• report of dakar july seminar en

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this is the report circulated by WSF office - a pdf version is joined

2ND PREPARATORY SEMINAR OF THE 2011 WSF DAKAR, SENEGAL – JULY 27-29 2010 REPORT

Plan (click on links)

1 - Introduction and Context. 3

2) Continental Organization Process. 4

3) Senegalese Organization Process. 5

4) General and Logistical Information. 5

· Date and Architecture of the Event. 5

· Registration. 6

Working group for internet registration module. 6

· Venue and rooms. 7

· Food, water, prices and waste. 8

Accommodation / International Youth Camp. 9

· Other aspects. 9

5) Strategy and Methodology. 10

· Strategical axes of the 2011 WSF event. 10

· Thematic Axes. 11

Consultation. 12

· Thematic assemblies. 12

Registration of assemblies. 12

Scheduling of ASM.. 13

· Dakar Expanded. 13

Working group for Dakar expanded. 13

· African and Diaspora Day. 13

· Other aspects. 14

Debate and Controversies Table. 14

Culture. 14

registration of cultural activities. 15

Link with 2010. 15

6) Communication, Mobilization and Expansion. 15

· African Strategy for Communication. 15

Mains communication characteristics: 16

The strategical goals of communication, 16

others points. 17

· WSF Media. 17

· Translation / Babels. 18

· Other aspects / Recommendations. 19

Press Center: 19

Event web site. 19

link between SOC WSF office IC comcom.. 20

Working group for communication. 20

· Expansion and Mobilization. 20

Asia. 21

Slogan working group. 22

· other follow up Proposition and recommendations: 22

7) Resources. 22

8) Other aspects. 24

· Collective letter to members of the WSF IC. 24

· Next steps . 24

9) Annexes. 24

SEMINAR PROGRAM DRAFT. 24

· Memorandum of agreement (French only). 25

4- Roles et responsabilites : 26

· Map of the Cheik Anta Dioup University. 28

CONCEPT NOTE FOR THE WORLD SOCIAL FORUM (WSF) 2011. 28

I) THE GLOBAL CONTEXT. 28

II) CONTEXT AND MEANING FOR AFRICA.. 29

III) THE SOUTH-SOUTH DIMENSION OF THE WSF 2011. 31

IV) THE MAJOR THEMATIC AXES OF WSF 2011. 32

Thus, the themes of the Forum, 32

Letter to members of the WSF International Council 34

This way we invite you to: 35

We kindly ask you to answer this letter, after having discussed it with your organizations, and tell us: 36

2011 WSF global budget (draft version, French only). FORUM SOCIAL MONDIAL DAKAR, 2011 BUDGET PREVISIONNEL. 36

A- COORDINATION ET PLANIFICATION.. 36

B- MOBILISATION.. 37

C- EVENEMENT FSM DAKAR 2011. 37

1 - Introduction and Context

The Preparatory Seminar for the 2011 WSF Dakar was held in Dakar (Senegal) on July 27-29 2010. Represents of the WSF International Council, the Council of the African Social Forum and the Local Organizing Committee were expected. 75 people participated, coming from 19 African countries and 7 other countries.

 

The Seminar was preceded by a meeting on communication strategy of the African Council regarding the 2011 WSF, organized by Panos Afrique de l´Ouest, that took place on July 25th, and the meeting of the Council of the African Social Forum, on July 26th.

 

The Seminar focused on the practical organization of the 2011 event, the definition of the consultation and agglutination process of the thematic axes, which will guide the event, and the proposal of methodological, communication, expansion, fund raising and resources management strategies (see “Draft Program” annexed).

 

This Seminar is part of a series of meetings inside the WSF Process towards 2011 Dakar:

- WSF IC Meeting in Rabat (Morocco) in May 2009: decision to hold the 2011 WSF in Dakar (see report here);

- WSF IC Meeting in Montreal (Canada) in October 2009 (see report here

- 1st Preparatory Seminar in Dakar in November 2009, preceded by a African Social Forum Council Meeting; and

- WSF IC Meeting in Mexico City (Mexico) in May 2010: decisions taken regarding dates and general guidelines of the 2011 event (see Report here).

 

2) Continental Organization Process

A series of structures and understandings that attaches the continental process (African) to the local realization (Senegalese) was created along these meetings, which created notably:

- a strong articulation between the national and the African levels, which translates in a actual articulation too (many members are part of both spheres);

- the creation of an African Facilitation Committee, open to members of the African Council and the Local Organizing Committee;

- the validation of the global budget of the 2011 WSF event;

- the signature of a Memorandum of Agreement between the African SF Council and the Local Organizing Committee (see document annexed).

*Facilitators of the African Organizing Committee: Taoufik Ben Abdallah, Demba Dembele and Buuba Diop.

 

3) Senegalese Organization Process

The Senegalese Organizing Committee is made of a series of commissions (Culture; Finances; Health and Security; Mobilization; Communication; Scientific; Logistic; Women Gender and Equity; Diaspora and Migration; Youth and Youth Camp), whose work are already underway (see Report of the local organization process here).

The local committee is in charge of all logistical issues of the event and of national communication and mobilization.

*Facilitators of the Senegalese Organizing Committee: Mignane Diouf

 

4) General and Logistical Information

· Date and Architecture of the Event

For the first time, the WSF will not be held during the World Economic Forum in Davos, and it means that the WSF Process must not follow the calendar of the dominants to maintain its legitimacy and strength. The WSF, as a space of articulation and proposal of alternatives, aims in fighting not a single event, but the neoliberal system and its forms of oppression and domination.

The dates of the 2011 event and its general architecture are the following:

 1st day (06/02/2010): Opening March

2nd day (07/02/2010): African/Diaspora Day

3rd day (08/02/2010): Self-organized activities

4th day (08/02/2010): Self-organized activities

5th day (10/02/2010): Thematic Assemblies

6th day (11/02/2010): morning - Thematic Assemblies; afternoon: Assembly of Assemblies

 

· Registration

- Registration system (Global Registration) An online registration system will be developed in WordPress for the 2011 edition in a way that a Database can be generated one that can be used for the whole WSF process, avoiding duplicate works or generating data that can't be crossed, as it has been happening.

