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Growing Networks
News & Notes on Global Democratization: May-June 2008
In This Issue:
I. Between Neoliberal Repression and Popular Utopian Imagination
II. Central and Eastern European-ESF Mobilisation Tour
III. NIGD-North America
IV. The World and US Social Forums: A Better World Is Possible and Necessary
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Raphael Hoetmer
Activists and Academics from Europe and Latin America came together during Enlazando Alternativas 3 to discuss alternatives to neoliberalism through the creation of a more just, and democratic world. Raphael Hoetmer had the opportunity to interview activist, Boaventura de Sousa Santos, getting his opinion on the current state of Latin America, and the possible future.
2. Belem World Social Forum: A Decisive Decision for the Construction of Another Possible World
Raphael Hoetmer
The Summit of the People, Enlazando Alternative 3, was held in Lima 13-16 May 2008. Raphael Hoetmer provides a summary from the panel discussion hosted jointly by NIGD and Transnational Institute on the World Social Forum and actual state of Global Politics. [In Spanish]
II. Central and Eastern European-ESF Mobilisation Tours: February 2008
Tord Bjӧrk
The Nordic Organizing Committee of the ESF 2008 initiated mobilisation tours in February 2008 with a mission to gather political and practical views on ESF, to encourage Central and Eastern European participation, and to increase knowledge on the ESF-5 process. Tord Bjӧrk shares his experiences and observations from his tour of the Czech Republic, Hungary, Slovenia, Croatia, Slovakia, and Poland.
2. Kiev EPA experiences - Social Movement Assembly
Tord Björk with comments from Peter Waterman
Tord Björk offers his personal reflections from the European Preparatory Assembly for the ESF Malmö 2008 held in Kiev, Ukraine. Tord’s observations are complimented by comments by Peter Waterman (in italics), and an article written by Carine Clement, ‘Lost in Translation.’
III. NIGD-North America
Marc Becker and Jackie Smith
Aiming to link Canada, the United States, and Mexico into the wider NIGD network; NIGD-NA begins discussions on the mandate, organizing principles, and future plans. Marc Becker and Jackie Smith report from the first advisory meeting held in late April 2008.
Karen Fan
Global Vote is an innovative, internet based, democratic voting system on global issues. Karen Fan introduces the online initiative created to enhance democracy through shadow voting and polling systems empowering the world's Internet users by recording their opinions and votes on the world's most pressing issues.
IV. The World and US Social Forums: A Better World is Possible and Necessary
Edited by Judith Blau, University of North Carolina and Marina Karides, Florida Atlantic University
The World and the US Social Forums: A Better World is Possible and Necessary, edited by Judith Blau and Marina Karides, is a book captures the full range of topics dealing with the WSF/USSF. It is a fresh treatment of materials for the "insider" and provides ample background for someone who would like to attend. The book is published by BRILL and available July 2008.