Archives: March 2008

  • Sign a petition for saving our planet

    • loading...
    • Rating: 5.0000
    • 5
    • 4
    • 3
    • 2
    • 1

    Rating: 5/5 with 3 votes

    Published Monday, March 31, 2008 at 11:55
    by cafeneaua.politica Join PES activists (827 views and 0 comments)

    Sign this petition for promoting in Romania and Europe the healthy life, increasing the use of bicycles, and in this way for reducing the locals pollution that generate a global worming amount. Signing this petition you agreed to promote a law initiative that will force the all Romanian and European local administrations to generate special places on auto roads from inside of the towns and communes in the only bicyclist’s advantage.

    Please forward this announcement to yours friends!

    In Romanian:

    Va invit sa semnati o petitie in favoarea unei initiative legislative in Romania si Europa ce sa promoveze concret prezervarea calitatii mediului.

    Va rog sa promovati acest mesaj in cercurile de apropiati in logica unui efort comun pentru un interes comun!

    SorinPLATON

    Tags: activists, climate change, transport


  • The future sounds good!

    • loading...
    • Rating: 3.6667
    • 5
    • 4
    • 3
    • 2
    • 1

    Rating: 3.7/5 with 3 votes

    Published Monday, March 31, 2008 at 09:36
    by cafeneaua.politica Join PES activists (869 views and 4 comments)

    In the last time I have participated in some interesting left civil society and social democrat debates, under the PES Activists auspices at Oradea and Cluj-Napoca in Romania. The quality of the subjects and on the other hand of the speakers and listeners prove again that “the left” has a very good future in Romania and probably in Europe.

    1. The Oradea debate subject:

    ”Parliamentary bureau - The feed-back connection with citizens”





    » read more ...

    Tags: citizens, diversity, equality, EU, political parties


  • Ania Skrzypek: Decent work, decent life - decent policies to deliver!

    • loading...
    • Rating: 4.5556
    • 5
    • 4
    • 3
    • 2
    • 1

    Rating: 4.6/5 with 9 votes

    Published Friday, March 28, 2008 at 15:30
    by ania_skrzypek Join PES activists (1086 views and 4 comments)

    Today is the first sunny day in Brussels, after a week of snow, rain, cold and grey-dom. One wakes up – and U2 song ‘It’s a beautiful day’ seem to be sung inside oneself just naturally….

    This is how me and you wake up. Probably you open the sink listening to the water falling down into wash basin steadily…Sip of coffee with no thoughts of where it came from… Warm cotton t-shirt surrounds your neck… fair trade? What is fair trade during such a joyful morning? On TV the news presenter says something about some protests or riots in far away country, but no time for that – same tv claims it is already 8. Aha, you think with little anger, you will be late for work – why do people have to go to the office on such a beautiful Friday and sit there till 5 anyway? You think closing the door. The day begun – and within those two hours of pure enjoyment of yours – somewhere in Asia a kid went to factory instead of school, somewhere in Africa a poor family begun its walk to unknown, somewhere in Latin America a trade unionist get bullied again, somewhere in EU a jobless single mother goes for another job hunt. “Beautiful day”? Indeed!

    You might think – I am crazy... » read more ...

    Tags: aid, blogger of the week, decent work, fair trade, globalization, poverty, solidarity


  • PES activists from Geneva have their say!

    • loading...
    • Rating: 3.6667
    • 5
    • 4
    • 3
    • 2
    • 1

    Rating: 3.7/5 with 3 votes

    Published Friday, March 28, 2008 at 14:32
    by Editor (855 views and 1 comments)



    The Eurosocialists in Geneva have also sent in their ideas for the PES manifesto - read the full document here. The group proposes the following four objectives for the EU in the world theme:

    • Eliminating poverty, promoting decent work and respecting human rights
    • Towards more equitable and effective taxation (at all levels)
    • Towards better global governance
    • Enhancing our security in the framework of NATO and the European Neighbourhood Policy


    Do you have any ideas to add? Leave a comment and debate with Eurosocialists Geneva!