Some questions are guiding the execution of this work: 1) how to assess and measure the WSF process if the information generated in them do not cross? 2) Who are the people and organizations that follow the WSF process permanently? 3) What are their interests? In which area they act? 4) Wouldn't it be possible to articulate people or organizations by crossing thematic and regional information? 

That is why the idea is to make it in a way so many applications / combinations could be generated from it, as the online agglutination of activities. This system should contemplate: - Registration of individual participant; - Registration of organizations; - Registration of activities by the organizations; - Payment (via Paypal - a worldwide integrated system)

Working group for internet registration module

A working group was created to finalize the registration formas until August 13th. The system should be online after the consultation period (mid-end September).

There will be the possibility for MANUAL registration, with a paper registration form (nonvirtual), destined to those with little or no internet connection or online credit card payment. 

The SOC will be in charge of its elaboration and management.

- There will be different registration fees for different geopolitical / social criteria, in order to guarantee a democratic, plural and open access to local participants. The provisional fees are (in USD) :

 

Organizations Individual More than 5 people North 100 25 South (except Africa) 30 10 Africa (except Senegal) 20 5 Senegal Associations 10 2 Studants and youth 0 0,5 Working Classes 0 0,25

 

· Venue and rooms

The Cheik Anta Dioup University campus (see map annexed) is the venue of the 2011 WSF, with rooms, amphitheaters and open spaces for activities, as well as space for thematic tents, IYC and stages. The process dedicated to search and analysis of locations, conducted by the SOC logistics commission, already has an agreement in the present moment, for using:

- 16 course rooms with capacity for 80-100 people; and

- 02 theater rooms with capacity for 1000 people.

100 course rooms and 20 theater rooms are expected to be used at the event, not counting tents and annex buildings of the University, which can shelter the Press Rooms, Dakar Expanded activities, etc. (i.e.: UCAD, CESTI, INEA, ENS buildings), a total of around 600 available rooms. A team of architects is working with the University’s plans for a better use of the space.

Accreditation: 4 University entrances are expected to be used as accreditation checkpoints, wishing to avoid long lines and turmoil. An accreditation checkpoint at the Dakar airport is also being considered.

* Still on the WSF territory: it was discussed at the Seminar whether Goree could host activities, as it is a very symbolic island (it is located 2km from Dakar). For being fragile and small, with a local population slightly over 1000 inhabitants and being a UNESCO World Heritage of Humanity site, the SOC has given up the idea. But there is still a project of the Diaspora and Migration Commission to hold a activity on the island of Goree, before the WSF, where the Charter of Migrants is expected to be approved.

 

· Food, water, prices and waste.

The SOC exposed the objective that only local and regional products (Western Africa), of small producers, will be sold in the WSF territory. There is a clear distinction of giving a greater visibility to local food culture, as well as valorizing and favoring the active participation of peasants and small farmers. The 12th edition of the FIARA (Foire Internationale de l'Agriculture et des Ressources Animales), a big fair of regional products, will be held along the 2011 WSF.

Regarding water, the SOC is becoming organized so that water prices don’t rise, avoiding what has happened in Belem. It also being assessed the possibility and availability of offering water for free, through fountains with filters, in order to avoid anti-ecological use of bottled water.

A permanent work of awareness regarding waste during the Forum is being expected, to avoid its formation, and to plan its selection and disposal. The SOC has been integrating garbage collectors and recyclers to the logistics commission in order to elaborate alternatives to this.

 

Accommodation / International Youth Camp

The current hotel capacity in Dakar is of 20.000 beds. Hostels and apartments for rental adds up some 40.000 beds. To this, we can add an estimate number 10.000 beds in solidarity accommodation, and there is also the possibility to use the university’s pavilions and some tents for accommodation, a total of 70.000-80.000 beds.

To avoid inflation and big price fluctuation, an open negotiation with many hotels in the city is in course. The objective is to keep promotional rates to participants of the Forum. Some options of hotel with different rates is available at http://fsm2011.org/fr/hebergement. Beyond these alternatives, the youth commission is working on the International Youth Camp inside the university campus (not defined location yet, although some spaces are already being studied: espece BU, terrain COUD, ENSPT). Around 50 organizations of the youth are participating in the youth commission, in coordination with the Youth Council of Senegal, students organizations, ONCAV, Red Cross etc.

 

· Other aspects

Some other points were raised during the Seminar, which the SOC should think about and consider, avoiding errors from past editions of the WSF and considering Dakar’s particular aspects, such as:

- Accessibility to the event, especially regarding people with reduced mobility; - Mobilization and training of volunteers to handle people of advanced age and visual impairment;

- Facilitating the process of obtaining an entry visa to the country, as it is impossible to make it free of costs;

- Traffic and transportation: negotiation in course with the Transport Union regarding public transportation and taxi drivers awareness; studies of street signs for the WSF, inside the territory and in key places of the city are in course in the security commission of the SOC.

- Opening March: definition of the course being studied (possible start: Obelisk square); the march will be ended with African, Senegalese and International cultural presentations; contact with the police to assist us during the march, without interfering in its course.

- Parallel Forums: during the WSF days, or prior to the event, the organization of several forums is being planned, such as: the Local Authorities Forum (LAF), World Forum of Inhabitants (in the outskirts and poor areas of Dakar), International Trade Union Forum, Forum of Science and Democracy, World Forum of Education, Forum of Migrations, Forum of Liberation Theology, Parliamentary Forum, etc.

 

5) Strategy and Methodology

· Strategical axes of the 2011 WSF event

A concept note was discussed and approved by the African Social Forum Council and the SOC.

The main goal of this strategical note is to contextualize the current international scenario, giving special attention to the African and Senegalese realities, and also to define the major strategical axes that will be in the core of the 2011 WSF. Based on the 10-year experience of the WSF, the

Forum in Dakar will be a space dedicated to:

1) strengthen the offensive capacity against neoliberal capitalism and its instruments;

2) deepen struggles and resistances against capitalism, imperialism and oppression; and

3) propose democratic and people's alternatives. From these strategical axes, a work was done in order to define the major thematic axes, in which the organizations will be able to register their activities.

 

· Thematic Axes

The definition of the thematic axes was a methodological innovation created after Mumbai, aiming to facilitate the expression of movements, assuring a better convergence and articulation between them. The axes should also give structure to the space of the WSF, in a more consistent way, especially in relation to the two days dedicated to self-organized activities.

