Dear comrades, Following is a fairly long email with the full (provisional) agenda for the Marxism 2000 Asia Pacific Solidarity and Education Conference to be held in Sydney January 5-9, 2000. This version includes a list of workshops, seminars and panels and who will be giving them or on the panels, so hopefully it will give a much more indepth idea of what is available at the conference (if you want to go straight to this, it is about half way down the email). The Democratic Socialist Party and Resistance send a warm invitation to all left activists to attend the conference. If you would be interested in attending or would like further information, please contact the DSP at: <[EMAIL PROTECTED] Hope to see you there, comradely, Kim B ____________________________________________ Marxism 2000 Asia Pacific Solidarity and Education Conference Sydney January 5-9, 2000 Initiated by the Democratic Socialist Party and Resistance Marxism 2000: a gathering of left parties and socialist activists from Australia, Asia and the Pacific, and around the world, to discuss the prospects for socialism in the 21st century. Five days of feature presentations, talks, workshops, classes, cultural events and discussion. International guest speakers: John Pilger Internationally acclaimed left journalist and film-maker James Petras Latin American specialist, Professor of Sociology, New York University Francisco Nemenzo Professor of Political Science, President of the University of the Philippines Leaders of left parties and socialist activists from: India: Dipankar Bhattacharya, Communist Party of India Marxist Leninist, general secretary Philippines: Sonny Melencio, Socialist Party of Labour, chairperson; Rasti Delizo, executive council, Reihana Mohideen, national committee. Cris Gaerlan, Alab-Katipunan, secretary-general. Indonesia: Five leaders of the Indonesian Committee for Socialism and the revolutionary democratic movement Pakistan: Farooq Tariq, Labour Party Pakistan, general secretary; Amjad Ayub, national committee East Timor: Avelino dos Santos, Socialist Party of Timor secretary general; A central leader of Fretilin, and other Fretilin activists Britain: Phil Hearse, Socialist Democracy Group United States: Caroline Lund, Malik Miah, Barry Sheppard, Solidarity Scotland: Pam Currie, Scottish Socialist Party France: Stan Demidjuk, Ligue Communiste Revolutionnaire New Zealand: Adam Novack, editor, International Viewpoint (Fourth International) Matt McCarten, NZ Alliance director Burma: Maung Maung Than, All Burma Students' Democratic Organisation As well as activists from: Aceh, PNG, Bougainville, West Papua, East Timor, Malaysia, Turkey, Sri Lanka, Palestine, Bangladesh, Taiwan, Hong Kong. Plus speakers from the Democratic Socialist Party, Resistance, Green Left Weekly, Action in Solidarity with Indonesia and East Timor, Committees in Solidarity with Latin America and the Caribbean, and activists from political campaigns and union struggles around Australia. Provisional AGENDA The Marxism 2000 Asia Pacific Solidarity and Education Conference consists of 15 plenary talks and panels, and 86 multiple choice talks, classes or workshops. Unfortunately, with so many choices, it won't be possible for you to attend all those you'll want to. The multiple choice talks are arranged in 23 streams which group related talks, workshops and classes. These streams don't clash, allowing conference participants to attend all the sessions in a particular stream. Seminar Series Talks, classes, workshops A. Internationals and Internationalism B. The Indonesian revolution C. East Timor's struggle for freedom D. The history and perspectives of the Philippines left E. New developments in the Latin American left F. Issues facing the left in Asia G. Struggles for democracy and independence in South East Asia H. Classics of Marxism-Leninism I. Creating capitalism — understanding bourgeois revolutions J. Marxist philosophy K. Marxist economics L. Marxism and the national question M. Crucial issues for Marxists N. Introduction to the DSP & Resistance O. Australian workers' history and struggle P. Propaganda tools for revolutionaries Q. The political legacy of the Bolsheviks R. The historical contribution of Trotskyism S. Towards a history of the US Socialist Workers Party T. Building socialist parties in advanced capitalist countries U. How Marxism analyses women's oppression V. Can humanity survive the 21st century? W. Panels and debates We will record and publish many of the talks, so if you miss out on some talks you wanted to get to, you will be able to read the presentation in Green Left Weekly or Links magazine, or on our web pages: Democratic Socialist Party: http://www.dsp.org.au/ Resistance: http://www.greenleft.org.au/resistance/ Green Left Weekly: http://www.greenleft.org.au/ Links: http://www.dsp.org.au/links/ Organising meetings for DSP and Resistance members active in particular unions and areas of political work will be held on Friday afternoon. Some classes and workshops