PES Congress 2009 - Media advisory

06/12/2009

8th PES CONGRESS IN PRAGUE

Tomorrow the PES Congress, major convention of European Socialists and Social Democrats will start in Prague to debate the future of social democracy in Europe in the 21st century. The Party of European Socialists (PES) is Europe’s second largest political family, represented in all EU institutions. The PES Congress will define a new way forward after the European elections and propose a new progressive agenda to exert maximum influence in the European Union over the next five years.

Poul Nyrup Rasmussen, President of the Party of European Socialists, said: “This PES Congress will be a turning point, marking the renewal of social democracy in Europe from the bottom up to show people that our policies can make a difference to today’s challenges and that politics can meet our citizen’s expectations.”

“To reach people, we must also be concerned by the invisible injustices suffered in their daily lives – the lack of power, of capabilities, to improve their lives for the better. Europe needs progressive societies that give every person the resources and capabilities to fulfil their talents, whatever their background, gender, race and birthplace” Poul Nyrup Rasmussen added.

WHEN

7 & 8 December 2009

WHERE

Prague, Czech Republic – Industrial Palace (Prumyslovy palac), Vystaviste Holesovice, Prague 7

WHO

1500 party delegates, member organisations, ministers, MEPs, activists and many local and international guests, including Werner Fayman (Austria), Elio Di Rupo (Belgium), Caroline Gennez (Belgium), Sergei Stanishev (Bulgaria), Yiannakis L. Omirou (Cyprus), Jiri Paroubek (Czech Republic), Helle Thorning-Schmidt (Denmark), Jutta Urpilainen (Finland), Martine Aubry (France), Sigmar Gabriel (Germany), George Papandreou (Greece), Ildikó Lendvai (Hungary), Eamon Gilmore (Ireland), Riccardo Nencini (Italy), Janis Dinevics (Latvia), Algirdas Butkevčius (Lithuania), Alex Bodry (Luxembourg), Branco Crvenkovski (Macedonia), Joseph Muscat (Malta), Frans Timmermans (Netherlands), Jens Stoltenberg (Norway), Grzegorz Napieralski (Poland), Adrian Nastase (Romania), Boris Tadic (Serbia), Robert Fico (Slovakia), Borut Pahor (Slovenia), Vladimir Spidla (European Commission), Stefan Fuele (European Commission), Maria Damanaki (European Commission), Maros Sefcovic (European Commission), Martin Schulz (S&D Group in the EP), Geoffery Sachs (Earth Institute and Special Advisor to United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-Moon), Poul Nyrup Rasmussen (PES President)

DRAFT AGENDA

Sunday 6 December from 18.30

Prime Ministers and Party Leaders arrive for PES Leaders Meeting, doorstep and photo opportunity (a light buffet will be available for press)

Monday 7 December

08.15 – 08.30 Photo opportunity “Carbon neutral PES congress” on tram with Jiri Paroubek, Poul Nyrup Rasmussen, Zita Gurmai and Eamon Gilmore tram 17 from Pravnicka faktura to Vystaviste

09.25 – 09.40 Plenary speech by Jiri Paroubeck

09.40 – 10.20 Plenary speech by Poul Nyrup Rasmussen

10.00 – 10.20 Vote on PES President

10.20 – 11.50 A new direction for Progressive societies: speeches and debate

12.10 – 12.25 Plenary speech by Martin Schulz MEP, President of S&D Group in the EP

12.35 – 12:45 Leaders’ photo, Activity reports, Results of vote on PES President

13.30 – 13:50 Press Conference with Poul Nyrup Rasmussen

14.45 – 17.15 People first: a progressive European Agenda - speeches and debate

17.15 – 19.00 Climate change: panel discussion and debate, and presentation of carbon neutral PES Congress

 

Tuesday 8 December

09:30 – 10:00 Vote on new members and new PES Presidency

10.00 – 10.30 Greetings from International guests

10.30 – 11.50 Panel on Europeans for Financial Reform

12.00 – 12.30 Vote on resolutions

12.30 – 13.00 Midday press conference with Poul Nyrup Rasmussen, Jiri Paroubek and others

14.15 – 15.45 Panel and questions: A new way forward, a stronger PES

15.45 – 16.30 Closing session with plenary speeches by Vladimir Spidla, Petroula Nteledimou, Zita Gurmai MEP, Jiri Paroubek, Poul Nyrup Rasmussen

 

MEDIA INFORMATION

  • To register online go to http://www.tfaforms.com/126505 
  • All sessions in draft agenda above are open to press, stills photographers and to TV cameras 
  • All sessions above will be filmed by the PES (pool leader) and footage will be available free on site and from our website – for queries regarding footage contact Julien.Celin@pes.org
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Media facilities will include 

  • A working space for journalists with desks, power supply for personal computers, free internet connection, a limited number of computers and printers
  • A press conference room and interview areas

For further information please contact Silke Thomson on 0032 2 548 90 85 or 0032 476 94 22 70