants believed that our family of political
parties are the right actors to build this alliance, since our
concept of human life and potential indeed always has been a much
broader one than those of the right wing.
Therefore, embracing and encouraging European diversity might
actually be the key to enabling the common European identity we
want the European citizens to feel part of. Instead of...
read more
Published Friday, March 14, 2008 at 11:48
by
AnneSofie
in Save our planet (428 views and 1 comments)
Scandinavian
PES
activistsmet in the village of Jørlunde, located on the
island of Zealand, Denmark on March 1st and 2nd 2008 to discuss
European democracy, politics and the PES manifesto.
Over sometimes heated discussions, the 80 participants agreed on
a number is issues, which we feel must be included in the PES
manifesto. Here is our suggestions for the theme 'Save our
planet':
Within the international community, the EU must be the leader
in the struggle for advances within energy and climate change.
All member states must implement radical changes in their energy
and climate policies. Therefore it is necessary to remove the
trade in CO2 quotas, because it constitutes a real stumbling
block for action and for the realisation of change, which will
have an effect.
It is not enough with state intervention and cooperation. The
global warming and the threat from the changes to our climate
must be fought at all levels of society. The citizens must get
actively involved. It demands a change of attitude for each
citizen. The social democrats in Denmarkcan for instance
elaborate a set of tools, which makes the...
Labour UK is the
first party to submit its suggestions for the PES manifesto. Find
the contribution in the documents section of
Yourspace. Here you’ll also find contributions from an array of
NGOs and labour unions.
read more
Speaking at a PES
fringe meeting at Labour Party Spring Conference in Birmingham on
Saturday British Foreign Secretary David Milliband said “the
PES manifesto is an opportunity to mark a new stage in the way we
think of European politics."
He argued that while there were still internal problems to resolve
“the big threats today – jobs, climate change, security – are
all global” and that the EU needed to work to tackle these
challenges together.
PES President Poul Nyrup Rasmussen took up Milliband’s theme saying
that “Europe as a global player should be shaping globalisation
as well as adapting to it."
MEP Richard Howitt, argued in favour of enlargement to Turkey and
the Balkans, and for defence spending for peace keeping, conflict
prevention and humanitarian missions.
read more
Among this morning’s
activities at the Danish PES manifesto conference was a workshop about
campaigns and cooperation in Europe – the participants discussed
how Europe’s social democrats can work together on common
campaign initiatives in the next European elections. There were
plenty of ideas – to mention a few:
Joint actions where PES activist groups in different cities
coordinate events that will take place at the same date and
time. Such coordinated actions should include internet activity
(this site could be an excellent tool for this!) that can
‘bind’ the different happenings together
Make a list of national contact persons that PES activists
can contact if they go on holiday and want to meet with other
local social democrats at their destination
The message about PES activists and a common campaign in 2009
should spread to the local level – social democrats outside
Europe’s big cities should also be invited to take part in PES
activist events and campaigns
It could be interesting to learn about the traditions of
social democrats in other countries. In Denmark, for example, we
have a strong tradition for...
Published Saturday, March 1, 2008 at 18:32
by
rikkeindenmark
in New Social Europe (458 views and 0 comments)
The afternoon of the Danish conference on the PES manifesto ended with a
plenary where the four work groups presented a ‘top 3’ of
priorities for their manifesto theme. Here are, from my view,
some of the most interesting ideas brought forward:
The PES manifesto should propose to put an end to the
emissions trading scheme where rich countries can buy CO2 credits
from the developing world
Fighting climate change needs to take place on many levels:
the international, the national and the individual. EU should
offer the citizens a ‘package’ of suggestions to how they can
reduce their energy consumption
Public transport should be free in Europe
The PES manifesto should encourage that the Scandinavian
welfare model is spread to other European countries (non-Nordic
people, what do you think? Do you agree?)
It should also underline that the social rights of people
working outside their home country are important to protect
Europe’s social democrats should consider what a European,
social democratic identity looks like. What do we have in common
– and how can we use that in our political work and the campaign
for the 2009 elections?
The EU should promote democracy and human rights in its
external policies: for example, in trade policy favour countries
with decent working conditions and respect for human...
This weekend stands a
good chance at becoming a turning point for the PES activists movement!
I’m in a small village called ‘Jørlunde’ in Denmark - it’s about
one hour by train from Copenhagen. Small place, big thoughts!
Together with 80 other social democrats I’m attending a conference
on Europe and the PES manifesto. What’s extraordinary about this
event is that it gathers social democrats from three Nordic
countries (Denmark, Sweden and Norway) – and tomorrow we will
debate the possibilities for cooperation between Nordic PES
activists. How can Nordic social democrats help each other out when
we start campaigning for the 2009 European elections?
