Archives: October 2008

  • PES Leaders emergency summit on financial crisis on 5 November!

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    Rating: 3.7/5 with 3 votes

    Published Thursday, October 30, 2008 at 16:24
    by Editor (730 views and 3 comments)

    A regulatory reform of the financial market and an action plan to re-launch the European economy are what Europe needs. The PES is determined that social democrats should continue to provide leadership in protecting European citizens from the worst effects of the crisis. The solution to the crisis is social democratic, the right does not have an answer!

    Yourspace will put your questions to Poul Nyrup Rasmussen, PES President, Elio Di Rupo, President of the Belgian PS, and other Leaders.

    Make your voice heard: send your questions as comments by 4 November!

    Tags: Financial crisis, PES, Poul Nyrup Rasmussen, Summit

  • Solidar Silver Rose Award: Interview with Globetree

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    Rating: 5/5 with 1 votes

    Published Thursday, October 30, 2008 at 10:56
    by Editor (604 views and 0 comments)


    Yourspace met Kajsa Dahlström, President of Globetree, the Swedish NGO that won the Solidar Silver Rose for its work to promote children’s rights and a sustainable future for them.

     

    Yourspace asked some questions about its goals and achievements, and how receiving such a prize will help Globetree in its actions.

     

    Watch the video and submit your comments to Yourspace!

    Tags: Children rights, Globetree, Kajsa Dahlström, Solidar Silver Rose

  • Solidar Silver Rose Award: Interview with Syndica Sherkat-e Vahed

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    Rating: 5/5 with 1 votes

    Published Thursday, October 30, 2008 at 10:45
    by Editor (490 views and 0 comments)

    Yourspace put your questions to the Syndica Sherkat-e Vahed, the Teheran Bus Company Workers Union, winners of the Solidar Silver Rose for their brave struggle for the respect of workers’ rights and social justice in Iran.

    Mr Yousef Molaie, the lawyer of the Union, answered your questions as its President, Mansour Osanloo, arrested last year, is still in prison.

    Read the interview below and share your comments with Yourspace!» read more ...

    Tags: Mansour Osanloo, Solidar Silver Rose, Syndica Sherkat-e Vahed, Trade Union

  • Interviews with Gary Titley and Emine Bozkurt

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    Rating: 5/5 with 2 votes

    Published Tuesday, October 28, 2008 at 16:48
    by Editor (653 views and 0 comments)

    Yourspace asked MEPs Gary Titley and Emine Bozkurt – chair and deputy chair of the PES Network for Diversity and Integration – about migration.

    Check out our video interviews and tell us what you think.

    Tags: candidates, Emine Bozkurt, Gary Titley, migration

  • Le PS invite ses membres à rejoindre les militants du PSE

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    Rating: 4.8/5 with 5 votes

    Published Friday, October 24, 2008 at 14:51
    by jcordier Join PES activists (727 views and 1 comments)

    Depuis hier (23.10.2008), le Parti Socialiste (Belgique) invite ses membres à rejoindre les militants du PSE via son site

    Nul doute que cette initiative contribuera fortement au développement des militants en Wallonie et à Bruxelles.

    Dans le même ordre d'idée, le premier groupe de militants issu du PS verra le jour le 7 novembre prochain à Namur. A cette occasion, une rencontre-débat se tiendra sur "Les enjeux des élections européennes de 2009"

    Tags: activists, Belgiqum, campaing, PES, PS

    File: Invit 07 11 2008 _2.pdf

  • Italian Schools on Sale?

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    Rating: 5/5 with 3 votes

    Published Wednesday, October 22, 2008 at 22:48
    by cometa (807 views and 5 comments)

    Protest against the Government educational policy is spreading through Italian schools and universities. Primary school children's parents, teachers and students are united in their struggle against the Minister of Education's 'reform', which is actually a decree cutting funds for public schools and universities and reducing the number of teachers.

