Ideas for the SLUan Presentation to LeftExpo 2015

[Anaaxes]

Hi!

As you may have heard, the SLU, along with 15 other regions, have been invited to this year's LeftExpo. This thread is for ideas and discussion related to our region's presentation in the LeftExpo. Feel free to contribute!

Here's the SLU's presentation (by Eggy) from 2012 for reference:

1. Link to region with full name: Social Liberal Union
2. Flag graphic: Image
3. Approximate Number of nations: 300
4. Relevant region tags: Democratic, Enormous, Socialist, Liberal Offsite Forums, Founderless, and Regional Government.
5. Raider/Defender/Interventionist/Pacifist: Pacifist, but defenders when allies are in need of assistance.
6. Inter-regional Affiliations: Union of Democratic Leftist Regions. Members are ourselves, the Democratic Socialist Assembly, and the Democratic Socialist Alliance.
7. Brief description (~200 words) of your region:

Here in the SLU, we have a government founded by the people, for the people. We hold elections for our delegate every 3 months, with elections for our "Speaker of the Union," a position to replace our missing founder, happening halfway between those elections. In addition to those two positions, there are many other ways to be involved in the government: being elected to the cabinet, becoming a recruiter or ambassador, writing laws/amendments/motions, or even just by voting! Every member nation can participate in elections, and have their voice heard! If you're only looking to have fun, our off-site forum features word games, role-play (including a regional currency) and more - including a plethora of cookies!We only allow nations who have average or higher civil rights and political freedoms, so you can be sure you'll truly be in a Social Liberal Union! On behalf of myself and the open parliament of the Social Liberal Union, we hope to see you soon!
8. Biggest Boasts:

-Largest tagged Socialist and Liberal regions on nationstates.

-Regional Government that allows all member nations to actively participate.

-One of the founding members of the UDLR

This year however, the questions are different. These are the new questions and some directions:

How many nations are in your region?
What interregional affiliations (Antifa, important embassies or allies) does your region have?
What relevant tags does your region have?
What is your region's military policy?
What is a unique feature or unique characteristic of your region?
What are the plans for your region's future?
What is a brief description of your region?

In previous LeftExpos, regions have answered these questions one after another. This can continue, or someone in your region can write up a narrative that answers all of the questions naturally through prose. It's up to you and what fits your region best!

[Avaerilon]

I think we could focus on how we're a community of individuals; we have an active government that many individual members are involved in, creating a real community feel, but members are all unique and have their own way of doing things. We're not some gargantuan hivemind! We could definitely boa-er, mention how we have one of the most active, professional and democratic regional governments out there, and talk about things like our judiciary too (I know, that's a plug, sorry xD ). We can then also talk about how individual members have interesting and inspired factbooks, histories, cultures and the like, and we all share in and enjoy reading about each others' nations. We're a real mix of people, too; not just one political tag, like some of these other regions will be. We accept many different people, and our way of doing things reflects that. We're almost like our own country, in a way- something I really don't think many other regions can say!

[Chameliya]

Yes. We are diverse nations RP'd by diverse people. Obviously, we are all interested in politics, but we also have interests in food, linguistics, culture and so much more. We are a community that values debate and discussion, and a region that is a model of an efficient and effective government.

[Lamatama]

So, since this is in a few days, I thought I would put something together.

Answering the provided questions:

1. I believe we average anywhere from 170 - 200 nations. Currently we have 171 nations. Just a few weeks ago I remember us besting 200.

2. Current embassies: Democratic Socialist Assembly, The Versutian Federation, International Democratic Union, A Liberal Haven, and The International Kingdom.

3. Relevant Tags: Democratic, Enormous, Offsite Forums, Map, Eco-friendly, Featured, Socialist, Liberal, Role Player, Founderless, and Regional Government.

4. Pacifist, but defenders when allies are in need of assistance.

I literally just copy and pasted most all of that, but the last few questions I wanted to answer in paragraph form from my own thoughts.

One of the things that made me fall in love with this region is the map! For the longest time I was just on the nationstates site. I finally delved into the forum after a time. Games are inventive and whimsical. Constitution is sound, flexible, and upheld. Discussions are fruitful, role plays are intricate. We all bring something to the table I feel. Only when I looked at the work of some of our members did I realize how seriously some of this is taken, but not too seriously.

