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Ed Broadbent and Desmond Morton organize social democracy conference
Straight Goods to help open up participation with on-line forums and reporting
A conference convened by former NDP leader Ed Broadbent and Canadian historian Desmond Morton is set for May 25-26 in Montreal. Straight Goods is going to be a part of it, helping to put it on-line and generate maximum participation and debate.
Since early winter, reporters and Left activists have been talking about a rumoured conference. Now, after months of work, plans are set for "The Future of Social Democracy in Canada." www.arts.mcgill.ca/programs/misc/socdem.
"In North America, neo-liberal ideas have dominated politics since the 1980s," reads conference promo. "That was true in Europe until the mid-1990s, but now the three largest west European democracies as well as many smaller ones have social democratic governments. Because of such policies as provincial equalization and universal social programs like pensions and health care, Canadians (and Quebeckers) have often been described as "small-s" social democrats."
"What new approaches in social democratic thought, policy and practice are relevant to us?"
The conference is organized by McGill's Institute for the Study of Canada (MISC). It proposes to bring together scholars and participant-observers with insights into Canadian politics and contemporary ideas to consider social democracy policy options for our future.
Key questions that will be asked include:
- How can social democracy respond to market forces, local as well as global?
Faced with growing inequality, an aging population, a publicly-funded but costly health care system, problems of homelessness and child poverty, as well as taxpayer resistance, especially from the young, can social democrats advance their linked goals of freedom and equality?
- Is it time to empower citizens and civil society by reforming our voting system?
Registration is limited to 200 people from as great a variety of backgrounds and areas of expertise as possible. Because interest in it is high, the Institute has asked Straight Goods to help broaden participation by presenting on-line reporting, forums, and surveys about the conference. Details will be announced at Straight Goods soon.
Conference organizers emphasize its scholarly approach: "The conference is intended for those with fresh, new ideas for the social democratic tradition in Canada, who can thoughtfully reflect on political strategies and organization for the future," reads the announcement. "The conference is not intended to support, denounce or focus on any one particular political group or cause, or to revisit the history of the social democratic tradition."
Registration
Registration forms are available on the web at www.arts.mcgill.ca/programs/misc/socdem or by calling (514) 398-2658 for a copy by fax. Applications for registration will be accepted no earlier than April 16 and no later than April 27 (2 weeks), to ensure that priority is not given to those with email. Registrations will be accepted by fax or by mail. Please see the form for more details.
Posted: April 16, 2001
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