The 5th Summer University, organized by the European Left Party (EL) and transform! europe, took place in Kishinev, the capital of the Republic of Moldova, from 14 to 19 July. The hosting party, the Communist Party of the Republic of Moldova (PCRM), member party of the EL, is facing harsh anti-communist attacks by the neoliberal
The 5th Summer University, organized by the European Left Party (EL) and transform! europe, took place in Kishinev, the capital of the Republic of Moldova, from 14 to 19 July.
The hosting party, the Communist Party of the Republic of Moldova (PCRM), member party of the EL, is facing harsh anti-communist attacks by the neoliberal right-wing government at the moment. Therefore the idea behind holding the summer university in Kishinev amongst others – such as the exchange of information and experiences in the various European countries – was to show a sign of solidarity towards the sister party.
200 participants from over 20 countries, half of them from Moldova, took part at the Summer University. Due to the necessity of interpretation into English, French, Russian and Moldavian there were only plenary speeches possible and no workshops.
On Thursday the speeches and discussions dealt with the question, “Global Politics in the Era of the Global Crisis. Is the Left Trend Possible?”
The topic of the second day was, “Leftist Political Methods. From Diversity of the Left towards the Common Agenda or: ‘How People Live in Europe’”. This thematic block included interventions prepared by women of the EL-fem network and various speeches gave an insight into the situation of women, migrants and youth all over Europe.
Besides the official programme, there were several autonomous network meetings organized by women of EL-fem and the youth.
The last day of the Summer University was dedicated to “The Left in Government / the Left and Power, the Left and the Institutions”. Different speakers, including special guests from Latin America, from Frente Amplio, Uruguay and Partido Socialista Unido de Venezuela (PSUV), presented to the participants different case studies of countries where the Left is in power.
One input was reserved to present the work and projects of transform! europe.
The varied evening programmes allowed the participants to network and communicate and to learn about Moldova and her culture.