CONCEPT NOTE FOR THE WORLD SOCIAL
FORUM (WSF) 2011
CONTENT:
I THE GLOBAL CONTEXT
II CONTEXT AND MEANING FOR AFRICA
III THE SOUTH-SOUTH DIMENSION OF THE
WSF 2011
IV THE STRATEGIC AXES OF WSF 2011
STRATEGIC AXIS 1: DEEPENING THE CRITIQUE OF GLOBAL
CAPITALISM
STRATEGIC AXIS 2:
STRENGTHENING THE STRUGGLES AND RESISTANCE AGAINST CAPITALISM, IMPERIALISM
AND OPPRESSION
STRATEGIC
AXIS 3: BUILDING DEMOCRATIC AND PEPOLE-CENTERED ALTERNATIVES
V WORKING AXES FOR THE SPACE OF THE
FORUM (SUBJECT TO
SOME MODIFICATIONS)
VI THE METHODOLOGY
PROPOSED SCHEDULE
OF ACTIVITIES OF THE WSF
***********************************
I) THE GLOBAL CONTEXT
The
World Social Forum (WSF) will return to Africa in 2011, more precisely in
Senegal. The WSF was born in 2001
in Porto Alegre (Brazil), where it celebrated its tenth anniversary in January
2010. The anniversary was an opportunity to assess the road traveled, analyze
the achievements and weaknesses of the WSF and identify key challenges facing
the global social movement in light of the failure of the neoliberal system and
the problems associated with climate change.
The 2011 Forum will be organized in a global context
marked by the deep crisis of the neoliberal system, symbolized above all by the
collapse of market fundamentalism, illustrated by the global financial crisis.
The latter had been preceded by the food crisis which has added millions to the
already long list of those who are suffering from chronic hunger, estimated at
more than one billion people, according to the latest estimates of the FAO.
Climate change has come to exacerbate all these crises and
threaten the planet. The 2009
World Social Forum in Belem (Brazil) had raised the concerns of the social
movement on this issue. All these crises are a reflection
of the weakening of the capitalist system whose crisis of legitimacy is
deepening ever more every day. All the myths of capitalism, such as "free
market", "free trade", "self-regulation" of markets,
among others, are everywhere under attack and challenged, even in capitalist
countries.
The systemic crisis of capitalism is the result of both
internal contradictions of the system itself and struggles from peoples and
nations of the South, and popular movements in industrialized countries. The
financialization of the economy reflects a deep crisis of profitability
illustrated by the growing gap between capital flows associated with the real
economy (production and trade) and the enormous financial flows that circulate
daily around the world, the overwhelming majority of which is used for
speculative activities illustrated by the explosion of the derivatives market.
The popular struggles in the North and the resistance of
peoples and countries of the South have further exacerbated the crisis of
profitability of the real economy and increased the recourse to financial
speculation in Western countries, particularly in the United States.
The systemic crisis of capitalism contains the seeds of
new dangers for humanity. Indeed, the main centers of global capitalism, led by
the United States, will not easily accept the end of their hegemony over the
world economy. Already, in the name of the "war on terror" the North
Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) has been transformed into an armed wing of
capitalism in an attempt to save it from collapse. Huge military, financial and
political means are being used to this end. Indeed, war of aggression against
the peoples cannot be excluded as "solutions" to the acute crisis of
capitalism. To prevent, or at least slow the process of decline of their
control over the global economy, U.S. imperialism and its allies will not
hesitate to provoke wars of "low intensity" against sovereign nations
and movements that resist their policies. The war of aggression against Iraq,
as well as threats and provocations against other countries, are part of one
single strategy of aggression and terror against the peoples and sovereign
states that seek to take control their destiny and refuse the dictates of
Western imperialism.
II) CONTEXT AND MEANING
FOR AFRICA
The return of the WSF to
Africa can be interpreted as both an ideological and political message. On the
ideological level, actors of the WSF seem to challenge the neoliberal system
and its instruments, including the World Bank, the IMF and the WTO, to mean
that they will face them in Africa, considered as one of the weak spots in the
resistance to neoliberal policies. The return of the WSF in Africa is surely an
expression of a powerful and active solidarity of the international social
movement with the struggles of the African social movements and peoples.
