Mumbai, Wednesday 21 January 2004
(EPA/EMPICS)
Social Forum
The Social Forum, whether World or European, have become important
dates for many flavours of activist. The first World Social Forum
(WSF) in Porto Alegre, Brazil, took place under the slogan 'another
world is possible'. It brought together people from around the
world to discuss new ideas of self-governance and sustainable
development.
In 2002 and 2003, the WSF became an important focus for the worldwide
protest against the American invasion of Iraq. In the same period,the
European Social Forum took place in Florence and Paris, with massive
demonstrations against the global war on terror at each. A million
people marched in Florence, bringing the streets to a standstill.
In 2004, the WSF was moved to Mumbai to bring it in touch with
the people of Asia and Africa. This last meeting attracted 75,000
delegates.
The future of the Social Forum seems uncertain. But what's for
sure is that they've been a potent part of the activist anti-globalisation
movement.
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