WSF at 10

José Pedro Martins

19/02/2010

Opinión

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In the wake of the global economic crisis, social movements made a renewed call for justice at the 10th annual World Social Forum in Porto Alegre, Brazil. The forum, held this year Jan. 25-29, has for a decade served as an arena for alternatives to globalization by civil society and social movements that counters the World Economic Forum, held in Davos, Switzerland.

"If before movements and civil society were fragmented, there is much more unity and activities today," said Brazilian businessman Oded Grajew, one of the founders of the forum.

Grajew and other participants, which totaled 35,000 from 39 countries, said the global economic meltdown of 2008 is just one more example that the mainstream economic model has failed and its heavy reign on society has brought social, economic and environmental consequences.

Lula takes center stage

"I´m aware that Davos no longer has the glamour that people thought it had in 2003," said President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. Lula did not travel to Davos, where he was awarded with the first-ever "Global Statesman" award, due to a case of hypertension.

His words were met with loud applause before 7,000 forum participants in Porto Alegre.

Lula, who has long been publicly critical of rich countries´ failure to effectively fight poverty, is still facing a hefty list of demands from his constituency, including land reform, as elections in October approach and Lula works to bring his successor to office.

"Necessary and urgent"

Portuguese sociologist Boaventura de Sousa Santos, one of the most vocal participants in the World Social Forum, suggested changing the event´s theme to "Another World is Necessary and Urgent" from "Another World is Possible."

Participants reiterated their commitment to fight deforestation, agrochemicals and monoculture.

"We know that these triumphs will come from the organized people´s struggle," said the event´s final declaration, referring to defense of the environment.

Brazilian social movements, in particular, called for greater unity in the country´s struggle to improve income distribution, fight poverty and defend the environment. Participants also called for an end to military bases in Latin America and the Caribbean and safe and sane environmental policies.

Source: Latinamerica Press. www.latinamericapress.org

https://www.alainet.org/en/articulo/139548