The conference is organized by the Danish Social
Democrats and attended by members of the Swedish and Norwegian
parties - among these Eric Sundström, former blogger of the week on
Yourspace. Actually he is about to begin his presentation on
European democracy in a few minutes…
Right now we are debating Turkey and the EU – a discussion
triggered by a very interesting presentation by Anne Mette...
read more
Good news from
Hungary! MSZP,
the Hungarian Socialist Party, has launched their own consultation website
and invite their members to discuss the PES manifesto in Hungarian.
The site looks great and there's already debates going on. If
you're a Hungarian speaker don't hesitate to visit the new website!
read more
Last week European socialists living in Geneva met to discuss the
PES manifesto, the Global Progressive Forum and the 'Decent Work - Decent
Life' campaign. Here's a report from Sylvia Moore, Deputy Chair of the Labour International
Coordinating Committee:
On 23 August 1963 Martin Luther King delivered his famous dream
speech of hope at the Washington DC march, declaring: "I have a
dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true
meaning of its creed: 'We hold these truths to be self-evident,
that all men are created equal… Now is the time to make justice a
reality for all of God's children"
In 1984 some twenty years on, thousands marched to l’Elysée, in
Paris. They were mainly ‘beurs’, youngsters born in France of Arab
immigrant parents. Then Harlem Désir launched a massive campaign
‘Touche pas à mon pote’ - Don’t touch my friend - and set up SOS
Racisme with the dream of integrating immigrants. His parents came
from two farflung French departments, Alsace and Martinique. Former
conga player in a rock métis band, like Martin Luther King, he
became a political drum major. He was spokesman for SOS Racisme
until 1992, and from 1989...
read more
A new website for Romanian PES activists has just had its premiere! A
part of the website is a blog where Romanian speakers are invited to debate
the PES manifesto. Welcome to Yourspace, PES activists Romania!
As your specially invited blogger this week, I must first say
that I am very honored. And since I try to keep two blogs as it
is (in English here and in Swedish here), I have learnt that
the best blog posts are not too long. But since I have your
attention now, we must be serious to start with.
In the autumn of 1993, I attended my first seminar at university
level. I had registered for a course in economic history at
Stockholm University, a decision I had started to regret right
before the course started. The summer of 1993 had been great. I
was in love with music (rock’n’roll, that is),
literature (Jack Kerouac, that summer) and
politics (social democracy, of course. But with
a more radical socialist twist, in those days).
When autumn arrived, I didn’t want to study economic history. It
sounded too... serious. I tried to swap for literature, but
thanks to the rigid rules at Stockholm University, I had to stick
to the original plan.
At the first seminar in economic history, our very old and
brilliant professor (who taught his last semester that year),
rose from his chair and wrote on word on the chalkboard:
The New Year is here, but we definitely shouldn’t forget about
2007! Have your say on Yourspace by rating past posts and videos!
Which topics are the most important for the PES manifesto? Watch
our ‘Rate it!’ video below and give up to five stars to your
favourite content on Yourspace and Youtube.
I would just like to congratulate the Party of European Socialists
for the initiative they have taken. Through this website citizens
will be able to express their ideas and table their propositions
which I hope will be taken into consideration. It is very important
to engage citizens and listen to what they have to say. Europe is
very important nowadays and European political parties have to
widen their scope of action. We need political parties which will
be strong at a European level and which will represent the people
of Europe. Good luck and all the best for the manifesto.
read more
Yourspace will be on holiday until January 7 2008. Thanks to all
Yourspace users for being so active on this site – your posts,
videos and comments are very valuable input. We wish you all a
pleasant holiday and look forward to more debate in 2008.
read more
A while ago the Yourspace team welcomed a Dutch
blogger, living in Berlin. Now we have come across another blog
from Germany, Rotes Europa - if you would like to discuss the PES
manifesto in German, this is certainly a good place to be.
read more
Nathalie Conan, representative of the Fouesnant area in France,
mentions the PES manifesto campaign on her
blog! Thanks for spreading the word!
read more
Sergei Stanishev, leader of the Bulgarian Socialist Party, was one of the
party leaders who attended the recent PES Council in Sofia. We
spoke with him about the Council days and, in particular, the
outcome of the plenary debate on EU's role
on the international scene:
This Saturday the PES manifesto buzz reached Wielkopolska in Poland! At a meeting of the
Local Government Academy – that gathers councillors of the
region’s cities and counties – Elwira Bowers, co-worker of
Marek Siwiec, presented Yourspace and the PES
manifesto campaign.
The Wielkopolska councillors and Elwira Bowers have prepared a
video
statement for this week’s PES Council.
View it right below!
