An Open Call to All Progressive Forces

There is a global struggle taking place of enormous consequence. Nothing less than the future of the planet is at stake. The end of history promised peace and global prosperity. Instead, it has destroyed communities, impoverished workers, and brought our environment to the brink of collapse. Feeding on the discontent, a network of right-wing factions is spreading across borders, working to erode human rights, silence dissent, and promote intolerance.

The time has come for progressives around the world to organize.

Let’s mobilize behind a shared vision of democracy, solidarity and abundance.

Let’s stand together to fight inequality, exploitation, discrimination and environmental degradation.

Let’s reclaim our communities, our cities, our countries, and our planet.

What is the Progressive International?

The Progressive International is a global initiative to unite, organise, and mobilise progressive forces around the world.

In December 2018, the Democracy in Europe Movement (DiEM25) and the Sanders Institute issued an open call to form a common front in the fight for democracy, sustainability, and justice.

“It is time for progressives of the world to unite.”

The Progressive International takes up that call. Launching in May 2020, the PI is a coordinating institution for the world’s progressive forces, with a mission to make solidarity more than a slogan.

Who is the Progressive International?

The Progressive International is a membership-based initiative. All individuals and organizations that share our vision of progress are invited to become members and build the Progressive International together.

The PI is guided by a Council of advisors that meets each year to set the strategic direction of the initiative. The current Council includes political representatives like Katrín Jakobsdóttir, Vicenta Jerónimo Jiménez, and Yanis Varoufakis; activists like Carola Rackete, Nick Estes, and Vanessa Nakate; and thinkers like Noam Chomsky, Arundhati Roy, and Naomi Klein.

The PI is supported by a Cabinet that is legally responsible for development, planning, and staffing decisions. The Cabinet is composed of three members of the Council, a member of the Summit coordination team, and a representative of the Secretariat.

The PI is coordinated by a Secretariat that includes translators, web developers, graphic designers, policy analysts, and community organizers. The Secretariat is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the PI.

What does it mean to be a ‘progressive’?

The PI defines ‘progressive’ as the aspiration to a world that is:

Democratic, where the people have the power to shape their institutions and societies.

Decolonised, where all nations determine their collective destiny free from oppression.

Just, that redresses inequality in our societies and the legacies of our history.

Egalitarian, that serves the interests of the many, and never the few.

Liberated, where all identities enjoy equal rights, recognition, and power.

Solidaristic, where the struggle of each is the struggle of all.

Sustainable, that respects planetary boundaries and protects frontline communities.

Ecological, that brings humans into harmony with their habitat.

Peaceful, where the violence of war is replaced by the diplomacy of peoples.

Post-capitalist, that rewards all forms of labor while abolishing the cult of work.

Prosperous, that invests in a brilliant future of shared abundance.

Plural, where difference is celebrated as strength.

Why is the Progressive International launching now?

Never before has international solidarity been more necessary — and more absent.

The Covid-19 crisis is deepening everywhere, hitting hardest among the world’s poor. Meanwhile, disaster capitalism is on the rise, as financial speculators and transnational corporations seek to profit from the pandemic. Standing behind them are the forces of the far right, who exploit the crisis to advance an agenda of bigotry and xenophobia.

Only a common international front can match the scale of these challenges and stand up for progressive principles around the world.

The last decade saw a wave of global unrest, as citizens rose up to demand a better life and a habitable planet. This is the decade that we unite these protest movements in a Progressive International, calling on progressives of all stripes — hardened activists and curious newcomers, union organizers and research academics — to build this common front together.

How is the Progressive International related to previous efforts at international organization?

The Progressive International aims to build from past efforts at international organization and learn the lessons from their experience.

Pluralism: The PI is not restricted to any one kind of organization, and the PI is not restricted to any one kind of struggle. Instead, the PI aims to bring together all progressive forces — from trade unions and tenant organizations to liberation movements and underground publications — to contribute to a common front.

Program: The PI is founded on the premise that a social network is not enough. Just as past internationals advanced the demands for a shorter working week and an end to child labor, the PI aims to develop a pragmatic policy vision to transform our institutions.

Power: The PI is infrastructure for internationalism. Rather than relying on temporary campaigns and petitions, the PI aims to build a durable institution that can bind progressive forces together and support them to build power everywhere.

What does the Progressive International do?

The activities of the PI are divided across three pillars.

Movement, building a global network of activists and organisers to share toolkits, trainings, and other resources.

Blueprint, convening activists, thinkers, and practitioners to develop a policy blueprint for a progressive international order.

Wire, collaborating with progressive media around the world to bring grassroots perspectives to a global audience.

Why should I become a member of the Progressive International?

The Progressive International is only as powerful as its members, and to reclaim the world, we will need a powerful movement of progressive forces.

As a member of the Progressive International, you be a part of that global movement, shaping the policies, organizing the campaigns, and planning the actions behind which all members of the PI will be called to mobilise.

The PI, in turn, will connect you with activists and organizations from around the world, providing opportunities for you to forge relationships, learn from their experiences, and amplify your voice on our multilingual platform.

How is the Progressive International funded?

The Progressive International is funded exclusively by donations and member contributions. We do not accept money from lobbyists, or executives of fossil fuel companies, health insurance and pharmaceutical companies, big tech companies, big banks, private equity firms, hedge funds and agribusinesses.

The Democracy in Europe Movement 2025 (DiEM25) and The Sanders Institute

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