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NL The bustling activities of the FMS
As the FMS we support people in their quest and journey towards and with social democracy. Throughout multiple events we have been able to connect with our partners and participants in a wonderfully wide range. This past weekend, the FMS organised five events focussed on supporting social democratic movements with our partner parties. One of [...]
Full house at International: Our session at the Labour Party's Political Members' Council
Last Saturday, the political members' council of the PvdA took place in Zwolle. As International Secretariat and Foundation Max van der Stoel, we took this opportunity to organise a sub-session on one of the topics most heavily weighed down by the bleak winds from the right: International Solidarity. Witness the packed hall, where the [...]
Buy your tickets now for Africa Day 2024: Getting Rights Right!
On 16 November, the time has come: the annual Africa Day! This year, the biggest event on international cooperation with African countries will focus on the important question: "How do we get rights right?" What is the state of universal human rights? Who are fighting for justice and democratisation? And what can organisations [...]
Watch it back: Upcoming Election in Bulgaria, Political Shifts and What's at Stake
On Tuesday October 15, we interviewed Katya Koleva, the President of the Board of the Institute for Social Integration in Bulgaria (ISI), and Tanya Balova, the Executive Director of the ISI, to discuss the upcoming parliamentary election in Bulgaria which is scheduled for Sunday October 27. Katya and Tanya briefly explained the function of the [...]
Watch it back: Upcoming Local Elections in Bosnia & Herzegovina: What to Expect?
On Thursday October 3, the FMS organised a webinar on the upcoming municipal elections in Bosnia & Herzegovina with Lana Prlić and Damir Mašić, both members of the federal parliament for the Social Democratic Party (SDP). The Forum of Left Initiative also had an important role in organising this webinar. During the session, Lana and [...]
From social media to street protests: the digital instigators of England's riots
Photo: 'Say No to Tommy Robinson' protest - Flickr In recent days, parts of the UK have been in the grip of violent riots. Violent anti-immigration and anti-Islam protests broke out in more than 30 places, including Manchester, Belfast and Leicester, with mosques attacked, libraries and police cars torched, asylum shelters stormed, and [...]
Watch back now: debate with MEP candidates on the Western Balkans
Photo: Flags of EU Member States - Flickr On 26 May in Leiden, the FMS together with PAX, Free Press Unlimited, NHC, Dutch-Albanian Friendship Foundation and Humanitarian Intervention Committee organised a debate on EU integration of the Western Balkans! Teun Janssen (Volt), Ingeborg ter Laak (CDA), Reinout van Malenstein (NSC), Alisha Muller (VVD), Thijs Reuten (GL-PvdA) & [...]
All Eyes on Sudan
In Khartoum, Sudan's capital, heavy fighting broke out in April last year between the government army the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary army Rapid Support Forces (RSF). A bloody war has been raging in Sudan ever since. But even before this escalation in 2023, the country was experiencing major problems. The population of [...]
Oxfam director Michiel Servaes: 'Solidarity is still in our society'
Michiel Servaes was a diplomat, politician, now director of Oxfam Novib, but has "always remained an activist". In conversation with FMS, he speaks out about inequality and climate change and, of course, the lawsuit against the Dutch government over the F35 parts for Israel. Despite the challenges and problems, he remains hopeful: "Solidarity is still in [...]
Marit Maij's mission: 'Europe must be for everyone'
Photo: Marit Maij, candidate #3 for GL-PvdA in the European elections Marit Maij, former diplomat, member of parliament and director of ActionAid, is a candidate for the European Parliament. In an exclusive interview, she explains what drives her, her vision of human rights and how she wants to defend and strengthen these fundamental values within the [...]