or the French version is available via the following link

http://www.pes.org/newsletter/17/fr/

Europe was the Congress’ centre piece. Jacques Delors underscored ‘diversity is the strength of Europe’. Ségoline Royal wanted to breathe new life into Europe. European societies are needed. The world need just rules…Everything is in disorder……We need to speak with the same voice but it all its languages and with all its souls… Europe needs a Near East reconciled with itself.’

In honour of Robin Cook, PES President from 2001 to 2004, PES published a book in memoriam, and named its principle meeting room ‘Robin Cook room’. The authors praised Robin Cook for his socialist commitment to the Convention for Europe’s future and for developing a PES Statute.

Speakers also stressed their global solidarity. In response to Governor Howard Dean, USA Democrats leader, Paol Nyrup Rasmussen, PES President, underscored ‘You are concerned with our common destiny. We are for the real America and we want to cooperate with you to change the world.

A key to world change, halting climate change - at the vortex of planet survival, was fortunately high on the Congress agenda. The thorny background to it well illustrates the complexities and processes behind the scenes for agreeing energy policies. On that score, the IPPC -Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change set up in 1988 by the World Meteorological Organisation and the United Nations Environment Programme - just came out with its latest assessment in Paris, confirming that human activities cause climate change and that it will take centuries to recover from damage to date.

As such it simply re-iterated its first report of 1990 with similar conclusions, that the immediate cut of 60 to 80 percent in the emissions of CO2 from human resources were required just to stabilise atmospheric CO2 concentrations at the very high levels recorded in 1990. The IPPC reported that the combined effect of all greenhouse gases accumulated by the year 2030 would be twice as much as pre-industrial CO2 concentrations.

In point of fact, atmospheric scientists were concerned for long that the greenhouse effect was causing global warming. They warned there was climate change with potential devastating effects, at the First World Climate Conference in 1979. In the 1980s even the Kogi Indians in North East Colombia complained that there was not enough snow or water to cultivate their crops. ‘The world is growing hotter … Its causes are manifold, but all the causes can be traced to the younger brother and the way he treats the earth’(1990:217 Alan Eireira, The Heart of the World)

The Second World Climate Conference at Geneva in 1990 to assess the first IPPC assessment resulted in a Ministerial Declaration adopted by 137 countries, to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases and to take into account the needs of developing countries. Through public information, media and NGOs the eyes of the world were riveted on the climate issue.

Even so, 26 years later effective European and international strategies are not yet in place. So far, committed politicians are blocked by walls of resistance to reducing carbon emissions. and will need the support of alternate high profile tactics to mobilise people empowerment.. For instance, Richard Branston and Al Gore have just launched a competition with a 12 million pound reward offered by Branston for the best solution to climate change. Global Cool a group of international artists set up by Dan Morell, aims at ensuring everyone reduces his/her carbon footprint by 20 tons.

PES Congress party leaders agreed to a social democratic approach for a European energy policy through a sustainable third industrial revolution based on energy efficiency, renewable energies and the capture of global warming gases. The Congress Resolution presented by Finnish Social Democratic Party Leader, Eero Heinaluoma calls for the EU to agree on a timetable for reducing fossil fuels dependence and for the Emissions Trading Scheme to be extended internationally for at least 20 years. The resolution was shaped by a High Level Group with German Environment Minister Sigmar Gabriel, UK energy Minister Malcolm Wicks and Swedish Ministers Thomas Ostras and Stefan Stern. Eero Heinaluoma, John Prescott and Mircea Geoana took part in the debate.

Other Congress resolutions adopted were the 10 principles for a new social Europe - a green light for social and economic reform, and resolutions on common ambitions, Bielorussie, the Middle East and media diversity.

Invited guests included Boris Tadic Serbian President, Romano Prodi Italian President and Lebanese leader Walid Joumblatt. Of the 1500 participants, some 600 delegates had voting rights, and included 100 activists and 100 journalists.

These serious Congress matters were spiced with a great deal of fanfare and friendly backslapping. Each session was heralded in with the Irish pop song ‘It’s a beautiful day’. Madame Royal with her entourage, swept down the aisle to this refrain and she was introduced as ‘France’s new President’ by José Socrates, Portugal’s Prime Minister.

