Details of a conference on February 5th "New political possibilities in Ireland for all left-wing parties in partnership with civil society" have just been posted. May be of interest to those who hold out hopes for electoralism, the revival of social partnership or "policy" as the way forward (or who identify the left with political parties, unions with their leadership and social change with the state).
Registration 9am—10am
Session 1 10am-1pm
Tea/Coffee 11.15 am (15 mins)
'The future of the Irish Left: Policies, Political Strategies and Future Possibilities'.
Speakers:
Cllr. Dermot Looney- Labour Party
Cllr. Cian O'Callaghan-Labour Party
Aengus O'Snodaigh TD- Sinn Féin
Eoin O'Broin- Sinn Fein (election candidate)
Joe Higgins MEP- United Left Alliance
Cllr. Richard Boyd Barrett- United Left Alliance
Mick Finnegan- Workers Party President
Dr.Ben Nutty- Fis Nua (election candidate).
Lunch 1pm—2pm
Session 2 2pm to 4.15pm
'Building Alliances in our Common Interest: Unions and Communities Working Together'.
Speakers:
Ursula Barry– Head of Women’s Studies– UCD
Anne Costello- Community Platform
Dr Mary Murphy–Sociologist, NUI Maynooth
Jack O'Connor-SIPTU Leader
Jimmy Kelly-UNITE Leader
Ailbhe Smyth– Feminist Open Forum
Session 3 4.15pm-6.30pm
New Left Policies for Economic, Social and Political Regeneration
Speakers:
Michael Taft- UNITE
Kathleen Lynch-Prof of Equality Studies, UCD
Michael Burke- Economist and TASC Economist's Network
Tom O'Connor- CIT Economist and TASC
Niall Crowley– Reclaiming Our Future
Dr. Kieran Allen - Economic Sociologist, UCD
This conference will allow left wing parties across the spectrum to compare policies and discuss the prospects for left wing unity. Representatives of communities, equality, rights and women’s groups will also outline their vision for a new Ireland and the prospects for closer co-operation with like minded political parties. The conference will also include a discussion of economic, political and social policies for a new Ireland from a range of left wing thinkers and writers in academia, unions and elsewhere. Union leaders will also present their vision for a new Ireland
