2024 edition
From July 11th to 14th, 2024, Mieres, Spain, hosted a dynamic gathering of political activists, intellectuals, and leaders for the Summer University of the European Left and transform! europe.
The event featured insightful plenaries, workshops, and cultural activities. Participants discussed the future of Europe, including strategies against far-right movements, the social impacts of AI, and the importance of peace over militarization.
Attendees also enjoyed film screenings and guided tours, culminating in a celebration with traditional Asturian dances.
Discover the excitement of our Summer University—explore our engaging presentations and materials, invite your friends to join, and share the unforgettable experience!
outcomes
If you were not present there or wish you could bet back to some of the interventions, we have good news! You can study many of the interventions and presentations of this year’s Summer University here.
Plenary – The emerging Power Relations in the European Parliament: An Analysis on the Results of the European Elections
Walter Baier, President of the European Left notes on the 2024 European Elections outcome
Walter Baier’s notes on the 2024 European Elections outcomes highlight the pivotal victories and challenges faced by the European Left. While there have been significant wins against the neo-fascist right, particularly under leftist hegemony, fragmentation at the national level remains a critical weakness. The discussion stresses the need for unity, structural flexibility, and a focus on socio-ecological transformation, feminism, and progressive policies.
Key themes include the imperative of peace, as wars in Ukraine and other regions exacerbate global instability and derail climate goals. The notes critique excessive military spending, emphasizing negotiations over militarization as a path to resolving conflicts. Unity among left-wing parties and public advocacy for social rights are framed as essential strategies to counter the radical right and foster a just, sustainable Europe.
Julie Maenaut, The PVDA-PTB triple election campaign & result: A sign of hope in Europe
A Sign of Hope: The PVDA-PTB Triple Election Campaign and Results
The PVDA-PTB’s remarkable performance in the recent elections brings hope for future struggles of the working class and youth across Europe. With 763,340 votes—an increase of over 200,000 compared to 2019—the party doubled its elected representatives in Flanders, made significant gains in Brussels, and remains a strong left-wing force in Wallonia.
Among its 50 elected officials are 18 workers, underlining its commitment to representing the working class. With over 20,000 members and supporters, PVDA-PTB continues to mobilize in industrial areas and working-class neighborhoods, championing causes like fair taxation, pandemic justice, and social equity.
This victory is not just a political milestone but a testament to the power of collective action to create meaningful change.
Plenary – Turning the Tide: Reflections and Actions against the Right and the Far Right
Anaïs Fley, Reverse the trend. Reflections and actions against the right and the far right
Anaïs Fley’s intervention at the “Reverse the Trend” plenary focused on the rising threat of the far right, particularly in France, and how recent political dynamics served as a model for countering this trend. Fley discussed the significance of unity within the left, highlighting the surprising victory of the New Popular Front despite numerous challenges. She delved into how solidarity, a radical program for social change, and grassroots mobilization played crucial roles in achieving this success. Her reflections emphasized the importance of persistent political engagement and solidarity to maintain momentum against the right and far right, presenting a hopeful yet urgent call to action.
ENRIQUE DEL TESO, NOTES
Enrique del Teso’s notes outline the tactics of the far right and strategies to counter them. He argues that the far right primarily serves the wealthy, with well-funded strategies that manipulate social divisions by turning the poor against each other and channeling frustration into symbolic identity conflicts. Their propaganda relies on tactics like targeting minorities, spreading partial truths, denialism, provocation, personal attacks, and overwhelming the discourse. To combat this, del Teso suggests five key communication strategies: taking initiative, approaching with humility, appealing to common sense, aiming for broad-based appeal, and using targeted counter-attacks.
Plenary – Investing in Peace, Not in War! An Analysis of the Militarization of the EU
Gavin Rae, Militarism and the Left
Presented by Gavin Rae (Fundacja Naprzód – Forward Foundation), this thought-provoking discussion examines the intersection of militarism, capitalism, and the role of the Left in Europe. Highlighting rising global military expenditures, societal militarization, and the diversion of resources from social and ecological needs, it stresses the urgent need for the Left to reclaim its historic role as a promoter of peace.
