Stiftelsen Manifest and Naujoji Kairė 95 (New Left 95) presenting a two-day conference in Lithuania, Vilnius

A Revival of the New Left: Democracy, Economic Development and Labour Movement
24-25th of May 2008

invitation.pdf

Introduction
“A New Left in the East?” is a conference over two days in Vilnius with roundtable talks focusing on economic policies, democracy and trade union organizing. The aspiration is to raise awareness and attention for existing alternatives on political and economical development and the discourse in general. The conference is held on initiative from Stiftelsen Manifest and Naujoji Kairė 95 and will be in English with Lithuanian translations. Participation is open to all countries in the Nordic region.

Project description
There is a political and democratic vacuum in today’s Lithuania. The political left, broadly defined is discredited and marginalized in the political discourse. Many topics that we consider as uncontroversial here in Norway, such as fundamental workers’ rights, income and universal public policies, are by the political elite, media and business leaders rejected as “communist way of thinking”. In such a context the precondition for policy development, debate and real policy choices are simply not present, because alternatives are never realized. On political level, in the media and among business leaders economical liberalization, privatization and a free market philosophy is acknowledged and presented as the only political alternative.

As such, there is no discussion regarding democratic participation, economical development and welfare mechanisms. Economical liberalization, privatization, and a free market philosophy, at the cost of democratic participation, labour rights and public policy, are considered to be the only solution. Leftist ideas on political management and economical development have largely been discredited, and these ideas are not put on the political agenda. The concrete result is elite politics, popular apathy, low democratic standards, inequality and increased political instability. It is therefore important to present and support opinions and projects that challenge the narrow picture of reality that is presented to the Lithuanians.

In this context, the image of Scandinavia is very interesting. This region represents a political alternative that has combined and maintained both a high degree of economic freedom and at the same time focused upon universal welfare, democratic participation and redistributive economic policies. For this reason many people, and especially in the post-communist Central and Eastern Europe, see Scandinavia as a source of political inspiration with regards to economic policy and the individual rights and freedoms.

Naujoji Kairė 95 (New Left 95) represents a new critical mentality in Lithuania who challenges the current economic policy and the lack of democratic practice on political level. They want to look into some of the political solutions and alternatives from Scandinavia and stimulate discussion in Lithuanian context. This will have great effect upon the political discourse in Lithuania.

From a Scandinavian perspective it is important to stimulate the debate to increase awareness about political alternatives in order to foster further consolidation of democracy in the region. Secondly, the low democratic standards, increased political instability and widespread social poverty in our neighboring countries, puts pressure on our societies and our welfare arrangement. In the era of globalization our standards of social security, labour and economic equality come under threat. We should grasp the opportunity to inspire and assist the debate about these issues in the Baltic countries and to broaden the political and economic agenda.

The goal of the conference is to galvanize and broaden the political debate by discussing the Scandinavian welfare model in Lithuanian context. The conference is also important as an arena to exchange experiences and make contacts for further cooperation. All speakers at the conference are asked to contribute with their thoughts and perspectives in a booklet that will be handed out for use in Lithuania.

Time schedule
Date: 24-25 of May 2008
Place: Vilnius, Vilnius Municipality Hall

Partners

Stiftelsen Manifest and Naujoji Kairė 95 (www.nk95.org) have initiated the conference, but there are three several other partners involved: Stiftelsen Manifest: (www.manifest.no)

Manifest (Manifesto Foundation in English) is a Norwegian think tank. It provides facts and analysis for democratic movements, trade unions and radical alternatives, and contributes to a new agenda for political debate. Manifest is foundation, independent of any political parties, and work to create discussions across ideological traditions.

Naujoji Kairė 95: (www.nk95.org) Naujoji Kairė 95 (New Left 95 in English) was established May 1 2007 upon the declaration “New Left 95 Manifesto”. The main objective of NK95 is to galvanize the political life in Lithuania by fronting public debate with leftist political values and ideas. New Left 95 works for alternatives to capitalism promoting the values of social justice,
equality, individual and collective emancipation.

Uro:
Uro is a Norwegian firm that has specialized in education and conferences. It consists of political scientists and historians with broad knowledge in and experience from public governance, economical and democratic development. Uro has Central and Eastern Europe as a special focus area, and are currently managing several democracy projects in Lithuania and Belarus.

Oslo Transportarbeiderforening
Oslo Transportarbeiderforening is a trade union organizing and representing the interests of transport workers in the Oslo region. The transport sector is highly affected by the open labour markets, and especially with regards to unorganized labour from Lithuania.

Oslo Bygningsarbeiderforening
Oslo Bygningsarbeiderforening is a trade union organizing and representing the interests of construction workers in the Oslo region. The building and construction industry has lately experienced increased pressure from open labour markets, especially from the Baltic region.

Programme at the conference

Saturday, 24 of May 2008

9.30-10.00 Registration
Tea/Coffee

10.00-10.30 Opening,
Andrius Bielskis (NK95) and Magnus Marsdal (Manifest)

Session one: Economic Development and Labour Movement

10.30 – 11.00 “Catching up, forging ahead or falling behind? Economical development in Central & Eastern European 1990-2005” Rainer Kattel (Professor of Public Management and European Studies, University of Tallinn)

11.00 – 11.45 Discussions

11.45-12.15 “A Revival of the New Left: Distinction between Labour and Capital” Andrius Bielskis (NK95, Professor of Political Theory at ISM University of Management and Economics, Vilnius)

12.15-13.30 Discussions

13.30-14.15 Coffee/lunch

14.15-14.45 “Baltic Immigrant Workers in Norway” Jonas Bals (Trade Union representative, Oslo Construction Workers’ Union)

14.45-15.30 Discussions

Session two: Experiences and challenges

15.30-16.30 Presentations by different trade union representatives from Norway and Lithuania

16.30-17.00 Closing Discussion

17.00-17.30 Tea/Coffee

Sunday, 25th of May

9.30-10.00 Registration
Tea/Coffee

Social Welfare, Individual Freedom and Civic Participation

10.00-10.30 “Collective Welfare and Individual Freedom – Contradiction or Premise?” Magnus Marsdal (Chairman of the Manifesto Foundation, Oslo)

10.30-11.15 Discussions

11.15-11.30 Coffee break

11.30-12.00 “Autocracy at Work in Lithuania: A Waste of Money?” Algis Davidavičius (NK95, Consultant in Gender Equality and Social Development)

12.00-12.45 Discussions

12.45-13.15 “The Battle for Social Justice: The Role of Trade Unions in Developing Welfare Policies in Scandinavia” Asbjorn Wahl (Leader of NGO ‘Defend the Welfare State’)

13.15-14.00 Discussions

14.00-14.45 Coffee/Lunch

14.45-15.15 “Alternative Civic Participation and Modern Economy“, Gintautas Mažeikis (NK95, Professor of Philosophy and Politics at the University of Šiauliai, Lithuania)

15.15-16.15 Closing Discussion