Political Declaration

One very clear message came out of this conference: public services should be in the hands of public authorities and citizens and be fully and exclusively committed to serve the society as a whole. Some speakers put emphasis on the role of the state, others on municipalities and still others on citizens and their self-organisations. But they all agree public services must not be made into profit-making mechanisms, such as international institutions and too many governments now tend to do.

The privatisation efforts of the past decades have failed. Many essential services are not affordable for the majority of poor people, quality is substandard, employment and wages are undermined. Research shows that privatisation leads to excess profits for corporations and high costs for the public. Whether we speak of water, health care, education, public transport, energy, in each and every sector the same problems arise.

Moreover, transnational corporations, the drivers of privatisations, do not hesitate to push for free-trade agreements with private arbitration clauses, so that they can sue governments whenever laws or regulations are proposed in the interest of citizens but possibly affecting their profits.

As a consequence of failed privatisations, the conference shared many examples of reclaimed public services that resulted in significant public benefits, including lower costs. 835 examples of services taken back under municipal ownership and control have been documented, demonstrating that the title of the conference ‘Reclaiming public services’ is becoming an exciting reality.

Movements of citizens and residents are getting stronger to reclaim what is theirs: universal quality of fundamental infrastructures and services in the public interest. To make this possible, governments will have to seriously question, in a participatory process, their macro-economic framework and their tax and public spending policies, as well as their unjust laws, so as to make financial resources available. Public services will also have to contribute to the reduction of the disastrous inequalities and to the sustainability of the environment.

Whether these services are provided by States, municipalities or people’s organisations, the way they are conceptualized, regulated and monitored is crucial for their success. Real participatory democracy is therefore an essential and common characteristic of the public services this conference wants to promote, based on the successful best practices.

Public services go beyond public ownership to embrace dynamic forms of democratic participation and accountability. The conference gave examples of democratic planning of inclusive public services, such as for transport, renewable energy and housing.

It means that in this new era with a new awareness of what is necessary for a life in dignity for all, and with a better understanding of the fundamental differences between progressive policies and a neoliberal and conservative ideology, we can overcome the simple divisions between state and market, private and public.

This conference has been a major contribution to the alliance of all progressive forces, working in the framework of the commons, our collective ownership of our common nature and built infrastructure. We worked to re-define strategies, to renew its thinking on production, markets, nature and the State, to create a new narrative to better organize our resistance to neoliberal and conservative forces.

New forms of cooperation are required, between public authorities at different levels, trade unions and other social movements, academics and legal experts. In the same way as this conference was built, progressive forces can make real progress once they understand their common interest. Victory is possible.

Destroying public services is destroying the very society that makes us what we are, social relationships, solidarity and collective values. Preserving and promoting public services is promoting citizenship and the sovereignty of the people.