[WSF-Discuss] [Fwd: [Iwc] brief minutes from last IC meeting]
Madhuresh
madhuresh at cacim.net
Wed Oct 29 05:45:23 UCT 2008
FI
-------- Original Message --------
Subject: [Iwc] brief minutes from last IC meeting
Date: Tue, 28 Oct 2008 12:12:47 +0530
From: Meena Menon <meenamen at gmail.com>
To: iwc at wsfindia.net <iwc at wsfindia.net>, igc at wsfindia.net
<igc at wsfindia.net>
Dear all
These are the main minutes I got- not sure if they represent all the days.
Those who attended can add - there are people who have taken
responsibility for certain tasks but I have not added those pages- too
long.
Best
Meena
*General Summary from Plenary on 24th September*
By Claire Courteille and Francine Mestrum
*_1. Analysis of the Conjuncture:_*
* *
Several issues were identified as having an impact on the movements and
the WSF, among them:
- Food prices
- Energy crisis
- Financial crisis
- Georgia: West – East confrontation
- Chinese investments in Africa
- Elections in the US
- Migration
- Construction of new neoliberal and nationalist states
- Is it the end of capitalism? Neo-liberalism?
- Heading towards a world of war
- Social movements being persecuted
A call for flexibility was made so as to integrate those issues as far
as possible in the program for Belem. There was consensus on the fact
that WSF Belem must fit into the global context.
*_2. Report of the Working Group dedicated to Guiding Principles _*
http://openfsm.net/projects/strategy-commission/summary
WSF Guiding Principles -copenhagen 24sept II.doc
The first version of the document was rejected and a new version was
presented. A proposal to add gender parity in WSF events was accepted.
There was consensus on the fact that the document is "work in progress"
and should be updated at the light of other WSF events which will take
place. The new version of the document was adopted and is official as of
this day. It will be reviewed each year.
*_3. Report of the working group 2010-2011_*
http://openfsm.net/projects/gda2010consultation/blog/
*_ _*
*For 2010*
It was proposed to hold again a Global Day of Action which several IC
members consider a success. However there was consensus that more
consultation are needed to define the format of this GDA.
_Decision: _
The IC invites the social movements, networks and organizations to use
again in 2010 the tool of the GDA. We commit ourselves to consult and
involve them in the definition of the GDA's methodology, date, content,
duration and format. Following an assessment of the global situation, of
the 2008 GDA and of the thematic and regional forums, a final decision
on the format will be taken during the IC meeting of spring 2009. A
working-party to prepare the GDA 2010 will start working as of today.
*For 2011*
A first proposal was rejected. It aimed at making the decision for a WSF
in 2011 in Africa conditional to an evaluation to be carried out in the
next IC.
A second proposal was equally rejected. It stated: "According to the
decision taken in Berlin and Abuja (quote of that decision), we urge
African organisations to present in Belem a proposal for a WSF in Africa".
Elements in the discussion:
- African movements want to see some progress in the
decision-making, since Abuja, they have started working on the possible
organization of a WSF in Africa in 2011.
- It is important that the IC sends a positive signal to the
African movements and do not de-motivate them in their preparation
- International solidarity in this matter is crucial and the IC
must be able to show solidarity
- The decision on a WSF in Africa was a kind of counter-part
for the decision to have a WSF in 2008 in Belem
- It is important to respect the evaluation process before
taking a final decision.
_Consensus emerged on the following wording:_
In accordance with the Berlin and Abuja decision [Quote: "/The next WSF
as a centralized global event after 2009 will take place in Africa
(tentatively in 2011 subject to the global situation evaluated by the
IC)/ ] the proposal for the 2011 WSF will be finalized in the next IC in
Belem, where the strategy debate will go on. We urge the African
movements to make a concrete proposal during the next IC. The liaison
committee will prepare the discussion in cooperation with the involved
commissions and organizations.
* *
*4. **_Report of the Communication Commission_**_ _*
http://openfsm.net/projects/communication-commission/notes-of-22-and-23-comcom-meeting
The communication group has almost no resources to continue its work.