    Tags: activists, decent work, human rights, manifesto, neighbours, peace, poverty, tax


  • NGO interview: Promote fair and sustainable products

    • loading...
    • Rating: 4.0000
    • 5
    • 4
    • 3
    • 2
    • 1

    Rating: 4/5 with 4 votes

    Published Thursday, March 27, 2008 at 16:19
    by Editor (693 views and 1 comments)

    Euro Coop is the European community of consumer cooperatives and one of many NGOs who is giving their ideas for the PES manifesto. In the video below Secretary General Rodrigo Gouveia gives the highlights of Euro Coop's contribution to the PES manifesto:

    Tags: consumer, NGO


  • Ania Skrzypek: Giving Europeans a good reason to go and vote

    • loading...
    • Rating: 3.7500
    • 5
    • 4
    • 3
    • 2
    • 1

    Rating: 3.8/5 with 8 votes

    Published Thursday, March 27, 2008 at 12:35
    by ania_skrzypek Join PES activists (866 views and 3 comments)

    Thinking about the next post of the blog – I was actually trying to remind myself what is that people enjoy reading. Coming from the political school of manifesto: ‘others want to see true intentions that inspired you at the first place, to be also inspired’, I decided to use one of my very peculiar interests while traveling;… women magazines. From cover to cover – scanning all the pictures, trying to get empathy for the authors of ‘letters to editor’, looking at some clothes that are not only strange but absolutely unaffordable for a regular employee… But above all the most exciting and the most interesting is what the knowledge these colorful pages give; the portrait of a woman of today. The last time I did that reading I discovered something absolutely disturbing; women of my own age (around 30) are the group with the highest risk of the heart attacks. Even more terrible, most of us had already some mini-version ones without noticing that even!

    It has been shocking to discover, but on the other hand looking at the recent publication of the European Commission "Report... » read more ...

    Tags: blogger of the week, childcare, equality, health, women, youth


  • No, the Logan is not a Ford T !

    • loading...
    • Rating: 5.0000
    • 5
    • 4
    • 3
    • 2
    • 1

    Rating: 5/5 with 2 votes

    Published Thursday, March 27, 2008 at 11:45
    by yoan.abiven Join PES activists (626 views and 1 comments)

    The strike decided by the Romanian workers in the Dacia plants ishows how much we need to consolidate a Social Europe. The wages and working conditions are the new adjustment variables of the new international division of labour, even within the Union's Member States. Employment is awarded to those deserving workers who are ready to work a lot and earn little. The workers in Dacia want a substantial increase in their wages, arguing that there is a lack of workforce in Romania, and that is now starting to hit the car manufacturing industry.

    I am very happy to witness this social movement in Romanie. In the end, this is a good sign of the successful integration of this country in the Western economic area and the beginning of its bridging its social and economic gap with the rest of Europe. Under these conditions, an economic development founded on better social conditions is more conceivable. Changes are underway in the Romanian production system and for the better: the lack of skills on which the present system is based seems to be on the verge of disappearing. The EU should accompany these transformations with strong social and modern policies in order to anticipate the needs and also pave the way for social dialogue and the organisation of social partners so that they... » read more ...

    Tags: social dialogue, wages, workers


  • Scandinavian PES activists on New Social Europe

    • loading...
    • Rating: 4.5000
    • 5
    • 4
    • 3
    • 2
    • 1

    Rating: 4.5/5 with 2 votes

    Published Wednesday, March 26, 2008 at 16:33
    by Editor (647 views and 0 comments)

    Here is the last of four reports from the manifesto debate in Denmark:

    The manifesto theme 'New Social Europe' was one of the topics of discussion when PES activists from Denmark, Sweden and Norway met in Jørlunde, Denmark on March 1st and 2nd 2008. Here are the conclusions from this dedicated discussion group:

    Ole Christensen, MEP, introduced the workshop by speaking about labour market policy in a new social Europe. One of the main focuses was the role of Court of Justice in connection to the Vaxholm case regarding the labour market models in the Nordic countries.

    The case was seen in connection to the increased mobility, out posting of labour and the terms offered the employees as well as the competition between foreign and domestic labour in relation to collective bargaining.

    The focus was also on the Danish labour market model and flexicurity, the role of the parties within the labour market, the social dialogue, rights and duties.

    These great social democratic challenges were highlighted during the discussion:... » read more ...