The seminar dedicated much of its time to the update of the 11 axes accumulated along these last five years of process, taking into account the current context of the international scenario, the struggles headed by movements and the context of African themes and struggles. A first proposal to these axes was discussed at the WSF IC Meeting in Mexico, at the African SF Council Meeting in Dakar and, after those, during this preparatory seminar, whose participants were divided into 4 working groups.

After the presentation in the plenary of the discussions taken by the WG s, a new working group to finalize and harmonize the different proposals was formed. Included in the Annex are the concept note and the result of the work to define the thematic themes for consultation.

 

Consultation

The process of public consultation to social movements aims at checking whether something was forgotten or should be excluded of this cumulative proposal.

These thematic axes will be posted on the website of the 2011 WSF event (www.fsm2011.org), publicized on the WSF newsletter and the IC and Commissions' mailing lists. Responses to this consultation should be sent to consultation@forumsocialmundial.org.br up until September 10th 2010.

After the public consultation, the process of registration and agglutination will start, and their follow up should be discussed at the WSF IC Meeting in November in Dakar.

* During the Seminar, it was highlighted the preoccupation with some “sensitive themes” - dealing with them should pose some problems, given the cultural context of Senegal especially, themes regarding sexuality and abortion. A WG was created to deal with these themes, having by assumption total and unrestricted freedom of speech but also considering the local social and sociological reality.

· Thematic assemblies

Aiming to reinforce convergences between actors and activities held during the WSF, an entire single day of the WSF will be dedicated to self-organized thematic assemblies. There are 3 methodological main principles that guide the proposition of activities in the WSF: the selforganization principle, the convergence facilitation and the process of convergence itself, based on the respect of diversity, autonomy of action of the alliances and networks of organizations, and the total horizontality between activities.

Registration of assemblies

This time, there will be two opportunities to register thematic assemblies: during the registration process prior to the event, and during on the third and fourth days (February 08th and 09th 2011) of the event:

Scheduling of ASM

After the request of several social movements, a dialog was opened regarding the Assembly of Social Movements. The importance and legitimacy of this assembly was marked as it is present in the WSF process since the beginning. The Assembly will probably be held on the 5th day of the Forum, after the other thematic assemblies, and there will be a big effort so it is not mistaken with the Assembly of Assemblies, with being the global convergence of the process or the WSF or its spokesbody.

 

· Dakar Expanded

The idea that the WSF shouldn't be centered in itself, but on the contrary should be opened, via the registration and organization of activities beyond the physical territory of the event (“Dakar Expanded”) was focused on the Seminar.

Remote participation through radio broadcasting and Internet streaming etc should be at the core of the 2011 event, turning Dakar into a global city of spreading the discussions and struggles held in the WSF.

Working group for Dakar expanded

The proposal to create a WG to deal with technical specifications to make Dakar Expanded possible, as well as discuss in which way these tools can be used in the mobilization process of the 2011 WSF.

This group should equally deal with the proposal raised during the Seminar of holding a Global Day of Action at the WSF. Activities in Dakar's periphery, inside Dakar Expanded, is also foreseen.

 

· African and Diaspora Day

The second day of the WSF is dedicated to Africa and Diaspora (the “6th region of the African Union”). It is not about considering Africa as victim, but to focus and make visible the struggles in the continent and of the Diaspora and alternatives that emerge from their experiences.

The main goal of this day is also that it should be a inter-African communion and one between Africa and its Diaspora. Culture must have an important role in this day, in the sense of mobilization, political and emotional expression.

The idea of holding a WSF event in Africa is to intensify the struggles against the neoliberal system and institutions representing it, whose dominant and oppressive role is a sickness in the continent; as well as to mark the role of the South as in an important actor in the international scenario a new relation of forces with the South-South relation, beyond the Africa-Asia relation marked during the Bandung Conference, 50 years after it. It is not about “africanizing” the WSF, but giving a contribution of the African vision to the process.

Beyond self-organized activities, it will still be necessary to define if one or more co-organized activities will be held this day.

 

· Other aspects

Debate and Controversies Table

 It was discussed by the organizing committees the idea to hold a co-organized activity in a Debate and Controversies Table format between actors from the public power and civil society. We must have a special preoccupation so this moment won't be converted into a type of electoral speech for Senegalese politicians, due to the 2011 elections in the country.

Culture

shouldn't be thought in terms of entertainment, but as an important form of political expression through art. The experience in Mumbai is very elucidative in relation to this;

- The Senegalese Ministry of Culture was contacted and will grant the necessary equipment for big cultural activities during the event;

- The SOC Culture Commission will mobilize this issue internationally (India, Latin America...);

registration of cultural activities

- The registration of cultural activities will be part of the general registration of activities and not of a different form, as it happened in Belem.

Link with 2010

- The Methodology Commission will focus on a format in which the effects of the crisis in Africa will be put in evidence, in a perspective that crises are multiple and interconnected (a notion that guided the WSF process in 2010, with a series of actions year-round across the globe);

- The Methodology and Strategies Commissions must think on a format to make the event in Dakar take into account the accumulation of discussions developed along 2010.

- During the Seminar it was said that the number of participants is not the success of the WSF. We should be focused on the content and articulations, and not in massive events as Belem and Mumbai, held during a period of a weaker crisis than the current one and in countries of enormous populations, all different from the Senegalese reality.

 

6) Communication, Mobilization and Expansion

· African Strategy for Communication

Two days prior to the Preparatory Seminar, a Meeting to discuss the African Strategy of Communication was held, whose deliberations and innovations can be found here. These documents guided the discussions on Communication during the Seminar, essentially around the following subjects:

Mains communication characteristics:

1. To communicate not only the event, but also the WSF process an occasion in which to give broader visibility to African responses to the global crisis;

2. To communicate not only during the event, but also prior to it (communication as mobilization);

3. Media, Remote and Traditional Communication, through the use of technology;

4. To communicate the follow up at the different levels involved in preparations for 2011 Dakar: local, national and regional.