    Although the Italian public spending on education is low as compared with other countries', the conservative government thinks it has to be cut down by reducing the quality of the service provided to citizens: larger classes, fewer hours of lessons and only one teacher per class in primary schools; cuts in the number of teachers also in secondary schools and universities; substantial reductions in research funds; the transformation of public universities into foundations.

    Since these spending cuts do not involve private schools, the general impression is that the government policy is to let public education gradually decline in favour of private schooling. A well-founded suspicion, since Prime Minister Mr. Berlusconi has always accused the academic world of left-wing sympathies.

    What is the Premier's reaction to the protest movement spreading all over the country? Instead of accepting debate, he threatens to solve... » read more ...

    Tags: education, school, university

  • What can we do to tackle the financial crisis?

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    Rating: 4.7/5 with 3 votes

    Published Wednesday, October 22, 2008 at 14:49
    by Editor (958 views and 6 comments)

    On the 15th of October the PES organized a Prime Ministers’ meeting, prior to the EU Summit.

     

    Yourspace met Sergei Stanishev, Prime Minister of Bulgaria, Wouter Bos, Minister of Finances and deputy Prime Minister of the Netherlands, and Alfred Gusenbauer, Austrian Chancellor, and recorded their comments on the current financial crisis – what is behind it and how can socialists and social democrats tackle the crisis.

     

    Check the videos out and share your opinion on Yourspace.

         » read more ...

    Tags: Alfred Gusenbauer, Financial Crisis, PES, Prime Ministers, Sergei Stanishev, Wouter Bos

  • Angst and Hope: Socialists, Europe and the World

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    Rating: 4.3/5 with 3 votes

    Published Wednesday, October 22, 2008 at 12:27
    by Editor (606 views and 0 comments)

    Which emphasis do social democrats have to put for a strong and social Europe? What are the issues worth fighting for the next 5 years? And what is it that the Flemish socialists feel for Europe: angst or hope?

    These issues will be discussed in Ghent on November the 5th during the meeting “Socialists, Europe and the World”, organised by Stichting Gerrit Kreveld and Samenleving en politiek.
    The PES President Poul Nyrup Rasmussen will join the debate.

    The debate will be held both in Dutch and English, and simultaneous translation will be provided.

    Everybody is welcome!
    Please download the attachment for further information.

    Tags: European elections, PES

    File: Angst and Hope - Socialists, Europe and the World.doc

  • Call for action for the author of Gomorra!

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    Rating: 5/5 with 5 votes

    Published Monday, October 20, 2008 at 15:40
    by Editor (678 views and 0 comments)

    Roberto Saviano, an Italian writer is truly in  trouble. He revealed the structure and functioning of the Neapolitan Camorra in his bestseller “Gomorra”.

    According to sources close to the Italian authorities the Camorra has already passed a death sentence on him.

    Saviano’s case is not a personal one; it directly affects democracy itself and the role of the State in ensuring safety for all its citizens.
    That’s why six Nobel prizes, Dario Fo, Mikhail Gorbaciov, Gunther Grass, Rita Levi Montalcini, Orhan Pamuk and Desmond Tutu, decided to launch a petition asking the Italian State to protect the life of the writer.

    Since October the 13th Saviano has been under protection, now he is thinking of moving abroad, as he revealed during an interview with the Italian newspaper Repubblica. His book, Gomorra, has been translated in 43 languages and also inspired a movie, Gomorra which already won the “Grand prix” in Cannes and is currently running for an Oscar.

    Sign the petition online, 60,000 people already did!

    Tags: call for action, camorra, gomorra, Roberto Saviano

  • Make your voice heard at Madrid PES Council

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    Rating: 5/5 with 2 votes

    Published Monday, October 20, 2008 at 11:10
    by Editor (838 views and 0 comments)

    Deadline extended until 9 November2008

    As you know, the PES manifesto for the 2009 European elections will be adopted at the Council. And you have the chance to speak in the Council through a video message.