Different projects have been set up, e.g. the Ciranda net, an action for
the amazonic regions, a forum for TV/video activists and others.
Yet communication is a political tool. We should come to a self-feeding
circuit of mobilization to communication to mobilization.
The wsf site openfsm.net <http://openfsm.net> should be used more and better
A world forum of media will be organized pre-Belem (2 days before) with
independent media.
There is a worldwide participation crisis that questions the relevance
of WSF existence. Communication is a very important political tool that
WSF should use.
In order to achieve a more democratic WSF process, some kind of training
program related to internet usage should be developed.
_Decisions:_
The next IC in Belem will have deeper discussion on communication issues
We commit ourselves to give a communication dimension to all our
activities in Belem
* *
*5. **_Report of the Expansion Commission_*
http://openfsm.net/projects/wsfic-expansion/project-home
http://openfsm.net/projects/ic-expansion/summary
<http://openfsm.net/projects/wsfic-expansion/project-home>
- It is important to have the participation of indigenous
communities (or primary peoples, autochthonous, originary…) in Belem.
This also includes Rom people (gypsies), Adivasi, etc. This is not a
matter of folklore, but is a highly political matter.
- The priority for the geographical expansion of the WSF
process should go to Eastern Europe, the Arab region and South-East
Asia. The Arab region will have a meeting in Belem. There is progress
already in Asia, particularly Nepal
- The thematic expansion should be directed at developing
better links with movements that work at climate change, youth, etc.
- The place where IC meetings are held can be an important
element in the mobilization of local activists and can be considered to
be an investment. Kurds have been asking to organize an IC meeting in
Diyarbakir. The Arab region is also proposing to organize an IC meeting.
- *_5.1 new organizations became members of the IC _*
o International Drama and Education association (supported by
Abong and IPF)
o Global Commons Foundation (supported by NIGD and Ibase)
o Alternative International (supported by CRID and Alternative Canada)
o Helsinki Citizens Assembly (supported by Alternative Canada &
Attac France)
_- Indigenous Commission_
- It is proposed to have a real participation of indigenous
groups in WSF and IC, and to have the solidarity fund to take account of
it. This participation should be quantitative and qualitative.
- Indigenous groups should be able to connect with the global
resistance movement.
- Indigenous groups will have a meeting prior to the WSF in Belem
- The political, cultural and cosmogonist visions of the
indigenous groups should be visible at the WSF. Methodologies of these
groups can be used next to other methodologies. We have to re-think the
WSF from an indigenous perspective.
- We need a short term and a long term strategic plan in order
for the WSF to take into account the indigenous issues
- We need some kind of map of organizations at the global level
in order to better organize their participation
- As many groups as possible, including Africans and
Palestinians, should be included
- The main point of reference is the respect of the rights of
indigenous peoples.
*_6. Report of the Resources Commission_*
Rolando's work has stopped and there is in fact a real crisis.
Commitments for Belem are still missing. Infrastructure issues for WSF
2009, however, is being taken care of by the local state government .
The budget for WSF Belem is 4,5 million $, only 1,7 million has been
committed as of this day. There are negotiations with Petrobras. Some of
the donors that might help the WSF are themselves in a financial crisis.
_Decisions:_
- It is important to have early registration so that the money
can be used, in a first moment, to build the solidarity fund.
Organizations are invited to give extra donations when they register for
WSF 2009.
- A working group will look at the solidarity fund and the
decisions on the allocation of the funds
- All commissions will have to cut their budgets. A
working-group with the liaison committee and the organizing committee
will be created to adjust the global budget and to look at the budget of
each commission
In the discussion it is stressed that indigenous groups should have
priority in the solidarity fund. Discussions will have to be organized
with the different commissions on how budget cuts can be realized.
A link will be put on the WSF site to donate money on line. Everyone is
invited to raise funds for the WSF and to use the electronic link.
It is stressed that the question of financial resources is a collective
and a political responsibility. In fact, this point should have been the
first point on the agenda, since it is not realistic to make plans
during three days and to realize on the last day that there is no money.