This support is much
appreciated as Africa runs the risk of bearing the brunt of the current crisis
of capitalism. In fact, already weakened by structural adjustment programs of
the 1980s and 1990s, African countries will be confronted with even more
complex development challenges.
African social movements
must seize the occasion of the WSF 2011 to focus on these challenges. First,
the fundamental issues related to economic and social development of Africa,
its security and its relations with the rest of the world should be at the
center of discussions at the Forum. In this context, the Forum should be a
great opportunity to intensify the struggle against neoliberal policies since
Africa illustrates one of the biggest failures of three decades of intervention
by the World Bank and the IMF. In addition, it is imperative to strengthen the
resistance against the "solutions" to the crisis being prepared by
Western countries and international institutions, to which Africa risks paying
the heaviest price.
It is for these reasons, among others, that African social
movements must use the platform of the WSF to strengthen their resistance and
mobilization against imperialism, neocolonialism and the neoliberal system by
further discrediting its ideology, questioning its concepts and values, and
contributing to aggravate its crisis of legitimacy.
In their struggles against the neoliberal ideology and
policies, African social movements should use, among other instruments,
culture. During slavery and colonization, culture had always been a powerful
instrument of resistance and a means of social and political mobilization
against oppression and domination. Thus, the preparation and holding of the WSF
2011 should be n opportunities to mobilize some of the best talents and
creators in all areas of culture on the continent and the Diaspora to
contribute to the debates on the continent’s development challenges and to the
struggles for economic and social transformation.
In conclusion, the 2011
FSM should be an opportunity for the African social movements to strengthen the
consciousness of ordinary citizens as well as of political forces on the need
to end the neocolonial system and imperialist domination in order for Africa to
take its own destiny in its hands and explore a development path of its own.
III) THE SOUTH-SOUTH
DIMENSION OF THE WSF 2011
The WSF 2011 will also
give great importance to South-South relations. Indeed, one of the hallmarks of
the early 21th century is the rise of the South as a major player on the world
stage. The crisis of global capitalism, the growing influence of some developing
countries, developments in Latin America and Africa’s resistance against the
Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs), all this shows that the Western powers
can no longer impose their agenda as easily on the rest of the world.
Meanwhile, the links between Africa and other Southern
regions have been strengthened. Summits have been held between Africa and
China, between Africa and India, between Africa and Latin America. In
particular, Brazil is building close relations with many African countries.
Popular and political
struggles in Latin America have strongly weakened the hegemony of US
imperialism and brought a great contribution to the struggle against the
imperialist and neoliberal system around the world.
All these are major developments that social movements in
the South must take into account. Already in 2006, in Bamako (Mali) African and
Asian social movements celebrated the 50th anniversary of the famous Bandung
Conference that marked the rise of newly independent African and Asian
countries on the international stage. Nowadays, what is the content of the
Afro-Asian solidarity? What is the content of the South-South solidarity and
cooperation? What is the role of social movements in it? What are the
implications of the changes taking place in the South for the transformation of
the balance of forces around the world?
These are some of the
questions that should be part of the discussions during the WSF
IV) THE STRATEGIC AXES OF
WSF 2011
Based on the experience
of 10 years of the WSF, the Dakar Forum should be a space dedicated to 1)
strengthening the offensive capability against neoliberal capitalism and its
instruments; 2) deepening struggles and resistance against capitalism,
imperialism and oppression; and 3) proposing democratic and people-centered
alternatives.
While focusing on the history of resistance and struggle
of African peoples against imperialist domination and oppression, the WSF 2011
should find the necessary interface with the struggles and global strategies
common to Africa, to other countries of the South and to the North. Thus, the
themes of the Forum, while focusing on the priorities expressed by African
social movements, must take into account the major concerns of the global
social movement.
