A-Infos (en) Italy: FAI convention (it)

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On the 13th and 14th September in Reggio Emilia, the planned
National Convention of the FAI [Italian Anarchist Federation]
took place. The next National Convention has been fixed for 10th
and 11th January 2004 in a location to be decided (Milan or
Rimini). We publish here the motions approved by the Reggio
Emilia convention.

INTERNATIONAL

The FAI Convention meeting at Reggio Emilia on the 14th
September 2003, aware of the community of interests in the
issues, believes that direct involvement of all federation
members is fundamental in the ever-more numerous debates and
mobilizations which are taking place on an international level.

This implies a level of awareness which can only be acquired
through direct relations with other organizations in the
movement, by frequenting the international press, the many
internet sites, with direct participation, where possible, in
demonstrations, meetings and conventions. And above all with the
collaboration and strengthening of the International Rlations
Commission. Being part of the growth of the libertarian
movement, which is happening on a worldwide scale, means
participating in a developing process which may erupt in a level
of social action which will require support in means and ideas.

In this light, the FAI confirms its intention to organize an
international encounter open to all anarchist and libertarian
groups.

The Convention believes that it cannot hold back from strong
criticism of the majority principle and the electoralist logic
that derives therefrom. This criticism has been the basis of
anarchism since its birth (St. Imier).

The majority principle within federations would distort the
functioning of anarchist organization. Applied to the letter in
struggles, the active minority would be hostage to the more
reformist elements. Historical experience shows that such a
principle favours the reformist illusion that social problems
can be resolved electorally.

The Convention hopes that the IFA will promote initiatives
regarding the principal international issues (against war and
militarism, for free circulation of migrants, against every form
of persecution and racism, in support of all pro-active
initiatives of the workers and the exploited).

Mandate is given to the International Relations Commission to
make contact with anarchist and libertarian groups from other
countries with the aim of coordinating joint initiatives. (...)


ANTI-MILITARISM

The comrades of the Federation meeting in Convention on 13th and
14th September 2003 in Reggio Emilia, restate the importance of
the anti-militarist struggle.

In particular they underline that the war is never over: Italian
occupation troops are employed in Iraq, Afghanistan, Kosovo and
many other countries. Apart from its external dimension as an
imperialist occupation of other countries, the war continues at
home in the form of a war against all those who oppose it,
against the exploited and the oppressed. Social spending is cut
ever more drastically, military spending and spending related to
repression are on the increase continually. Consequently, there
is a need for a strong link between anti-militarist work and the
social battles.

We call for a day of locally-based anti-militarist mobilizations
to be held indicatively on 4th November. Mandate is given to the
Anti-Militarist Commission to coordinate this day of protest and
if need be to support it by producing a flyer or document.


SOCIAL QUESTIONS

The FAI Convention, meeting in Reggio Emilia on 14th September
2003, having evaluated the political situation in Italy and the
seriousness of the growing attack on the living conditions both
of the workers of various categories and on the less-protected
sectors, together with that on the entire social body
considering the renewed attack by the bosses and the government,
invites federations, groups and individuals to promote, as of
now, initiatives on the following questions: wages, pensions,
forthcoming Budget, further attacks on workers' union rights and
the operating rights of grassroots unions.

Furthermore, the "Social Question" Commission is invited to
promote and coordinate campaigns on the various questions.

It is believed that priority should be given to initiating the
process directly to the workers, making the most of the capacity
for mobilization and self-management of the struggles, in order
that initiatives such as the General Strike should arise from
the real needs of the workers themselves.

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from "Umanità Nova" No.29, 21st September 2003

[trad. -nmcn/ainfos]


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