Dear friends and comrades, 

Fourteen years ago, at the beginning of the new millennium, the World Social
Forum came to the fore as the response of the people to the globalization of
the markets. It was deliberately meant as versatile meeting of movements,
trade unions and associations from around the world, looking for progressive
solutions to global problems: poverty, social inequality, lack of democracy,
racism, environmental destruction, and absence of economic and social
justice. By using dialogue among equals, as well as horizontal processes, it
provided proof that social forces from different parts of the world, which
may be militant against different problems, can still converge around common
goals and so formulate an alternative vision and blueprint for the planet.
With values like these, condensed in such slogans as "people before profits"
and "another world is possible", the World Social Forum was the space in
which ideas and modes of action were born and grew which would eventually
question the global neoliberal supremacy. 

Our common responsibility to build a different prospect for the world is
much greater these days, at a time that blind fanaticism, violence and
social regression appear as alternative perspectives before the menacing
force of the markets. Such were the motives behind those who, just the other
day, spread death and fear in Tunis. The movements ought to block decisively
the way to them by winning the hearts and minds of the poor and the
oppressed. Neither the combination of fanaticism and intolerance, nor that
of fascism and racism can open any new way for the future. The world will
move ahead only thanks to democracy, respect for rights, solidarity and
common struggles. 

Dear friends, 

As you know, Greece has for some time now been on a collision course with
the tenets of neo-liberalism. Faced with the disastrous policy of austerity
and extortion by the markets, our people is determined to defend democracy,
the welfare state, public goods and the right to an adequately paying job.
We offer a fight for life, dignity and social justice, all within a struggle
to orient the economy towards the needs of society, instead of society
towards the needs of the economy and sheer financial profit. 

Our horizons are not limited by the boundaries of our own country. They
extend across all of Europe. We know that on our footsteps other people are
following too, determined to use the power provided by democracy to make the
world more just and the future more bright. The front that will clash with
the current balance of power in Europe is already being formed and it
becomes stronger every day. 

We know that these developments will be discussed this year during the
proceedings of the World Social Forum in Tunis. We know that a key
consideration is the all-round support to Greece, but also to all the people
fighting for a historic change in Europe and throughout the world. This is
why Greece is sending today to those who participate in this year's Forum, a
greeting of optimism, strength and determination. Using solidarity as their
weapon, the people will win! 

Alexis Tsipras

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