THE GLOBAL PROGRESSIVE FORUM IN A FEW WORDS
ADVANCING PROGRESSIVE IDEAS TO CHANGE GLOBALISATION
The Global Progressive Forum (GPF) aims to bring together progressives – politicians, trade unionists, key figures of international organizations and members from NGOs - from Africa, Europe, Asia, the Middle East, India, and Latin America to discuss and propose alternatives to the negative aspects of the current Globalization process which specifically affects developing countries.
The Global Progressive Forum is a common initiative of the Party of European Socialists along with its political group in the European Parliament, and the Socialist International. The GPF sprang up from the success of the first World Social Forum (WSF) held in January 2001 in Porto Alegre, in Brazil. The GPF also participated in the World Social Fora of Porto Alegre, Mumbai and Nairobi and will be present at the World Social Forum of Belem, Brasil, in January 2009. The GPF was also an active member of the European Social Fora of London, Athens and Malmö. The GPF is a member of the International Council of the WSF.
The GPF often organises Conferences and seminars on different global issues (Economic Partnership Agreements, Financial Crisis, Social Rights, Doha Development Round…). The GPF is a founding member of the “Decent Work – Decent Life Campaign”, along with ITUC, Solidar and Social Alert, which is a platform aimed at promoting decent work and the implementation of the ILO International Conventions on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work.
The first edition of the GPF organised its 1st global conference in November 2003 in Brussels at the European Parliament. A second conference was held in Milano in September 2005. This year the Global Progressive Forum is holding its 2009 Conference in the centre of the European Capital, within the European Parliament in Brussels. This conference gives the opportunity to gather worldwide key international
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players to elaborate progressive ways of tackling the outcomes of globalisation while engaging in a new vision of a globalised world from which we can all benefit.
For the GPF Conference 2009, our main focus will be on the following political themes:
Financial markets and the economical crisis Energy crisis Trade and Decent Work Climate change and environmental sustainability Globalisation and Migration Eradicating poverty Women & globalisation
Debates will be devoted to “Progressive politics for another globalisation”, “A New direction for Capitalism” and “Progressives, the way forward”.
We will also bring a different vision to the question of the reform of global governance with a workshop on “The New Global Governance” and another one on “Regional Integration Processes for Better Global Cooperation”. Africa will also be at the heart of the event with a plenary meeting on “Africa in the 21 st century”.
Our main goal is to propose a new approach to globalisation, challenging the views of conservatives and neo-liberals. At a time of great uncertainties and worries, progressives must look ahead with innovative solutions for a sustainable future.
Global Progressive Forum Leaders
The founding member of the GPF and first Chair is Poul Nyrup Rasmussen , currently President of the PES and former Prime Minister of Denmark.
The GPF’s current Chair is Josep Borell Fonteles , Chair of the Commission on Development at the European Parliament, and former President of the European Parliament.
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THE NEW GLOBALISATION FOR PROGRESSIVE CHANGE
DRAFT PROGRAMME OVERVIEW
THURSDAY, 2 APRIL 2009
12.00-14.00 Registration and access to European Parliament Entrance ASP Place Luxembourg
15.00-16.00 Welcome remarks and opening Hemicycle of the European Parliament
16.00-17.30 Workshop 1: Progressive politics for Globalisation Hemicycle of the European Parliament
17.30-19.00 Workshop 2: Sustainable development for social justice
Workshop 3: Making trade work for people
Workshop 4: Equal rights for all women
Workshop 5: Regional integration for better global governance
20.00-01.00 Reception and Concert
FRIDAY, 3 APRIL 2009
09.00-10.30 Workshop 6: A New Direction for Capitalism Hemicycle of the European Parliament
10.30-12.00 Workshop 7: Tackling the Energy crisis and Climate change
Workshop 8: Africa in the 21 st century
Workshop 9: Achieving Lasting Peace
Workshop 10: Making Poverty History
12.00-12.30 Call to Action
12.30-14.00 Lunch 1
14.00-15.30 Workshop 11: A Global Deal for Green Growth
15.30-17.00 Workshop 12: Feeding the Planet
Workshop 13: Implementing Decent Work for All
Workshop 14: Globalization and migration
Workshop 15: A new global governance
17.00-18.30 Workshop 16: Progressive is the way forward. Closing address and launch of GPF Petition 2009 Hemicycle of the European Parliament
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3 rd Conference The New Globalisation for Progressive Change in the European Parliament in Brussels on 2-3 April 2009
Challenge the views of conservatives and neo-liberals and join the event of 2009 with high-level speakers from politics, trade unions and civil society and over 1.000 participants Register at [email protected]
Poul Nyrup Rasmussen, Martin Schulz, Josep Borrell, Margot Wallstrom, Pascal Lamy, Dominique Strauss-Kahn, Guy Rider, Kemal Dervis, Susan George, Antonio Guterres, Joseph Stiglitz, John Sweeney, John Monks and many others will be there.
The Brussels conference is co-organised by the Party of European Socialists, the Socialist Group in the European Parliament and the Foundation for European Progressive Studies with the cooperation of Socialist International
Global Progressive Forum c/o Party of European Socialists Rue du Trone, 98, 1040 Brussels, Belgium Tel +32 2 548 9080 Fax +32 2 230 1766 [email protected] www.globalprogressiveforum.org