Third Meeting of World Social Forum in Brazil Addresses Issues of War, Peace and Economic Inequality.
Interview with the Soren Ambrose, of the 50 Years is Enough Network, conducted by Between the Lines' Scott Harris
For the third year running, Porto Alegre, Brazil has been a magnet for social justice activists from around the globe who converged there in late January for the World Social Forum. Originally conceived as a venue to counter the elite World Economic Forum held annually in Davos, Switzerland -- where business and political leaders gather to formulate free trade and neoliberal policies -- the World Social Forum has in many ways eclipsed its rival. An estimated 100,000 activists, academics, workers and students, representing diverse social justice movements, participated this year in hundreds of workshops and plenary sessions to explore alternative models for equitable economic and environmentally sustainable development.
The recent election of Luiz Inacio Lula Da Silva as Brazil's first leftist president cast this year's Social Forum as a celebration as much as a progressive summit. However, some controversy was generated by Lula's decision to visit the elite gathering in Davos after giving an address in Porto Alegre.
Between The Lines' Scott Haris spoke with Soren Ambrose, a policy analyst with the 50 Years is Enough Network, who reports from Porto Alegre on the deliberations at this year's Social Forum on issues ranging from President Bush's drive for war with Iraq to organizing opposition to the proposed hemisphere-wide Free Trade Area of the Americas.
Contact 50 Years is Enough Network by calling (202) IMF-BANK or visit their Web site at www.50years.org The World Social Forum Web site can be accessed at www.worldsocialforum.org
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