Publié jeudi 24 juillet 2008 à 16h31
par
Editeur
dans Debat (vu 930 fois et 1 commentaires)
At the PES activists Forum in Vienna, PES President Poul Nyrup Rasmussen outlined how best to approach the migration issue. Recognising the need for "new minimum standards on how to treat migrant workers in Europe," he highlighted the importance of these being based on "rights and duties."
Judging from history, Poul noted that "When you play the fear factor it is always the conservatives who gain." Therefore, as Socialists, we need to play the future factor based on inclusivity and equality.
Check out the video and let us know what you think. What exactly should these new minimum standards be? What "rights and duties" need to be promoted to develop a sense of inclusivity amongst migrant workers?
Lire la suitePublié jeudi 17 juillet 2008 à 16h27
par
Editeur
dans Debat (vu 1094 fois et 0 commentaires)
After a successful
workshop on online campaigning at the Vienna Forum, several
activists offered us their ideas. Jon Worth pointed to the need
for further online debate and commentary in the run up to the
2009 elections. Aidan O’Sullivan highlighted the need for
grassroots activist to activist campaigning using all
available media. One activist suggested the creation of a Europe
wide holiday.
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Publié jeudi 17 juillet 2008 à 15h53
par
Editeur
dans Debat (vu 1000 fois et 0 commentaires)
How best to “Save Our Planet”? What contribution can the EU make to this global challenge? In Vienna, PES activists from across Europe had their say on this crucial issue. Anton Muyldermans encouraged innovation in combining social and ecologic measures in efforts against climate change. Jan Hofste suggested the foundation of a European institute to coordinate these efforts and an innovative way to finance it.
Any suggestions on how to balance social and ecological policies? Would you like to see a new European institute to fight climate change?
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Publié jeudi 17 juillet 2008 à 10h29
par
Editeur
dans Debat (vu 957 fois et 1 commentaires)
During the forum activists showed their interest in a number of round-table discussions, one of which was named ‘EU in the world.’
On development, Laura Sullivan said that aid must be “genuine” and “effective.” EU aid policy must take into account the positions of NGOs and trade unions. Also on the subject of development, Emmanuel Drouin expressed the urgent need for a European policy on Africa in order for development to be socially just and democratic.
Barbara Revelli highlighted the importance of the Mediterranean in external relations and asked what contribution the EU can give to the Mediterranean Union. This, of course, is of particular relevance issue in light of French President Sarkozy’s recent...
Lire la suitePublié mercredi 16 juillet 2008 à 17h24
par
Editeur
dans Debat (vu 848 fois et 1 commentaires)
Often people complain that Europe is not democratic. But is this the case? At the Vienna Forum, one activist rejected this commonly held view, stating that there are indeed existing democratic mechanisms available to activists in the EU. Rather than complaining about a democratic deficit, activists must use these mechanisms to their full potential in the fight for a better Europe.
Julia from the SPÖ highlighted the role of fear in European politics, particularly in the debate on immigration. She argued that the EU must foster an image of “the good guy” in the form of a Social Union.
What is your image of the EU in the context of globalization? What can Europe do to better protect it's citizens from the negative effects of globalization?
Is there an institutionalised democratic deficit or do you agree that the problem is that we are simply not taking advantage of the mechanisms available to us?
Lire la suitePublié mercredi 16 juillet 2008 à 12h04
par
Editeur
dans Debat (vu 1366 fois et 0 commentaires)
Didn't make it to Vienna Forum? Miss it already?
Relive the moment and check out comments and interviews from the Vienna Forum with PES activists from across Europe on our Youtube page and stay tuned to Yourspace for more forum videos on themes such as online campaigning, Democracy and diversity, Europe in the world and Saving our planet.
Lire la suitePublié lundi 14 juillet 2008 à 16h28
par
Editeur
dans Debat (vu 1016 fois et 0 commentaires)
In the panel
on “Save our Planet”, keynote speaker Michael Mueller, State
Secretary in the German Environment Ministry, explained that a
social-environmental policy could potentially garner support of
55-58 percent of voters. When social democrats and greens in
Europe achieve less than this result, this is due to the
outdatedness of the majority of the programmes of the political
left. According to him, the current environmental challenges need
to be combined with the legacy of left-wing policies. We must
take the lead in designing new strategies, following long-term
tendencies.
The classical welfare state was linked to the national state and to an immense exploitation of nature. Now, we have to construct a new vision on how a better life is possible. The Greens are focusing on how to combine ecology and economy, but the real challenge is of a social nature. In an increasingly unequal world, the richest fifth of the population spends only 2.5% of their income on energy; the poorest fifth spends 9%. Given these facts, Europe should not orient itself towards an American or Asian model.