Vice-President of the European Parliament Marek
Siwiec and President of PES
WomenZita Gurmai are in Madrid and speak about the
preparation of the PES Manifesto, the different issues to be
discussed in it and the upcoming European elections in 2009.
A number of UK blogs have picked up the Yourspace vibe: Compass Youth, Dirty
Leftie and Peter Kenyon. Thanks for mentioning the manifesto2009 consultation!
Portuguese bloggers are active writing and informing their
readers about the PES consultation process. These are good news
for portuguese speaking-readers, as they will now be able to read
in Camões' language what is going on!
Mona Sahlin, leader of the Social Democratic Party of Sweden, has
agreed to take part in the first PES Yourspace manifesto2009
YouTube debate, which will take place on Wednesday 24 October at
6pm!
How does it work? You submit your question to Mona Sahlin either
in video on our Yourspace YouTube channel or as written question by e-mail. She
will give her answers on Wednesday afternoon and we will put the
videos online by Thursday.
Mona Sahlin is leading the discussion in the PES on the ‘Save our
Planet’ manifesto theme. So she is looking for questions and
comments on climate change, environmental protection, renewable
energy, how to achieve a fossil-fuel free society and any other
issue which you believe is important for her to take into
account.
Speaking of the internet and Margot Wallström, European Commissioner and
member of the Social Democratic Party of Sweden, we shot this
video of her earlier this year:
Now one of Sweden's most read social democratic bloggers,
Jonas
Morian, writes about the PES manifesto2009 consultation. He
highlights Yourspace as a welcome initiative to increase the
significance of the European parties. Thumbs up!
The Paris activists are organising themselves so that the debate
that will take place during the Brussels visit of Danish, Spanish and other
European activists should be a sort of a unofficial 'launch'of
the discussion on the electoral manifesto for the European
elections in 2009.
Some 15 activists from Paris will come to Brussels. We have big
expectations for this event... But then, the stakes are high: we
want to make sure that this PES consultation is a success. For
too long, the discussion on the future of the Union has remained
in the hands of national politicians. Now activists want to have
their say.
In parallel to that, we are video-taping Parisians in the streets
so that they have their say on the 4 topics, and more largely on
the expectations of our fellow citizens about the ideal Europe.
Mona Sahlin, leader of the Social Democratic Party of Sweden, is a key
supporter of the PES and believes strongly that Europe's social
democrats and socialists should cooperate closely to sustain our
social Europe. She is also the PES politician in charge of the
debate surrounding the manifesto2009 theme Save our
planet.
Now you, as a Yourspace participant, have the chance to ask
Mona Sahlin your questions: What are her hopes for the Yourspace
manifesto2009 consultation? What does she envision for a more
green Europe?
Have your say! You can send Mona Sahlin your question via
the PES activist website or record it on video
and add it to our YouTube group.
Yesterday Flemish
social democrats concluded their debate on the PES manifesto. Over
the last month Sp.a, the Flemish social democratic party, has hosted
four debates on the themes of the PES manifesto consultation –
yesterday evening was the closing event, a final discussion of
common priorities for the 2009 elections.
in New Social Europe (317 views and 1 comments)
The manifesto theme
'EU in the
world' was also on the agenda when PES activists from Denmark, Sweden and Norway met in
Jørlunde, Denmark on March 1st and 2nd. Here are a few
conclusions from this dedicated discussion group:
Among the activities
of the gathering of Scandinavian PES activists in Jørlunde,
Denmark, was a discussion group on the PES manifesto theme 'European democracy and diversity':
Scandinavian
PES
activists met in the village of Jørlunde, located on the
island of Zealand, Denmark on March 1st and 2nd 2008 to discuss
European democracy, politics and the PES manifesto.
Labour UK is the
first party to submit its suggestions for the PES manifesto. Find
the contribution in the documents section of
Yourspace. Here you’ll also find contributions from an array of
NGOs and labour unions.
read more
Speaking at a PES
fringe meeting at Labour Party Spring Conference in Birmingham on
Saturday British Foreign Secretary David Milliband said “the
PES manifesto is an opportunity to mark a new stage in the way we
think of European politics."
Among this morning’s
activities at the Danish PES manifesto conference was a workshop about
campaigns and cooperation in Europe – the participants discussed
how Europe’s social democrats can work together on common
campaign initiatives in the next European elections. There were
plenty of ideas – to mention a few:
This weekend stands a
good chance at becoming a turning point for the PES activists movement!
Good news from
Hungary! MSZP,
the Hungarian Socialist Party, has launched their own consultation website
and invite their members to discuss the PES manifesto in Hungarian.
The site looks great and there's already debates going on. If
you're a Hungarian speaker don't hesitate to visit the new website!
read more
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