The strategical goals of communication,

 on the other hand, revolves around four main points (information, mobilization, participation and expansion), which can be translated into the general objectives of:

1. facilitating social movements' mobilization, the expression and amplification of its voices in the media prior to the 2011 WSF;

2. using the direct and remote means of communication in order to mobilize social movements prior to the event regarding the themes of 2011 Dakar;

3. guaranteeing a regional coverage of the WSF event, from an African point of view;

4. encouraging the creation of creative spaces and spaces for people's expression;

5. contributing to create the memory of the African social movements and the 2011 Dakar.

 

others points

 it was brought up th the necessity to include Arabic as one of the working languages e to give priority to African languages of local and regional circulation.

- Regarding means (tools of communication), an important innovation proposed by the SOC's Communication Commission is to use cell-phone (SMS notably) as a mean of communication during the event around 50% of the Senegalese population uses cell-phones as the most significant common mean of communication. And also local radios and the Internet as means of informing people and to keep intra- and inter-regional connections.

 

· WSF Media

- AMARC has reassured its support to the coverage of the WSF, as well as its participation in all levels of organization; it has also announced the organization of a pre-campaign of mobilization for the WSF, which will start 3 months prior to the event.

- CIRANDA has equally reassured its support in the shared coverage of the event, its involvement in the event's general organization process and contact with alternative media. It proposed to organized with other media and organizations the Alternative Media Social Forum prior to the WSF.

- WSFTV has been dedicated to register the event in video, as well as to get involved in its coverage, contact traditional media and help in the mobilization process, working as a platform for uploading videos on the WSF process.

- E-JOSSOUR will make available information also in Arabic, and participate in the shared coverage of the event the mobilization process, especially in the Maghreb-Mashrek region.

 

· Translation / Babels

The Seminar was a mark for a strong articulation of the Babels network in the preparation process for 2011 Dakar, especially regarding translation (interpreters and equipment) and the use of languages.

The action plan presented by Babels in coordination with the organization committees involves:

- Guaranteeing the presence of 500 interpreters (300-400 volunteers, plus 100 professionals) for different uses during the event self-organized activities, information desks, accreditation etc;

- The mobilization of interpreters must give priority to Africans, not excluding “international” participation (outside Africa);

- The principle of using chosen languages: give priority to local and regional languages (Wolof, Swahili etc.);

- Babels will start the formation of interpreters, making them join the WSF/Babels project, months prior to the event. For the formation it is expected that the 3 activities to be held in November in Dakar will be used (African Social Forum Council Meeting, WSF-IC Meeting and Social Movements Seminar)

- The principle of egalitarian payment to African and International Interpreters, from the global budget of the event and the efforts of fund raising by Babels and the Resources Commission of the WSF-IC.

- The use of Sign Language will be guaranteed during the “big events” of the Forum, such as Opening and Ending Session, and also in the accreditation/registration support. Access to Rooms prior to the Forum for equipment installation.

 

- Equipment: possibility to reuse the equipment currently located in Nairobi and Bamako; there is a chance of signing an Agreement with the Senegalese Ministry of Culture for the use of interpretation equipment.

 

· Other aspects / Recommendations

 Press Center:

 according to the understanding of alternative media, the event must host two distinct spaces: one dedicated to alternative media and the other to mainstream media. A negotiation with Oxfam Solidarity to obtain 100 computers for the Press

Center is in course.

Event web site

-During the Seminar, the 2011 WSF event website was presented (www.fsm2011.org), which will make all preparatory and logistical process information available, as well as give access to the registration system.

The making of the website and its maintenance come from a partnership between the Senegalese and the African Organizing Committees and the WSF Office in Sao Paulo.

The Arabic version of the website will be online soon, after an articulation between the WSF Office in SP (technical side) and E-Jossour/Maghreb Social Forum (translation and updating)

* Several recommendations were made to the www.fsm2011.org website, among them:

- put more links for other Forum's websites and actions in the mark of the WSF

- include a link to the Virtual Media Center (www.worldsocialforum.info)

- Taoufik is in charge to write texts about the national, Pan-African and international process.

- In the Registration section, include simple texts on its different phases.

- Suggestion to include a list of social networks in which the WSF is included, without a direct link to the networks.

- introduce a photo and video library (linked to WSFTV).

- All websites involved in the WSF Process should dedicate themselves to make information on the event available and pass them on, as well as work as mobilization vehicles (Ciranda, WSFTV, AMARC, Flamme d’Afrique, site do FSM etc.).

link between SOC WSF office IC comcom

- Need to reinforce the articulation and joint work, avoiding duplicate work, between the SOC, the WSF Office and the WSF-IC Communication Commission.

- Integrate the agenda of Communication and Culture, in a philosophy and praxis of collaboration and sharing.

- Expand communication beyond networks already involved in the WSF Process, for mobilization prior to the event and participation in the event (like Al-Jazeera, for example).

Working group for communication

 

- A WG with members of the WSF-IC, ASF Council and SOC Communication Commissions was created to deal with communication, coverage and mobilization for the event issues.

 

· Expansion and Mobilization

There are three levels of mobilization: Senegalese, African and International, what demands an ongoing and deep articulation between organization bodies (SOC, ASF Council and the WSF-IC, notably from the Expansion Commission).

The Senegalese Context, a series of mobilization events have already been organized e.g. four thematic meetings (artisans, waste collectors, youth, right to the city), and any others that are being programmed (thematic meeting of women, periphery etc.).

In the African Context, some events are being organized inside the 2010 WSF Process (Nigerian Social Forum, Thematic Social Forum in Niamey), and mobilization caravans will get special attention. They'll depart from several places of Western and Central Africa towards Dakar. There's a proposition that each caravan brings a “slogan” that highlights its thematic discussions, mobilizing places in their routes.

And in the international context, the Americas Social Forum in Assuncion (August 2010), the World Forum of Education in Palestine (October 2010), the Migrations Forum in Quito (October 2010), the meeting of social movements in Dakar (November 2010) and Forum on Migration and Diaspora (December 2010) are also thought as mobilization events towards Dakar.

* the WSF-IC member organizations should also do, each of them, an effort of mobilization in their locations, groups and themes of action. This task is related to the Expansion Commission too, which should mobilize groups and regions where it has been working (Russia, indigenous peoples, Asia and its subregions, Eastern Europe etc.).

Asia

 

Especially in relation to Asia, it was recommended that the Expansion Commission should reinforce its work there, giving a boost of renewed energy to process that have already been formed.