The effect of her triumphal entry evoked the theatrical apparition of Cleopatra on river Cydnus in her barge which ‘like a burnished throne burned in the water…..Age cannot wither her nor custom stale her infinite variety’ (Shakespeare, Antony and Cleopatra) Though it was her only appearance at the Congress, people in the streets kept asking,

‘Who is this lady who is always on our TV news ?’

Even the activists were not left out. After the closing session, we, the speakers at the fringe meeting on "How to promote PES activists?", were invited to shower the dignitaries on stage with red roses. When I gave mine to José Socrates, he said the roses were for all the participants, and invited me to distribute them in the hall. Gallantly, he gave his roses to the ladies in the first row.

I gave mine to the assistants still working in the foyer looking after the cloakrooms and headphones, so they could not enter the illustrious meeting room filled with stars and the plaintive goodbye music of Maria Joao and Mario Laghina. We certainly left all equal and feeling the same about this poignant music resounding saudade –we miss you. For each of us holding our single red rose, the show must go on.

One item would be to revive our efforts in 2002 to put forward LI candidates for election to national committees, on the strength of the LP administration’s view that we were entitled to do so as LI is the equivalent of a constituency despite some inevitable distinctions as we are global and not local. At the time this was blocked by the NEC, not on principled grounds but technical ones such as its omission from the Labour Party Rules.

There was much interest in this meeting. It turned out that the Eurosocialists Association at Geneva, the topic I presented, was the only activist group with such a long history and established structure. One journalist commented that we were courageous to set up such a European association at Geneva. Several journalists and participants took photos of the poster I showed of our public/conference debate on a New Social Europe in Solidarity held to launch the new association on 18 November 2006.

Panellists and audience members stressed the importance of setting up flexible, organic groups adapted to local situations. Eric Sundstrom proposed setting up a red house activists meeting centre at Brussels. Constraints including how to finance PES groups and candidates for municipal elections, were summarised in a report on the Congress by the FFE, Fédération des Français de l'étranger du PSF. (Federation of French abroad of the PSF. For a copy of the report contact Jean-Yves LECONTE generik@generik.com.pl)

While national parties recognised the value of activist groups, they are reluctant to accord PES activist sections representation status and voting rights along the lines NGOs have such rights when accredited to the United Nations system. The same applies to individual activists.

When I asked why, I was told that they wanted to avoid giving activists a double vote. They argued that party members already could vote through their participation in national party procedures in cases where their rules allow sections abroad to have delegate and voting powers at national party conferences.

Tim Clapham Labour Party UK; Labour International Chair

Sylvia Moore Labour International Deputy Chair, Founding member of the "Eurosocialists at Geneva"

Nicolas Nordman Socialist Party France, Member of the Executive Commission of the Paris Federation

Eric Sundström SAP Sweden, editor in chief of three social democratic newspapers and founder of "PES Stockholm"

Since the launch of the "PES activists" in May 2006, 5,000 activists have joined the PES from all PES parties. The purpose of this fringe session is to present some of the successful initiatives launched by PES activists and also to define, with all attendees, common actions to promote the PES activist network around the world.

Sweden is known as a rather Eurosceptic country. However "PES Stockholm (Section one)" has been a success story within the SAP. Is the mood towards European politics slowly changing in Sweden, and if so, why? Moreover, general guidelines outlining how a successful activist group can be organised will be discussed. What is the general advice, and is it applicable across borders? Also, practical steps suggesting how PES-activism can be developed and more visible in the European debate, for example in the media and through think-tanks, will be presented.

"Eurosocialists at Geneva": a first step to a European activists’ network – Sylvia Moore

Founded in November 2006, the aims of the Eurosocialists Association at Geneva are to promote Europe, to work at the harmonisation of social policies in Europe meeting European citizens’ expectations, to contribute to a better democratisation of European institutions, and to promote the PES. Members of the group belong to FP France, SPD Germany, Labour Party UK, PSOE Spain, DS Italy, PvdA The Netherlands and PS Switzerland.

Members of the Europe Commission are PS activists within the PS Paris federation, but also activists from other Socialists and Social Democrats parties and PES activities. Its aim is to promote and debate European questions, to strengthen relationships between European activist thanks to meeting and debates organised in common, and increase PES visibility.