Louis Lemkow, director of the Institute for...
Lire la suitePublié lundi 14 juillet 2008 à 09h43
par
rikkeindenmark
dans Debat (vu 1016 fois et 2 commentaires)
Think Obama,
not Blair!
Be careful with negative campaigning, but not afraid of it!
Online campaigning is as much hard work as traditional
campaigning!
Keep moderation of online fora to a minimum, but make sure
that 'trolls' don't spoil the fun and limit participation!
These were just a few of the conclusions from the workshop on online campaigning at the recent PES activist forum in Vienna.
The workshop's panel consisted in four PES activists sharing
their experiences with online tools: Jon Worth from the UK,
Esteban Romero from Spain, Victor Negrescu from Romania and
myself, Rikke Skovgaard Andersen from Denmark. All speakers are
heavily involved in online campaigning activities.
The presentations varied from general advice on online
campaigning and use of social networks to presentations of
concrete, online activities and tools that PES activists can use.
The panel answered several questions from the audience - among
other things the debate adressed topics such as 'critical mass'
for an online debate forum, advantages vs. disadvantages of
online polls and the feasibility for 'Obama-style' fundraising
via small, online donations.
There's a lot of potential in online campaigning - something which workshop participants were certainly aware of. Online tools...
Lire la suitePublié vendredi 11 juillet 2008 à 17h46
par
Editeur
dans Debat (vu 1091 fois et 2 commentaires)
The last war
on Iraq showed until which extent Europeans may become divided
when it comes to external policy. Core theme of the manifesto,
“Europe in the World” was also one of the topics discussed in one
of the sessions during the Vienna Forum!
Jean Asselborn (LSAP, Luxembourg), key-note speaker, stressed the role played by the Balkan region to stabilize Europe. The region must be stabilized in the frame of a peaceful Europe. Moreover, the failure of the “Balkan project” will have as a consequence the failure of Europe as a peace project.
Asselborn defended that the EU must assume a role in the Middle East. On the one hand Israel has the very right to exist, but it must stop its settlement policy and the blockade of the West Bank. The key to world peace lies in this region of the globe.
Piero Fassino (DP, Italy), the second key-note speaker on this session, underlined that what is lacking in Europe is not transparency – the procedures are very clear – but democracy! Citizens feel that they do not participate in the construction...
Lire la suitePublié mercredi 9 juillet 2008 à 17h35
par
Editeur
dans In the spotlight (vu 1092 fois et 1 commentaires)
Certains de nos
militants ont déjà commencé à parler du forum de Vienne! Voici
quelques-unes de leurs réactions:
- Plus d'une dizaine d'articles ont déjà été publiés par les militants sur YourSpace.
- Nils du secrétariat du PSE a créé un groupe sur Facebook.
- Aleksander de Paris a publié ses photos du forum de Vienne sur Flickr, de même que Francisco et que le secrétariat du PSE.
Vous pouvez également trouver quelques photos du forum dans les
albums numériques Picassa d'Emilio.
- Paula, de Bruxelles, a également publié des photos du Forum sur...
Lire la suitePublié mercredi 9 juillet 2008 à 14h41
par
Editeur
dans In the spotlight (vu 813 fois et 0 commentaires)
Voici une vidéo présentée à Vienne durant le premier Forum des militants du PSE. Vous pouvez également consulter les articles publiés par les participants au forum en cliquant ici. N'hésitez pas à nous laisser votre contribution!
Lire la suitePublié mercredi 9 juillet 2008 à 09h52
par
carlosmoret
dans Démocratie et diversité européenne (vu 895 fois et 0 commentaires)
The
Vienna forum was a very rich encounter. As for me the
presentation of activist campaigning was especially interesting,
since I tend to get easily involved. On the one hand there is the
manifesto2009, well under way that gives us a common platform for
the parliamentary elections, but that does not give me clues as
how to campaign. The Manifesto is an excellent tool, but we have
to sell it.
In the presentation "Experience Europe - Cross-border campaign exchanges" the panel was formed by four activists presenting different aspects of their campaigning in Ireland, Spain, Portugal and France.
Adrian O'Sullivan presented us his experience with PES activists
coming to Ireland to help in their election. I wasn't planning to
make a report, and therefore took no notes, just took pictures.
Adrian mentioned that integrating the non Irish activists was a
priority. There were the logistic...
