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another world is possible

hope, unity, vision at world social forum

isaac rojas, foe costa rica
janneke bruil, foei

The second World Social Forum (WSF) that took place in Porto Alegre this February under the theme ”another world is possible” was a much-needed exchange of experience and ideas on social justice, sustainable societies and peace. It also allowed us to restore our identities, strengthen ties, and enjoy dance and music.

massive support
The numbers alone were impressive. Approximately 100,000 people joined the peaceful and colourful opening march filled with song and banners. In more than 700 workshops, seminars and conferences that took place during the week long forum, an incredibly broad range of issues was explored.

More than 60,000 participants, carrying their red and grey conference bags, crossed the city using highly efficient public transport. Hundreds of gigantic posters covered the city's walls, announcing workshops, concerts and other forum gatherings. It was a strange reversal to see the voices of resistance shouting at us from government sponsored billboards! It was also curious to watch French ministers use the forum to conveniently raise their profile in the run-up to their national elections.

breath of fresh air
Still, the forum provided welcome relief from the repressive and calculated manufacturing of fear and enemies so prevalent in many parts of the world, especially since September 11. Since that date, the world seems have fallen under a spell of conformity, in which a quest for profits is the only vision and all other possibilities are discarded.

The so-called wars against terrorism and drugs, as well as development and free trade agreements, lead to little more than human rights violations and the plundering of the earth. The Latin American continent is rich in examples of such neoliberal exercises. You need only to think of the Free Trade Area of the Americas, Plan Puebla Panama or Plan Colombia. These issues were discussed extensively in Porto Alegre.

moving beyond differences
The forum reminded us of the fact that we construct another world every day we oppose oil exploitation, every time we say no to the privatization of our water, food and genes, whenever we try to take life back into our own hands, and when we dream, explore and push. The forum was a place where social movements had the opportunity to share and to speak out, to listen and understand. The North/South/East/West divide slowly begun to dissolve as the many sides of the same corporate-driven processes became clearer. This was important progress, because we need to move beyond our differences in order to use our strengths.

foei makes a stand
Another world will not just “happen”. It must be the logical result of understanding, articulation, cooperation and movement building. FoEI contributed a small step towards achieving these goals by organizing a series of successful forum events. Hundreds of people visited our meetings on water privatization, sustainability, and corporate accountability. There were also smaller gatherings on energy use, ecological debt, international financial institutions, export credit agencies and the debt tribunal. The FoEI booth was very beautiful and well visited. In the marches we had both the loudest voice (FoE Colombia's Hildebrando) and the heaviest flags (FoE England, Wales and Northern Ireland's).

Moreover, we understood once again that we should enjoy the creation and construction of our new world. The forum ended with a dance full of joyful rhythms, a beautiful dance that would have been utterly impossible at the parallel World Economic Forum in New York. Thinking back on it will empower many participants in their daily struggle for a better future.