PES activists can be a catalyst in this process but other members should be involved. Benefits of cooperation are political, social and practical. There is a need for a central network and for PES parties to be committed to developing their international membership.

The expatriates’ federation of the French Parti Socialiste is represented in 110 countries around the world. In April 2006, a survey was launched to identify activists’ expectations toward the PES. "More Europe and more contacts with PES activist from other PES parties"! Several local initiatives have been launched with other Socialists and Social democrats expatriates sections to "create" a kind of PES section. The aim is now to extend these initiatives in order to promote the European network at a larger scale.

PES Secretary General Philip Cordery was scheduled to speak but could not attend.

The decision to introduce PES activists as taken at the PES Council in Vienna, June 2005 "The PES and the Member parties should work together to strengthen European political consciousness among ordinary party members". Through this initiative, Socialists and Social Democrats from all over Europe get the opportunity to actively support and contribute to a common socialist European strategy.

Presentation by Sylvia Moore

On behalf of Labour International and the Eurosocialist Association at Geneva, I would like to express heartfelt thanks to the PES for inviting us to this landmark conference for the first time open to activists – a step towards real participatory democracy. Our appreciative gratitude is also due to our hosts in this beautiful city PORTO, a UNESCO world heritage site, European culture capital in 2001 and EURO 2004 host city. We shall surely leave your sea swept shores saying saudade, we miss you.

In its international and European interface, Porto is like Geneva, a European city and meeting point of world political horizons. As the United Nations second seat after New York, Geneva hosts some 187 nationalities. They overflow into neighbouring France, host to some 170 nationalities working in Geneva and to some international NGOs. Many of these non-Swiss residents hold dual nationality have lived in several countries and speak a few languages. They represent the new geo-political reality as global and European citizens.

Their international community work environment, spearheaded as it by the universal declaration of human rights, is for long driven by the current 10 PES principles for a new social Europe, which are in sync with the roots of international socialism. Such roots were epitomised in the efforts of hard up Labour Party citizens of Liverpool who organised food ships and set sail to help their comrades during the Spanish civil war. They nurture boundary spanning, common values of mutual support in harmony with cultural identities, for a better life for all.

These principles are founded on a rights based planet attitude for sustainable development embracing the biosphere in the face of planet emergencies, and a global ethic for stewardship through trust and partnership. This other human face of globalisation is, as is the PES commitment to fair competition, cooperation and solidarity, contrary to global business without ethics, social dumping, rule by kleptocracies, unbridled liberalisation and market forces run haywire.

Against this backcloth several European expatriate sections of national socialist parties were established at Geneva from 1971.

In 1971 the SPD section (Germany) was set up by SPD members working for the international organisations. Conferences are held on international and German politics. Sections abroad are not officially recognised by the SPD. German citizens resident abroad can vote in national elections.

In 1981 the PvdA section (The Netherlands) was founded by Jan Pronk Deputy Director General at UNCTAD, renowned as Dutch Minister for his innovative technical assistance programme. This section focuses on social issues. It can propose amendments to national party policy texts and is represented at its party congress. Dutch citizens resident abroad can vote at national elections.

In 1995 the PSF section (France) was founded. Some 1600 French citizens resident abroad are members of PSF sections and can vote for 2 senators who represent their interests. French citizens resident abroad have national voting rights.

In 1995, Labour International (LI) was set up by the British Labour Party as its overseas constituency of Labour Party members resident abroad, on the initiative of LP members at Geneva and New York. There are branches in Brussels, France, Geneva, Italy, New York and Spain. The Geneva and neighbouring France branch was set up in 1996. LI members contribute to national policy papers, elect delegates to the LP Conference with voting rights. However British citizens lose their voting rights in national elections after living 15 years abroad, an infringement of basic civil rights, as it is also in the cases of Ireland and Denmark.

In 2000 a DS section Italy was set up in Suisse Romande, as part of the DS national council at Rome. It can elect a senator and has 2 representatives in parliament. Italian citizens resident abroad gained the right to vote in national elections in 2006.

Since 1995, the sections of SPD Germany, PvdA The Netherlands, FPS France and LP Britain, cooperated formally with each other on a regular basis, as well as with Swiss labour parties at Geneva, socialist mayors in neighbouring France, consulates and many concerned citizens’ organisations in Switzerland. More recently they were joined by the newly formed sections of the PSOE Spain and DS Italy. Their members had come to work in Switzerland and developed close ties with the Swiss community.

