Be a part of next year's conference: MARXISM 2014
Easter Weekend 17-20 April - Melbourne, Australia:
www.marxismconference.org
Hosted by SOCIALIST ALTERNATIVE - www.sa.org.au

The packed-out opening night for Marxism 2013 drew over 400 attendees to hear from a range of international and local guests. The merger between the Revolutionary Socialist Party and Socialist Alternative was formally announced by Kim Bullimore of the RSP and Peter Boyle of the Socialist Alliance was on hand to speak about further prospects for left unity. The full lineup of opening night guests included:

GERRY RIVERA, president of Philippines Airline union (PALEA) who have been on strike against outsourcing for over 18 months
BOB CARNEGIE, veteran unionist facing court over his role as community organiser during the successful dispute against Abigroup at the QCH
BRIAN JONES, New York based teacher, unionist, socialist and actor
PETER BOYLE, National Co-Convener of the Socialist Alliance
KIM BULLIMORE, veteran pro-Palestine activist and National Committee member of the Revolutionary Socialist Party
VASHTI KENWAY, co-founder of Students for Palestine, member of the Max Brenner 19 and a member of Socialist Alternative's National Executive

Additional footage courtesy of GreenLeft TV

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The Marxism 2013 conference, held in Melbourne over the Easter weekend, was the biggest and the most successful to date. Some 1,140 people came to participate in debates and discussions and to hear stories of the struggle from Australia and the world.

As always, many highlights were provided by conference guests: John Pilger (investigative journalist and documentary maker), Billy X Jennings (Black Panther Party, USA), Gary Foley (Aboriginal Tent Embassy and Panther, Australia), Brian Jones (International Socialist Organization, USA), Surya (People's Liberation Party, Indonesia), Gerry Rivera (PALEA, Philippines), Patchanee Kumnak (Thai socialist), Barry Sheppard (US socialist), Antony Loewenstein (author), Jeff Sparrow (author and editor, Overland journal), Bob Carnegie (trade unionist) and many more.

Part of the reason for the overwhelming success of the conference was the ongoing unity discussions between three of Australia's Marxist organisations. While the conference is hosted by Socialist Alternative, this year the Revolutionary Socialist Party, Socialist Alliance and Green Left Weekly all supported the event and provided speakers.

The conference took place in the wake of the official merger of Socialist Alternative and the Revolutionary Socialist Party -- which last week held a party congress and unanimously voted to dissolve the RSP and join SA. Kim Bullimore announced the merger in the opening night plenary session. Also speaking on opening night was Peter Boyle, national convenor of the Socialist Alliance, which is also in unity discussions with Socialist Alternative.

Marxism 2013 included the stream "Organising workers today", which proved popular with workers attempting to rebuild the traditions of militant trade unionism. Other popular streams were "Anarchism versus Marxism", and "Marxism for beginners".

For the first time, the conference also organised a "School of Rebellion" for young people and children, which was provided free for all conference attendees with children/grandchildren etc. More than 30 students enrolled over the weekend. At one point the children rebelled against the official curriculum and voted to do something else -- a sure sign that the school was successful in its aims!

Socialist Alternative would like to extend our gratitude to all of our international guests and to all who participated in the event.

Marxism 2014 will be held over the Easter weekend 17 to 20 April 2014. Put those dates in your diary now!

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