From July 29 until August 3 the International Marxist Tendency held its World School in Barcelona. Present were 300 comrades from 26 countries, including Russia, Pakistan, Venezuela, Brazil, El Salvador, Mexico, Argentina and most European countries. Unfortunately, comrades from Serbia, Morocco and Nigeria were denied visas However the Nigerian comrades were able to listen to the opening and closing sessions via an Internet link.

At the opening Lal Khan of Pakistan addressed the school, paying tribute to comrade Phil Mitchinson, who died tragically last November. Acknowledging the tremendous role Phil played in the British section over the past 15 years, he noted how proud Phil would have been to see so many young people in attendance from Britain. Over half of the 40-strong British delegation was youth, most attending for the first time. Up until now the section, compared to others internationally, stood out through its relative lack of young people. This school marked a turning point in this regard and the further development of the Socialist Appeal. Lal recalled Phil's inspirational qualities from a visit to Pakistan in 1997: "Phil spoke to workers in Sindh, most wouldn't have understood much but such was his enthusiasm and passion that he received the biggest reaction I have ever seen." A moment of silence was observed in his honour.

On the first day Jorge Martin spoke on the revolutionary events that have been taking place in Venezuela, particularly since the time of Hugo Chavez's re-election last December. Discussed was the nature of the Venezuelan state, the ongoing debate in society on the role of the army in the revolution, and the roles to be played by the UNT and the PSUV in the class struggle.

Throughout the rest of the week the school was divided up into different sessions. Comrades had to make tough decisions such as choosing between ‘Brazil and the Black Question' by comrade Miranda from Brazil, or the ‘RCP and the War Years' by comrade Rob Sewell from Britain. Or between a lead-off by Gerry Ruddy of the Irish Republican Socialist Party: ‘Ireland - 1967-2007' and Lal Khans' introduction on ‘Islamic Fundamentalism'. Comrades found themselves both frustrated and spoilt for choice.

Also attended throughout the week were sessions on the situation in El Salvador, the ideas of Che Guevara, three sessions covering the Russian Revolution, Mexico, Cuba, Kashmir and the National Question, and Anarchism and Centrism in the Spanish Revolution. Of particular interest was a session given by the Danish section on their battle against the witch-hunt carried out against them in the SUF, drawing strong parallels to the experience of the Militant in the Labour Party in the 1980s, a valuable lesson for comrades to learn. On show there was also a film screening of revolutionary activity in our Pakistan section, as well as the film new from Hands Off Venezuela: ‘No Volveran! The Venezuelan Revolution Now!'

On the Wednesday of the school the comrades rejoined for a plenary session on Marxism and Religion by Alan Woods. There he emphasised the colossal impact of the Human Genome Project, and among other things the anti-religious sentiments of the USA's Founding Fathers, the class struggle as expressed through religious conflict and the implications of Animism as a revolutionary step forward in mans attempt to understand nature. It was a superb application of historical materialism to this intriguing subject.

Later comrades assembled outside the Mexican diplomatic mission in Barcelona where a demonstration was arranged demanding the release of Adan Mejia, a member of the Students Union in Mexico, an activist in the APPO of Oaxaca and a member of the Marxist Tendency of Mexico Militante. He was illegally arrested in Oaxaca in July, as part of a campaign of repression being carried out by the illegitimate government of Felipe Calderón against the workers and left militants. Since then 7 more students were arrested in Mexico, 4 are members of Militante. They have since been released on bail, yet the campaign to release Adan continues. The IMT is calling for an International Day of Action on September 13th when pickets will be organised outside Mexican consulates and embassies around the world.

An International report was given on Friday by Fred D'Alessandro, which outlined the growth and progress made by the IMT over the last year. This was an inspiring session where comrades were able to exchange experiences.

The school finished with a revolutionary singsong at the excellently run bar that had been manned by the Spanish comrades all week long. There were fine contributions from all the different sections, including a rousing rendition of ‘Red Fly The Banners Oh!' from the well-lubricated British turnout.

Alongside the school was the infamous International Football tournament. Despite teaching the French a 5-1 lesson in the group stages, which included a double-brace from goal-hanger Joe Boustead, the Brits failed to qualify after decisions made by a dubious officialdom. Yet the British record for tendency toward injury remained untarnished as we ratcheted up 100% of all comradely injuries, including a particularly special broken nose for Chris Rutherford, care of the Italians. Special thanks to Espe Espigares must be made here, who sacrificed a large amount of her time caring for the walking wounded.

Most importantly the school brought comrades together with a collective sense of importance. As Dan Morley of Norwich explained: "the school gave us the opportunity to understand the scope, perspectives and importance of the International."