[WSF-Discuss] [Fwd: Nigeria Social Forum 2008: CALL FOR REGISTRATION AND PARTICIPATION]

Fri Sep 19 12:40:17 UCT 2008

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: *kenneth okoineme* <kenitto at yahoo.com <mailto:kenitto at yahoo.com>>
Date: Sep 18, 2008 7:50 PM
Subject: NSF 2008: CALL FOR REGISTRATION AND PARTICIPATION
*The Nigeria Social Forum 2008*

*Call for Registration and Participation*

The Nigerian Social Forum (NSF) is an open meeting place where groups 
and movements of civil society opposed to neo-liberalism and a Nigeria 
dominated by capital and liberal thinking congregate. It is a space that 
opposes any form of imperialism, unbridled capitalism, but engaged in 
building a Nigerian society centred on the human person. It is about 
Nigerians coming together to pursue their thinking, to debate ideas 
democratically, to formulate proposals, share their experiences freely 
and network for effective action. The NSF proposes to debate alternative 
means to building a Nigeria, which respects universal human rights and 
those of all men, women, girls and boys, grounded in democratic African 
and International systems and institutions at the service of social 
justice, equality and the sovereignty of peoples.

 From the inception of the 1^st Nigeria Social Forum in Makurdi in 2004, 
the NSF strides towards actualising a space that gives opportunity for 
the voiceless to bring their issues and thoughts in developing a 
Nigerian State responsive to the yearnings and aspirations of her 
citizens. The Nigerian State continues to flounder on producing a 
roadmap to meet its vision of one of the world's largest economy come 
2020. Its existing development frameworks are fashioned in the context 
of the neo-liberal global framework that projects the market as the main 
proponent for growth of any nation. Recent evaluation of the economy 
portrayed growth at the macro-economic level without a corresponding 
change in the lives of the people. This goes to underscore the fact 
enunciated in Goldman Sachs proposition 'that even if Nigeria achieves 
the vision of becoming one of the largest economies by 2020, it could be 
accompanied by large pockets of poverty'.

Following the absence of an economic blue-print,  is the crises of 
governance -  the crises in the education sector, the health sector, the 
rising cost of living, the Niger Delta, corruption, subversion of the 
popular will of the people. The Nigerian state at all levels suffers 
from the question of legitimacy arising from the flawed processes of the 
2007 general elections. There is therefore a disconnect between the 
government and the governed arising from social and political exclusion 
among other denied rights. Democracy cannot be said to be thriving 
without social progress.

The biggest challenge of Nigeria's development is the lack of living 
alternatives to the failed neo-liberal strategy, alternatives have often 
found their root in the reform processes whose outcomes have only served 
to further entrench the undemocratic culture of the ruling class in the 
country,

It is based on this premise that the NSF 2008 to be hosted in Enugu has 
chosen the *theme '**/Alternative Path towards a Pro-People Nigeria 
Vision 2020'/* It will hopefully*/ /*serve to build an alternative path 
to building a people centred Nigeria. The issues emerging from the forum 
would form the crux for re-aligning our interest along the lines of 
social progress, galvanising both social and political forces into 
being. The Enugu space would bridge the recognized gap and lack of 
existing space and bring together the diversity of opinion, local 
knowledge and approaches to the various challenges facing Nigeria as a 
state. The forum would also be a platform for evaluating our collective 
actions and s new directions to the social transformation of our society.

The Enugu forum would also be a build up to the Africa Social Forum to 
be hosted later in the year in Niger Republic and the World Social Forum 
to be held in Belem, Brazil in the next first quarter of 2009

*Objectives of the forum*

o       Provide a space for the exchange of ideas, information, 
experiences and for mutual guidance among the various components of the 
Nigeria Social Forum;

o       Facilitate and broaden the linkage of local movements in Nigeria 
to act in unison

o       Examine the main developments in Nigeria, Africa and the World 
so as to appreciate their consequences on the Nigerian people;

o       Strengthen the capacities of participants at the Nigeria Social 
Forum to analyze issues, propose alternatives and mobilize for change so 
as to contribute meaningfully to the development of Nigeria;

o       Develop common positions and strategies on issues and challenges 
raised so as to pursue a common vision, and coordinated response to the 
challenges of sustainable development in Nigeria.

*The Forum Process*

The forum would take the following form

*/ /*

*/The Issues (Plenary) :W/*here general papers would be presented and 
debated. Papers to be presented include; */Alternative Path to Nigeria 
Vision 2020 (Keynote Speech), Alternative Strategy for Mobilising for 
Change in Nigeria, Alternative Strategy for Niger Delta, Alternative 
Political System for Nigeria, Economic Growth Model with Equity, Food 
Security and Vision 2020 /*among others.

*/Our Issues (Side Meetings): /*Here organised movements and groups 
would look at issues from their own perspectives to create a real market 
of alternate development ideas.

*/Day of Action: /*The resolutions from the plenary and side meetings 
would form the crux of consensus building on the day of convergence for 
action-points after the forum process with organised groups and 
movements taking lead.

