Another World is Possible (World Social Forum) Disscussion at Miami Workers Center : Miami IMC

Sushma Sheth opened the evening program explaining that the World Social Forum brings together global movements for social, environmental and economic justice. She said that since 2001, thousands of grassroots organizations, social movements, non-governmental organizations, non-profits, networks, coalitions, and other civil society formations come together to challenge neo-liberalism and to counter the WORLD ECONOMIC FORUM, an annual meeting of global, political and corporate leaders. Participants of the World Social Forum who believe “Another World is Possible” gather each year to share accomplishments, debate strategies, and network for greater action.

She also said, since 2003, Miami Workers Center has sent a delegation every year. The exchanges with other organizations provide ideas and best practices; workshops challenge our understanding of the issues we are tackling. Witnessing the emerging global justice movement both inspires and humbles us.

Julia Daniel, a youth organizer from the Power U organization, spoke about how important it is to have youth involved in the Social Forum movement and that we need to encourage and help them to attend the Southeast Social Forum in Durham, NC this summer.

Erie Mae Bendross, a member of the LIFFT organization, who attended the 2003 World Social Forum in Porto Alegre, Brazil gave a short report on workshops she participated in as well as some personal experiences she had while visiting the city of Porto Alegre.

Cindy Wiesner of the Miami Workers Center and Yvonne Strafford, LIFFT leader, traveled to Venezuela this January for the 2006 World Social Forum as part of the Grassroots Global Justice delegation. They attended workshops, networked with social justice organizations and popular movements and were invited to speak on two panels, “Explotiation and Oppression in the U.S.” as well as “Oppression of Women in the U.S.”

Gihan Perera of the Miami Workers Center ended the evening program by explaining that we need to build towards the U.S. Social Forum in Atlanta in the summer of 2007 by attending the Southeast Social Forum in Durham, North Carolina June 16th – 18th, 2006; that the focus of the SESF will be on building a social justice force in the South, and that those attending the SESF will organize workshops, participate in discussions, make local, state, and regional connections, that will contribute to building our individual and collective strength to defend our families and communities and show that “another south is possible.”

Gihan concluded the evening World Social Forum Program by announcing that the Miami Workers Center was calling for a SESF Informational Meeting for Tuesday, April 4th at 6 PM for South Florida organizations interested in mobilizing and preparing to attend the South Florida Social Forum this summer.

If you are interested in attending the SESF Informational Meeting you can contact:
Cindy Wiesner at 305 759-8717 x1005 or cindy@theworkerscenter.org

• Miami Workers Center is a strategy and action center focused on building grassroots mass based organizations in low-income and working class communities in southern Florida.

• LIFFT (Low-Income Families Fighting Together) is a grassroots member led organization based in Liberty City, Miami. LIFFT fights for affordable housing, expansion of welfare rights and against racism, poverty and gentrification.