Preamble

Congress convenes at a critical juncture for international Liberalism and indeed, world peace.  The future of humanity is at stake as it has not been since the end of WW II.  

It is true that not everything is bleak everywhere. In all continents, and in most countries, courageous women and men are fighting, oftentimes physically, for the preservation of their nations, their freedoms, their livelihoods and often their lives. 

The last few months of 2024 have been marred by natural catastrophes, prolonged droughts, extremely heavy flash floods, terrible wars, and thousands of casualties. Some very recent political developments remove many of the checks and balances of the US constitution and will have profound and largely unpredictable consequences on world affairs. Fundamental principles and ideas that were widely held dear only a few years ago, appear to have been largely disregarded and discarded.  The rule of law, including international law and human rights, and the imperative of respect for the dignity of all human beings, without any discrimination, seem to have made way for the current preferences (real or supposed) of the citizens.   

If the electorate votes to have immigrants deported then what is humane, right, and good must be abandoned, and as a result some administrations seem to be preparing to deport thousands of human beings, breaking up families and destroying lives. Some leaders have described their countries as ‘illiberal democracies’ and indeed they are not liberal, but they are not very democratic either. In addition, there are increasing numbers of authoritarian systems, bordering on dictatorships, which not only restrict the individual liberty of their citizens, but oppress and suppress them in their thousands. They imprison their political opponents under very harsh conditions and do not even hesitate to kill them. This is not a competition between two ideologies, but the struggle between democracies, albeit imperfect ones, and brutally oppressive regimes.   

At the same time, the character of warfare is changing before our eyes – not only the dramatic technological developments with drones, artificial intelligence and hypersonic weapons being added to all the pre-existing weaponry, but also attrition, destruction, and the systematic oppression and killing of civilians, including women, children, whole families, and all ages.  So, while taking note of the incredible courage and resolve of citizens resisting under these very difficult circumstances, we should make it our top priority to obtain ceasefires underpinned by security guarantees, and end indiscriminate violence, insist on opening dialogues even with those with whom we disagree, and remind people that peaceful co-existence is both a possibility and a necessity.    

May this be the conclusion of this resolution and the commitment of this congress: the absolute priority of re-focussing on the fight for universal freedom and liberty all over again. Our work is far from finished, quite the contrary – and if we liberals do not answer the call, who will?   

¹ The Resolution offers the positions and policies of Liberal International in areas of the world where the federation is active, predominantly where it has member parties and partners , and focuses on socio-economic
conditions arising between two Congresses, focusing on democratic standards, respect for Human Rights and human development.