World Social Forum 2004: A Report from India
an article by David Adams

The fourth annual World Social Forum WSF) took place January 16-21 in Mumbai, India. The WSF was established was established as a response for the poor people of the world to the World Economic Forum where the leaders of the riches countries and multi-national companies gather every year. In previous years, the WSF has taken place in Porto Allegre, Brazil.

For this story I interviewed Al Marder who went to Mumbai representing the Greater New Haven Peace Council in Connecticut.

"It was overwhelming. They said that 80,000 people attended. There were huge crowds at the exhibits and at seminars, as well as many demonstrations and cultural events. Whole villages came from India, and you could not help but be impressed by the poverty and realize our responsibility for it. You realized how small the world has become.

"The legacy of Gandhi was everywhere, souvenirs, books, memorabilia, slogans of Gandhi and nonviolence, as well as the Indian spirituality that he shared.

"There were many issues, but one thing was unanimous - the opposition to American imperialism and globalization. I was impressed by the growing movement against American military bases around the world - there are now over 700. I was also impressed by the high level economists who came and talked about the world economic crisis that is being caused by American economic policies and debt. Thousands of people went to their sessions.

"Representing the World Peace Council for the campaign on getting rid of nuclear weapons, I found that there is a new openness of organizations to work together, unlike anything we saw in earlier years.

DISCUSSION

Question(s) related to this article:

Helping the poorest of the poor help themselves
if millions took it up, could it be the foundation of a just world?

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COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AND CULTURE OF PEACE

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The following article by a Japanese professor  introduces the importance of the movement of World Social Forum and the role of Japan in Iraq.  It was sent to us by Takehiko ITO of CPNN Tokyo.

POINT OF VIEW
Kinhide Mushakoji: World forum in Mumbai shows Japan the way

The world does not need the so-called global standard that serves only to widen the gap between rich and poor. It was wrong of U.S. President George W. Bush to invade Iraq and cause suffering to innocent people for the weapons of mass destruction that didn't exist.. . ...more.

This report was posted on February 6, 2004. The moderator is Tony.

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