Progressive Internationalism between German and South African Progressives in Johannesburg

The current multilateral system is in a moment of polycrisis, facing numerous global challenges: climate change, global inequality, wars, authoritarianism, and weakened multilateral institutions. In polarizing moments, it is more important than ever for progressives to come together and find common ground for a way forward. 

One pressing issue is the failing international rules-based order. The current order is shaped by unequal power relations, mounting in double standards and conflicts. Ineffective and paralysed multilateral institutions are unfit to tackle the challenges of our time. South African and German progressives share a common commitment to build a fair international order in which the rules are just and applied equally. Based on this joint commitment, a trustful dialogue surfaces common interests whilst also reflecting on different perspectives. One example is the reform of the United Nations. The first step is the support of a permanent seat of the African Union at the UN Security Council to tackle and ensure better representation. Progressives must unite behind the call for reforms that ensure sustainable, fair finance and social inclusion by investing in public goods like education, health, and climate protection to further address global power imbalances.  

Another challenge for progressive internationalism is the fight against climate change. The just transition to an economy and society within planetary boundaries plays a key role. The need for a fair distribution of resources, energy and production as well as climate friendly development is far more important, especially in the social dimension. An energy transition from fossil fuels to renewables can only succeed if the effect on livelihoods, workers and communities is considered from the onset of such a transition. Programmes to support the transition like the ‘Just Energy Transition Partnerships’ must pay tribute to the social dimension by including trade unions in their design and ensuring just financing models. Local manufacturing, job creation along new global value chains and curbing the power of multinational corporations are key for a global just transition. 

With all these challenges, international relations and building progressive internationalism are too important to be left to governments. Too often, international relations remain an elitist, realist and exclusive discourse where feminist and youth perspectives are pushed aside. However, during Lars Klingbeli’s visit, young students from the Eastern Cape dialogued with the delegation on employment, global governance, interest in politics and prospects for a better international order. Inclusion of youth, strong party-to-party, trade union relations and feminist perspectives are important in progressive international relations spaces. The dialogue in Johannesburg made space for honest discussions that strengthen international solidarity, justice and the common struggle for progressive internationalism among the various spheres of society!

For that purpose, FES South Africa organised a dialogue between German and South African progressives in Johannesburg (5th and 6th March 2024). 
The German delegation consisted of 
•    Lars Klingbeil, Co-leader of the German Social Democratic Party (SPD) and Member of the German Parliament
•    Nadja Sthamer, Member of the German Parliament
•    Armand Zorn, Member of the German Parliament
•    Dr. Philipp Fink, International Secretary of the SPD 
•    Bianca Walther, chief press officer of the SPD
•    Jonas Freist-Held, chief of staff of Lars Klingbeil
and was accompanied by the Head of the FES Africa Department, Henrik Maihack. The delegation met with South African actors from trade unions, academia, the ANC, the government, think tanks and activists to exchange views and consolidate joint steps towards progressive internationalism.

In the wake of his visit, SPD Chairman Lars Klingbeil delivered a programmatic speech on the future of North-South Cooperation in Berlin, based on insights from his engagements in Johannesburg. 

Find Lars Klingbeil North-South Cooperation speech: in English, in Spanish

Click below for more impressions of the meeting between the delegation and students of the Eastern Cape who participate in the FES

Fort Hare Autumn School 
Party-to-party cooperation 
Future of Multilateralism with experts from labour, academia, and civil society