_It is proposed_
- to have a serious discussion on the long term financial
sustainability of the WSF and the reasons why our movement is no longer
attractive for donors
- to have a serious discussion on the autonomy of the WSF
- to define mechanism for the 'Collective responsibility' to
become more concrete
- to adjust our activities to the available budget. We cannot
do things for which we have no money.
- Increase the sense of urgency around our financial crisis
- An emergency campaign for fundraising should start
- Volunteers are needed for the resource commission
There was no time to look at the two documents of the resource
commission. We will discuss them in Belem as a matter of priority.
7.*Report of the Liaison Group *
http://openfsm.net/projects/ic-liaison/summary
A short report was given on the *methodology,* the procedures and the
calendar for a LG evaluation. A document will be sent around and a
discussion will be organized in Belem. All the documents are avaiable at
Openfsm.
http://openfsm.net/projects/fsm-2009-gt-de-metodologia/summary
http://openfsm.net/projects/wg-sextodia/summary**
* COMISSIONS REPORTS AND FUTURE ACTIONS*
*1) Commmunication commission*
http://openfsm.net/projects/communication-commission/notes-of-22-and-23-comcom-meeting
*Comcom report in IC plenary 24th*
* *
*C - Report of communication commission in Copenhagen IC 24th –
Evaluation and report*
* *
*Towards financial autonomy *
* *
It is to be noted that a structured action plan was drafted inside the
communication commission before the funding came, and this allowed
convincing communication inside the process about the ability and
willingness of the commission to work effectively.
Having an autonomous budget made it easier to structure and fine tune
the implementation of the action plan work in various decentralized groups.
At the same time this autonomy allowed to be pragmatic IC and flexible
in allocating funds to concrete tasks appearing very meaningful although
they had not been foreseen in a first moment ( such as assembling a
global report). Now the commission has applied for process funding for
its core action and is also considering creative schemes to expand its
action and make it sustainable.
* *
*Outcomes of GDA experience:*
* *
Parallel decentralized functioning of 10 working groups
24 press conferences held in the preceding week in January with a
common core message
50 interconnections on internet
one website for global action day showing 800 actions in 80 countries
and allowing global report 800 pages about them : www.wsf2008.net
<http://www.wsf2008.net/>
one website for repository of video with 100 documents uploaded :
www.wsftv.net <http://www.wsftv.net/>
one website for general intercommunication on line inside open space of
WSF on line to prepare for WSF 2009 : www.openfsm.net
<http://www.openfsm.net/>**
* *
Negative points - Challenges for next period
* *
Not created network of journalists –
<http://openfsm.net/projects/communication-commission/journalists-network-wiki>
Not created for the media
Not able to go beyond GDA
Three months before Belém there are no funds for the process
* *
*Our commission contributions to Belém process*
* *
A/ supporting other commissions to use spaces in openfsm such as
-a space for discussion around Guiding principles for organising a WSF
event <http://openfsm.net/projects/organizingwsfevents/project-home>
(methodology)
-a space for preparation of GDA 2010
<http://openfsm.net/projects/gda2010preparation/project-home>
(communication – expansion)
-11 spaces for facilitation of contacts between activities aiming in a
same objective (methodology)
- 2 spaces for preparation of second day in Belém (methodology)
B / setting up 5 projects preBelém – ciranda – foro de radio amazonico –
TV's forum - laboratorio de conhecimento livre – interconnexions space
- a space for networking between those that produce coverage
and communication and those that want some information about WSF 2009
* *
*C/ Paying attention to the tools*
Idea to Set up something for learning ot use openfsm.net
<http://openfsm.net/> during the wsf2009 – communication flow during
Belém - permanent process
Invite IC organisations to use more www.wsftv.net <http://www.wsftv.net/>
Warning ! *There are currently no funds for development and hosting
beyond Belém.*
* *
D/ communicating about IC inviting All the activities in WSF to include
an action of communication before or after Belém, and we as commission
will support this
Virtuous circle between mobilization and communication : mobilize for
communication then communicate for wider mobilisation. Connect the
voices and proposals coming from the basis
No way to change event into the process without accompaniment in
communication.
