International Ecosocialist Meeting Planned

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Dear friends:

An important international meeting of ecosocialists will be held in Paris on Sunday October 7. Our goal is to improve communication and coordination among ecosocialist activists around the world and to work towards formation of an “Ecosocialist International.” (That’s a provisional name, very much open to discussion!)

This meeting is a very preliminary first step: we will get to know each other, establish a provisional organizing committee, and begin discussions of projects and activities. Our main goal will be to set a time, place and preliminary agenda for a larger meeting in 2008, at which we hope there will be broad participation from green-left activists around the world.

The Convening Committee for the October 7 meeting is:

  • Michael Lowy, co-author of the Ecosocialist Manifesto (France)
  • Joel Kovel, author of The Enemy of Nature, co-author of the Ecosocialist Manifesto (USA)
  • Derek Wall, Male Principal Speaker of the Green Party of England and Wales (UK)
  • Ian Angus, editor of Climate and Capitalism (Canada)

We know that this is short notice, but we hope to see the broadest possible representation of people and groups that define themselves as ecosocialist at the October 7 meeting. I’m writing you now to ask two questions:

  1. Do you want to be kept informed about preparations for the meeting?
  2. Will you be able to attend the meeting in Paris on October 7?

We’re not asking for firm commitments now, but we need some idea of how many people to expect, so we can book space. Please respond to me by email, including any email address(es) you would like to have added to our e-list. (my address: ecosocialism AT gmail.com)

I hope to see you in Paris in October. If you are not able to attend in person, I hope you will support this initiative, and help ensure that the 2008 meeting is a huge success.

Ian Angus
Editor, Climate and Capitalism

4 Comments

  • Someone asked about flying to Paris…I was going to respond, “No, we’re going on Eurostar” but of course if you are coming from North America or Australia then this is a problem….Should you stay at home rather than contribute to global warming by flying over? We are interested in the contributions of American and Canadian colleagues!

  • This is Richard Greeman of the PRAXIS Research and Education Center in Moscow. We are organizing an ‘Ecosocialism’ panel at the U.S. Social Forum in Atlanta (June 27-July). We have an open spot on the panel. Is anyone available? Could you please pass this request on or tell me where best to post it? Thank you, rgreeman@gmail.com

  • Are we really supposed to all fly to Paris to talk about Climate change and Capitalism?

  • Sounds intersting. Someone really needs to make sure that this gets reported and that audio and/or video of it is made easily available online of it afterwards.