ANC hosts XXIV Socialist International Congress

27 August 2012

The Socialist International, the worldwide organisation that brings together 162 political parties and organisations from across the globe, is holding its XXIV Congress in Cape Town, South Africa, on Thursday 30, Friday 31 August and Saturday 1 September 2012.

Hosted by the African National Congress (ANC) in the year of its 100th anniversary, it will be the first Congress in the history of the International to take place in Africa.

The Congress, held once every four years, constitutes the supreme body of the Socialist International and the occasion for social democratic leaders from all continents and regions of the world to gather in the largest progressive platform in global politics.

The Congress takes place under the heading "For a new internationalism and a new culture of solidarity". The event will define priorities and objectives on four key themes that are central to the concerns of the global social democratic movement, and build on the organisation`s message to citizens across the globe. These themes are:

• For an economy with jobs, growth and social protection: the social democratic response to the financial crisis.
• The struggle for rights and freedoms: strengthening representative democracy and gaining new democracies in the world.
• For a common road to peace, sustainability and cooperation: the need to secure multilateralism.
• For a new internationalism and a new culture of solidarity among people and between nations.

Discussions on each of these themes will incorporate keynote addresses, panel discussions and contributions from delegates. The Congress will hear keynote speeches from heads of government, party leaders and other delegates and guests from all continents.

Journalists and members of the press requesting accreditation should contact:

Senzi Ngubane:082 934 4658
Email: senzi@gmx.com

Ishmael Mnisi: 00 27 (0) 823 335550

Further details can be found in the Congress Agenda and Programme and the Report of the Secretary General.