[Marxism] Socialist conference announcement

[Louis Proyect]

Toronto Conference will be a Hit
         "A World in Revolt" is shaping up to be the hit 
international left educational gathering of the Spring 
season.  Sub-titled "Prospects for Socialism in the 21st Century", 
the conference set for Toronto, Canada, May 22-25, now has an agenda 
(see below) packed with topics and speakers sure to stimulate 
critical thinking and action for a long time to come.
         Over the past month several important personalities have 
come on board.
         Joining the opening panel on "Palestine, the Annapolis Trap, 
and the Global Boycott Campaign" is the President of the Canadian 
Arab Federation, Khaled Mouammar.
       ;  ; ;  Presenting greetings to the highlight session on 
Friday evening, "Prospects for Socialist Revolution in Venezuela and 
Latin America", will be the Consul General of the Bolivarian Repubic 
of Venezuela in Toronto, Mirna Quero de Pena.
         That event will also feature one of Cuba's foremost writers, 
scientists and advocates of Trotskyist ideas, Celia Hart, and a 
leader of the Mexican Socialist Unity League (LUS), Ismael 
Contreras.  Celia will speak three times in all, including Saturday 
night on the question "Was Che Guevara a Trotskyist?", alongside 
Esteban Volkov, the Mexico City-based 82-year old grandson of Leon Trotsky.
          The seminal topic that will lead off on Saturday morning, 
"Eco-Socialism or Barbarism", will be addressed by Ian Angus, the 
Ottawa-based editor of "Climate and Capitalism", and a co-convenor of 
th e Ecos oc ialist International Network, launched in Paris, France 
in October 2007.
         And joining this writer, who is a teachers' union organizer, 
on the concluding panel, "Labour's Retreat and its Coming 
Resurgence", Sunday at 1 p.m., are veteran union activists Bill 
Onasch, a member of the UAW, formerly of the UE and ATU, based in 
Kansas City, and Marty Goodman, an executive board member of 
Transport Workers Union Local 100 in New York City who played a 
prominent role in one of the biggest transit strikes ever.
         Following adjournment of the conference, members of 
Socialist Action / Ligue pour l'Action socialiste in the Canadian 
state will convene for an abbreviated convention – to vote on tasks, 
policies, new members, and to elect a federal steering 
committee.  Those interested in joining SA/LAS, along with 
international guests, will be invited to st ay and ob serve.
         Is there more good news?
         Yes, indeed.  The deadline for booking low-cost 
accommodation just five city blocks from the conference site has been 
extended to April 1 (no April foolin').  It's just $30 per night for 
a single, or $25 per night for each person in a shared room.
         So, if you are travelling to Toronto from afar, now is the 
time to book your space by going to:      Then print the reservation 
form and fax/mail/email it to the office.  You can also call in your 
room reservation at: 416 - 946-0529 or 416 - 946-5317.
         In order to get the special rate, submit the Special Rate 
Code "SAC2008", or refer to the Socialist Action C onfere nce when 
calling by phone.
         Now is also the time to take advantage of the early 
registration rate.  Prior to the conference, a four-day pass costs 
$30 (U.S. or Canadian currency).  During the conference, the weekend 
ticket will be $40, or you can pay $6 per session (there are nine 
sessions in all).  Or pay whatever you can (no one will be turned away).
         Please send cheques or money orders to: S.A., 526 Roxton 
Road, Toronto, Ontario M6G 3R4.
         So, put on some travelling music, and set your compass for 
Toronto in May. "A World in Revolt" awaits you.  And don't forget to 
tell your co-workers and friends.
__________________________________________________________________
A World in Revolt
Prospects for Socialism in the 21st Century
A tri-national education conference, May 22-25, 2008 at the Ontario 
Institute for Studies in Education, 252 Bloor Street West (St. George 
Subway Station),Toronto.

Thursday, May 22
7 p.m.  Palestine, the Annapolis trap, and the Global Boycott 
Campaign -- Andy Pollack (SA-US), Adam Hanieh (CAIA-Toronto) and 
Khaled Mouammar (President, Canadian Arab Federation).

Friday, May 23
4 p.m.  Feminism, Anti-Racism and Immigrants' Rights – The Marxist 
View -- Sarah O'Sullivan (SA-Canada, Halifax), Jason McGahan (SA-US, 
Connecticut) and Rebecca Doran (SA-US, San Francisco).

7 p.m.  Prospects for Socialist Revolution in Venezuela and Latin 
America -- Celia Hart (Cuba) and Ismael Contreras (Mexico - LUS), 
with greetings from the Venezuelan Consul General in Toronto, Mirna 
Quero de Pena.

Saturday, May 24
10 a.m.  Eco-S ocialism or Ba rbarism -- Ian Angus (Editor, Climate 
and Capitalism - Canada).
12 noon   A special lunch with Celia Hart (Cuba) and Esteban Volkov 
(Mexico City - Trotsky's 82 year-old grandson).

1:30 p.m.  The class struggle in Canada and Quebec -- Barry Weisleder 
(SA-Canada Federal Secretary) and Robbie Mahood (SA-Montreal)

4 p.m.  U.S. Imperialism in Crisis: The failing war in Iraq and the 
deepening crisis at home -- Jeff Mackler (National Secretary, SA-US, 
San Francisco) and Christine Gauvreau (SA and Anti-war leader, Connecticut)

7 p.m.  Was Che Guevara a Trotskyist? -- Celia Hart (Cuba), Esteban 
Volkov (Mex), and Gerry Foley (International Editor, Socialist Action 
newspaper).
10 p.m. Social time at a nearby pub

Sunday, May 25
11 a.m.  James P. Cannon and the Revolutionary Tradition in North 
America -- Bryan Palmer (author, Peterborough, Ontario) and Gerry 
Foley (International Editor, Socialist Action new spaper ).
1 p.m.&n bsp; Labour's Retreat and its Coming Resurgence -- Bill 
Onasch (SA-US,Kansas City), Marty Goodman (SA-US, New York), and 
Barry Weisleder (SA-Canada).