The forum would also provide space for people's social and cultural 
expressions.

*Participation*

Based on the Principles of the Social Forum process, The Enugu forum 
would give space to diversity and plurality. The space welcomes groups, 
movements, civil society organisations, cultural groups, social groups 
and all who have a stake in the project called Nigeria.

*Venue:*

*/University/**/ of Nigeria,  Enugu Campus/*

* *

*Date:*

*2^nd – 5^th November, 2008.*

* *

*REGISTRATION*

Please visit our website at *www.nigeriasocialforum.org 
<http://www.nigeriasocialforum.org/> *to register online, or at the NSF 
secretariat at ActionAid Nigeria. Registration can also be done at the 
venue of the forum. Registration for events, exhibitions however MUST be 
concluded on or before October 15^th 2008.

*Participants' Registration Form (Attached)*

Please return all duly completed forms to: 
Kenneth at nigeriasocialforum.org <mailto:Kenneth at nigeriasocialforum.org>, 
kenitto at yahoo.com <mailto:kenitto at yahoo.com>, cirddoc at aol.com 
<mailto:cirddoc at aol.com> or cirddoc96 at yahoo.com 
<mailto:cirddoc96 at yahoo.com>.

* *

* *

*REGISTRATION FEES*

The registration fee for participants is a flat rate, which permits 
entry into all workshop sessions, the exhibitions and the opening and 
closing ceremonies. This fee does not cover other expenses such as 
accommodation, feeding, and incidentals. Participants are advised to 
seek organizational or individual sponsorship.

Participants in Nigeria N500 (Solidarity Fee N1000.00)

International participants $50.00

Exhibitors N5, 000.00

Parallel Events (Workshops, seminars, Panel discussions) etc. N????

* *

*ACCOMMODATION*

Participants would be accommodated in the hostels of the institution; 
however due to limited availability; participants are advised to visit 
the NSF website for a list of available hotels, room rates and contact 
phone numbers for early reservations. Participants can also contact the 
secretariat Ken 08035939033 or CIRDDOC at 0803 313 2493 for further 
assistance with reservations

*The Secretariat:*

Plot 590, Cadastral Zone, 2^nd Floor, NAIC Building Central Area,

PO Box 1890, Abuja, NIGERIA.

Phone: +234.9.2907868

Fax: +234.9.2348482

Email: info at nigeriasocialforum.org <mailto:info at nigeriasocialforum.org>

Website: www.nigeriasocialforum.org <http://www.nigeriasocialforum.org/>

* *

*Enugu** Secretariat*

Fourth Dimension Complex, 16 Fifth Avenue, City Layout Enugu

P.O. Box 1686, Enugu, Enugu State Nigeria.

Phone: +234-42- 803 313 2493, 234 42 303315

Email: cirddoc at aol.com <mailto:cirddoc at aol.com>; cirddoc96 at yahoo.com 
<mailto:cirddoc96 at yahoo.com>; info at cirddoc.org <mailto:info at cirddoc.org>

Website: www.cirddoc.org <http://www.cirddoc.org/>

* *

Participating Organisations/Groups

·        Artisans

·        Network of People living with disabilities

·        Farmer Organization

·        Labour Organizations

·        Organised Private Sector

·        Informal Sector

·        Women organizations

·        Youth organizations

·        Democracy and Human Rights Organizations

·        Environmental and development organizations

·        Community based organizations

·        Consumer organizations

·        National NGO coalitions/Forums

·        The Academia, Researchers and research institutions

·        Faith Based organizations

·        The Media

·        Government Institutions

·        Political Parties

·        Students/ Youth Movement

·        Town Unions

* *

*Kenneth Okoineme
*Nigeria Social Forum
Secretariat: ActionAid International, Nigeria.
Plot 590, Cadastral Zone,
2nd Floor, NAIC Building
Central Area, Garki-Abuja.
*Office Phone*:+234(0)9-6270480/2, +234(0)9-4618655, Fax:+234(0)9-4618656
*Mobile:*08035939033
www.nigeriasocialforum.org <http://www.nigeriasocialforum.org/>
*Email:*info at nigeriasocialforum.org <mailto:info at nigeriasocialforum.org>
kenneth at nigeriasocialforum.org <mailto:kenneth at nigeriasocialforum.org>
alt: kenitto at yahoo.com <mailto:kenitto at yahoo.com>

*NSF /...another nigeria is possible/*

-- 
Sandeep Chachra

International Coordinator- Governance & Economic Justice

ActionAid International
Tel
(office) +91 1126511311
(mobile) + 919818198001

E-88, Saket (Second Floor),
New Delhi -110017
India

Asia Regional Office
13th Floor, Regent House Building
183 Rajdamri Road, Lumpini, Pathumwan
Bangkok - 10330
Thailand
Tel: (office) +662 651 9066/7

-- 

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Ph : +91-11-4155 1521, +91-98-1890 5316 (Mobile)
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www.cacim.net
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