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7 November, 1999Representatives of center-left parties the world over are expected to deliberate a new path for democratic socialism into the 21st century.
FRANCE: The 21st Congress of the Socialist International (SI), the world's largest political party and international organisation, opened today, November 8, in Paris, with 170 delegations in attendance representing Socialists and Social Democrats worldwide.
Contrary to expected controversial ideological debate, the social democratic leaders have so far shown only some differences in nuance, emphasis and national traditions, but in general are unified in their analysis, values, political strategies, priorities and great concern for common action on the European and world level. Among their priorities are:
- bringing down unemployment;
- strengthening state control of unrestrained market forces;
- enhancing participation of citizens in public affairs;
- eradicating exclusion and poverty;
- wavering debts of poor countries;
- furthering education to create equal opportunities for all;
- fighting crime and dictatorships;
- putting the struggle for human and trade union rights at the forefront.
The "Declaration of Paris" is expected to be voted on by the SI Congress later today.
The actual president of the Socialist International, former French prime minister Pierre Mauroy, is expected to be replaced by Portugal's prime minister, Antonio Guterres, who is considered a "moderniser". The SI leadership is made up of leading political figures in their countries. They include the present heads of government of Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Great Britain, Greece, Italy, the Netherlands, Portugal and Sweden, and the former prime ministers of Austria, Hungary, Israel, Norway, Spain and Turkey.
The SI also includes leading members from a number of developing countries and also from former Communist countries.
A strong feeling of optimism prevails that united democratic socialists will become a controlling force in the coming century.
For further information, access the SI website.
Contrary to expected controversial ideological debate, the social democratic leaders have so far shown only some differences in nuance, emphasis and national traditions, but in general are unified in their analysis, values, political strategies, priorities and great concern for common action on the European and world level. Among their priorities are:
- bringing down unemployment;
- strengthening state control of unrestrained market forces;
- enhancing participation of citizens in public affairs;
- eradicating exclusion and poverty;
- wavering debts of poor countries;
- furthering education to create equal opportunities for all;
- fighting crime and dictatorships;
- putting the struggle for human and trade union rights at the forefront.
The "Declaration of Paris" is expected to be voted on by the SI Congress later today.
The actual president of the Socialist International, former French prime minister Pierre Mauroy, is expected to be replaced by Portugal's prime minister, Antonio Guterres, who is considered a "moderniser". The SI leadership is made up of leading political figures in their countries. They include the present heads of government of Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Great Britain, Greece, Italy, the Netherlands, Portugal and Sweden, and the former prime ministers of Austria, Hungary, Israel, Norway, Spain and Turkey.
The SI also includes leading members from a number of developing countries and also from former Communist countries.
A strong feeling of optimism prevails that united democratic socialists will become a controlling force in the coming century.
For further information, access the SI website.