    Here is what you have to do:

    - Send us a video of you and/or your local comrades answering the question: Why is it important to have a common manifesto for the European elections?
    - This should be a short informal video (maximum 90 seconds), don’t forget to mention your name and party (and your comrades’);
    - To show it in Madrid, we need your video in high resolution (up to 100MB) in .mpeg or .wmv format;
    - We need your video before 9th November in order to have time to edit it.
    - Send us your video through a website that provides transfer service (see below)

    How does it work?
    1. Go to the site Yousendit and create your account by clicking on the link (it will take you 30 seconds)
    2. Once you have created your account, you will receive a confirmation e-mail –... » read more ...

    Tags: activists, Council, manifesto

  • Powerplay behind the new Cold War

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    Rating: 4.5/5 with 2 votes

    Published Saturday, October 18, 2008 at 14:21
    by Ari Rusila (645 views and 0 comments)

    Powerplay behind the new Cold War  Georgia 08/08/08 is the date when headlines in Western mainstream media started to tell how big, bad aggressive Russia attacked to tiny, democratic, good Georgia.  After that the West continued accusations about occupation a free sovereign state started rethink enforcing its frontlines around Russian border in new cold war era.  Al this despite the fact, that day earlier 7th August 2008 Georgia had started the moths before planned war against its separatist province (look my article “OSCE report fault Georgia - one trivial statement more from EU summit” 4th Sept.2008 from my BlogArchive).  All this despite he fact, that USA had already showed the way how to break international law e.g. by bombing Kosovo and orchestrating the quasi-independence of that separatist province.   While speaking about new confrontation between East and West the (mostly western) political commentators have used first nice, warm words like freedom, democracy, sovereignty, humanitarian catastrophe to justify their planned harder actions to response Russia’s aggression.  However if we scrub the soft spoke for dummies – sorry for public – we can find the hard reality and bigger game behind recent headlines of Caucasus or Balkan events.   I try next to highlight few aspects with this power play.  Pipes  First element I would like to mention is energy. Georgia is part of a NATO military alliance (GUAM) signed in April 1999 at the very outset of the war on Yugoslavia. It also has a bilateral military cooperation agreement with the US. These underlying military agreements have served to protect Anglo-American oil interests in the Caspian Sea basin as well as pipeline routes. (The alliance was initially entitled GUUAM, Uzbekistan subsequently withdrew and the name was changed to GUAM: Georgia, Azerbaijan, Ukraine, and Moldova). More you may find from my article 9th Sep.2008... » read more ...

    Tags: Balkans, Caucasus, conflicts, EU foreign policy, Russia, US foreign policy

  • SOLIDAR Silver Rose Award: 2008 edition!

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    Rating: 5/5 with 1 votes

    Published Thursday, October 16, 2008 at 18:13
    by Editor (859 views and 0 comments)

    Yourspace attended the Silver Rose Award Night to celebrate people and organisations who have distinguished themselves in the fields of social justice and international solidarity.

     

    This year an extra-special edition of the ceremony, celebrated not only the winners and their achievements, but also SOLIDAR’s 60th Anniversary.

     
    As PES President, Poul Nyrup Rasmussen, underlined during his speech, we have to congratulate with SOLIDAR for its remarkable work in promoting equality, solidarity and social justice all over Europe and the world. We share the same values and principles, and we work all together for a new Social Europe.

    Zita Gurmai, President of PES women,thanked SOLIDAR for their commitment to women and children, for improving their First prize, for European Social Justice, was awarded to Globetree, a Swedish NGO which acts for children’s rights and sustainable future. Its president, Kajsa Dahlström came to receive it and also distributed some seeds to participants, packed by some of the children the NGO takes care of. The goal is to plant them with a child and send a photo back to Globetree.

     

    The international solidarity prize was awarded to Syndica Sharkt-e... » read more ...

    Tags: Solidar Silver Rose, Trade Union

  • Ask your questions to social rights defenders!