Key points include:
– Militarism as a driver of inequality, benefiting the far-right and arms industries while impoverishing society.
– Case studies such as Poland, where significant military investments and border militarization showcase the challenges faced.
– The necessity of negotiations and peace deals to counter the destructive impact of war.
This presentation challenges us to rethink priorities, advocating for de-escalation, sustainable policies, and a focus on the common good over militaristic agendas.
Chloé Meulewaeter, Militarización de la UE y cambio de narrativa: La seguridad es la precondición de la sostenibilidad
Chloé Meulewaeter’s presentation, available in Spanish language, addresses the militarization of the European Union and the narrative shift framing security as a prerequisite for sustainability. It explores how sustainable finance policies and the European taxonomy impact the defense industry, highlighting funding challenges resulting from its partial exclusion on ethical grounds. The presentation also examines the war in Ukraine as a catalyst for changing perceptions and the influence of the arms lobby on EU documents and policies. Finally, it questions the narrative that justifies weapons production as a socially and sustainably beneficial activity.
Plenary – Decided by Few, Paid by Many: Unveiling the True Costs of Imperialistic Wars
Luz Stella Perez Silva, SPEECH
Luz Stella Perez Silvia provides a historical overview of Colombia’s enduring cycles of violence, stemming from colonization, feudalism, and class exclusion. She examines the role of U.S. interests in perpetuating war through counterinsurgency policies and resource exploitation. While addressing the hope brought by President Petro’s “Total Peace” initiative, Stella emphasizes ongoing challenges, such as entrenched corruption, paramilitarism, and human rights violations. She highlights the intersection of war with global geopolitics and the exploitation of Colombian resources and labor.
Yasuo Ogata, speech within the discussion on Imperialistic Wars
Yasuo Ogata critiques U.S. imperialism and military hegemony, highlighting its global double standards, such as supporting Israel’s actions in Gaza while condemning Russia’s aggression in Ukraine. He links Japan’s militarization to U.S. dominance and warns of its role in extending NATO’s influence in East Asia. Advocating for international solidarity based on the UN Charter, Ogata stresses the need for peaceful resolutions, nuclear disarmament, and collaboration between progressive movements globally
Plenary – A Green and Just Transition: Lessons from the Ex-Coal Regions and the Global South
José Manuel García Zapico, Proposals for the economic reactivation of the mining regions
José Manuel García Zapico addresses the crisis in Asturian mining regions, characterized by unemployment, depopulation, and aging. Historical failures in reindustrialization and economic diversification, compounded by global crises, have worsened poverty and exclusion. He advocates for strategic planning in energy transitions, investment in renewable energy, and local industry revitalization. Zapico critiques the lack of comprehensive support from administrations and calls for sustainable, localized industrial growth as part of the Just Transition Strategy 2019–2027.
Malgorzata Kulbaczewska, speech on the topic of Just Transition
Malgorzata Kulbaczewska discusses the concept of a “just transition” in post-Socialist coal regions, focusing on Poland and Romania. Despite EU support, challenges persist due to weak industrial policies, neoliberal economic practices, and fragile trade unions. Transition efforts, such as shifting to tourism or small businesses, have failed to match the employment levels of the mining era, and public mistrust complicates progress. The speaker emphasizes the need to rebuild social capital and address the cultural and economic barriers to ensure equitable transitions in these regions.
Plenary – The Social Impacts of Artificial Intelligence: Deconstructing Digital Capitalism
Alberto Lumbreras, Social Impacts of Artificial Intelligence
This presentation offers a comprehensive overview of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Large Language Models, setting the stage for an exploration of three fronts I think are critical for the future: Democratic AI, Sustainable AI, and Redistributive AI. For each of these areas, I present some current challenges and propose some potential solutions. The talk aims to stimulate thought and discussion on how we can guide AI development to ensure it benefits society as a whole.
