At the day’s third event, Philipp Türmer, Chair of Germany’s Jusos, the Working Group of Young Socialists in Germany’s Social Democratic Party; Konstantin Bärwaldt, FES; Esther Lynch, General Secretary of the European Trade Union Confederation; and Kate Bell, Deputy General Secretary of the Trades Union Congress, are discussing the indispensable role of workers and the fact that social democracy must not forget them. Johanna Siebert, DPZ, iis moderating their talk in the Frida Kahlo Room. -nk

Katrin Rulle

Asked how progressives can rebuild trust, the panellists offer differing answers though they are clearly interlinked. Magdalena Andersson focuses on winning elections, a return to social democratic roots, and policies that tangibly improve ordinary people’s lives – particularly when it comes to social security and migration. Wayne Swan emphases language, saying progressives must speak in a way that resonates with ordinary people again, and better communicate that economic equality is the foundation of freedom. Tim Klüssendorf also sees the problem as a disconnect between politics and the people. Rather than viewing politics just as a management task, he says we need genuine relationships and systematic solutions to systematic problems. Jameson Timba takes on international institutions and calls for concrete reforms to be made. Paulina Vodanovic says “We know what to do but now we have to do it.” Communication needs to be clearer, we need to act together and “we really need to go out and do our work.” -fw

Katrin Rulle