The cultural dimension must be thought as a mobilization mean for the event: cultural-artistic manifestations, as means of political expression, are “gathering” elements, that mobilize people and articulate them around the Forum's themes.

Slogan working group

 

During the Seminar, it was proposed that a mobilization slogan should be created. Talking about “civilization crises”, “new universalities” or “emancipatory alternatives”, even though are important terms and full of meaning, they do not make mobilization of people any easier we should address issues that are in their everyday lives, their needs and struggles; a process of “translating” the concepts is necessary, giving them meaning from the tangible, objective struggles and themes.

- Creation of a WG with members of “Dakar Expanded” and Methodology (SOC and WSF-IC) in order to create mobilization slogans.

· other follow up Proposition and recommendations:

 

- The Expansion Commission should bring regions and themes currently outside the WSF to it, mobilizing people to come to Dakar and express themselves in activities, panels and cultural manifestations. It is about political and qualitative participation, and not a folkloric one or one that worries only about numbers of participants.

- The Solidarity Fund must guarantee local, African and international participation, notably of groups and organizations with less resources and/or from regions where the WSF process must be expanded.

- Challenge of making the thematic tents in tents of thematic convergence, so Ghettos don't get created inside the Forum.

- Creation of a WG involving members of the SOC, the ASF Council and the Expansion Commission of the IC in order to guarantee the presence of specific groups in the WSF (indigenous peoples, Diaspora peoples, etc.).

 

7) Resources

 

The fund raising resource will be made between the articulation of the resources commission of the SOC/African Council and the resources commission of the WSF IC. The separation between process and event is this sense is artificial. The common project and budget are being elaborated and will be circulated soon.

Even considering how dynamic the WSF Process was in 2010, the financial situation of the WSF is worrying, notably due to the small number of funders (the majority of resources comes from 5 or 6 NGOs and foundations) e of the terrible economic and financial global crisis, which has cut off the support capacity of some traditional funders.

The resources commissions (SOC and WSF-IC) in an integrated work should seek new sources of financing, retake the contact of some old partners and use the creativity in the fund raising process. They should also develop a strategy of contacting regional financing bodies and other governments (i.e. South Africa, Morocco, Cuba, Gambia, Senegal and Venezuela), as well as non-traditional structures involved in the process, as the Embassy of Algeria, for example, which has already supported this Seminar. The registration fees will also help to finance part of the event’s costs.

In the African and Senegalese plan, the Memorandum of Agreement (see annex), signed by ENDA and CONGAD organizations working as juridical bodies in the African and National level of organization, respectively describes the financial responsibilities of each level and defines the general plan of the budget for the event. Two bank accounts, one for each leval, were opened.

In the annex, you may find the draft version of global budget for the 2011 WSF event, built and agreed by the SOC and the African Council, taking into consideration principles raised by the WSF IC (organized around two main documents: Guiding Principles for hosting WSF Events (available here), Principles and Guidelines for Resource Mobilization (available here). In the end, it was suggested to make a call for the compound of actors in the WSF process in order to get collective and collaborative action in fund raising.

 

8) Other aspects

 

· Collective letter to members of the WSF IC

At the end of the Seminar, a proposal to send a collective letter to members of the IC was presented and adopted in consensus by all those who participated at the Seminar (see letter in the Annex). The letter aims to invite IC members to, since now, reinforce their participation and engagement to the preparatory process of the 2011 WSF, notably in terms of mobilization, development of Dakar Expanded and fund raising.

· Next steps

 Next WSF IC Meeting in Dakar, on November 08-10 2010. - African Council Meeting, around the IC meeting in Dakar (to be scheduled). - Social Movements Seminar in Dakar, on November 5-7 2010.

 

9) Annexes

SEMINAR PROGRAM DRAFT

July 27th 2010 9h-10h45: Morning Session Division of the preparatory process Commissions' Reports - Africa/Senegal - International Council Commissions Debate 10h45-11h: Coffee Break 11h-13h: Morning Session resumes 13h-15h: Lunch 15h-16h30: Afternoon Session Strategy and Methodology for the 2011 WSF Debate 16h30-16h45: Coffee Break 16h45-18h: Afternoon Session resumes July 28th 2010 9h-10h45: Morning Session 2011 WSF working axes and agglutination Consensus on the axes and agglutination Launching the Registration process 10h45-11h: Coffee Break 11h-13h: Morning Session resumes 13h-15h: Lunch 15h-16h30: Afternoon Session Communication and Mobilization Introduction and debate 16h30-16h45: Coffee Break 16h45-18h: Afternoon Session resumes July 29th 2010 9h-10h45: Morning Session Resources: current state and measures to be taken 10h45-11h: Coffee Break 11h-13h: Morning Session resumes 13h-15h: Lunch 15h-17h: Afternoon Session Recommendations and follow-up Closing of the Seminar

 

 

· Memorandum of agreement (French only)

Memorandum dentente sur les taches et responsabilites pour lorganisation du Forum Social Mondial 2011, Dakar, Senegal

Lentente qui suit a ete conclue entre le Conseil du Forum Social Africain (represente par ENDA Tiers Monde, Dakar Senegal) et le Comite National dOrganisation du Forum Social Mondial, Dakar, 2011 (represente par le CONGAD, Dakar, Senegal et le Facilitateur du Comite):

Cette entente est conclue dans le cadre de la mise en oeuvre des decisions du Conseil Africain du 14 et 15 novembre 2009 et de son Plan daction, et qui mandate le Secretariat du Conseil a lelaborer et a la conclure avec le Comite National dOrganisation. Les deux parties se sont entendues sur les termes ci-dessus :

1- Vision : les deux parties partagent la vision dun Forum Social Mondial comme espace pour la promotion du pluralisme et de la diversite et pour la recherche et la construction dalternatives.

2- Valeurs Les deux parties partagent les valeurs essentielles de justice, dintegrite, degalite, de solidarite, de transparence et douverture.

3- Mobilisation pour le succes du FSM 2011 : les deux parties sengagent a travailler ensemble dans un esprit de cooperation, en vue de rassembler et de dynamiser les energies et les ressources intellectuelles, materielles, institutionnelles, et culturelles africaines et mondiales en vue dassurer le succes du Forum Social Mondial 2011.