Our requests towards IC
E/ In the next IC – have a space to debate on communication – as a
political tool - Communication debate in Belém
F/ set up a process for preparing next GDA
@ Space GDA 2010 preparation
<http://openfsm.net/projects/gda2010preparation/project-home>
G/ that media do not pay to enter in Belém space
Permanent participation to global WSF open space
In order to expand permanent participation to the world social forum
process, it is necessary to facilitate access to virtual open space such
as openfsm.net <http://openfsm.net/> to as many organisations as possible.
It is also necessary to be partially funding in a sustainable way free
software communities politically articulated with WSF.
This digital expansion of the process can be performed through a
diversity of local "WSF permanent participation " projects, that may
interest donors, with a standard proportion of the fund raised being
channelled to free software project providing those strategic
intercommunication tools.
Communication commission will circulate a draft project to foster
training to use WSF websites, and suggest how to organize them. IC
organisations are invited consider using it for local expansion and
fundraising initiatives keeping in contact with the commission
* *
Intercommunication beyond distance in an expanding WSF process
* *
A working group of the Commission is supporting development of
horizontal inter-communication among all those who participate in the
WSF process.
The aim of this effort is to help participants develop in a self
organised way links between themselves regardless of distance and
sustain intercommunication in the context of a permanent and
decentralized process.
Moments of inter-communication through video-conferences, internet-chats
and phone calls can be prepared in virtual spaces of openfsm.net
<http://openfsm.net/>, just like you prepare a meeting if you want it to
be fruitful.
The decentralized modality of participation to WSF 2009 which is called
*"Belém expanded*" is an occasion to develop these practices, linking
activities in Belém with activities anywhere in around the world, and
allowing organized groups to exchange ideas and proposals regardless if
they travel to Belém or not.
Communication commission invites organisations in IC to transmit this
information to organizations and activists from our different countries
and cultures that may want to participate to Belém expanded and to the
development of forum social space
They are welcomed in the space of www.openfsm.net
<http://www.openfsm.net/> where they can access the space called "
Belém expanded" the working group for supporting interconnections with
Belem <http://openfsm.net/projects/fsm2009interconexoes/project-home>
and the intercommunication workgroup.
<http://openfsm.net/projects/communication-commission/intercommunication-gt-wiki>
Invitation by IC to WSF 2009 expanded – "Belém expanded"
http://openfsm.net/projects/fsm2009interconexoes/project-home
The Global action day of 2008 started a dynamics of activities of
various type towards "another possible world" in all the regions of the
world, expanding the forum proposal.* *
From this experience, it was assessed that in 2009 decentralized
activities linked to the forum event held in Amazonia could also be
stimulated. This has the advantage to impulse the mobilization towards
Belém, and, at the same time :
- promote decentralized participation in Belém activities
- give a higher profile to debates and proposals stemming from these
activities
- favour the assimilation and adaptation of these proposals by
organisations and citizens of the world,
- multiply initiatives of participation in the forum process, at local,
national, regional, and thematic levels.
Decentralized activities may or may not create direct connections with
activities in the forum in Belém
The International Council invites organizations that want to participate
in this decentralized way in World Social Forum 2009 to register
themselves in the webpage www.fsm2009amazonia.org.br
<http://www.fsm2009amazonia.org.br/> and indicate there their decision
(in the organisation registration form there is an ítem " Belém
expanded").
These organisations can then enter in the open space openfsm
(www.openfsm.net <http://www.openfsm.net/>) and:
Make visible their activities, (also giving links to videos in
www.wsftv.net <http://www.wsftv.net/>)
Interchange, make contacts before, during, and after the event 2009
with activities located in Belém or in other parts of the world,
interchange about methods and tools for connection
(Space "Belém
expanded" in openfsm )
<http://openfsm.net/projects/club-belemexpanded/project-home>.
* *
--
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