Publié mardi 8 juillet 2008 à 16h47
par
Editeur
dans In the spotlight (vu 824 fois et 0 commentaires)
La consultation sur le programme électoral du PSE est terminée: 300.000 visites sur Yourspace et plus de 600 contributions ont été enregsitrées! Mais notre dialogue sur ‘Yourspace’ continue! Nous continuerons de débattre des thèmes importants qui seront les enjeux de la campagne pour les élections européennes - l'immigration, les changements climatiques, l'augmentation des prix des denrées alimentaires et de l'énergie, l'égalité, le traité de l'UE - et à nous préparer pour les élections. Nous procéderons avec la présentation des candidats du PSE des différents pays, nous parlerons des activités de campagne, de vos événements, des candidats et des partis dans l'opposition, nous insisterons sur les différences entre le PSE et les autres partis européens et et continuerons avec la préparation du programme électoral du PSE.
Lire la suitePublié mardi 8 juillet 2008 à 12h15
par
Okamoto
dans In the spotlight (vu 949 fois et 4 commentaires)
As a Bulgarian, the United States of Europe’s idea seems realistic and I can almost touch it. For the past 8 years life standard has raised, Bulgaria’ economy’s growing (with + 5% GDP), we do not need visas to travel, he have the possibility to travel and to meet people, the possibility to work and live where our heart is… 25,000 students leave Bulgaria every year (out of 80,000), unemployment rates are low. Two thirds of Bulgarians are Euro-optimists.
The biggest problem for Bulgaria is the corruption and control of European funds to reach their purposes.
Now let me present some other ideas for the manifesto...
Women’s rights:
Let me show you two exemples of countries where no one would say that women occupy important posts: in Iran (Islamic Republic) half of the board of directors or financial directors in State-owned companies are women and in Bulgaria (the poorest EU member) women have the same or better salaries.
Women should have more rights especially during their maternity.
Education and...
Lire la suitePublié lundi 7 juillet 2008 à 15h49
par
carlosmoret
dans In the spotlight (vu 764 fois et 1 commentaires)
Was the activists
Forum in Vienna an abnormal week-end for abnormal people? Are we
abnormal people to start with as Bo Krovig - a campaign specialist
of the Swedish party - said?
In a way Bo was right, it was a beautiful week-end, nice and sunny in Vienna and there we were, a bunch of some 300 people sitting in a room with no windows, listening to other speakers talk, at times fighting against sleep, raising our hands to get a chance to say a word when instead we should have been pick-nicking in a park with friends or family. And, to make matters worse, we had to put our hands deep into our pockets to get those Euros out that paid for our trip to Vienna. And there was fatigue too. I had a General Assembly of my PS section and got home late on Thursday night, still having to pack, try to get a few hours of sleep before starting off and finding my way to the airport. Helène worked late on Friday, but I convinced her to go to because I was confident that she would love the experience. And she did, in spite of fatigue.
The Vienna forum was really worth it, and sorry Bo, but I wouldn't have traded it for the best pick-nick in the nicest park or field of the Union with the best possible company; company we had, and the best too! And if you, my fellow activist, missed...
Lire la suitePublié lundi 7 juillet 2008 à 14h04
par
Editeur
dans In the spotlight (vu 732 fois et 0 commentaires)
Note de
l'éditeur: Aidan OSullivan, des militants du PSE de Dublin, nous
envoie un exemple de bonne pratique au niveau européen, présenté
lors du séminaire "Echanges sur les campagnes
transfrontalières".
En mai 2007, nous avons invité des militants de la base de toute
l'Europe afin de venir nous aider avec la campagne en vue des
élections législatives irlandaises.
Cette initiative a été un franc succès! Nous sommes allés frapper
aux portes des gens ensemble, nous avons distribué des tracts
ensemble, nous avons partagé des idées et des histoires et nous
avons véritablement créé des relations politiques
trans-européennes!
C'est comme ça que ça fonctionne, les militans du PSE: une
coopération de militant/e à militant/e construisant ensemble la
nouvelle Europe sociale depuis la base vers le haut.
N'hésitez pas à consulter la brève présentation de notre
expérience!
Publié lundi 7 juillet 2008 à 11h28
par
sschublach
dans In the spotlight (vu 752 fois et 1 commentaires)
Saturday I
joined the workshop on “European dimension in European election” at
the PES Seminar in Vienna. Thanks to PES, ECOSY – Young European
Socialists and their member organisation, I also had the
opportunity to present recent (international) campaigns, as for
example the Free Burma Campaign (JS in de PVDA), Disarmament and
Peace (JUSOS Germany) or a Belgian campaign concerning censorship
in Flanders (Animo Belgium). In addition I had the chance to
briefly speak about the “Netzwerk gegen Rechts” (Network against
right wing extremism), which was set up by the Socialist Youth
Austria (SJOE) in 2004 and still is very successful.
