PES Newsletter n°16 – February 2007
22 Feb - Action for Equal Pay
The PES is organising a day of action against the gender pay gap on 22 February: the day that women have to work until in order to earn what men earned last year! Contact for more information.
Childcare on the increase across Europe
Since the launch of the PES universal childcare campaign socialist and social democratic parties have been working to increase pre-school childcare across Europe. Take part in the PES campaign that can really a difference to families throughout Europe.
Activists – Irish Campaign
PES activists are forming city-based groups all over Europe - and now they are getting together. In the latest initiative launched by PES grassroots activists, the Irish Labour Party has invited party members from all over Europe to campaign in their general election.
Congratulations Ségolène, Wouter and José
PES salutes Ségolène Royal's 100 point Presidential plan as well as the draft Government programme agreed by the Dutch Labour Party and its two coalition partners.
The PES congratulates the Socialist Party of Portugal for achieving a ‘yes’ vote in the referendum on decriminalizing abortion. The PES supported the campaign through PES activists, messages of solidarity and by publicly challenging right-wing MEPs who signed a declaration against the referendum.
Social Democracy taking root in Serbia
The Democratic Party of Serbian President Boris Tadic almost doubled its vote in recent Parliamentary elections and is likely to form part of a pro-EU coalition Government.
UNICEF shows Social Democracy is the best
Children flourish in strong welfare states according to a recent comprehensive study by UNICEF. It's a strong endorsement of the Nordic social model but leaves no room for complacency says PES President Poul Nyrup Rasmussen.
Decent Work
The Global Progressive Forum - set up jointly by the PES, the PES Group in the European Parliament and Socialist International - joined forces with the International Trade Union Confederation and Solidar to launch its Decent Work initiative at the World Social Forum in Nairobi. Poul Nyrup Rasmussen warned in an article published in Swiss newspaper Le Temps that the lack of decent work threatened global hopes of development and poverty alleviation.
FORTHCOMING EVENTS
Launch of New Social Europe report
The PES New Social Europe Report will be launched in Brussels on 28 February by Jacques Delors and Poul Nyrup Rasmussen. Contact catherine.klepinine@pes.org if you want to attend.
5th anniversary of Barcelona Childcare Targets
The PES is is marking the 5th anniversary of the EU Summit agreement to increase childcare provision with a series of actions including questions in the European Parliament. Contact if you want to help remind Europe of its promises.
Leaders' Meeting
Socialist, Social Democratic and Labour Parties Leaders from all over Europe will be taking part in the PES Leaders' meeting on 24 March in Berlin. The 50th anniversary of the Treaty of Rome - the foundation of the EU - is a special moment and one that should insipre us to tackle today's challenges with renewed confidence and cooperation.
Balkan Conference
The second PES conference of social democratic parties in the Balkans will take place in Belgrade on May 16. Ensuring that peace and democracy take permanent root in the region - and encouraging the growth of social democracy - are tasks the PES considers to be vitally important.
Ministerial Meetings
PES Employment Ministers meet on 22 February, Finance Ministers on 26 February, Defence Ministers 1 March.
