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Global Change Locally
In this issue:
I. WSF 2008
II. Global Political Parties
III.‘March of Sacrifice’ Affirms popular rejection of Mining in the North of Peru: Struggle of Farmers Suggests Strengthening of Social Movements in Peru
IV. Preparing the Strategy Discussion on the World Social Forum
V. Rendez-Vous with NIGD
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I. WSF 2008: vibrancy and innovation
Jackie Smith and Ruby van der Wekken
WSF 2008 took the form of a global week of action culminating in a WSF Global Day of action on 26 January 2008 and more than 800 actions took place in 80 countries. Typically main stream media either ignored the WSF, or the heading of any news item referred to the non-happening of the WSF. Jackie Smith comments on this and writes how for her "rather than signaling a decline in the vibrancy of the WSF, this year's Social Forum reflects its vibrancy and innovation." She further invites writers on the WSF process to join the initiative of a USSF/WSF writers group as "Writers are needed to help spread the word about the World Social Forum's first "decentralized" global day of action".
Ruby van der Wekken supports Jackie in her conclusion on WSF 2008 in a blog entry on the activities in Finland.
http://www.nigd.org/blog2008/wsf-2008-in-finland
2. Michiana Joins Global Day of Action & Shows Continuing Relevance of King’s Appeals for Justice
Jackie Smith
Michiana residents marked the Global Day of Action, January 26, 2008, with a public gathering demonstrating the vibrancy of local work, showing how people can bring about social change through daily choices. Jackie Smith reports from the Michiana regions’ activities, highlighting the historical links to current struggles, the local demand for peace, and the desire to build relationships among diverse organizations for future action.
3. WSF 2008 and the nature of the Belgian social forum process
Francine Mestrum
Francine Mestrum reports on how the WSF 2008 developed in Belgium and the nature of the Belgian social forum process
Peter Waterman
New labour movements and new space for dialogue on new international labour struggles are developing, but its profile within the WSF and the wider global justice and solidarity movement remain minimal. Peter Waterman explores the marginal presence of the Labour Movement during the 2008 Global Day of Action activities.
Katarina Sehm-Patomӓki and Marko Ulvila
What does gloabalisation of political parties mean for democracy worldwide? Edited by Katarina Sehm-Patomӓki and Marko Ulvila, this book initiates serious debate on relevance of global political parties and the potential of the World Social Forum. It is published by Zed Books London and New York, features contributions from major figures from Samir Amin to Jan Aart Scholte.
2. Prodemokratia n 1-2008: On Environmental, Rural, Urban, Global, Social Forum, Movments and Democracy issues
Issued by Assembly of Environmental and Altenative Movements
Introducing Prodemokratia, a newsletter intended to democratise and broaden cooperation among popular movements within a global context of ecology, social and democratic transformation promoting peace, and equal relationships between North and South. This first edition includes reports concerning the European Social Forum, and Global Day of Action activities.
Raphael Hoetmer
In December hundreds of farmers in Northern Peru marched more than 200 kilometres, from Ayabaca to Piura, demanding the national government recognize their rejection of mining activities in their territories. Raphael Hoetmer illustrates the solidarity of community members in defence of their land and their democratic decision-making, and appraises the reconstruction of social movements in Peru.
Marc Becker
The changing economy is dramatically altering the face of rural communities in the United States. Marc Becker shares the Milan case study, researched by the students of Truman State University, a small rural community in North-eastern Missouri, where the local industry’s dependence on immigrant labour has introduced cultural shifts.
IV. Preparing the Strategy Discussion on the World Social Forum
Francine Mestrum
What do we want the WSF to be or to do for us? Francine contributes to the strategy discussion on the World Social Forum by analysing the global political situation, the achievements of the alterglobalist movement, and offering questions and suggestions for the future. What is the future of a movement that speaks out on a whole series of different political questions?
2. The Fifth International: A 19th Century Answer to a 21st Century Problem
Peter Waterman
The relevance of a left institutional international raises numerous challenges stemming from the dramatic development of the national industrial phase of capitalist development. Peter Waterman shares contemporary examples and insight on global social movements capacity to surpass capitalism in a globalised and computerised phase.
3. Mobilising Tours to the CEE-Countries
Laura Tuominen
In a effort to strengthen the mobilisation efforts for the upcoming ESF in Malmӧ, Sweden in September 2008, the contact group for Europe and the World in the Nordic Organizing Committee, has decided to initiate two tours aiming to encourage increased participation of CEE Countries. Laura Tuominen extends this invitation to all interested in participating or being involved.
See our Rendezvous page