A group of AWL members are attended the 4th European Social Forum here in Athens.
This 4th ESF is smaller than its predecessors with approx 10,000 people registered (50,000 was the figure given for the first ESF in florence in 2006)
Notably from Britain after the previous ESF in London there is no significant Trade Union prescence (speaking at seminars, organising delegation meetings, playing and coordinating with european sister unions etc)
Although about 40 unison activists are at the event mainly from the Northern and London regions or attending as individuals.
The event is an opportunity to bring together activists from the left, trade unions and campaigns, but the problem appears to the be lack of achievements since previous ESFs.
It could provide an opportunity for socialists and trade unionists to coordinate activity against the attacks faced by all from neo liberalism, privatisation and attacks on our class. But this still seems quite far off. At present it is an interesting event an opportunity to meet new activists, talk to other european socialists and trade unionists, and discuss ideas. This is important as much of the left in Britain is very poor at discussing with those who disagree. But unfortunately many of the big rallies have little time for discussion from the floor and there is not really a focus on big debates where socialists and trade unionists disagree.
The event should also be a possibility for discussing the coordination of campaigns against privatisation for strike action against attacks on public services, but again this seems far off.
Nevertheless AWL members have organised or participated in various sessions of the ESF.
DAY ONE:
The day started with our own meeting on the EU constitution and the left response. (Despite the lack of organisation of the event meaning that few had registered in advance and many people could not get into the event in the morning)
There was an interesting debate around the need for a workers europe not choosing between the pro-nation, pro-european capitalist camps
Unfortunately much of the left has still got a long way to travel to overcome nationalism. THe Swedish Left party arguing for no to euro or greater european unity, because of fears of not being able to win across europe but only a small local nation state level.
We also attended an excellent meeting on Working class movement and fundamentalism on which i will report later.
Got to go .
Ed