The aim was to provide a catalyst for working together as European citizens for a renewed Europe. We organised joint meetings on international, European and EU/Swiss trans border and civil rights issues. From 2000 we held an annual conference to mobilise European socialists at Geneva. Themes were:

• Social policies of European socialist parties
• Democratic deficit in the European Community
• Defining a socialist foreign policy for Europe
• European Community Treaties
• Relevance of Marxism in analysing globalisation
• European Constitution Treaty Referenda

From 2000, to further EU co-citizenship, Labour International’s Geneva/France Voisine Branch organised several joint pan Eurosocialist meetings with socialist mayors in neighbouring France, in particular with George Vianès, Ferney Voltaire’s mayor. To that end, we held breakthrough meetings on updating national and municipal administration in line with European legislation, took part in municipal council elections, and backed the European Union user friendly information campaign by organising information meetings in France.

We hoped this would help iron out anachronisms and misinterpretations occurring even at national and local government levels, due to lack of information and understanding of European law.

For instance, when discussing with local authorities ideas such as Delors’ ‘diversity is the strength of Europe’, some retaliate ‘diversity is the aggressor of Europe’. In France, when opening a bank account, a high level bank official questioned, ‘Is Britain in the EC?’ When changing car number plates to another department, one local authority still required a carte de séjour even though abolished for EU citizens

Areas of our concern are reciprocal healthcare, freedom of movement and voting rights.

Regarding reciprocal EU arrangements on health care, some public health officials opine that resident foreign EU nationals are leaching on ‘our funds belonging to all our nationals’. There lurks the seeds of racism. They are not aware of the fact that EU law obliges foreign nationals to pay contributions to the national health system of their country of residence.

When The Netherlands brought its health legislation in line with European law in 2006, citizens living in other EU countries with Dutch pensions could not keep their private health insurances which were abolished. Instead, they must pay obligatory contributions in The Netherlands deducted from their pensions which are transferred to the health system in their EU countries of residence. It is the Dutch healthcare system which foots their medical bills. Reciprocally, foreign EU nationals living in another EU country have the same healthcare benefits as nationals. This is the new social Europe of solidarity, liberty, equality and fraternity, where funds raised from taxation are indeed are shared among all European co-citizens. No one is leaching on national funds.

In 2002, our 6 socialist party sections sent a petition to the PES requesting formal PES status for our group. The request was refused as no such category existed in the PES rules and national parties such as the PvdA would have to change their own rules. When visiting PES Secretary General, Anthony Beumer at Brussels in 2003, he explained to me that while the PES had no formal membership structure for socialist party associations, such groups would be given all support possible through PES information channels. Indeed, they were already underway in Germany and Luxemburg. He would visit them and our group in Geneva. He drew attention to the recent PES ruling at the Berlin Congress that paid up members of a national socialist party when living abroad can become members of a sister party without paying its dues.

Given the recent democratic deficit trend and the French and Dutch rejection of the European Constitutional Treaty in the 2004 referenda, our sections decided to set up an official Eurosocialists Association at Geneva under Swiss law for members of established sections of European socialist parties at Geneva, with a special status for sympathisers.

Its objectives are to promote Europe, to work at the harmonisation of social policies in Europe to meet European citizens’ expectations, to contribute to improved democratisation of European institutions, and to promote the PES. Members belong to sections of FPS France, SPD Germany, LP UK, DS Italy, PvdA The Netherlands, PSOE Spain, and PS Switzerland.

Its statutes were officially signed on 19 October 2006 and presented to the public on 18 November 2006 followed by a conference debate on ‘A New Social Europe in Solidarity’ The statutes stipulate that there are 2 founding members from each section, and 1 from each section on the committee, while functional officers can be co-opted. An annual General Assembly must be convened. Funds are raised through members subscriptions, party and other donations.

PES’ innovative move in June 2005 to create space for the status of activists has given them a crucial role to play. Given the value of their flexible profiles in line with local situations, the PES with its national parties would want to find ways to adapt their rules to provide effective mechanisms for activists’ voice and vote, without overlapping with national party rules, when existing procedures allow party sections abroad to vote in national fora.

Thanks to you all for listening to our story. Your comments and reflections are most welcome.