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“A World in Revolt” is shaping up to be the hit
international left educational gathering of the Spring season.
Sub-titled “Prospects for Socialism in the 21st Century”,
the conference set for Toronto, Canada, May 22-25, now has an
agenda (see below) packed with topics and speakers sure to stimulate
critical thinking and action for a long time to come.
Over the past month several important personalities
have come on board.
Joining the opening panel on “Palestine, the Annapolis
Trap, and the Global Boycott Campaign” is the President of the Canadian
Arab Federation, Khaled Mouammar.
Presenting greetings to the highlight session on
Friday evening, “Prospects for Socialist Revolution in Venezuela
and Latin America”, will be the Consul General of the Bolivarian Repubic
of Venezuela in Toronto, Mirna
Quero de Pena.
That event will also feature one of Cuba’s
foremost writers, scientists and advocates of Trotskyist ideas, Celia
Hart, and a leader of the Mexican Socialist Unity League (LUS), Ismael
Contreras. Celia will speak three times in all, including Saturday
night on the question “Was Che Guevara a
Trotskyist?”, alongside Esteban Volkov, the Mexico
City-based 82-year old grandson of Leon Trotsky.
The seminal topic that will lead off on Saturday
morning, “Eco-Socialism or Barbarism”, will be addressed by Ian Angus,
the Ottawa-based editor of “Climate and Capitalism”, and a co-convenor of
the Ecosocialist International Network, launched in Paris,
France in October 2007.
And joining this writer, who is a teachers’ union
organizer, on the concluding panel, “Labour’s Retreat and its Coming
Resurgence”, Sunday at 1 p.m., are veteran union activists Bill Onasch, a
member of the UAW, formerly of the UE and ATU, based in Kansas
City, and Marty Goodman, a former executive board member of
Transport Workers Union Local 100 in New
York City who played a prominent role in one of the biggest transit
strikes ever.
Following adjournment of the conference, members of Socialist
Action / Ligue pour l’Action socialiste in the Canadian state will
convene for an abbreviated convention – to vote on tasks, policies, new
members, and to elect a federal steering committee. Those
interested in joining SA/LAS, along with international guests, will be
invited to stay and observe.
Is there more good news?
Yes, indeed. The deadline for booking
low-cost accommodation just five city blocks from the conference site has
been extended to April 1 (no April foolin’). It’s just $30 per
night for a single, or $25 per night for each person in a shared
room.
So, if you are travelling to Toronto from
afar, call in your room reservation at: 416 - 946-0529
or 416 - 946-5317.
In order to get the special rate, submit the Special
Rate Code “SAC2008", or refer to the Socialist Action Conference
when calling by phone.
Now is also the time to take advantage of the early
registration rate. Prior to the conference, a four-day pass costs
$30 (U.S. or Canadian currency). During the conference, the weekend
ticket will be $40, or you can pay $6 per session (there are nine sessions
in all). Or pay whatever you can (no one will be turned away).
Please send cheques or money orders to: S.A., 526
Roxton Road, Toronto, Ontario M6G 3R4.
So, put on some travelling music, and set your compass
for Toronto in May. “A World in Revolt” awaits
you. And don’t forget to tell your co-workers and friends.
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