What is world social forum

 The World Social Forum (WSF) is a vast and multifaceted gathering of civil society organizations, activists, and social movements from across the globe, united by a common commitment to an "alter-globalization" or "global justice" agenda. Its defining principle is the belief that "another world is possible," standing in stark contrast to the dominant neoliberal economic and political order. Initiated in 2001 in Porto Alegre, Brazil, as a deliberate counter-event to the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, the WSF serves as an open space for decentralized debate, reflection, proposal building, exchange of experiences, and the forging of alliances among those engaged in concrete action towards a more just, equitable, and sustainable world. It is explicitly non-governmental, non-partisan, and non-confessional, aiming to facilitate rather than dictate, and it refrains from issuing formal statements on behalf of all participants.

The discussions at the WSF are incredibly diverse, reflecting the vast array of issues and movements that constitute the global justice landscape. Central to the forum's agenda are critical examinations of economic inequalities and the pursuit of economic justice. This includes challenging the concentration of wealth, illicit financial flows, debt burdens on developing countries, and regressive taxation policies that exacerbate the gap between the rich and the rest. Participants often advocate for alternative economic models that prioritize people over profit, foster fairer societies, ensure secure jobs with decent wages, and promote an equitable distribution of value. The intertwined crises of climate breakdown and extreme inequality are frequently highlighted, with calls for a just transition and an economy that thrives within planetary limits.

Beyond economic concerns, the WSF delves into a wide range of social, political, and environmental issues. Human rights are a foundational theme, encompassing discussions on universal rights, civil liberties, and the rights of marginalized communities. This extends to advocating for the rights of women, Black people, indigenous peoples, LGBTQ+ individuals, and youth, addressing issues such as patriarchy, racism, and discrimination. Discussions also revolve around democracy and governance, exploring participatory democracy, the democratization of communication, and resistance to authoritarian tendencies. Environmental sustainability is a recurring and vital topic, with dialogues on climate action, ecological degradation, resource extraction, and the development of sustainable practices. Food sovereignty, health, social protection, housing rights, and the anti-militarization movement also feature prominently.

The WSF provides a crucial platform for various social movements and civil society groups to converge, share strategies, and build solidarity. This includes trade unionists, intellectuals, farmers, women's groups, youth movements, environmental activists, indigenous rights advocates, and many more. It's a space where different "epistemologies of the South" – diverse ways of knowing and understanding the world, often rooted in the experiences of marginalized communities – are brought to the fore. The forum has been instrumental in raising awareness about the interconnectedness of global challenges, demonstrating how issues like climate change, unchecked finance, and social injustice are part of a larger systemic problem. It has fostered alliances between grassroots movements and non-governmental organizations, contributing to the evolution of global civil society.

While the WSF does not aim to produce collective manifestos or decisions, its impact lies in fostering a global consciousness and strengthening networks of resistance and alternative building. It allows participants to learn from each other's struggles and successes, refine organizing tactics, and gain a broader understanding of global movements and their specific issues. Despite facing challenges and evolving in its format – with national, regional, and thematic social forums now also flourishing – the core purpose of the WSF endures: to serve as a beacon for those seeking to challenge dominant power structures and envision a world founded on fairness, human development, equality, and solidarity, proving time and again that indeed, "another world is possible."