are scheduled at the same time. Further talks and workshops will be added to the agenda, but we will try to ensure the talks listed in this agenda are presented on the days advertised. (** Indicates the session will be a book launch) Facilities The conference will be held at the Hawkesbury campus of the University of Western Sydney, in a semi-rural setting an hour's drive from Sydney. There is a range of accommodation, in single, double or dormitory rooms. The conference is fully catered. Facilities include an Olympic size swimming pool, tennis courts, professional child-care, a bar and coffee shop, and a well stocked conference bookshop. Wednesday January 5 10.30-12.00 Plenary talk and discussion The Relevance of Marxism in the 21st Century. Peter Boyle (DSP National Executive) 1.00-2.30 Plenary talk and discussion Strategies for Marxist Trade Unionists Caroline Lund, (Solidarity, USA); Ari, (Indonesian trade union leader) 2.30-4.15 Talks, classes, workshops Building unions in Indonesia in the post Suharto period (B1) Ari and Jazz (from the Indonesian Committee for Socialism) Lessons from the history of the Philippine communist movement 1930-1999 (D1) Francisco Nemenzo The English Civil War: capitalist revolution before capitalism? (I1) Alison Dellit An introduction to Marxist economics (K1) Rebecca Meckelburg Introduction to the DSP & Resistance What we stand for, what we do (N1) Tom Flanagan; Kylie Moon The history of the Maritime Union of Australia (O1) Steve Best US SWP History: The renewal after the 1950s (S1) Barry Sheppard Biology as ideology and women's oppression (U1) Zanny Begg 4.15-6.00 Talks, classes, workshops Cuba, a continuing beacon for Latin America (E1) Roberto Jorquera Marxist Classics: The Communist Manifesto, Marx and Engels ** (H1) Margaret Allan Fundamentals of Historical Materialism ** (J1) Philippa Stanford Imperialism and the national question — Kosova, Kashmir and East Timor (L1) Malik Miah Immigration and refugees in late monopoly capitalism (M1) Iggy Kim Agitprop workshop (P1) Dave Riley Trotsky's analysis of Stalinism (R1) Stan Thompson Britain: How to reconstruct and regroup the left (T1) Phil Hearse 7.00-8.30 Plenary talk and discussion India: The revolutionary perspective to counter capitalist reaction Dipankar Bhattacharya (CPI ML General Secretary) 9.00-12.00 Films and videos Lenin Films Historical footage from the Soviet Union (preceded by a reading of Mayakovsky's poem "Lenin") Indonesian and East Timor videos by John Pilger and Jill Hickson History of Resistance video Resistance high-school anti-racism walkouts videos Videos of September 11 Sydney East Timor Solidarity demonstration Thursday January 6 8.30-10.00 Plenary talk and discussion Imperialism's global offensive, and prospects for resistance Doug Lorimer (DSP National Executive) 10.00-12.00 Talks, classes, workshops Palestine: Will the Oslo accords lead to liberation? (F1) Adam Hanieh Burma; The struggle for democracy (G1) Maung Maung Than Socialism, Utopian and Scientific; Engels ** (H2) Trish Corcoran Globalisation and the internationalisation of finance capital (K2) Chow-Wei Cheng US SWP History: The successes in the 1960s and '70s (S2) Barry Sheppard Was Engels right on the family? The new evidence (U2) Pat Brewer Revolutionary trade union collaboration in Asia (W1) Activists from the Philippines, India, Pakistan and Indonesia 1.00-2.30 Plenary talk and discussion What basis for international left collaboration and socialist renewal? John Percy (DSP National Secretary) 2.30-4.15 Talks, classes, workshops Colombia: The FARC's struggle against oligarchy and imperialism (E2) Jorge Jorquera Marxist Classics: Imperialism, the highest stage of capitalism, Lenin ** (H3) Sarah Peart France 1789: the classic bourgeois revolution? (I2) Sam Wainwright An introduction to Marxist Philosophy (J2) Sarah Stephen James P Cannon; Socialism on Trial ** (R2) Dave Holmes Scotland: The rise of the Scottish Socialist Party (T2) Pam Currie Environment, Capitalism and Socialism ** (V1) Marcel Cameron 4.15-6.00 Talks, classes, workshops East Timor society and politics (C1) Jon Lamb Marxist Classics: State and Revolution, Lenin ** (H4) Tony Iltis World capitalism: ready for another long boom? (K3) Allen Myers The national question and Yugoslavia ** (L2) Mike Karadjis Integration of the unions into the capitalist state (M2) Malik Miah Rebuilding unions from the ground up — the Workers First experience (O2) Chris Spindler Political implications of the Internet (P2) Greg Adamson 7.00-8.30 Plenary talk and discussion Pakistan: Workers against the generals, mullahs and capitalist elite. Farooq Tariq (LPP General Secretary) 9.00-11.00 Songs of Struggle International song night Videos Friday January 7 8.30-10.00 Plenary talk and discussion Indonesia's democratic revolution Machmud, Armi and Gatot (from the Indonesian Committee for Socialism) 10.00-12.00 Talks, classes, workshops Internationals & Internationalism: The experience of the Comintern (A1) Dipankar Bhattacharya, Francisco