15th MEETING
Athens, 10-12 December 1998

Special session on the 50th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration on Human Rights

The New European Left Forum was hosted by Synaspismos for the fourth time during the seven years it has existed. The 15th Meeting of the Forum took place in Athens on 10,11, and 12 December 1998.

The opening session co-incided with this and was dedicated to the 50th Anniversary of the UN Universal Declaration on Human Rights. To this session some political forces from countries outside Europe were invited to take part as well as European and Greek NGOs involved in the struggle for human rights.

On the second day of the Meeting (Dec.11,1998) from 09.00 to 13.00 there was the Meeting of the Women's Network of NELF. The two central topics it dealt with were:
a. Statement on Euroelections - contribution of the Women's Network to the main discussion and
b. Equality as a fundamental human right. Reproductive and sexual rights of women. Reproductive and sexual health.
The 5th meeting of the Women's Network also exchanged ideas about future meetings and the subjects they will deal with.

In parallel there was a round table on "Globalisation and the crisis in the financial markets in view of the situation in Russia, the Far East and South America".

In the afternoon of the second day of the Meeting, an important session was held on European developments six months before the Elections for the European Parliament of June 1999.

The third (and last) day was devoted to discussing the progress of NELF and its prospects in the light of the present situation in Europe.