4- Roles et responsabilites :

4.1 Le Secretariat du Conseil du Forum Social Africain devra jouer les roles et responsabilites ci apres :

4.1.1- Sensibilisation, mobilisation et facilitation de la participation au Forum Social Mondial 2011 des mouvements sociaux africains, en dehors du Senegal

4.1.2- Organisation et facilitation de discussions preparatoires sur des questions thematiques pour contribuer au Contenu et larticulation thematique du Forum Social 2011

4.1.3- Facilitation du processus de concertation jusqua Dakar 2011 et de la participation des membres du Conseil du Forum Social Africain a des reunions preparatoires africaines et internationales au Forum 2011.

4.1.4- Facilitation des processus panafricains (mobilisations sociales, ) qui pourraient contribuer au succes du FSM 2011.

4.2 - Le Comite National dOrganisation devrait avoir les roles et responsabilites ci-dessus :

4.2.1- Tous les aspects lies a lorganisation et a la logistique du Forum 2011

4.2.2- La sensibilisation, la mobilisation et la facilitation de la participation des mouvements sociaux du Senegal au FSM 2011.

4.2.3- La collaboration a toutes les activites organisees aux niveaux africain et international pour la preparation du FSM 2011

5- Mobilisation et utilisation des ressources :

5-1 Les parties developperont une proposition de mobilisation de ressources et un budget conjoint indiquant les besoins en ressources de chaque partie en fonction des roles et des responsabilites definis plus haut.

5-2 Les ressources financieres obtenues seront directement transferees a la partie concernee pour realiser les activites relevant de sa responsabilite au terme de ce memorandum.

5-3 Quant un partenaire prefere transferer sa contribution sur le compte dune des parties, celleci devrait reverser le montant alloue aux activites de lautre partie dans sa totalite et de maniere rapide. La partie qui recoit les ressources doit en informer lautre partie et fournir les documents qui accompagnent le versement par le partenaire.

5.4 Chaque partie devra mettre en place un systeme pour une gestion transparente et prudente des ressources financieres, des avoirs et des biens du Forum 2011.

5-5 Les parties doivent communiquer de maniere etroite a propos des surplus ou deficits financiers eventuels, ou a propos dactivites sous ou sur financees et sentendre sur la maniere de traiter ces situations.

5.6 Chaque partie doit ouvrir un compte bancaire exclusivement reserve aux transactions liees aux Forum Social Mondial de Dakar, 2011 avec un cadre de controle bien defini.

5-7 Les deux parties communiqueront de maniere permanente et agiront de maniere solidaire pour ce qui touche a la mobilisation internationale et la recherche de fonds.

Lu et approuve, Dakar, le 2010 Pour le Secretariat du Forum Social Africain, Taoufik Ben Abdallah, ENDA Tiers Monde, Pour le Comite National dOrganisation, Momar Talla Kane , President du CONGAD, et Buuba Diop, Facilitateur du Comite

 

· Map of the Cheik Anta Dioup University

 

 

CONCEPT NOTE FOR THE WORLD SOCIAL FORUM (WSF) 2011

 I) THE GLOBAL CONTEXT

The World Social Forum (WSF) will return to Africa in 2011, more precisely in Senegal. The WSF was born in 2001 in Porto Alegre (Brazil), where it celebrated its tenth anniversary in January 2010. The anniversary was an opportunity to assess the road traveled, analyze the achievements and weaknesses of the WSF and identify key challenges facing the global social movement in light of the failure of the neoliberal system and the problems associated with climate change.

The 2011 Forum will be organized in a global context marked by the deep crisis of the neoliberal system, symbolized above all by the collapse of market fundamentalism, illustrated by the global financial crisis. The latter had been preceded by the food crisis which has added millions to the already long list of those who are suffering from chronic hunger, estimated at more than one billion people, according to the latest estimates of the FAO.

Climate change has come to exacerbate all these crises and threaten the planet. The 2009 World Social Forum in Belem (Brazil) had raised the concerns of the social movement on this issue. All these crises are a reflection of the weakening of the capitalist system whose crisis of legitimacy is deepening ever more every day. All the myths of capitalism, such as "free market", "free trade", "self-regulation" of markets, among others, are everywhere under attack and challenged, even in capitalist countries.

The systemic crisis of capitalism is the result of both internal contradictions of the system itself and struggles from peoples and nations of the South, and popular movements in industrialized countries. The financialization of the economy reflects a deep crisis of profitability illustrated by the growing gap between capital flows associated with the real economy (production and trade) and the enormous financial flows that circulate daily around the world, the overwhelming majority of which is used for speculative activities illustrated by the explosion of the derivatives market.

The popular struggles in the North and the resistance of peoples and countries of the South have further exacerbated the crisis of profitability of the real economy and increased the recourse to financial speculation in Western countries, particularly in the United States. The systemic crisis of capitalism contains the seeds of new dangers for humanity. Indeed, the main centers of global capitalism, led by the United States, will not easily accept the end of their hegemony over the world economy. Already, in the name of the "war on terror" the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) has been transformed into an armed wing of capitalism in an attempt to save it from collapse. Huge military, financial and political means are being used to this end. Indeed, war of aggression against the peoples cannot be excluded as "solutions" to the acute crisis of capitalism. To prevent, or at least slow the process of decline of their control over the global economy, U.S. imperialism and its allies will not hesitate to provoke wars of "low intensity" against sovereign nations and movements that resist their policies. The war of aggression against Iraq, as well as threats and provocations against other countries, are part of one single strategy of aggression and terror against the peoples and sovereign states that seek to take control their destiny and refuse the dictates of Western imperialism.

II) CONTEXT AND MEANING FOR AFRICA

The return of the WSF to Africa can be interpreted as both an ideological and political message. On the ideological level, actors of the WSF seem to challenge the neoliberal system and its instruments, including the World Bank, the IMF and the WTO, to mean that they will face them in Africa, considered as one of the weak spots in the resistance to neoliberal policies. The return of the WSF in Africa is surely an expression of a powerful and active solidarity of the international social movement with the struggles of the African social movements and peoples. This support is much appreciated as Africa runs the risk of bearing the brunt of the current crisis of capitalism. In fact, already weakened by structural adjustment programs of the 1980s and 1990s, African countries will be confronted with even more complex development challenges.

