Global Responsibility: Past and Present

Fifty years ago, Willy Brandt became president of the Socialist International

On November 26, 1976, Willy Brandt was elected president of the Socialist International in Geneva and held that office until his death in 1992. Under his leadership, the federation of socialist and social democratic parties—which had previously been active primarily in Europe—gained a global voice and attracted numerous new members, especially in Latin America and Africa. During Brandt’s presidency, the SI became a globally influential organization: in many regions of the world, it successfully supported left-wing reformists in their struggle against political oppression and for democracy, human rights, and better living conditions.

Since the turn of the millennium, however, the Socialist International has lost much of its significance: In protest against the membership of certain parties with authoritarian tendencies, several European social democratic parties—including the SPD—have ended their active participation and, in 2013, founded the “Progressive Alliance” as a distinct alternative and competitor to the SI. In light of the current crisis of multilateralism and the rise of anti-democratic regimes and parties—not least in Central and South America —the question arises as to whether, and by what means, networks and party alliances such as the SI or the Progressive Alliance can once again become influential actors in the struggle for democracy and social justice.

Following a keynote address by Bernd Rother, Anne-Katrin Mellmann, the longtime DLF Latin America correspondent (now with ARD’s Berlin studio) with him, former SPD foreign policy expert Karsten Voigt, and political scientist Claudia Zilla from the German Institute for International and Security Affairs (SWP).

Admission is free. Please register using the online form.

The event will be available as a podcast afterward.Translated with DeepL

Price info: Admission is free.

Booking: Please register using the online form.

Next date:

• Date Thursday, 26/November/2026 18:00
• Venue Mendelsohn-Bau/IG Metall-Haus
• Address Alte Jakobstraße 149, 10969 Berlin