So far, more than 3000 young people joined the Network and are active in the fight against right wing extremism.
We as SJOE offer several things: concerts (rock against racism), seminars, workshops, exhibitions, meetings with contemporary witnesses, excursions and many materials. We consider that it is absolutely necessary to share our experiences with other organizations as many countries face similar problems.
Through this exchange we can...
Lire la suitePublié samedi 5 juillet 2008 à 19h33
par
ateneamel
dans La nouvelle Europe sociale (vu 904 fois et 1 commentaires)
PES activists are participating on the Vienna Forum to discuss the New Social Europe and to defend our values: democracy, freedom, Human Rights. We encourage everybody to spread the socialist point of views.
We should spread our voice. Improve cooperation between European and national Socialist parties is the solution. We want to build a New Social Europe based on the equity of opportunities and solidarity but to achieve it we need your help and support.
It is important to defend women rights. Being a woman should not be an obstacle. Women are intelligent, talented… Women have innovative ideas. We, women, have the support of the socialist leaders and politics. Socialists have the challenge to create a New Social Europe. They engage themselves to think and find solutions for people’s real problems. That’s why the manifesto2009 is being prepared.µ
We have the resources, the organization, people and our essential strengths: our values!
Lire la suitePublié samedi 5 juillet 2008 à 19h18
par
joelld
dans La nouvelle Europe sociale (vu 748 fois et 0 commentaires)
Rainbow Rose
LGBT, an observer member of the Party of European Socialists,
has been present throughout the consultation of PES activists
since the very beginning in 2007. Our network produced a
contribution to emphasize the need for the European Union to
ensure that one of its core values – equality of rights for all –
is going to make new progresses that will benefit all citizens.
During the past months, we collected support for our proposals among activists, being constantly present in PES events. At the same time, we made efforts to introduce our contribution to PES leaders and to members of the European Parliament. To this day, more than 40 MEPs publicly support Rainbow Rose’s contribution.
Among our concerns, along with the promotion and the monitoring of Human LGBT Rights all over the Union and in the world, come some very concrete actions that are fundamental to the Union’s policies and principles. To mention a very relevant point, Rainbow Rose asks the PES to ensure the full achievement of the freedom of movement for all, without discrimination.
This means applying the principle of mutual...
Lire la suitePublié samedi 5 juillet 2008 à 12h39
par
Editeur
dans In the spotlight (vu 846 fois et 6 commentaires)
300 militants du PSE
sont venus à Vienne pour discuter de la proposition de programme
électoral pour 2009! Le président du PSE Poul Nyrup Rasmussen, le
chancelier autrichien Alfred Gusenbauer, le secrétaire d'Etat
autrichien Andreas Schieder et la secrétaire générale d'ECOSY Ania Skrzypek
ont ouvert la conférence.
Rendez-vous sur notre canal Flickr pour les photos de l'événement!
Lire la suitePublié vendredi 4 juillet 2008 à 10h05
par
Editeur
dans In the spotlight (vu 716 fois et 0 commentaires)
Vienna receives this weekend the first PES activists Forum. “Vienna 2008 – a strong voice for European social democracy” gathers together leading politicians from PES member parties, activists and experts to discuss the outcome of the manifesto2009 campaign. They will draw-up their ideas for a strong campaign for the next European elections.
The opening session of the Forum is scheduled for this afternoon. Tomorrow, Saturday, four parallel sessions will take place on both “Manifesto” and “Campaigning” themes.
During the day, participants will discuss not only the four consultation themes – “Save our World, “New Social Europe”, “Europe in the World” and “European democracy and diversity” – but also other transversal issues such as “Experience in Europe – Cross-border campaign exchanges”, “Strike back on ultraconservative speech”, “Social networking over Internet or “A European dimension in European election campaigns”.
The Forum, organised together with the SPÖ, the Renner Institute and the Foundation for European Progressive Studies (FEPS), will close the PES manifesto consultation.
Lire la suitePublié jeudi 3 juillet 2008 à 10h57
par
rikkeindenmark
dans Démocratie et diversité européenne (vu 1146 fois et 6 commentaires)
This weekend I will be
doing a presentation on social networking tools at the PES activist forum in
Vienna. I was glad to find out that there’ll be a workshop
dedicated to online campaigning - and now I'm looking very much
forward to debating the topic with other PES activists. Therefore,
I thought it would be appropriate with a few words on online
campaigning and my particular ‘campaigning speciality’, namely
social networking sites.