"The working class, its role and
its mission today.
The tasks and concrete experiences of the Communist Party in the working class
and the trade union."
Brussels, 16-18 May 2008
www.icsbrussels.org , ics@icsbrussels.org
Press Statement
Successful conclusion of the 17th International Communist Seminar in Brussels
From 16-18 May 2008, 47 communist and workers' parties from 38 countries gathered in Brussels for the 17th International Communist Seminar, hosted by the Workers' Party of Belgium. Another 45 parties from yet another 28 countries also showed interest or sent a solidarity message. This year's seminar had as theme "The working class, its role and its mission today. The tasks and concrete experiences of the Communist Party in the working class and the trade union."
Each delegation presented a paper on a concrete experience or with an analysis related to the general theme of the Seminar. The increasing attacks by monopoly capitalism on the rights and achievements of the working class and the trade union movement, in the context of the deepening crisis of world capitalism, were singled out. In the General Conclusions of the Seminar it was noted that while the working class has become more internationalised and differentiated, with changes in its number, composition and characteristics, its historical role to lead the fight against capitalism and bring about socialism has remained unchanged.
The working class needs the political guidance and the organising force of the communist party in the struggle for socialism. The trade union movement is needed to unify the entire working class as a class and to arouse, organise and mobilise the workers for their rights. The Brussels Seminar concluded that trade unionism must return to its pioneer, militant and daring character, and that communist parties must fully support and be active in the trade union movement, in order to build up a stronger response to capitalist attacks, concerted and united on the national, regional, sectoral and international levels.
At the Seminar, several specific resolutions were adopted, on Latin America (for a humanitarian exchange of prisoners in Colombia, against the attempts to undermine Evo Morales' government in Bolivia, for solidarity with socialist Cuba), on the Middle East (for solidarity with the people of Iraq, Palestine, Lebanon and Syria), on China and Tibet (against the anti-China campaign) and on the increasing anti-communism. The Seminar also passed a message of condolences to the people of China on the occasion of the deadly earthquake the country suffered recently.
The Seminar participants agreed to organise next year's 18th International Communist Seminar on the youth – the current situation of the youth, the work of the communists among the youth, and the integration of new generations in the communist parties -- from May 15-17, 2009 in Brussels.