Socialism 2002
IDEAS TO CHANGE THE WORLD
Glasgow Caledonian University
Saturday 26th - Sunday 27th October
Socialism 2002 is a weekend of socialist debate and discussion organised by the Scottish Socialist Party. It will take up the issues of War and Peace, Fighting Racism, the Union Fightback, Women's Liberation, International Solidarity, Palestine and the Environment. It will open and close with rallies featuring some of the top speakers from Scotland and around the world. There will also be plenty time to relax and chat at our evening cultural events. For more information and how to attend see below.
SATURDAY
Registration 9.30 - 10.15 am
Opening Rally for a Socialist Scotland.
Speakers:
- Dorothy Grace Elder MSP
- Colin Fox SSP Lothians List Candidate
- Carolyn Leckie (Unison activist)
- John McAllion MSP
Three of the seminars (a - c from each group)
Opening Rally 10.30 - 11.30 am
Session (a) 11.45 am - 1.00 pm
Session (b) 2.00 pm - 3.30 pm
Session (c) 3.45 pm - 5 pm
Lunch Break 1.00 pm - 2.00 pm
Saturday Evening Cabaret from 8 pm at the Briggait
Music. Comedy. Sketches. Bar
SUNDAY
Registration 9.30 - 10 am
Two seminars (d and e from each group).
Session (d) 10 am - 11.15 pm
Session (e) 11.30 am - 1 pm
Closing Rally 2 pm - 4 pm
'Peace and Socialism' closing rally
Speakers:
- Aamer Anwar (human rights lawyer)
- Paul Foot (campaigning journalist)
- Janice Godrich, President PCS
- Eammon McCann (Irish writer)
- Tommy Sheridan MSP.
SEMINAR SESSIONS - 5 THEMES
GROUP ONE - EVENTS THAT SHOOK THE WORLD
- (a) Cuban Revolution 1959 - Sarah Peart (DSP Australia)
- (b) Iranian Revolution 1979 - Yasmin, Left Unity (Iran)
- (c) Nicaraguan Revolution 1979 Norman Lockhart and Nicaraguan Solidarity Campaign speaker
- (d) Gulf War 1991 Dr Nicky McKerrill (Glasgow Caledonian Uni) Davey Allan, Gulf War veterans campaign
- (e) Dublin Rising 1916 Alan Armstrong, Dave Sherry
- (e2) S11 One Year On Phil Hearse (Resistance)
GROUP 2 - RADICAL SCOTLAND
- (a) The 1820 Insurrection - Gerry Cairns, John MacLean Society
- (b) Revolutionary Burns - Patrick Hogg, writer
- (c) Why Scots Should Rule Scotland - Alasdair Gray*, writer
- (d) Building a mass socialist party - Alan McCombes
- (e) Scotland's role in defeating the Poll Tax - Keith Baldassara
GROUP 3 - INTERNATIONAL VIEWPOINTS
- (a) Socialists and the World Social Forum - Mike Gonzales - Hilary Wainwright*, Red Pepper
- (b) Socialists and the European Social Forum Ally Black (SSP International Committee) and Gill Hubbard Globalise Resistance Scotland
- (c) Asia Pacific Conference Jill Hickson, DSP Australia
- (d) What future for Palestine? Steven Rose, Scientist
- (e)Plan Columbia Carolina Perez and Columbian Solidarity Campaign speaker
GROUP 4 - DISCRIMINATION EQUALITY
- (a) From the days of Withcraft - The Continued Demonisation of Women Catriona Grant.
- (b) Sex industry: exploitation or liberation? Ruth Morgan Ellis (Scotpep) Catherine Harper (Scottish Women Against Pornography)
- (c) Challenging the scrapheap with grey power Chic Stevenson
- (d) Do you have to be rich to be gay? Pam Currie
- (e) Fighting Racism, Fighting Fascism Aamer Anwar, Charlotte Ahmed (ANL)
GROUP 5 - CULTURAL ISSUES
- (a) Should all drugs be legalised? Kevin Williamson and Mick Cadger (Crew 2000)
- (b) Football - Peoples Game or Big Business Stuart Cosgrove *, Broadcaster 'Off the ball', Jeanette Findlay* (Football supporters Trusts)
- (c) Is Ethical Consumerism an Option? Donnie Nicholson,
- (d) Media Ownership Control - Colin Bell, broadcaster - Jo Harvie, Scottish Socialist Voice
- (e) Land Ownership Robbie the Pict, Steve Arnott
GROUP 6 - SOCIALIST REGROUPMENT
- (a) Labour and the unions - time to break the link Richie Venton Mark Serwotka*, PCS
- (b) Reclaiming the Environment Rosie Kane, Angela McCormick
- (c) SSP and Socialist Alliance - Different models of regroupment? Lesley Mahmood Socialist Alliance, England - Allan Green (SSP General Secretary)
- (d) European Left regroupment Francis Curran (SSP International Officer)
- (e) Youth politics: challenging the stereotypes - Keef Tomkinson (Scottish Socialist Youth)
* = speaker still to confirm
Booking, Creche and Accommodation - phone 0141 221 7714
Tickets weekend £8/£5. Day £5/£3.
Glasgow Caledonian University, Cowcaddens Road (Behind Buchanan Street Bus Station.)
Click here for a map showing the location of the venue