ANC+ENGAGEMENT+IN+BATTLE+OF+IDEAS




 * From: http://www.anc.org.za/ancdocs/pr/2005/pr0314.html **

=STATEMENT OF THE ANC NATIONAL EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE=


 * 14 March 2005 **


 * //The African National Congress (ANC) National Executive Committee held a regular scheduled meeting in Tshwane from 11-13 March 2005.//**

=ENGAGEMENT IN BATTLE OF IDEAS=
 * Extract:**

The NEC held an extensive discussion on the ANC's engagement in the battle of ideas, concluding with a decision to engage more assertively and consistently in public debate to defend and propagate the political and ideological positions of the ANC.

This decision follows a number of recent developments - some of which have already been discussed in the ANC's online series on the sociology of public discourse - which have highlighted the nature and content of the battle of ideas currently taking place in South Africa.

The NEC acknowledged that a vigorous battle of ideas is a common feature of the democratic political contest in many societies, and should be welcomed as an integral feature of the democratic process.

The NEC noted the determined efforts of those forces opposed to fundamental transformation - including, but not limited to, the Democratic Alliance - to shape the public discourse, and to thereby seek to ensure that their political and ideological views are dominant in society. It is both natural and expected that they should seek to do so.

The meeting noted, however, that the ANC has not been as vigorous in the defence and propagation of its own progressive perspectives over the course of the first decade of democracy. It resolved therefore, as part of the preparations for the NGC, to ensure all structures work to ensure a more coherent, determined and comprehensive assertion of the political and ideological positions of the ANC in the national battle of ideas.

This must, of necessity, include a repudiation of those individuals and groups who argue for the ANC to remain silent in the face of a sustained ideological and political challenge. It must necessarily respond to those within the political arena and the media who would seek to misrepresent the positions of the ANC.

The ANC will address all of these matters not only to improve the vibrancy of national debate, but to remain faithful to the vision for which the movement was founded and to implement the fundamental social transformation for which the ANC has been given an overwhelming mandate.
 * From: http://www.walterlippmann.com/abelprieto-11-7-2004.html**




 * 7 November 2004**

=Interview with Abel Prieto, Cuban Culture Minister (extract):=

In what context does the Battle of Ideas come about and what is its political, social and cultural significance?

Well look, the Battle of Ideas arose in the context in the battle for the return of the little boy, Elián González who was kidnapped in Miami a few years ago. The entire population was shaken by this case and many artists and professionals of the world press and of culture participated, together with the people in massive actions demanding the return of the child.

This gave Fidel the idea of working towards developing the Cubans with an integral general culture and, at the same time, taking it to all the corners of the country. On the 150th anniversary of the birth of José Martí, he said that the main task of all honest people in the world was to "plant ideas, plant consciousness". And to plant both inside the country and abroad.

For this reason, in contrast to the stupidity, barbarity and the law of the strongest that today intends to impose itself, worldwide, we try to defend the idea that another world is possible. Against the neo-liberal model, this fierce version of capitalism that reserves for a small minority the luxury of consumerism and excludes ¾ of the population of the world, we propose the defense of the values of social justice and authentic democracy.

We believe that what should be globalized are not bombs or hatred but peace, solidarity, health, education for all, culture, etc. That is why, when our physicians go to help in other countries, although their mission is to work for medical attention, they are also bearers of our values and our ideas of solidarity.

This is the essence of the Battle of Ideas. We call Battle of Ideas a task of an ideological character that we have been conducting through various means, incorporating, of course, many young people. The current significance of the Young Communist Union (UJC) in the life of the country has great importance.

At the same time, the Battle of Ideas is very related to the thousands of social workers that we have formed to help the poorer sectors. Using art instructors, we have prepared throughout the island and with the use of new technologies of communication, we have to spread culture, education (today we have to educational channels in TV) and also to transmit the truth about Cuba - through the Internet - to all parts of the world.