Maravi

PF seeks to join the Socialist International

PF seeks to join the Socialist International
By Kombe Chimpinde
Sun 01 Apr. 2012, 12:59 CAT

THE Socialist International Organisation is scrutinising the PF's application for membership to the institution. The organisation's secretary general Luis Ayala who is in the country to scrutinise PF's application to the Socialist International Organisation said politics need to deliver in a different and meaningful way to the people today.

Ayala, who paid a courtesy call on Republican Vice-President Dr Guy Scott on Friday, said people expect modern politics to bring responsible governance with solutions to common national problems that people were facing.

"By those solutions, we need to make a difference and I think the victory of the PF in the last election reflects that…this new look at politics," Ayala told Vice-President Scott who was in the company of PF secretary general Wynter Kabimba.

"The PF, if you read their manifesto, some of the driving ideas for the manifesto for the last elections are inspiring, they set forward a programme that brings the same principles, the same values as those of our political parties. We believe strongly in fairness, living in a society of inclusion, of equal opportunities for our citizens, good governments that deliver to the people, that deliver descent jobs, that deliver health, that protect our citizens, that delivers education because that is where you have more or less equality among citizens."

Ayala said many people had different interpretation of socialism but that for the organisation, their common belief was that socialism meant democracy.

"We belong to a family where socialism has only one big meaning and it is democracy. Our agenda hails governments that are socially responsible, governments which observe regulatory, sound policies and a good market economy too. We need to create jobs, open opportunities to our citizens," Ayala said.

He said he was pleased that the PF had identified the organisation as a family where they will feel comfortable and be able to share experiences.

Ayala also said the PF membership to the party would bring the agenda and expectations of the Zambians on the international arena.

"I think it is a good thing that the Socialist International Organisation will be part of the reference in the political life of the Zambian people. Many problems are beyond the reach of nations, we need to work internally and bring about common platforms on the big issues," said Ayala.

The Socialist International Organisation's current membership stands at 162, of which over 50 are governing political parties.

These include parties that have a socialist inclination such as the British Labour Party.

The PF's application is expected to be confirmed at this year's Congress, which will take place in Africa for the first time on August 30, after scrutiny of the organisation's ethics committee.

The Congress held after every four years will be hosted by the African National Congress party, and President Michael Sata has been invited.

And Vice-President Scott, who is also PF's vice-president, said the worst the PF could do is make mistakes that other governing parties had made.

He said it was better to learn from relevant experiences of other parties so as not make the same blunders.

Vice-President Scott also expressed optimism that the application of the PF to the organisation would be accepted.

Labels: GUY SCOTT, PF, SOCIALISM

posted by MrK @ 2:07 PM