    Tags: childcare, employment, equality, social dialogue, wages, welfare


  • Ania Skrzypek: Young European Socialists and new social jobs

    • loading...
    • Rating: 5.0000
    • 5
    • 4
    • 3
    • 2
    • 1

    Rating: 5/5 with 5 votes

    Published Wednesday, March 26, 2008 at 15:04
    by ania_skrzypek Join PES activists (822 views and 3 comments)

    Not a long time ago, by November 2007, ECOSY celebrated its 15 years anniversary. For that occasion we asked our members why they joined the movement. Among many answers the leading one was undoubtedly: because I wanted to make a difference, because I wanted to change… Naïve? I would not say so – I’d rather claim ‘refreshing to remember’, inspiring! Now “New” usually stands for something that is different from everything we know, that can give a potential hope – which is why the "New Social Europe" seem to be the hope to re-boost the discussion on what is the absolutely unique project of Socialists and Social Democrats for Europe.

    We know that the world has changed – we read that in every paper, together with acknowledgements of all the threats that not only hide in every corner, but even enter our houses; like globalization that we voluntarily participate in each day when switching the TV on. Everything is unstable, insecure, questionable – and Superman or Spiderman seem up to date enough to save us.

    I am convinced that instead of a bunch... » read more ...

    Tags: blogger of the week, education, employment, wages, welfare, youth


  • Ania Skrzypek: Lisbon Treaty - Polish Kinder Surprise

    • loading...
    • Rating: 5.0000
    • 5
    • 4
    • 3
    • 2
    • 1

    Rating: 5/5 with 4 votes

    Published Tuesday, March 25, 2008 at 16:30
    by ania_skrzypek Join PES activists (833 views and 1 comments)

    I write rarely about Poland – as a Secretary General of a European Organization. But as I have also never written a blog before I have decided to make an exception. Especially that the issue below remains at the heart of the manifesto debate on New Social Europe and “how to reach a New Social Europe for everyone and everywhere?"

    There are few Easter traditions Polish cultivated up till today. One of them is the tradition of hand-painted Eggs, and another of “Wet Monday” when Polish are sprinkling water on one another. The wetter you get, the more popular you are – says ancient tradition. Both customs seem to have reached a new political dimension; just before Easter Polish got their very own “Kinder Surprise” hand-made by the Kaczynski Brothers colored in national white and red, indicating the popularity to wash away in a Niagara Falls of words like ‘never’, ‘scandal’, ‘forever’ the Lisbon Treaty.

    Polish representatives, negotiating the Lisbon Treaty, made a lot of promises in the media. As a nation, educated in school by romantic literature, we like symbols underlined by a little drama. This is why it is in our political DNA to tear our clothes apart and claim that ‘we will die... » read more ...

    Tags: blogger of the week, citizens, democracy, public services, youth


  • Blogger of the Week: Ania Skrzypek, Secretary General of ECOSY

    • loading...
    • Rating: 4.2000
    • 5
    • 4
    • 3
    • 2
    • 1

    Rating: 4.2/5 with 10 votes

    Published Tuesday, March 25, 2008 at 12:00
    by Editor (939 views and 0 comments)

    Thanks a lot to our last blogger of the week, Hanna Isbom.

    Ania Skrzypek is Secretary General of Young European Socialists – or ECOSY in short – and this week she’ll be blogging on Yourspace. ECOSY, which in November 2007 celebrated its 15th birthday, gathers Socialist and Social Democratic youth and students organizations from all over Europe who all together campaign since 2005 for “A Social Europe for Everyone” ECOSY is a member of European Youth Forum, one of the founding members of GPYF – Global Progressive Youth Forum and being an exciting space in which inspiring visions are constructed, politics happens and great friendships begin organizes debates, seminars, Winter Universities and Summer Camps (the upcoming one is taking place in France in July 2008 – don’t’ miss it).

    In the fascinating PES Manifesto Consultations, ECOSY has been actively involved since June 2007, submitting already three contributions for the PES manifesto consultation and one more on the theme ‘EU in the world’ is coming up.

    Welcome to Ania and other young European socialists on Yourspace!

