Globalisation
Another world is possible
War on Want is taking part in the first European Social Forum (ESF), being held in Florence this November and tens of thousands of people are expected to attend.
It will be a focus for the growing global movement striving for a world that puts people before profit and opposes racism and oppression.
The first Social Forum took place in Porto Allegre, Brazil, in 2001 as a counter-conference to the elite finance meeting the World Economic Forum, and was attended by 60,000 people.
The ESF aims to operate in an inclusive way by being open, all-embracing and transparent without having bureaucracies and committees, striving for agreement through consensus. It will challenge - on the evidence that human need in the world is clearly not being met - the principle that the market knows best and that increasing shareholder’s profits can be the paramount ethos of our times.
We are faced with many pressing concerns including a possible invasion of Iraq and continuing conflict in Israel and the occupied territories; the relentless rise of HIV/AIDS in our neighbouring continent of Africa with its attendant issues of access to medicines, care of orphans and preventative education; the continuing global drive for privatisation, the attrition of workers’ rights and public services, and the destruction of our environment; the rise of racism across Europe.
All of this speaks of the importance of the European Social Forum as a significant opportunity for the building of civil society engaging a wide cross-section of people in the challenges that exist today to human rights, trade justice and the use of military might. It will be a space not only to discuss the problems we face but propound alternative ways forward.
War on Want will be holding two seminars at the Forum with European partners on Workers Rights and on the Tobin tax. If you would like to come to Florence for the ESF email dhillman@waronwant.org or ndearden@waronwant.org.
To register for a place at the European Social Forum visit their website at www.mobilise.org.uk
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