Our plans for the future? I'm not sure where we intend to go other than forward. I really appreciate all the hard work that has been put into the new features, such as the reserve, stock market, securities, and lottery. I'm a bit of a financial nerd these days, so it really peaks my interest. I would think our intention is to continue our regional government and try to empower others to find small ways to serve the region in a way they see fit.

I think we all say the same thing about the SLU. Someone with a bit more experience in the region could maybe write something about the major changes that have occurred in recent history?

I'm excited to see what we present. I'd be more than willing to put some work into it this weekend if anyone would like help.

[Avaerilon]

It's a shame that LeftExpo has gone hardline "traditional" left in terms of its presentation, what with the colours, liberal use of "comrade" and the Internationale's flag of all things; it surely should have been about everyone on the left, not just one group. Oh well, maybe our presentation will stand-out all the more :) Looking forward immensely to seeing it!

[Chameliya]

Well they were never into moderation anyway.

[Lamatama]

Alas, too few are these days.

[Anaaxes]

Lamatama, Avaerilon, and Chameliya:

I used a lot of ideas from your posts and even copied some parts because I thought they were so wonderful. I will be posting shortly. :)

[Anaaxes]

www.nationstates.net/page=rmb/postid=12491487

Take that as a compliment. Stealn' the show. xD

[Avaerilon]

Really lovely work there, Ana. It was just what we needed, and it sums our region up beautifully :) I think the post looks the most professional and welcoming, too, rather than just a "look at me" type thing or a wall of text xD

Ugh, those lectures... I think we as a region should try to get involved directly in opening LeftExpo up more to become a genuine broad leftist thing rather than something that is stuck in an ideological corner somewhere. It's not fair of the organisers to call it something that makes it sound like an all-inclusive, multi-political umbrella, and then put the non-Internationale types in a little box to the side and make whatever it is they subscribe to the main focus.

[Lamatama]

Here here! *slams fist*

[Anaaxes]

Locking and archiving.

---

For our records (2015 Final Presentation):

i.imgur.com/jZw1cmV.jpg?2

The Social Liberal Union was founded on the 2nd of January in 2011 by Ainland. Ever since, it's been a community that values debate and discussion, and a region that is a model of an efficient and effective government. While our region is geared towards democratic socialists and socially minded liberals, we welcome a wide variety of other nations who value democracy, social welfare, equality, and freedom of opinion.

Population:
The Social Liberal Union, as of the 30th of June, has a population of 170 nations. We are the 8th largest Liberal-tagged and Socialist-tagged region in the world, as well the 56th largest non-GCR region. Our population usually fluctuates within the 150-200 nation range, depending on the time of the year.

Foreign Relations:
The Social Liberal Union is glad to hold embassies with Democratic Socialist Assembly, The Versutian Federation, International Democratic Union, A Liberal Haven, and The International Kingdom. Embassy requirements and foreign alignment are governed by our Constitution; a thing we're very proud of.

Military Policy:
The Social Liberal Union Constitution requires that we remain neutral in matters not involving our own defense, or that of our close allies. We currently have ratified defensive pacts with the Democratic Socialist Assembly and The Versutian Federation. Member states are still free to participate in military activities individually, by their own free will.

Relevant Tags:
The Social Liberal Union has the following tags: Democratic, Offsite Forums, Map, Eco-friendly, Featured, Socialist, Liberal, Role Player, and Regional Government.

Unique Aspects:
The Social Liberal Union is proud to have one of the most active, professional, and democratic regional governments in the world. We hold elections for positions in all branches of government several times a year. A favorite part of our government is our Court of Justice, which is presided over by three differently elected/appointed Justices, and includes several administrative organs such as the Registry and the Judicial Council. Another notable aspect of our region, is that we are a direct democracy. Any member state can propose and comment on legislation in our cherished Open Parliament.

Our region also has a vibrant and diverse role-playing community. Some of the most popular RP activities are our HD regional map, which is updated regularly, and each plot is customized based on each member state's request; the SLUan Parliament, our spin-off of the EU Parliament; the large amounts of RPs available on our offsite forum, such as the Council of Leaders, where member states can come together to resolve a diplomatic or military incident; and a myriad of other fun and interesting activities.

We're a real mix of people, too; not just one political tag. We accept many different people, and our way of doing things reflects that.

i.imgur.com/nKA5Oc8.png?1
Written by Lamatama, Avaerilon, Chameliya, and Anaaxes
on behalf of the nations and government of the Social Liberal Union