    Tags: blogger of the week, blogosphere, youth


  • Want social move ? Look upon Romania

    • loading...
    • Rating: 4.5000
    • 5
    • 4
    • 3
    • 2
    • 1

    Rating: 4.5/5 with 8 votes

    Published Tuesday, March 25, 2008 at 11:03
    by phoenix999 Join PES activists (895 views and 12 comments)

    Hello,

    A few months ago I had to change my cell phone and I purchased a Nokia phone. After that, I learned that Nokia was leaving Germany with the money of the Germans, leaving Germany for Romania because salaries and wages there were, in euros, FOUR times lower. "What a social Europe !" I said to myself then. If I had known that piece of news earlier, I would have joined the Germans in the Nokia boycott. Anyway I signed the German petition FOR the boycott. But things are changing and Europe is not just a huge market place, not yet : the Romanian automobile workers have decided to go on strike because their wages were too LOW whereas the auto company was making a huge profit with their low standard cars. There, we have two choices left, yes WE, us, Europeans, have one alternative: 

    - Either we choose to follow the media and think : Let's keep these poor fellas underpaid, because there will be a big competition with Morocco or India or whatever, and there, they pay even lower salaries (when and where, in the World, does it end ?);

    - Or, we decide to make a political DECISION : We agree on a decent minimum wage across the whole European Union and we, Europeans, TAX importations from the poor countries where they pay their salaried slaves literally nothing and exploit women and small children. This is our last chance if we want a social Europe and there, as an exception to... » read more ...

    Tags: employment, equality, public services, social dialogue, wages, welfare, workers


  • France and Germany : What are they thinking of ?

    • loading...
    • Rating: 2.7500
    • 5
    • 4
    • 3
    • 2
    • 1

    Rating: 2.8/5 with 4 votes

    Published Tuesday, March 25, 2008 at 11:00
    by frederic.vareillas Join PES activists (751 views and 1 comments)

    Hi,

    Recently, the French President took a trip to Washington to say to the US congress how he "admired John Wayne". I won't elaborate.

    Then John Mc Cain came to Paris and that same President promised to send more French troops to Afghanistan.

    Next, the French President is preparing an alliance with Britain to develop Nuclear technology, build and export nuclear plants with the British and only the British.

    He baptized a new submarine with sixteen nuclear missiles on board ("the Terrible", by the way).

    I have just one thing to say : My God ! What does Germany think about that ?

    Regards,

    Frederic (Paris)

    Tags: conflict, defense, energy, Multilareralism, neighbours, peace, security, USA


  • Euro-méditerranée : pourquoi, comment ?

    • loading...
    • Rating: 1.7500
    • 5
    • 4
    • 3
    • 2
    • 1

    Rating: 1.8/5 with 4 votes

    Published Tuesday, March 25, 2008 at 10:50
    by corinnebord Join PES activists (575 views and 0 comments)

    61bc9fa0bb402e9265c1c0c1a8f267c8.jpgL'enjeu est de taille, comment travailler avec l'ensemble des pays de la méditerranée. La réflexion est longue.

    Le forum de Paris cette année a comme thématique : Une Union pour la Méditerranée, Pourquoi faire et comment ?

    Le week-end prochain, les 28, 29 et 30 mars seront consacrés au débat, à la réflexion et aux pistes de construction.

    Débats à suivre et cliquer pour s'inscrire.

    • 29 mars

    cf2454681ddc9968e2039c45a8f4d619.gif

    La première journée sera consacrée à un état des lieux des relations entre les riverains de « notre mer». Le matin seront abordés les... » read more ...

    Tags: euroméditerranée


  • Point of view about human society development

    • loading...
    • Rating: 2.8571
    • 5
    • 4
    • 3
    • 2
    • 1

    Rating: 2.9/5 with 7 votes

    Published Tuesday, March 25, 2008 at 10:16
    by cafeneaua.politica Join PES activists (868 views and 2 comments)

    sustanaible-1.jpg

    The most important matter of sustainable development doesn’t support the quantity of economic growth but the quality of an environmental, economic, social, and cultural development.A sustainable community effort consists of a long-term and integrated systems approach to developing and achieving a healthy community by balanced environmental, economic, social, and cultural issues. The Romanian (European) Social Democrats advocates a sustainable development of our planet and not the destruction of the environment and our resources.

    It is necesary that the price of the different resources must cover all calculatable external costs. The government has to add the calculated charges so the different resources get the same conditions on the market. If the charges are creating an income, this income is to restitute to the inhabitants... » read more ...

    Tags: consumers, energy, environment, Romania, sustainable development