[Note: whenever the word "progressive" appears in this article, think
of it in the same way as when someone describes cancer as
"progressive."]

Copyright 2003 The Financial Times Limited  
Financial Times (London,England)
November 28, 2003, Friday USA Edition 1
New forum sets out to tackle inequality

 website:
The Global Progressive Forum is
joint inititative of Party of European Socialists, the Parlimentary group of the PES and
the Socilaist International

From Mr Poul Nyrup Rasmussen.

Sir, A new reform process to harness the energy of globalisation came
into being this week with the inaugural meeting yesterday of the
Global Progressive Forum. The forum will give progressive thinkers
all over the world the opportunity to contribute to an emerging
consensus on the need to shake up global governance.

The new consensus is inclusive, drawing together international
organisations, governments, economists, civil groups, business people
and trade unionists, lawyers, academics and experts from other walks
of life and from all regions of the world.

They share the analysis that the appalling inequality in the world is
a threat to people everywhere. Among problems it spawns are
international terrorism, security threats, organised crime, the
trafficking of human beings and the never-ending growth of the drugs
trade.

The world simply cannot continue to live on many layers - at the
bottom a billion people struggling to survive without even access to
clean water and at the top a wealthy few destroying the environment
with their resource-hungry lifestyles. The forum and its website
www.pes.org/ globalprogressiveforum are developing policy ideas to
bridge divisions between peoples and countries.

It recognises that globalisation inspires fear for culture, jobs, the
environment and even identity and seeks to move concern from the
level of street protest into policymaking forums. Some 1,500
participants and 150 speakers will take part in discussions over the
next three days at the European parliament in Brussels. We know that
we shall have to work patiently over many years to bring about the
reforms that are needed.

We must rethink the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank
and we must bring about change in the United Nations to strengthen
the profile of our policy concerns. For example, we need to create a
UN human development council, with status comparable with that of the
existing Security Council, to tackle the world's worst social crises.

If change is to happen, we need to build new alliances of
progressive-minded people and organisations committed to the
universal values of justice, solidarity, freedom and peace. Clearly,
politicians will give a lead. But success will depend on transcending
traditional party political lines and creating a new force for
progress.

We have five goals:

* Securing the quality of human life for all

* Preserving the environment and sustainable ways of living

* Guaranteeing peace throughout the world in the face of old and new
threats

* Managing global migration and integrating immigrant populations in
Europe

* Deepening democracy at all levels, re-establishing a strong link
between citizens and politics and reinforcing the capacity of public
authorities to implement democratic choices, particularly at global
governance level.

Humanity has the means to achieve this vision. It is up to us to make
it a reality.

Poul Nyrup Rasmussen, Chairman, Global Progressive Forum (Danish
Prime Minister, 1993-2001)