Without any doubt the workshop on the future of PES activists was the liveliest I have been to on this years' PES activists Forum. After a quick intro by PES Secretary General Philip Cordery on the (short) history of PES activists and on the tools we are currently given to participate as active members, the floor was open to listen to our proposals on how to develop PES activists.

One thing is for sure: there was no shortage of ideas, as half of the room immediately raised their hands to speak!

The need to define clearly “what a PES activist is” and to have PES activists  mentioned in the PES statutes was brought up several times during the discussion. In addition, activists asked to be given more (thematic) information and material from the PES in order to debate and to spread PES ideas – also outside our parties usual circles.

And because we live in a “web 2.0” world, the online activities were not forgotten. The PES has already interactive web tools, but activists stated the importance of organizing a stronger social networking to exchange best practices, to debate hot topics and to publicize their actions.

Philip Cordery mentioned that the possibility to form an “activists’ initiative” would be studied before PES Congress (7-8 December 2009, in Prague).  Furthermore, as PES activists should keep their link to the national, regional and local dimensions via their parties and strengthen the European dimension of the parties, it is not possible to be an activist without being a member of a national party. PES Secretary General added that the Congress is a chance to “develop a strong voice for PES activists”.