World Social Forum

Another World is Possible; Another US is Necessary – the United States Social Forum

Nikhil Aziz — Tue, 03 Jul 2007 21:30:06 +0000

“Our Youth is not the Future, Our Youth is the Present” – Julian Moya, Southwest Organizing Project (SWOP), Albuquerque, New Mexico

“We cannot choose the historical conditions we find ourselves in, but we can choose how we respond to them” – Ajamu Baraka, Director, U.S. Human Rights Network, Atlanta, Georgia

These two quotes, among many other hopeful messages I heard at the U.S. Social Forum (USSF) from June 27 to July 1, 2007 in Atlanta epitomized for me the USSF – what it stands for and envisions in terms of a different kind of United States. Both represent the truth embedded in the official slogan of the USSF – Another World is Possible; Another US is Necessary.

Join Grassroots International at the United States Social Forum, Atlanta, June 27-30

Daniel Moss — Wed, 27 Jun 2007 04:41:36 +0000

Please join Grassroots International at the United States Social Forum, Atlanta, June 27-30, 2007. The US Social Forum is more than a conference, more than a networking bonanza, more than a reaction to war and repression, more than a collection of local solutions. It's an important moment to further build the global movement for social justice.

U.S. Social Forum

Jake Miller — Thu, 03 May 2007 16:32:04 +0000

Another World is Possible - Another U.S. is Necessary!

Highlights of the 2nd Social Forum of the Americas

Maria Aguiar — Tue, 07 Feb 2006 14:22:00 +0000

Recuerdos de la tierra Bolivariana! Memories from the land of Simón Bolívar!

We made our way from the Maiquetia airport by way of a 3 hour bus ride on winding roads through the Venezuelan Andes and arrived in Caracas on Monday evening - only 16 hours after leaving Boston! The excitement of the Social Forum of the Americas could already be felt on the streets of Caracas. Thousand of people had begun arriving from distant corners of South, Central and North America and even some from Europe. Some came by air, but many more came by bus, traveling many miles and many hours to be able to participate in this incredible gathering of people from urban and rural community organizations, social movements — including networks working on trade issues, small farmers and landless workers, indigenous peoples, industrial and service workers, women, youth and students, housing and homeless groups.

Building a Better Future with Grassroots Policy at the World Social Forum

Corrina Steward — Fri, 27 Jan 2006 01:26:00 +0000

Hola from the World Social Forum!

I find myself once again sitting in the hotel lobby after a long day of exciting presentations and activity. Today is the second day of the Forum and it feels like it is now in full swing. The streets are more crowded, more cultural tents are up, street vendors have flooded the plazas and, following a rainy start, the sun is out.

So, too, is the work that we came here to do coming into full attention. Following yesterday's atmosphere of anticipation and hope, participants are now moving into deeper discussions of reflection, analysis and proposals for the future.

Globalization-from-Below: Building a Better Future from the Grassroots at the World Social Forum

Corrina Steward — Thu, 26 Jan 2006 15:46:00 +0000

Editor's note: This week, Maria Aguiar and Corrina Steward are attending the World Social Forum (Foro Soical Mundial (FSM)) in Caracas, Venezuela. The FSM originated as an alternative to the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switerzland, where the world's global elite--CEOs and OECD politicians--meet to exchange ideas to improve their nations' systems of commerce.

The FSM, alternatively, is a space for all to participate--social movements, coalitions, NGOs, unions--and the goal is to improve the social, economic and environmental conditions in their communities and around the world.

Corrina's sends her first report from the Forum:

Greetings from Caracas!

I'm writing from our hotel, where FMS delegates from all over the Americas are meeting and mingling, continuing to make connections after a long day of learning, listening and presenting. I have come to the FSM to meet with our partners and to learn more about their struggles for food, water and land. What I have learned so far is that for every local problem, there is a solution when communities unite and build global networks.

Freedom is on the March. No, seriously.

Jake Miller — Wed, 02 Feb 2005 15:50:00 +0000

As we here in the U.S. prepare for our President's annual State of the Union address tonight, we can safely assume that we will hear another round of his ritualized, Orwellian invocation of freedom and liberty, which, in his mind, are racing around the world under cover of the U.S. military.

Her Own November 3 Picket Line

Kevin Murray — Fri, 05 Nov 2004 10:04:00 +0000

Since last week's election, we've been wrestling to find the words to share our perspective on the outcome in a way that would add something to the hundreds of "Morning After" bulletins that have filled our inbox. As we neared exhaustion from the wrestling, we stumbled upon a speech given on November 3 (the Morning After) by Indian writer Arundhati Roy in acceptance of the Sydney Peace Prize. She doesn't mention the U.S. election, but her words have special significance for us as we face the challenges of building our own movements for change in this Week Before.

Arundhati begins by noting that last year's recipient, Hanan Ashrawi, was picketed during her speech. Ms. Roy demands her own picket, even if it must be thrown together on short notice.

"The people, together, are like a pool of wisdom. When you share that wisdom, the pool gets deeper."

Jake Miller — Fri, 23 Jul 2004 19:08:00 +0000

As they prepared for their workshops and panels at the Boston Social Forum, I had a chance to talk with Paulo de Marck of the Brazilian Landless Workers Movement (MST) and Ruba Eid from the Democratic Wokers Rights Center (DWRC) in Ramallah, Palestine.

Paulo and Ruba have come to Boston to share stories from GRI's partner organizations, and to meet people engaged in similar struggles here in the States and around the world.

Why come all this way for a conference?

"The people, together, are like a pool of wisdom," Paulo said. "When you share that wisdom, the pool gets deeper."

Post-WSF Update from Oman

Nisrin Elamin — Fri, 27 Feb 2004 14:46:00 +0000

It's been about a month since the World Social Forum ended and I have been meaning to send a few pictures and do a final reflection or update. (I finally got access to a scanner).