On the weekend of September 13-15, 2002 members and supporters of the New Socialist Group from Vancouver, Sudbury, Guelph and Toronto (along with representatives from Gauche Socialiste from Quebec, and Solidarity from the USA, and a member of Anti-Capitalist Convergence (CLAC) from Montreal) came together in Toronto to reflect on the past year of activism and to propose ways forward for the next year. The yearly convention is the highest decision making body of the NSG. Meeting in the context of a general political retreat of activist and union movements in North America since September 11, the convention discussed the important mobilisations in BC against the Campbell government, the weakness of rank-and file union organising across the country, and the emergence of an important anti-capitalist activist layer in Ontario and Quebec. The conference also paid considerable attention to the processes of left renewal in Quebec. A great deal of discussion of the continuing imperialist "war against terrorism" and how we can play a part in building a broad-based anti-war and anti-racist movement, also took place.

At the public meeting focussing on the impact of September 11 on radical movements, Andrea Schmidt from CLAC pointed to the problem filled attempts to build anti-war coalitions in Montreal, to the successes of the Take the Capital mobilisation, but also to how many activists have restrained their militancy since September 11. Julia Barnett of the NSG spoke of how the Ontario Common Front snake march in Toronto last October 16th allowed for the initial formation of a flying squad in her union (CUPE Local 79) but also of how this rank and file current was unable to prevent the defeats that took place during this summer's strike. Hamid Sodeifi of the NSG spoke about how inter-imperialist divisions regarding the war drive against Iraq and a lack of popular support for this war create the basis for the emergence of a broad-ranging anti-war movement. The NSG discussed how to take political responsibility in helping to pull together this anti-war/anti-racist movement through coalition building, through this magazine, and through publishing a new version of our booklet America's 'New War' Order: Mobilising Against War, Imperialism and Racism.

The NSG fights for socialism from below, for socialism built from the bottom up based on direct- democracy, solidarity and militancy and on fighting all forms of oppression. We are also a revolutionary pluralist organisation that has a common basis of unity (see "Our Politics" on our website) but that also has wide-ranging discussions and debates beyond this. The NSG is not a monolithic organisation and differing views were expressed on many of the questions discussed at the convention. Learning from the organising of the transgendered movement we decided to expand our "Our Politics" statement to include support for the movements of transgendered, transsexual and intersexed people. We also began an important discussion on fighting racism and white supremacy in society and within our largely white organisation. It was decided that the NSG will initiate a public discussion on the centrality of fighting racism and white supremacy to building for socialism from below. We also decided to re-affirm our political association with Gauche Socialiste in Quebec and also to assist CLAC in organising the anti-capitalist activist conference coming out of the Take the Capital mobilisation.

It was also decided that we need to be much more up front about who the NSG is, what our politics are, how we are organized, and how you can get involved with and join the NSG. We are a small organisation, but we know that we can be a very effective vehicle for political activism and for building people's revolutionary capacities. We know there are many activists who share a commitment to socialism from below scattered across the country who are searching for an effective political framework for their activism. Check out the NSG and consider joining with us in building for socialism from below.