African social movements must seize the occasion of the WSF 2011 to focus on these challenges.

First, the fundamental issues related to economic and social development of Africa, its security and its relations with the rest of the world should be at the center of discussions at the Forum. In this context, the Forum should be a great opportunity to intensify the struggle against neoliberal policies since Africa illustrates one of the biggest failures of three decades of intervention by the World Bank and the IMF. In addition, it is imperative to strengthen the resistance against the "solutions" to the crisis being prepared by Western countries and international institutions, to which Africa risks paying the heaviest price.

It is for these reasons, among others, that African social movements must use the platform of the WSF to strengthen their resistance and mobilization against imperialism, neocolonialism and the neoliberal system by further discrediting its ideology, questioning its concepts and values, and contributing to aggravate its crisis of legitimacy.

In their struggles against the neoliberal ideology and policies, African social movements should use, among others, culture as a weapon. During slavery and colonization, culture had always been a powerful instrument of resistance and a weapon of social and political mobilization against oppression and domination. Thus, the preparation and holding of the WSF 2011 should be opportunities to mobilize some of the best talents and creators in all areas of culture on the continent and the Diaspora to contribute to the debates on the continent’s development challenges and to the struggles for economic and social transformation.

In conclusion, the 2011 FSM should be an opportunity for the African social movements to strengthen the consciousness of ordinary citizens as well as of political forces on the need to end the neocolonial system and imperialist domination in order for Africa to take its own destiny in its hands and explore a development path of its own.

III) THE SOUTH-SOUTH DIMENSION OF THE WSF 2011

The WSF 2011 will also give great importance to South-South relations. Indeed, one of the hallmarks of the early 21th century is the rise of the South as a major player on the world stage.

The crisis of global capitalism, the growing influence of some developing countries, developments in Latin America and Africa’s resistance against the Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs), all this shows that the Western powers can no longer impose their agenda as easily on the rest of the world.

Meanwhile, the links between Africa and other Southern regions have been strengthened. Summits have been held between Africa and China, between Africa and India, between Africa and Latin America. In particular, Brazil is building close relations with many African countries. Popular and political struggles in Latin America have strongly weakened the hegemony of US imperialism and brought a great contribution to the struggle against the imperialist and neoliberal system around the world.

All these are major developments that social movements in the South must take into account. Already in 2006, in Bamako (Mali) African and Asian social movements celebrated the 50th anniversary of the famous Bandung Conference that marked the rise of newly independent African and Asian countries on the international stage. Nowadays, what is the content of the Afro-Asian solidarity? What is the content of the South-South solidarity and cooperation? What is the role of social movements in it? What are the implications of the changes taking place in the South for the transformation of the balance of forces around the world? In addition to the above questions, social movements from the South should discuss the strengthening of their solidarity in the world social movement.

IV) THE MAJOR THEMATIC AXES OF WSF 2011

Based on the experience of 10 years of the WSF, the Dakar Forum should be a space dedicated to 

1) strengthening the offensive capability against neoliberal capitalism and its instruments; 

 2) deepening struggles and resistance against capitalism, imperialism and oppression; and 

3) proposing democratic and people-centered alternatives. While focusing on the history of resistance and struggle of African peoples against imperialist domination and oppression, the WSF 2011 should find the necessary interface with the struggles and global strategies common to Africa, to the South and to the rest of the world. 

Thus, the themes of the Forum,

 while focusing on the priorities expressed by African social movements and the South, must take account the major concerns of the global social movement. In the pursuit of these objectives, the Content, Strategy and Methodology Commission of the Senegal Organizing Committee proposes the following thematic axes (provisional) for the WSF 2011 in Dakar:

1 For a human society founded on common principles and values of dignity, diversity, justice, equality between all human beings, regardless of genders, cultures, age, disabilities, religious beliefs, health status, and for the elimination of all forms of oppression and discrimination based on racism, xenophobia, caste system, sexual orientation and others.

2 For environmental justice, for universal and sustainable access of humanity to the common goods, for the preservation of the planet as source of life, especially land, water, forests, renewable energy sources and biodiversity, guaranteeing the rights of indigenous, traditional, native, autochthonous and original peoples, their territories, resources, languages, cultures, identities and knowledge.

3 For the applicability and effectivity of all human rights economic, social, cultural, environmental, civil and political rights particularly the rights to land, food sovereignty, food, social protection, health, education, housing, employment, decent work, communication, cultural and political expression.

4 For the freedom of movement and establishment of all, especially migrants and asylum-seekers, trafficked people, refugees, indigenous, original, native, autochthonous and original peoples, minorities, people under occupation and people in situations of war and conflict, and for the respect of their civil, political, economic, social, cultural and environmental rights.

5 For the inalienable right of people to the cultural patrimony of humanity, for the democratization of knowledges, cultures, communication and technologies, valuing the common goods, for visibilizing subjugated knowledges, towards the ending of hegemonic knowledge and of the privatization of knowledge and technologies, fundamentally changing the system of intellectual property rights.

6 For a world freed from the values and structures of capitalism, of patriarchal oppression, of all forms of domination from financial powers, transnational corporations and unequal systems of trade, colonial and debt domination.

7 For the construction of a social, solidary and emancipatory economy, with sustainable patterns of production and consumption and with a system of fair trade, putting at the heart of its priorities the fundamental needs of peoples and the respect for nature, ensuring systems of global redistribution with global taxes and without tax havens.

8 For the construction and expansion of democratic, political, economic structures and institutions, at a local, national and international level, with the participation of the people in decision-making and in the control of public affairs and of resources, respecting people’s diversity and dignity.

9 For the construction of a global order based on peace, justice and human security, the rule of law, ethics, sovereignty and self-determination of peoples, condemning economic sanctions and in favor of international rules for the arms trade.

10 For the valuing of the histories and the struggles of Africa and the diaspora and their contribution to humanity, recognizing the violence of colonialism.

11 For collective reflection on our movements, the World Social Forum process itself and our perspectives for the future-

 

 

 Letter to members of the WSF International Council

Dear friends, We were 75 participants at the Preparatory Seminar for the next World Social Forum edition, to be held in Dakar, Senegal, coming from 19 African countries and 7 countries in other continents, including 13 members of the International Council.

