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World Social Forum 2004 by Trisha Wilson
An unprecedented global movement is growing in the belief that another world is
possible. In Mumbai, India I attended the World Social Forum (WSF) where, from
January 16 to 21, more than 100,000 people from 132 countries converged. The WSF
is for members of organizations, grassroots movements and civil society to democratically
debate ideas, exchange experiences and link together in opposition to corporate
globalization.
This year marked the fourth annual edition of the WSF and a geographic shift from
its origins in Porto Alegre, Brazil to the Indian subcontinent. The first WSF
was born from resistance to the neo-liberal policies charted at the World Economic
Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland.
Transnational corporations and institutions such as the World Trade Organization
(WTO), the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMP) have skewed the
world economy in favour of an exclusive elite disregarding the interests of humanity.
The WSF seeks to counterweigh this imbalance and represents the possibility of
a people-centred and sustainable world.
I was most moved by the convergence with diversity. Australian environmentalists
joined with Brazilian labour unions. Indian dalits (formerly untouchables) met
French gay rights activists and Korean protesters of the occupation in Iraq. Tibetan
monks walked next to Bengali sex workers while African academics conversed with
Montreal sovereigntists.
"For the first time in history," said Yale historian Immanuel Wallerstein,
"the World Social Forum has brought together groups in the north and groups
in the south."
The WSF attempts to create a different culture: a culture of diversity, self-organization,
non-violence and solidarity. It is not only an event but also a process, an ongoing
exchange of ideas. To thunderous applause, speakers at the opening ceremony called
this movement the world’s "alternative superpower." It is a superpower
fueled not by money and market shares but by the voices and actions of people.
However the WSF is not just about putting utopia in the minds of the masses. In
hundreds of conferences, panels, debates and workshops people gathered to discuss
alternatives and plans for change. Campaigns were organized and strategies planned.
Beyond the meeting halls flowed a continuous tide of loud and colourful demonstrations.
Banners were hoisted, chants rang out and drums beat the rhythm of resistance.
Film and theatre festivals took place simultaneously with art exhibitions and
musical performances. Amidst this carnival of causes I watched people smiling
as they met and listened to one another.
Topics ranged from women’s issues to the rights of street vendors in India
and to genetic engineering of seeds. The US occupation of Iraq was hailed as an
issue of global urgency. Another prominent issue was that of Coca-Cola’s
disregard of human rights in India. "Coca-Cola is in a lot of trouble in
India," said Amit Srivastava of activist group Global Resistance, part of
the People’s Forum against Coca-Cola. The people of communities in and around
the Coca-Cola bottling facilities are finding that their wells have been depleted
because the company has been extracting too much ground water. Moreover the little
remaining water is polluted and unfit for human consumption because Coca-Cola
discharges the water back into the ground. Despite this destruction of lives,
Coca-Cola refuses to take responsibility. Global Resistance wants Coca-Cola to
be held accountable and the Indian people want Coca-Cola out of their communities.
This issue is seen as a strong example of what can go wrong when corporations
are awarded too much power in the global economy. As the WTO gives more power
to corporations it removes measures protecting the rights of humans and the environment.
One of the main strengths of the WSF is the connection made between issues in
different parts of the world.
Organizations begin to understand the agendas of others and incorporate these
issues into their own. The issues become interlinked and new kinds of organizations
are created. Maude Barlow of the Council of Canadians connected the water issues
in many countries to the threat of water privatization in Canada. "George
Bush has already declared that he sees our water as part of the energy and military
security of the US" she said in a session of Diverse Women for Diversity.
We must maintain control of our water and not let it be sold for profit on the
international market.
An event such as the WSF raises many questions. Can such a large, diverse event
move beyond a festival to devise an alternative? What are the alternatives to
the current process of globalization? How do we balance, for example, our environmental
concerns with the need for development? Both inside and outside the WSF, critics,
cynics and idealists consider these questions consequently raising the profile
of globalization issues in the public sphere.
As the vision of another world continues to be refined, it is important for all
those struggling for peace, justice, humanity and sustainability to continue their
battles at home. Our power is in our alliances in our nations and regions. We
must hold corporations accountable and advise, support and pressure our governments
to confront the powers of the world and work for the rights of the people.
With passionate speeches and global music the World Social Forum drew to a close.
Walking away from the crowd I noticed the ground littered with placards and pamphlets;
I encountered sad-eyed children begging for rupees and food and I realized that
we have a very long battle ahead of us. We are involved in a war of ideas and
victory will not come easily. But I believe that if we care for the Earth and
future generations it is worth the struggles we are facing. If we educate ourselves
and get involved, if we unite and make our voices heard, we will gain the power
that will help create a better world. In the words of Vandana Shiva at WSF 2004,
"With love and joy keep fighting."
A report back on the World Social Forum will be held on February 14 from 1:30-4
pm at Harbour Centre, Simon Fraser University, Room 1900. Trisha Wilson is a member
of the Vancouver Community Social Forum organizing a Greater Vancouver Social
Forum for August 2004. For more information
contact gvsocialforum@yahoo.ca
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