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    Rating: 5/5 with 1 votes

    Published Monday, October 13, 2008 at 18:06
    by Editor (825 views and 2 comments)

    Mansour Osanloo and the Vahed Syndicate – the Tehran bus drivers’ union of which he is the President – are going to be awarded to receive the SOLIDAR Silver Rose Award.

    The Silver Rose Award recognizes individuals and organizations whose struggle contributes greatly to social justice and equality throughout the world. SOLIDAR (www.solidar.org) is a European network of labour and social organizations, recognized by the ILO.

    Unfortunately, Manour won’t be able to receive the prize because he is being unjustly held in jail. He has repeatedly been charged with different offences such as ‘disturbance of the public order’ and ‘illegal trade union activities’ and detained in jail. Throughout his detentions he has been denied the right to legal assistance and the right to communicate with his counsels, undergoing severe physical violence and psychological pressure.
    On wednesday the 15th, Yourspace will meet the Vahed Syndacate. Do you have any questions for this group of Trade Unionists from Iran?

    Please, submit them as a comment to Yourspace, we will ask them for you!

    Tags: Solidar Silver Rose, Trade Union

  • Cross border campaign exchange in Bucharest!

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    Rating: 5/5 with 1 votes

    Published Monday, October 13, 2008 at 16:59
    by Editor (927 views and 1 comments)

    A great opportunity for all PES activists to take part in a cross border campaign exchange is forthcoming!

    Victor Negrescu, candidate for deputies in Bucharest of the Social Democratic Party and the coordinator of PES activists Romania, is inviting you to Romania for the period of November 23 to November 30.

    Romanian parliamentary elections are going to take place on November the 30th!

    As a candidate of Bucharest, his campaign will focus on six priorities:

    1.    Life in big cities: a right, a problem, a main priority;

    2.    The right to a healthier environment in traffic;

    3.    The environment, a major commitment;

    4.    Romania, a country of innovation;

    5.    A decent income for all citizens;

    6.    Urbanism, architecture.



    These are some of the activities in which you will be involved:

    -    door to door campaign;

    -    distribution of condoms and roses;

    -    meetings with the electors;

    -    visiting cafés

    Please notice that all the costs of your accommodation will be assured by PES activists Romania.
     
    For more information, please download the invitation attached. Application... » read more ...

    Tags: activists, campaign, candidates

    File: registration form pes activists.doc, invitation pes activists.doc, Invitation pes fr.doc, Formulaire.doc

  • Do you hear Mr. Nobel rolling in his grave?

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    Rating: 2.5/5 with 8 votes

    Published Saturday, October 11, 2008 at 16:37
    by Ari Rusila (885 views and 6 comments)


    The criteria for Nobel peace prize outlined in Alfred Nobel's will 1895 was “to contribute to fraternity in the world, to reduce armies and to establish peace congresses”. The choice of Martti Ahtisaari as this years winner undervalues - again – those original ideas. Ahtisaari got the prize probably about his actions as mediator in Namibia, Aceh and Kosovo. Namibia went according UN peace plan, Aceh was acceptable compromise and Kosovo everything else.

    Norwegian founder of peace studies, Johan Galtung, has criticized heavily Ahtisaari's way to handle peace processes. Galtung claims that "Ahtisaari does not solve conflicts but drives through a short-term solutions that please western countries". He further says that Ahtisaari "let's EU to abuse himself". According to Galtung Ahtisaari does not hesitate to favour solutions that bypass United Nations and international law.

    With Kosovo case I would see three serious – intentional or unintentional – mistakes of Ahtisaari with negotiation process lead by him namely implementation, attitude and outcome.
    • The implementation of Kosovo negotiations already started wrong while Ahtisaari accepted limitations made by Contact Group, which created limitation of discussion option and image about solution tacitly predetermined from the start. This failure is clear when compared sc.... » read more ...

    Tags: Ahtisaari, Balkans, crisis management, Kosovo, Nobelprize, Serbia