10.07.2002

Debate of a different kind

This year's Communist University is promising to become a truly challenging and international affair. Marco Berlinguer, programme officer of Rifondazione Comunista, will be our first speaker this year, reports Tina Becker

Along with Tina Becker from the CPGB, Marco Berlinguer will be debating the question of Europe. "I think we should definitely talk about the European Union,"ï¿½ Marco says. We should not call for a British withdrawal from the EU, the comrade reckons - as opposed to some sections on the British left. "The question is: how can we challenge this institution? How can we use this situation to unite the left across Europe?"ï¿½ The comrade will also discuss Rifondazione's policy of 'contamination': "We want to contaminate the anti-capitalist movement, but we also want to be contaminated by it,"ï¿½ he says. No doubt the debate will also touch on the European Social Forum, which will be founded later this year in Florence. "The ESF is a huge chance for the European left. At last we have got together. Now it is important to push the thing forward, to meet regularly with our comrades across the continent and to institutionalise and democratise those meetings,"ï¿½ says Tina Becker. Later in the week, a comrade from Lutte Ouvriï¿½re will discuss the recent French elections, and comrade Mejdi Kia from the Organisation of Revolutionary Workers of Iran will give his view on islamic fundamentalism. Hillel Ticktin will present his vision of 'the society of the future'. Liz Davies, Bob Pitt and Pete Firmin will discuss the attitude of socialists to the Labour Party in a session entitled 'We'll support you ever more? The Labour Party and the left'. There will also be debates on the euro and the need for a Socialist Alliance paper. Susan Whiting * Coming too quickly * Blustering Bambery * National or global socialism? * Marx and Sparks