The Social Forum Process

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The Social Forum Process

• Into the Belly of the Beast
• Atlanta 07

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Disclaimer!

• This presentation is but one perspective on the
  WSF USSF
• It is not an official document of the process
• Do not operate heavy machinery during this
  presentation

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United States Social Forum

• Atlanta, GA
• June 27 July 1, 2007
• www.USSF2007.org
• Part of the World Social Forum process

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Some Goals of the USSF (1)

• To unite the struggles of the oppressed here with
  those of the oppressed in the Third World
• To be a place where the most marginalized
  oppressed from Indigenous communities can be
  heard

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Some Goals of the USSF (2)

• To ensure the full equal participation of the
  undocumented
• To link US-based youth organizers, activists, and
  cultural workers w/counterparts abroad
• To send a message that there is an active
  movement in the United States

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Some Goals of the USSF (3)

• To build national networks that will collaborate
  with international networks and movements...
• To initiate an ongoing process to contribute to
  strengthening the entire movement

Adapted from, We believe USSF2007.org
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How does a Social Forum help achieve these goals?

• Answer lies in the ongoing experience of the
  World Social Forum process. So,
• What is the World Social Forum?
• From where does it come?

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Caracas 06 - Photos by Marc Becker, Taina
Vargas Tim Ledwith
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What is the WSF? (1)

• Global gathering of social movements, activists
  and thinkers challenging corporate globalization
• Started in 2001 in the Global South
• Porto Alegre, Brazil
• Counter point to global elite meeting in Davos,
  Switzerland

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What is the WSF? (2)

• It challenges 2 core features of the current
  global order
• Neo-liberalism
• Think Privatization Cutbacks Bad Jobs Tax
  Cuts/Fee Increases War on the Poor
• First experiment Overthrow of democratic
  government in Chile (1973, year later comes the
  neoliberal agenda)
• Class alliance corporate and governing elites
  around the world hook up
• Militarism
• Think War Abroad Imperialism Empire Drug
  Wars

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What is the WSF? (3)

• So far it has met annually in the Global South
• Brazil (2001, 2002, 2003 2005)
• India (2004)
• Venezuela, Mali Pakistan (2006)
• Kenya (2007)
• But there are hundreds of local, national and
  regional social fora

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What is the WSF? (4)

• It now involves more than a 100,000 people
  meeting over nearly a week
• It consists of thousands of events
• Marches rallies protests
• Lectures workshops testimonies
• Cultural performances exhibits parties

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What is the WSF? (5)

• This jamboree-like atmosphere marks the social
  foras key feature It is a open space where
  social movements, their activists and thinkers
  interact

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So whats an open space? (1)

• Everyone opposed to militarism and neo-liberalism
  is welcome
• Most programming is self-proposed by the
  participants
• Many global political traditions come together in
  the forum, for example
• 19th Century (socialism, anarchism,
  nationalism)
• 20th Century (anti-racism, feminism, new social
  movements based on sexuality, disability,
  alternative lifestyles, participatory democracy)

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So whats an open space? (2)

• The forum does not issue a declaration either on
  behalf or binding on all its participants
• The forum as a whole does not set movement
  priorities

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So nothing gets done?

• To the contrary, movements get together and share
  strategies, ideas and organize for action
• But neither the process nor any higher power
  forces them to reach pre-determined goals

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Where does it come from?

• Immediate experiences Seattle 1999, opposition
  to the World Trade Organization, to free trade
  treaties
• Other global experiences like People Plan 21
  and parallel peoples gatherings/alternatives to
  World Summit on Sustainable Development

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So it is totally recent?

• Important historical forerunners include
• The socialist internationals
• The Pan African congresses
• Antislavery movements
• Womens International League for Peace Freedom

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But whats different is

• Brings organizers, thinkers and grassroots
  activists together
• Scale of the encounter (facilitated by
  globalization)
• Wide range of issues
• Expanded tools for ongoing coordination
  in-between meetings

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So how do we getstarted
on the USSF?
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Work out want we want

• Will our grassroots be energized by hooking up
  with others who face the same problems they do
  but in other parts of the country?

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Work out want we want (2)

• Are other folks taking on the same kinds of
  battles?
• The same corporations? (Equity Investments,
  Coca-Cola, Walmart, ExxonMobil, etc.)
• The same policies? (redlining, cutbacks,
  gentrification, criminalization etc.)

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Figure out who we need with us

• Who needs to go from our base?
• Which of our allies must be there?
• Are there other folks around the country who we
  should be speaking with?

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Lets put our heads together!

• Can we do workshops with that will teach us more
  about our problems?
• Can we imagine another world that solves those
  problems?
• Can we figure out how to get to that world?
• The USSF encourages us to do all three

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Propose an event

• www.USSF2007.org
• Look for Session Proposal on the site
• Contact people you meet here about hooking up
  with others

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Spread the word

• Contact your allies and friends everywherepoint
  them to www.USSF2007.org
• Think about your newsletter, community radio, TV
  and see how you can start talking about the USSF

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Getting there!

• Today we can figure out transportation to
  accommodation in Atlanta
• Get a logistics crew together and work on the
  options
• We can put these up the website
  www.USSF2007.org/ne