* conference reports
South Korea The People's International Conference Seoul, 8-12 September 1998 The theme of "People Challenging the IMF: Neoliberalism, the IMF, and International Solidarity" attracted together more than 200 people, including 35 delegates from overseas. They adopted the following statement.
• Neoliberalism, with its destructive and murderous strategies, with the maximisation of the wealth and power of TNCS and capital as its end goal, causes splits between individuals, classes, countries, and regions in the process of reducing people to mere factors of production and
• We reject the logic of profitability and competitiveness that undermine human dignity and welfare and the earth as the source of all life. Its adverse effects range from increased unemployment, deprivation of rights and wealth, widespread impoverishment, the commodification of people as migrant workers, to the mass killings and genocide of indigenous people.
• We recognise that the economic and political crisis provides us with responsibility and opportunity to challenge the neoliberal globalisation and seek genuine alternatives, so that self-reliance is enhanced, livelihoods ensured, inequalities eradicated, the environment adequately upheld, and self-determination guaranteed.
• We conference participants, coming from diverse backgrounds, believe strengthening information, communication, and understanding our diverse needs and experiences is the most important task in building and shaping meaningful international solidarity in shared aspiration.
• The conference and its participants declare unconditional solidarity with the Korean people in their challenge against the IMF, the MAI, Structural Adjustment Programmes(deregulation, liberalisation and privatisation), and all lay-offs. We demand the immediate release of political prisoners everywhere, including over 100 KCTU unionists, as well as the reinstatement of those sacked for their trade union activities, and the guarantee of full labour and human rights for migrant workers and equal treatment of men and women at the workplace as well as in the family and society generally. We also demand the total repeal of the National Security Law and related legislation which has been used as the central instrument of human rights encroachment and political repression.
• We also demand that the US military forces in Korea, Bangladesh and the Philippines, under their appropriate agreements, be pulled out immediately. The 30 International Viewpoint #304 same action should also be taken in other countries with similar situations for these are the instruments of US imperialism to further oppress and harass of the peoples
• We recognise that this conference is only the first step. We confirm our commitment to continue working in solidarity to achieve our common goals and to seek solidarity with like-minded people and organisations, especially those victimised by IMF and other neoliberal. policies
The conference culminated in a march against unemployment and the IMF. 1.000 people held a rally at Chongmyo Park and marched along Seoul's main street, Full conference materials can be consulted at: South Africa 5t WOSA Conference Johannesburg, 25-27 September 1998
Delegates to the recent conference of the Workers Organisation for Socialist Action (WOSA) condemned the incursion coming soon
Preventing violence: the role of health professions and services Mumbai, India, 28-30 November 1998 There are some funds for travel expenses of participants from India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Bhutan and Sri Lanka. Accomodation and food are provided. Contact: CEHAT, 519 Prabhu Darshan, 31 S. Sainik Nagar Amboll, Andheri West, Mumbai 400058, India Tel: 0091-22-6250363, Fax: 0091-22-6209203. Email: admin@cehat.ilbom.ernet.in 1999 Value Theory Mini-Conference: Deepening The Dialogues Bostol, USA, 12-14 March 1999 This is the sixth "New Directions in Value/Price Theory" mini-conference, organised by the International Working Group on Value Theory (IWGVT). It will be held as part of the Eastern Economic Association (EEA) conference in Boston, USA in March 1999. Final acceptance is conditional on provision of a completed paper for which the deadline is November 1st. The IWGVT is run on a voluntary basis and its costs greatly exceed its income. Due to limited financial resources, you must send a submission fee with your paper. This is $US20 or £15 ($10/£7 for low-waged). Checks payable in US dollars should be made out to Andrew Kliman; checks payable in UK pounds should be made out to Alan Freeman. Contact <value.theory@greenwich.ac.uk> Socialist Historians' Group London, Britain, Saturday 8 May 1999
As the twentieth century draws to a close, this one day event, organised by the London Socialist Historians Group, will look at the question of progress in history and attempt to draw a balance of South African troops into Lesotho (see page 33). Members are currently being balloted on WOSA strategy in the forthcoming elections. The options are: 1. Nonparticipation 2. Participation as WOSA or 3. Participation in an alliance with other
Other resolutions adopted by the conference include a condemnation of the GEAR strategy; a call to halt privatisation and increase social spending; resolutions on building the socialist alternative and the unity of socialist organisations; an endorsement of initiatives to establish an International Tribunal on Africa in order to judge those responsible for the devastation of Africa through Structural Adjustment Programmes; the building of the South East African Forum (a far-left project which will be launched in Mauritius at the end of the year) and the International Socialist Network. Conference also passed resolutions on the restitution of land and the causes of crime and ways of ending crime.
The newly elected officials include: Selby Nomganga (Chairperson), Dr Neville Alexander (General Secretary), Veli Nkosi, Sophia Kisting and Professor Ndlovu. * The General Secretary can be contacted at: phone/fax : (021) 47683. WOSA can also be contacted by e-mail at <155VAS@mentor.edcm.wits.ac.za> sheet of how far attempts to change society for the better since 1900 have worked.
From Bernstein to Bad Godesberg and New Labour, social democracy has reinvented itself throughout the 20th century. But what is the historical record of reforming Governments in the 20th century, and what does that record tell us about the future?
Have the examples of revolution in Russia or the free market in America provided coherent alternatives? Have changes for women, lesbians and gays and blacks led to liberation? Have developments in science led to relief from the dull compulsion of economic reality?
Proposals for Panels of two or three papers and a discussant are invited around the following subject areas: The Political Economy of Capitalism • Social Democracy and Strategies for Reform • Labour Struggles • Labour Leaders • Science and social change • Reform and Revolt • Reaction and the Failure of Reform • The Oppressed and the fight for liberation • The historical development of the Capitalist Economy
These subject areas are indicative, other topics on the general theme will be entertained. The day will open and close with Plenary sessions. Before and after lunch parallel panels of speakers and commentators will take place Proposals for panels should be sent to Keith Flett, 38 Mitchley, Rd, Tottenham, London, N17 9HG by 1st December 1998, [(+44) 171-829 3097]