The Global Progressive Forum (GPF)
The Global Progressive Forum is the first ever global space for the creation of a global, progressive community of individuals, organisations and movements throughout the world for a fairer, more inclusive globalisation. It was launched in November 2003 in Brussels, bringing together more than 1,000 progressive policy-makers, NGOs, trade unions, academics, from all over the world, at an event organised by the Party of European Socialists, its Parliamentary Group in the European Parliament and the Socialist International.
The Forum aims to play a positive role in changing the course of globalisation and in reforming global governance and globalisation policies by allowing progressive voices to discuss and articulate a new reform agenda.
Josep Borrell is the Chairman of the Global Progressive Forum. The Vice Chairs are Maria João Rodrigues and Harlem Désir.
Josep Borrell
Josep Borrell Fontelles was born in Spain in 1947. An aeronautical engineer by training, Josep Borrell was Minister for Public Works, Transport, the Environment and Telecommunications between 1991 and 1996 in the Spanish PSOE government and Member of the European Convention in 2002-2003. Former President of the European Parliament and current President of the European Parliament’s Development Committeen, Josep Borrell has been appointed Chair of the Global Progressive Forum in March 2007.
Maria João Rodrigues
Maria João Rodrigues is currently a full professor at the University of Lisbon (ISCTE). She is also General Coordinator of the PROINOV Cabinet (National Programme for Innovation), Council of Minister's Presidency and President of the Interministerial Commission of this Programme.
She also engaged in other activities on European level such as the follow-up of the Lisbon European Strategy and the European Commission Advisory Group for the Framework Programme of R & D (economic and social sciences).
Her former activities included the coordination of the action line of the Portuguese EU Presidency on "Employment, economic reforms and social cohesion - towards a Europe based on innovation and knowledge" in 2000 and coordination in the Portuguese Prime Minister's Office of the negotiations for the European Union Agenda 2000 (1998-1999).
She is the author of more than 40 publications on employment policies and innovation. Professor Rodrigues holds a PhD in economic sciences, three Master’s degrees in economics and a degree in sociology.
Harlem Désir
Harlem Désir was born in Paris on 29 November 1959, and father of two children. Harlem Désir has a degree in Philosophy. He founded the association SOS Racisme and was the President until 1992. Before being elected to the European Parliament, he was a presenter on French national radio, collaborated with a publishing house, and was the manager of a monthly paper and coordinator of a network of European organisations of youth housing in seven countries.
From 1989 to 1994 and from 1997 to 1999, he was a member of the Social and Economic Council. Harlem Désir was the candidate for Aulnay-Sous-Bois in 1997. He has been Municipal Counsellor of Aulnay-Sous-Bois since 2001.
Harlem Désir was elected to the European Parliament for the first time in June 1999 and re-elected in June 2004. During his first term, he was member of the Committee on Industry, Research and International Trade. Since 2004, Harlem Désir has been the Vice President of the Socialist Group of the European Parliament dealing with economic and social affairs and international trade.
Harlem Désir is involved in global governance. He is a member of the World Parliamentary Forums established during the World Social Forums (Porto Alegre, Mumbai).
