SOCIALISTS from around the world gathered for the first day of Progressive International’s summit (PI) today. 

Set up in May 2020 with the aim of building solidarity between struggles across the globe, the second summit of PI will include four days of keynote speeches, panel discussions, and debates.

In the opening keynote speech, PI council member and former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said the summit will “take stock of this dying world, and to build the new one that will replace it — brimming with life, bound by love, powered by popular sovereignty.

“The summit is a site of construction,” he said.

Other keynote speakers will include Indian journalist Rana Ayyub, Cuban medical activist Aleida Guevara and Unified Workers’ Central Brazil international secretary Antonio de Lisboa.

Looking forward to the summit, another one of the speakers, Tricontinental Institute for Social Research director Vijay Prashad said: “Everything seems upsetting these days. To root our thinking in hope, which gives clarity and confidence in struggle is difficult.

“Internationalism provides the possibility of hope, bridging struggles to live each one up.”

Labour MP Zarah Sultana is expected to tell the summit: “In Britain, we are inspired by struggles across the world.

“From victories at the ballot box in Bolivia and Chile, to trade unionists taking on Amazon in America and protesters in Palestine refusing to be erased.

“These global struggles for freedom are an example for us here in the old centre of empire and building bonds across borders is not an optional extra.

“It is a precondition for our success.”

Bolivian Foreign Minister Rogelio Mayta said: “Yes we are poor and far from the powerful centres of economic and political decision-making. 

“But at the same time, we live in the centre of the most important battles.

“Battles which are won from our smallest trenches, communities, neighbourhoods, cities, jungles and forests.

“We have fought to defend life itself, to nourish her and watch her grow with dignity. 

“We do not know of anything more important to do in these difficult times. We are the centre of the world.”