It is in the pursuit of these objectives that the following
strategic axes are proposed for the WSF 2011.
STRATEGIC AXIS 1:
DEEPENING THE CRITIQUE OF GLOBAL CAPITALISM
As stated in the
introduction, the world is facing a series of crises, including climate change,
which are all linked to the capitalist mode of production and accumulation. The
myth of “self-regulating” markets has led to a series of deregulation and
liberalization of trade and capital flows around the world with the view to
giving more power to the markets. The crisis of profitability in the real
economy has given birth to the derivatives market, which opened the way to
speculative activities at an unprecedented scale.
On the other hand, the
political and social forces in the North and South have continued to strengthen
their resistance against the capitalist system and neoliberal policies. Trade
unions and progressive forces in the industrialized countries have intensified
the struggle against job losses and the erosion of their purchasing power. In
the South, the experience of the discredited policies of the IMF and World Bank
had increased the awareness of social movements, progressive political forces
and even some states on the need to oppose these policies and market
fundamentalism.
If for many, the current crises are a reflection of
the exhaustion of capitalism as a model of production and accumulation of
wealth, for others, they reflect a crisis of civilization which puts into
question all the values associated with capitalism.
Be it a systemic crisis of capitalism or a crisis of
civilization, the fact is that humankind is experiencing very deep changes. The
hegemony of Western powers is being challenged by states and various political
and social forces in the South. Peoples and nations formerly dominated are
currently strengthening their independence and their control over their own
resources.
The current crisis is a unique opportunity for social
movements associated with the WSF to deepen the critique of the capitalist
system and its instruments and compound their crisis of legitimacy.
STRATEGIC AXIS 2: STRENGTHENING THE STRUGGLES AND
RESISTANCE AGAINST CAPITALISM, IMPERIALISM AND OPPRESSION
In light of the crisis described above and the threats
posed by "solutions" to save capitalism on the backs of the people,
and especially people of the South, the WSF 2011 should be an opportunity to
extend the boundaries of resistance and struggles against capitalism,
imperialism and all forms of oppression against the peoples. In this regard,
the Forum should provide an opportunity for all movements and networks engaged
in different fronts in various struggles to express themselves. The Forum
should provide the opportunity for strengthening the capacity of resistance
against the ongoing crises and solutions that the major powers and multilateral
institutions strive to impose on peoples in the North and the South. The Forum
should especially provide a space for indigenous/first peoples fighting against
the effects of genocide and other atrocities committed by capitalism, in order
to recover their dignity, their culture and their rights over their resources.
The Forum should also provide opportunities for peoples unjustly
deprived of their legitimate right to create their State to come and share
their experiences of struggle and resistance against oppression and crimes
committed by imperialism and the forces of domination. These groups and
movements may bring a new dimension to the Forum and give it more legitimacy as
a space open to all those who resist against the capitalist system, imperialism
and various forms of oppression and domination.
Similarly, the Forum should be a space for movements for
the restoration of the sovereignty of peoples over their resources (water,
earth, etc.) And for the democratic access to these resources
In fact, the WSF 2011 should give space to all groups and
movements, all progressive political forces opposing one way or another the
policies associated with the neoliberal paradigm and struggling against
oppression, domination, discrimination and exclusion.
STRATEGIC AXIS 3: BUILDING DEMOCRATIC AND
PEPOLE-CENTERED ALTERNATIVES
The
systemic crisis of capitalism and the problems associated with climate change
are like an urgent appeal to envision a different future for Humanity. These
crises seem to vindicate the analysis of social movements and the WSF which
have consistently argued that the neoliberal system is bound to lead the world
into a tragic impasse. Therefore, it is time to intensify the struggle to promote
alternative models of production and distribution of wealth away from the logic
of capitalist accumulation
So, the challenge for social movements and the WSF is to
go beyond the critique of capitalism and offer real alternatives to the current
system. The United States, the European Union and other capitalist countries
are contemplating solutions to save capitalism and put the costs of those
solutions on the shoulders of their peoples and those of the South. Social
movements must find appropriate strategies to vigorously oppose this project
and contribute to its failure.
