The International Theoretical Conference on Fascism in the 21st Century in the Imperialist Heartlands was successfully held from 28-29 November 2025 in Utrecht, the Netherlands. The gathering marks the fifth in a series of international conferences organized by the National Democratic Front of the Philippines (NDFP).
The two-day conference built upon the theoretical and historical understanding of fascism—particularly from the contributions of Lenin, Stalin, Dimitrov, and Mao—to examine how fascism has developed and adapted in the 21st century. The conference also accomplished its objective of serving as a venue to share practical experiences in building mass movements as a counter-current to rising reaction.
The conference attendees engaged in discussions that affirmed the definitions of fascism outlined by great communist thinkers. Presenters further elaborated on the worsening economic crisis as a condition giving rise to the resurgence and development of fascism and the fascisisation of imperialist states. Fascisisation can be understood as the process of replacing liberal democratic principles with increasingly authoritarian and repressive measures towards open terror. This entails the surge of rightward currents including the proliferation of chauvinism, xenophobia, racism, and other reactionary trends.
Participants also addressed the role of artificial intelligence and other developments in technology that are weaponized by the monopoly capitalists to further advance a fascist agenda. The range in inputs allowed the conference to study the interplay between fascism in the imperialist heartlands and in the neo-colonies. Most importantly, views on the practical tasks of revolutionaries in combating fascism were exchanged, such as: work within the trade unions; the handling of fascist movements; the handling of and social-democratic forces in the context of building the anti-fascist united front; the building of solidarity across the Global North and Global South; and the building of cooperation and unity among proletarian-socialist forces.
The conference gathered 125 individuals representing 26 proletarian-socialist parties and over 45 mass organizations of workers, migrants, women, and youth from 26 countries. The conference discussed 20 submissions presented by representatives of the aforesaid parties, movements, and organizations.
The synthesis of the discussion was presented on the second day through a plenary session, where key themes and points emerging from the previous day were distilled.
As part of the conference, a special cultural program was held along the theme, “From Palestine to the Philippines, stop the U.S. war machine!” commemorating the International Day of Solidarity with the People of Palestine on 29 November.
Source : https://philippinerevolution.nu/statements/communique-of-the-fifth-international-theoretical-conference-on-fascism-in-the-21st-century-in-the-imperialist-heartlands/