Workshop – They want Private Monopolies, we demand People’s Planning
Report of the workshop
The Workshop had two goals:
• Discussing the current economic status of the EU after the EP elections and at the beginning of the new EU-cycle 2024-2029 – where are we, and what are the plans of the EU-COM and Council?
• Radical left alternatives to an unbearable status quo.
Training – Effective strategies for progressive political communication
Anna Tatar, presentation
PROBLEM WITH OPENING THE PRESENTATION – LOOK FOR THE ORIGINAL FILE AND UPLOAD IT AGAIN?
https://www.european-left.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/Anna-Tatar_training-on-political-comm.pdf
seminar – Culture is Resistance: Disrupting the Right and Far Right Tales
Jean-Pierre Michiels, The dangers of the far right in power for culture
Michiels examines the far-right’s restrictive and insular vision of culture, which prioritizes heritage over innovation and rejects multiculturalism. He critiques their attacks on artistic freedom, public funding cuts, and privatization of media, which undermine cultural diversity and universal values. Michiels calls for defending culture as a vehicle for freedom and humanity, contrasting it with the authoritarian and exclusionary ethos of the far-right.
Pablo Batalla, Summary of the intervention
Batalla analyzes the resurgence of Spanish nationalism as a “secular religion” with an effective propaganda strategy across intellectual, cultural, and popular levels. He critiques the left for failing to match this narrative with accessible messaging. Batalla argues for adopting creative, engaging methods to communicate progressive ideas and challenge nationalist rhetoric, emphasizing the need for a strategic cultural response.
Workshop – Being a Migrant Worker in the EU
Angela Janett Flores Acaro, INTERVENTION
Angela Flores shares her personal journey as a migrant worker in Belgium, exposing systemic exploitation, wage disparities, and health risks in the domestic services sector. She critiques capitalist exploitation in state-subsidized programs and the lack of protections for undocumented workers. Flores advocates for union activism, legislative reforms, and public awareness to secure dignified work conditions and health protections, particularly for women in precarious jobs.
Alyssa Ahrabare, MIGRANT WOMEN WORKERS IN THE EU
Ahrabare highlights the systemic barriers faced by migrant women in the EU, including legal restrictions, discrimination, and deskilling. She underscores their overrepresentation in precarious, low-wage sectors like domestic and care work. Ahrabare advocates for inclusive labor laws, improved access to public services, and reforms to family migration policies to ensure gender equality and dignity for migrant women. She also stresses the importance of union support and regularization programs for undocumented workers.
Seminar – Palestine and Israel at a crossroads: Towards peace or towards expanding conflict and war?
Ratabeh Alaedin, INTERVENTION
Alaedin discusses the deepening Israeli-Palestinian conflict, framing it as an existential battle rooted in settler colonialism and expansionist policies. He critiques Israel’s ethnic cleansing strategies, including settlement expansions and the marginalization of Palestinians. Alaedin calls for international action to end occupation through boycotts, accountability for Israel under international law, and dismantling imperialist definitions that normalize oppression. He emphasizes the need for a global solidarity movement to achieve peace and justice for Palestinians.
Workshop – Defend Public Services to Defeat Neoliberalism
Cristina Simó, SISTEMAS PÚBLICOS DE CUIDADOS
Cristina Simó presents public care systems as a paradigm shift, emphasizing the prioritization of life and dignity over capital accumulation. She highlights their role in addressing gender and class inequalities, advocating for universally guaranteed care rights. Simó stresses the necessity of redistributing care responsibilities, ensuring autonomy for dependents, and securing proper labor conditions for caregivers. Public care systems are positioned as essential to achieving social equity and dismantling neoliberal frameworks.
Toni Barbará, Fighting is Health Because Health is Fighting
Toni Barbará emphasizes the urgent need for collective resistance against neoliberalism, particularly its detrimental impact on public health systems. He critiques the privatization and commodification of healthcare and the exploitation of workers. Barbará advocates for a holistic approach to health as a fundamental human right intertwined with education, housing, and social services. He calls for grassroots mobilization, legislative reforms, and a united front against imperialist and capitalist systems to safeguard equitable public services.
The 2024 Summer University in pictures & Videos.
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