In this context, they should examine the possibilities of
alliances with political forces and States opposed to the neoliberal system.
This is the case of some developing countries, particularly in Latin America,
which are engaged in experiences which represent challenges to the neoliberal
model. These experiences and others in Asia and the debates in Africa on the
establishment of new institutions are topics on which detailed discussions
should be held to assess their contribution to the search for alternatives to
the current system.
The aim is to propose and promote democratic and popular
alternative based on values at odds with those associated with the logic of
capitalist accumulation, namely the defense of exploitation and inequality, the
worship of individualism and private property. Indeed, building another model
of development also means promoting values of social justice, democracy,
equitable distribution of wealth, solidarity, cooperation, and respect for the
sovereignty of peoples over their resources, democratic and transparent use of
resources while respecting the environment.
In this context, the Dakar Forum will also focus on
the challenge of rebuilding ethics and spirituality. Similarly, the WSF 2011
will seek to rehabilitate politics and democracy that have been overshadowed by
the power of financial institutions and economic issues related to the
neoliberal globalization. The weakening of the State and public institutions
has left a vacuum exploited by powerful private groups to influence public
policies at the expense of the overwhelming majority of citizens in the
South.
Given that the systemic crisis of capitalism is equated
with a crisis of civilization, the rebuilding of ethics and spirituality as
well as social relationships destroyed by capitalism would be to lay the
foundations for a new civilization, a new universality. The values of such
universality should include, among others, cooperation, sharing, solidarity,
inclusion, celebration of the collective good, respect for all cultures and the
dignity of all peoples and nations.
The above strategic axes will be organized into
working axes that should facilitate
the expression of movements participating in the WSF, ensure a better
convergence between them and organize in the space of the Forum.
V) WORKING AXES FOR THE SPACE OF THE FORUM (SUBJECT TO
SOME MODIFICATIONS)
1.For a human society founded
on common principles and values of dignity, diversity, justice, equality
between all human beings, regardless of genders, cultures, age, disabilities,
religious beliefs, health status, and for the elimination of all forms of
oppression and discrimination based on racism, xenophobia, caste system, sexual
orientation and others.
2.For environmental justice,
for universal and sustainable access of humanity to the common goods, for the
preservation of the planet as source of life, especially land, water, forests,
renewable energy sources and biodiversity, guaranteeing the rights of
indigenous, traditional, native, autochthonous and original peoples, their
territories, resources, languages, cultures, identities and knowledge.
3.For the applicability and
effectivity of all human rights – economic, social, cultural, environmental,
civil and political rights – particularly the rights to land, food sovereignty,
food, social protection, health, education, housing, employment, decent work,
communication, cultural and political expression.
4.For the freedom of movement
and establishment of all, especially migrants and asylum-seekers, trafficked
people, refugees, indigenous, original, native, autochthonous and original
peoples, minorities, people under occupation and people in situations of war
and conflict, and for the respect of their civil, political, economic, social,
cultural and environmental rights.
5.For the inalienable right of
people to the cultural patrimony of humanity, for the democratization of
knowledges, cultures, communication and technologies, valuing the common goods,
for visibilizing subjugated knowledges, towards the ending of hegemonic
knowledge and of the privatization of knowledge and technologies, fundamentally
changing the system of intellectual property rights.
6.For a world freed from the
values and structures of capitalism, of patriarchal oppression, of all forms of
domination from financial powers, transnational corporations and unequal
systems of trade, colonial and debt domination.
7.For the construction of a
social, solidary and emancipatory economy, with sustainable patterns of
production and consumption and with a system of fair trade, putting at the
heart of its priorities the fundamental needs of peoples and the respect for
nature, ensuring systems of global redistribution with global taxes and without
tax havens.
8.For the construction and
expansion of democratic, political, economic structures and institutions, at a
local, national and international level, with the participation of the people
in decision-making and in the control of public affairs and of resources,
respecting people’s diversity and dignity.
