[DEBATE] : The WSF and the Bamako Appeal : Yes, but no - NIGD News and Notes 05-06/06

Fri Jun 16 17:38:43 BST 2006

NIGD News and Notes Double Issue 05-06/06: The World Social Forum and the
Bamako Appeal : Yes, but no

In this issue:
I. Gendering the WSF Nairobi 2007 process
II. The World Social Forum and the Bamako Appeal: Yes, but no
III. Inside 'Asia's Killing Fields'
IV. World Vote Field Test
V. Rendezvous with NIGD
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I. Gendering the WSF Nairobi 2007 process
by Onyango Oloo
The author, a member of the WSF 2007 Secretariat, addresses extensively
Gender and the WSF Open Space process, and concludes at the end of his
critical text that "When one looks at the gender dynamics informing the WSF
2007 process, one is filled with optimism and left brimming with hope. This
despite the parlous panorama painted in the preceding section; this despite
the unflattering global audit of power relations between women and men
around the world. "
http://www.nigd.org/docs/GenderingWSF2007NairobiProcessOnyangoOloo.pdf

2 . Librarians to cover the Nairobi WSF 2007
by Mikael Böök
Librarians have a professional role to play in the WSF process, both as
citizens and in their role as information specialists. Mikael Böök provides
an overview of a training programme to prepare East African librarians for
participation in the World Social Forum 20-25 January 2007.
http://www.nigd.org/docs/LibrariansToCoverWSF2007MikaelBook

3. The Intercontinental Youth Camp 2001-2005: Linking Open Space Activism,
the World Social Forum, and Imaginaries for Alternative Worlds
by Dan Morrison
The Intercontinental Youth Camp is a creative effort to turn a space for
temporary living into a social world of alternative practices challenging
daily life under neoliberal globalisation; it is an expression of
experimental social activism, the politics of collective self-management,
and the celebration of spontaneous cultural expression. Dan Morrison
previews his central thesis argumentation which ends on a critical note that
the the IYC process has not lived up to its imaginaries; the full thesis
will be posted on nigd website in July, 2006. 
http://www.nigd.org/docs/WSFYouthCampThesisDanMorrison

II. The World Social Forum and the Bamako Appeal: Yes, but no
by Francine Mestrum 
The Bamako Appeal as it appeared at the onset of the Bamako WSF 2006 is
still discussed in different fora regarding its content, methodology of
production and regarding the possible merits of such a statement for the WSF
process. 
See the appeal at  http://www.thirdworldforum.net

At The Netherlands Social Forum a discussion held on the Bamako Appeal with
an informal  panel of Peter Custers (X minus Y), Karamat Ali (WSF Karachi),
Helen Hintjens (Institute of Social Studies in The Hague), and Peter
Waterman. In the minutes from the session, chair of the session Francine
Mestrum gives attention to the process of the WSF, the democratic content,
and the political content.
http://www.nigd.org/docs/BeyondBamakoNSFFrancineMestrum

2. The Bamako Appeal and the Maturation of the World Social Forum
by Peter Waterman
The Bamako Appeal may have taken a first step towards becoming a global
dialogue at the Netherlands Social Forum, writes Peter Waterman. Whilst also
providing his observations from the first day of the NSF, he concludes that
"It is surely time to surpass the originally brilliant slogan, ‘Another
World is Possible’. A dialogue on and between documents such as the BA could
help to do this."
http://www.nigd.org/docs/BeyondBamakoNSFPeterWaterman

3. Appraising the Bamako Appeal: A Contribution to the Debate
by Peter Custers
The author provides an elaborate commentary on the content of the BA, and
concludes that "With all its limitations, contradictions and defects, the
Bamako Appeal has forcefully posed the need for a programmatic document
against the still hegemonic model of neo liberalism. Only by taking this
debate forward constructively and non dogmatically, can the WSF itself reach
the aim of a defeat of the forces that continue to impose destructive neo
liberal policies on the large majority of countries in the world."
http://www.nigd.org/docs/AppraisingTheBamakoAppealPeterCusters2006

III. Inside ‘Asia’s Killing Fields’
by Carmelita Morante
A return to militarism is serving the Arroyo government well and undermining
the people’s civil and political rights which is contributing  to further
polarization of Philippine society. Carmelita Morante speaks up on the
subject of extra-judicial killings and other human rights violations
enfolding in the Philippines.
http://www.nigd.org/docs/InsideAsiasKillingFieldsCarmelitaMorante2006

2. The Contemporary Lefts in Latin America: Responses to the No Alternative
by Hanna Laako
Despite the triumphs of democracy and peace in Latin America in recent
decades, it seems progress has been mostly symbolic and the democratic
systems have not integrated citizen participation. Hanna Laako outlines the
elements and characteristics of the world in which the Contemporary Left
seek an alternative, and compares the different actors involved.
http://www.elnorte.fi/

3. The European social model: its social and political values
by Francine Mestrum
All societies need some kind of protection; Western European countries have
systems of social protection that no other countries have ever developed,
neither rich, nor the poor developing countries. Francine Mestrum explores
the major characteristics of the European ‘social model’, and the reforms
necessary for it to be upheld.
http://www.nigd.org/docs/EuropeanSocialModelFrancineMestrum2006

IV. World Vote Field Test
by Joel Marsden
Electronic communications serve as a natural and potent organisational
platform to incorporate the principles of global direct democracy into a
system extending universal voting rights to every person on the planet.
Field coordinator, Joel Marsden summarises the results from the 171
countries and territories that cast their symbolic vote in the Global E-Vote
Simulation on May 15, 2006.
http://www.nigd.org/docs/GlobalE-VotingSimulationJoelMarsden.pdf

V. Rendezvous with NIGD
See our Rendezvous page
http://www.nigd.org/rendezvous

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Dear NIGD Members and Friends,

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