The Seminar, which took place on June 27-29 2010 was just finished.

We worked intensely on the political architecture of this Forum, its methodology, mobilization, communication and necessary resources for its realization.

We came back with the feeling of being involved in a strong dynamics, one that leads us to a World Social Forum that will mark the history of the process of building another World.

Soon, you will receive the report of this Seminar, with a detailed presentation of our discussions and decisions taken, including how the program of the Forum will be made and the procedures for proposing self-organized activities.

This collective letter we send you has a precise goal: to invite you to take part, since now, in the necessary effort along the next six months so this WSF can be a success.

This way we invite you to:

- get involved in the mobilization effort so as many organizations as possible attend the WSF, sending delegates to Dakar, guaranteeing this way the widest possible representation to struggles, social categories and regions of the world.

 - get involved in the task that is going to be one of the novelties of this WSF edition: stimulate the creation of groups in as many countries as possible, and that represents as many social categories and struggles willing to take part remotely in the WSF, virtually, via radio broadcasting or by any remote means of communication, with the WSF’s participants in Dakar.

Effectively, what we call “Dakar expanded”, will have a prominent position, notably due to the importance of the African Diasporas across the world.

- commit with the current efforts towards raising the necessary funds for the forum’s organization, especially: * contacting partners of the WSF process that will be contacted by the Resources Commission of the Organizing Committee and the IC, in order to show them the importance of their support. * fund raising directly with other organizations. * asking organizations that will attend Dakar, as well as the “Dakar expanded” participants to contribute in all possible ways and even symbolically to help covering the Forum’s costs, as a token of our co-responsibility. * checking the possibility of sending a member of your organization (or a volunteer selected by you) to be sent to Dakar to work with the organizers from January on (or even before) to help organizing and preparing the Forum.

- Taking into consideration the commitment made by many of us to support and participate in the World Education Forum in Palestine to be held on October 28-31 2010 -, also come to Dakar on November 08-10 for the International Council Meeting, which will give a final boost to this effort following these specific objectives: * to evaluate the mobilization we will already have reached and what will yet to be done. * to evaluate the communication effort we will have established with all those involved, across the globe, with the struggle for another world; with all those who hope a beacon for hope will be lit again, with all those who know that another world isn’t only possible, but extremely necessary and urgent.

 We kindly ask you to answer this letter, after having discussed it with your organizations, and tell us:

- if you will be able to attend the IC meeting in November (8-10)

 - what specific contribution could you provide regarding the mobilization effort so we can have as many participants as possible in Dakar, or via “Dakar expanded”.

 - what contributions could you provide regarding the effort of fund raising (giving us, if possible, some figures).

- whether it will be possible to send a member of your organization to help the organizers of the Forum in Dakar

We sign this letter with great enthusiasm, confident in the success of the next World Social

Forum in Dakar in February 2011.

 

2011 WSF global budget (draft version, French only). FORUM SOCIAL MONDIAL DAKAR, 2011 BUDGET PREVISIONNEL

 

A- COORDINATION ET PLANIFICATION

BUDGET TOTAL Africain en euros National en euros En euros

SECRETARIAT Rémunérations : 10 personnes X 10 mois 137.405 45.802 183.206 Loyer et charges 18.321 9.160 27.481 Transport local 3.053 9.160 12.214 Communication 3.053 5.344 8.397 Traduction 7.634 7.634 15.267 Equipement secretariat 10.687 6.107 16.794 Fournitures de bureaux 6.107 6.107 12.214 MOBILISATION DES RESSOURCES 15.267 3.053 18.321 PROCESSUS DE CONCERTATION AFRICAIN ET NATIONAL Commissions nationals 30.534 30.534 Conseil Africain (X 2 réunions) 91.603 91.603 Séminaire International 85.496 85.496 Conseil International (Dakar novembre 2010) 76.336 76.336

 

B- MOBILISATION

VOLONTAIRES Identification, formation des volontaires et 30.534 152.672 183.206 Indemnisation des volontaires (1000 volontaires) MOBILISATIONS NATIONALE ET AFRICAINE Mobilisations nationals 122.137 122.137 Appui aux forums nationaux, sous régionaux et thématiques 305.344 305.344 Organisation des caravanes ouest africaines 183.206 183.206

 

C- EVENEMENT FSM DAKAR 2011

COMMUNICATION Sites Web et base de données 22.901 22.901 Dakar "étendu" 7.634 7.634 Production de Flammes d'Afrique radio et écrit 183.206 183.206 Mise en place du centre multi média pendant l'évènement 15.267 15.267 Production Vidéo et mémoire visuelle 18.321 12.214 30.534 Documentation et capitalisation 19.847 12.214 32.061 PROMOTION DU FORUM Messages radios et télévision, pancartes, et autres matériel de promotion 91.603 91.603 KIT DU PARTICIPANT Impression programme 61.069 61.069 Impression T shirts et production des sacs (X 50 000) 114.504 114.504 Impression Badges (X60 000) 15.267 15.267 CULTURE Expositions 30.534 30.534 Musique: déplacement des musiciens et prise en charge 91.603 61.069 152.672 Cinéma: organisation d'un festival permanent de cinéma 22.901 3.053 25.954 LOGISTIQUE ET EQUIPEMENT PENDANT L'EVENEMENT Location de tentes, de chaises et de tables 183.206 183.206 Location de matériel de sonorisation 122.137 122.137 Acquisition de 500 ordinateurs usagers 76.336 76.336 Acquisition de matériel d'impression et de reproduction 7.634 7.634 15.267 SANTE, ASSAINISSEMENT ET SECURITE 106.870 106.870 INTERPRETARIAT Billets des interprètes: 200 pers. X 400 000 FCFA 122.137 122.137 Prise en charge des interprètes sur place 152.672 152.672 Acquision de radios pour l'interprétariat (X 50 000) 76.336 76.336 Acquisition de matériel de transmission 61.069 61.069 FONDS DE SOLIDARITE 763.359 213.740 977.099 TOTAL 2.516.031 1.532.061 4.048.092 Frais de gestion et d'administration, audit et risque de change (5%) 125.802 76.603 202.405 TOTAL GENERAL en FCFA 2.641.832 1.608.664 4.250.496