9.For the construction of a
global order based on peace, justice and human security, the rule of law,
ethics, sovereignty and self-determination of peoples, condemning economic
sanctions and in favor of international rules for the arms trade.
10.For the valuing of the
histories and the struggles of Africa and the Diaspora and their contribution
to Humanity, recognizing the violence of colonialism.
11.For collective reflection
on our movements, the World Social Forum process itself and our perspectives
for the future
VI) THE METHODOLOGY
The methodology of the
WSF 2011 will preserve all the positive results of past fora held during the 10
of the WSF while proposing innovations which would make more visible struggles
on different fronts against capitalism, imperialism and all forms of
oppression.
As in previous fora, self-organized
activities will be the bulk of activities during the Forum. There will be a day
of sharing of proposals made by the various networks and organizations.
However, the modalities of that day should be the subject of a deeper
reflection in order to bring innovations to make the exercise more useful for
participants
The WSF should give more
visibility to popular struggles led by first/indigenous people, to resistance
led by Stateless people. This should enrich the ranks of the Forum and give it
an even greater legitimacy. In this regard, the criteria
for the allocation of space should take into account this goal in order to
reserve adequate space for these groups in the global site and grant them better
working conditions (simultaneous translation).
The WSF will also give a
great visibility to the struggles of the African Diaspora. This aims to better
popularize these struggles and strengthen the solidarity between African social
movements and those of the Diaspora. In this regards, joint seminars and
roundtables will be organized on several thematic issues of common interest.
Culture will play a big
role during the WSF 2011, not only as a means of entertainment but more
importantly as an instrument of political conscientiousness and social
mobilization. Roundtables will be proposed with the participation of
progressive men and women of culture to debate on the struggles against the
neoliberal system and the development challenges confronting the African
continent.
Tables of dialogue and controversies
The activities sponsored
by the Senegal Organizing Committee, the African Council and the International
Council will be held in the form of tables of dialogue and controversies. The
objective is to offer an opportunity to social movements to engage in dialogue with
actors who do not participate in the Forum, such as representatives from
governments or sub-regional, regional and continental institutions. Topics that
could be discussed in these tables would be, among others, South-South and North-South relations; African
integration; the future of the African Union; the issue of the United States of
Africa; African Renaissance; Pan Africanism ; intra-African migration; relations with the Diaspora; etc.
In addition, topics of
strategic interest, such as AFRICOM, Africa’s collective security, conflicts (socio-economic, ethnic, religious, etc.) and circulation of arms on the continent,
the problem of terrorism and illegal drugs in some regions (Maghreb, West
Africa); politics and religion could also be raised in these tables.
Special
ceremonies will be held to honor the memory of emblematic figures of Africa and
the Diaspora (political leaders, thinkers, men and women of culture, members of
social movements, etc.)
Other innovations may take the following forms:
1) Provide an open space
where speech will be free, where people could have philosophical, political
debates; read poems; conduct theater activities, etc. This will be in
remembrance of Alexandria, in Ancient
Egypt, or Sankoré in Tombouctou, during the heyday of the Malian Empire
2) A Trade Fair (FIARA) of
African agricultural products under the responsibility of ROPPA
3) Provide a space for
children for entertainment and debates.
4) An Exhibition on historical figures of Africa and the
Diaspora
5) Days
of solidarity with peoples struggling in diverse fronts (Palestine, Haiti,
indigenous/native peoples, etc.)
6) Days of solidarity
dedicated to farmers; youth; women; trade unions; handicapped; migrant workers, etc.
7) Promote
daily marches to support, criticize, protest, etc.
PROPOSED
SCHEDULE OF ACTIVITIES OF THE WSF
Day of February 6: Opening March
Day of February 7: Day dedicated
to Africa and the Diasporas
Day of February 8: Self &
co-organized activities
Day of February 9: Self
& co-organized activities
Day of February 10: Convergences/Thematic Assemblies
Day of February 11: Thematic/Global Convergences
One should add that a daily
cultural agenda will run in parallel to the thematic activities
*******************