Nemenzo Indonesian perspectives — Questions and answers after the plenary (B2) Machmud, Armi and Gatot Brazil: Rio Grande's Marxist government (E3) Adam Novack What is Dialectics? (J3) Neville Spencer The national question in the Philippines (L3) Rasti Delizo What's wrong with "permanent revolution" (R3) James Vassilopoulos France: Experiences and lessons of the LCR-LO election success (T3) Stan Demidjuk 1.00-2.30 Plenary talk and discussion Australian Politics — How we can fight back Sue Bolton (DSP National Executive) 2.30-4.15. Talks, classes, workshops Cambodian society today (F2) Helen Jarvis Bougainville; (G2) Marxism and War (M3) Graham Matthews (Fractions for DSP and Resistance members) 4.15-6.00 Talks, classes, workshops Defending the Russian Revolution (Q1) Angela Luvera The nuclear cycle doomsday machine (V2) Jim Green Where is China going? (W2) Panel of activists from Hong Kong, Taiwan, Australia (Fractions for DSP and Resistance members) 7.00-8.30 Plenary talk and discussion The Left in Latin America James Petras 9.00-11.00 Solidarity Rally for the Asia Pacific Solidarity and internationalism: building Marxist parties in Asia and the Pacific, and launching some concrete collaborations — joint tours for trade union activists; joint tours of women activists; statement on unity and collaboration; future joint educational efforts; publication projects; Links magazine. Saturday January 8 8.30-10.00 Plenary talk and discussion Womens liberation and the fight for socialism Lisa Macdonald (Editor Green Left Weekly) 10.00-12.00 Talks, classes, workshops Internationals & Internationalism: The Fourth International (A2) Barry Sheppard, Phil Hearse, Adam Novack The rise of fascism in Europe and the tasks for Marxists (F3) Amjad Ayub West Papua: Report from the independence struggle (G3) John Ondawame? Marxist Classics: "Left-wing" Communism — an Infantile Disorder, Lenin ** (H5) Sue Bull Imperialism's impact on the Asian economies (K4) Reihana Mohideen The Red North: Queensland's history of struggle (O3) Jim McIlroy Issues in Women's liberation Today (W3) Kamala Emmanuel, Jenny Long, Bronwyn Jennings 1.00-2.30 Plenary panel and discussion Imperialism in the 21st Century James Petras, John Pilger, Francisco Nemenzo 2.30-4.15. Talks, classes, workshops Human rights violations in Aceh (B3) M. Dahlan (Australia-Aceh Association) Alab-Katipunan: Perspectives for the Philippines Left (D2) Cris Gaerlan Marxism vs postmodernism (J4) Jeremy Smith The national question in Kashmir (L4) Farooq Tariq, Dipankar Bhattacharya Anarchism: A raincoat full of holes (M4) Nick Soudakof Maximising our use of radio, TV, and video (P3) Jill Hickson, Arun Pradhan US SWP History: Degeneration into a sect (S3) Barry Sheppard 4.15-6.00 Talks, classes, workshops Left debates over UN intervention in East Timor (C2) Norm Dixon The left in Mexico (E4) Phil Hearse Bangladesh: The rising workers' and peasants' struggle (F4) The transition to capitalism. Is semi-feudalism possible? (I3) Jonathan Strauss Writing for Green Left Weekly (P4) Natalie Zirngast, Is Lenin still right on the party question? (Q2) Sean Healy New Zealand: The recent experience and perspectives of the Alliance (T4) Matt McCarten Tactics & strategies for rebuilding an environmental movement (V3) Cam Walker 7.00-8.30 Plenary talk and discussion East Timor's fight for self-determination Avelino dos Santos (PST secretary general) 9.00-11.00 Cabaret Political skits and music Sunday January 9 8.30-10.00 Plenary talk and discussion The role of youth in the struggle for socialism Wendy Robertson (Resistance National Coordinator) 10.00-12.00 Talks, classes, workshops Internationals & Internationalism: The Committee for a Workers International (A3) Farooq Tariq, Phil Hearse, Lisa Young The need for left unity in the Philippines. The view of the SPP (D3) Sonny Melencio Malaysia (G4) Introduction to the DSP & Resistance. How we organise, how to join (N2) Paul Benedek ; Bea Brear Hansonism and the roots of racism in Australia (O4) Kim Bullimore The Russian experience and the socialism of the 21st century (Q3) Renfrey Clarke Does women's liberation require a revolution? (U3) Karen Fletcher 1.00-2.30 Plenary panel and discussion Philippines Society and Revolution Rasti Delizo, Francisco Nemenzo, Cris Gaerlan 2.30-4.15 Talks, classes, workshops East Timor, What Next? PST and Fretilin discuss the way forward (C3) Marxist Classics: The Transitional Program, Trotsky ** (H6) Nikki Ulasowski The Tamil struggle in Sri Lanka (L5) USA: What sort of party? Debates in the US left (T5) Caroline Lund, Barry Sheppard, Malik Miah The fraud of environment taxes ** (V4) Dick Nichols Revolutionary youth collaboration in Asia (W4) Socialist youth activists from Resistance, the Philippines, and Indonesia 4.15-6.00 Concluding plenary talk and discussion Socialism in the 21st Century Max Lane, (DSP National Executive) plus a panel of Asian Marxist leaders ____________________________________________ --- from list [EMAIL PROTECTED] ---
