The Socialist International SI Women and IUSY
The Socialist International is the worldwide organisation of social democratic, socialist and labour parties. It currently brings together 166 political parties and organisations from all continents.
The Socialist International, whose origins go back to the early international organisations of the labour movement, has existed in its present form since 1951. Since then it has been increasingly active and grown considerably in membership, particularly in recent years doubling the number of its members during the 1990s. Labour, social democratic and socialist parties are now a major political force in democracies around the world.
From 1976 to 1992 the late Willy Brandt, former Chancellor of Germany and winner of the 1971 Nobel Peace Prize, was President of the Socialist International. Pierre Mauroy, former Prime Minister of France, served as President from 1992 to 1999. From 1999 to 2005, former Prime Minister António Guterres, of the Socialist Party of Portugal, was President of the International. António Guterres officially assumes his new responsibilities as United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees as from 15 June 2005. George Papandreou (President of PASOK) was elected IS President on 30 January 2006.
George A. Papandreou
George A. Papandreou was born on 16 June 1952. He holds an M.Sc. in Sociology and Development from LSE, and is a fellow at Harvard University’s Center for International Affairs. An MP since 1981, he served in several government posts before becoming Foreign Minister from 1999-2004. An active supporter of the Information Society and the driving force behind the Greek EU Presidency’s e-Vote, in 2003 he was placed among the “25 Who are Changing the World of Internet Politics”. He has received several honours for his commitment to promote peace and democracy, notably his successful campaign to engineer a rapprochement between Greece and Turkey. As President of PASOK (Pan-Hellenic Socialist Movement) since February 2004, George Papandreou is leading radical reforms of the Greek party political system. He was elected SI President on 30 January 2006.
SI Women gathers women's organisations of the socialist, social democratic and labour parties affiliated to the Socialist International. The aims and objectives of Socialist International Women are to strengthen relations between its member organisations: to promote action programmes to overcome any discrimination in society, including any inequality between men and women and to work for human rights in general, development and peace; to promote knowledge and understanding of the aims and tasks of democratic socialism amongst women; to extend relations between its members and other socialist-oriented women's groups. SI Women is a non-governmental organisation with consultative status at the United Nations Economic and Social Council and at the Council of Europe.
Pia Locatelli
Pia Locatelli was born on 13 August 1949 in Villa d'Almè (Italy). She graduated in languages (1973) and economics (1990). She taught English language and literature (1973-1982); and was also a businesswoman (1992-2001). Since 1994 she has been national coordinator for women and member of SDI national executive (since 2000). Elected vice-chairwoman of the Women's Socialist International (1992-1999), she then became Chairwoman (since 2004). She has been vice-chair of the Socialist International since 2004. She is also a Member of the European Parliament.
IUSY is made up of 143 socialist, social democratic and labour youth organisations from 100 countries all over the world. IUSY was founded on 24 August 1907. During the two World Wars its activities were suspended. IUSY was re-established under its current name on 30 September 1946. The goal of our International is to put into practice and defend the ideals of democratic socialism.
Fikile Mbalula
Fikile Mbalula is South African. He was elected president of IUSY in 2004, in the 26th IUSY Congress in Budapest, Hungary. He is also Secretary general of the ANC Youth League.
