LSFs at ESF2004 case studies
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MANCHESTER SF - UK The Manchester Peoples Assembly / Social Forum (MSF) formed out of the anti-war campaigning activities of the Manchester Stop The War group that had been in action many years. Many of those involved knew something about the growing SF movement that had resulted in the European Social Forum (ESF) and the World Social Forum (WSF) and wished to participate in the growth of the network and activities of all those within the network
BERLIN SF - Germany History: Some people from Berlin, who participated in the ESF in Florence, were very impressed by this event and fascinated by the idea of a Social Forum. So 15-20 people from different left-wing and feminist groups, Attac, left-wing unionists and activists of social movements started the “Initiative for a Social Forum Berlin” in the beginning of 2003. They realised two central impulses in the social forum process: the strong internationalist orientation of the alterglobalist movement and the attempt to create an open space for discussion about analyses, alternatives and common actions by different equal participants. “Equal” means here “having equal rights”.
THESSALONIKI SOCIAL FORUM - Greece Started 2002 after the creation of Greek Social forum/. We all were members all over Greece-before 2002- of the initiative for creating a forum
IVRY SF - France A local preparation collective for ESF2003 ( of which Ivry was a hosting city) formed in june 2003 to which the municipality provided premises . ESF event zoomed too fast through the city and left use with energy to develop a local forum process. the collective transformed into Ivry Social Forum in January 2004 . with a permanent objective : root alter globalization information and spirit in the city
Basic structure/ Methodology
(how regularly do you meet, is there a committe does it use consensus based practises or traditional voting methods?, who is implementing the decisions?, who and how do people get responsibilities?)
MANCHESTER SF The MSF meets on Thursday at 7:30 pm at the Friends Meeting House every week and has done so since last year. There are on average about 15/20 people attending and while it is run along consensual lines, it does have somebody responsible for a bank account and another for making the web site do stuff and keeping the e-list up to date. A facilitator is chosen from those who don’t mind doing it, likewise for the minutes of the meeting. There is sometimes a gathering at a local pub before each meeting and nearly always afterwards, giving extra time to thrash out issues that weren’t dealt with adequately due to time constraints or just to socialise.
BERLIN SF The Inititative for a SFB is a permanent open space. It has no formal organisation form under German law - as an association etc. - and no representative body. Only plenary assemblies have the power to make decisions. The search for consensus is the basic principle of decision-making. The monthly plenary assemblies are prepared by open coordination meetings. The SFB has a few working groups, which at every plenary inform the others about their activities and plans. The website and different mailing-lists are used for permanent information and communication. Some public discussions and actions concerning social and political problems in the city were organised in the name of the SFB.
THESSALONIKI SOCIAL FORUM We meet once a month in an assembly where we take desicions and in between we have small coordination meetings of a committee open to anybody. We do not vote. We decide with concensus
IVRY SF Because it has responsibility to manages premises ( a large room) , there is formally an association for the Social forum in Ivry - of which individuals or entities can get membership ( 25 organisation ( trade union CGT, solidarity and migrant associations - no parties ) and 40 individuals so far – this association is not “ the ” forum - It is not meant to have a representing role, and emerge as a super association
Ivry LSF is a “ permanent local open space maintenance and development collective ” not a representative body - Activities within Ivry LSF space are carried out in the name of groups of individuals and entities, not in the name or the forum
a plenary assembly having decision-making power meets each month and works on a consensus basis - this assembly is comparable to the organisation/facilitation committee of an event-forum – it reviews: management of LSF premises and organisation of attendance turns in those- preparation of annual event-forum and follow-up and planning of activities taken in charge by groups within LSF permanent open space –, these activities are similar to workshops of an event-forum extended in time
Relation to the Charter of principle of the WSF
MANCHESTER SF The MSF adopted the principles that came out of Porto Allegre at the first World Social Forum, which constitute the only requirement of participation. This does mean that some groups have refused to take part as these principles mean they cannot function as they have always done and become frustrated with the whole process.
BERLIN SF Individuals and entities working in the SFB intend that the local forum process be developed in conformance with the Porto Alegre World Social Forum Charta. Special guidelines for cooperation were discussed and accepted.
THESSALONIKI SOCIAL FORUM In general terms we agree but there is a scepticism in some matters
IVRY SF Participants to Ivry Social Forum intend that the local forum process be developed in conformance with the Porto Alegre World Social forum charter - no declaration in the name of the forum – no direct action – no political parties inside the space as representative bodies
Campaigns/Actions/Activities
(Does it decide on and implement actions or discuss them ? Who decide the actions? How?)
MANCHESTER SF From the beginning the MSF has either supported existing campaigns or grown its own. This has led to ongoing debate over the nature of an LSF as to whether it can call action or whether it is just a space for discussion, which is something it has in common with social forums all over the world. To date the MSF has been involved in or has initiated the following and more: Nine Ladies protection Manchester Electricians dispute Anti-War actions/campaigns Identity card/civil liberties Pro-Palestinian actions/campaigns Swinton Open Spaces campaign community centre campaign
BERLIN SF Each activity taking place in the name of the SFB is announced, assessed and has a follow-up in the monthly plenary assembly. The activity can be political, cultural, informative, a study, debate etc. , a big event-forum (for example, mobilising for the ESF in Paris), actions for protecting/demanding a social ticket for people with low income using public transport. We mobilised for participation in concrete demonstrations on 1st November 2003 against neoliberal social policy or against the Nazi march on 1st May 2004. We invited to public discussions concerning alternatives to neoliberal policy. The SFB is active in creating a social centre as a permanent meeting and working place of self-organised groups or individuals looking for social contacts. Now, as a result of student protests against the education and budgetary policy of the Senate of Berlin, we can use a room in the Open University of Berlin. Attempts to use a house were dismissed by policy of the local authority.
THESSALONIKI SOCIAL FORUM We discuss and decide(with consensus) actions and campaigns. We have a strong relationship with Greek Social Forum. Most campaigns are common and this is good and bad simultaneously
IVRY SF Each activity taking place in the LSF open space is announced assessed and has a follow up in the monthly plenary session – the scope of an activity can be cultural, informative, training, study, exchange, debate, festive etc like in a big event-forum –direct social or political mobilization actions are carried out of the LSF open space
A group ( individuals and entity representatives) is formed to organise an activity in its own name on an autonomous basis within LSF open space, in conformance with the charter of principles (which means no activity is organized in the name of political parties) Since its start at the beginning of year the 2004, most visible activities developed within the Ivry LSF open space were - organisation of a Haiti festival on the occasion of Haiti bicentenary in June - organisation of an exchange session on European Constitution between " study group about European constitution and local trade unions"- several other cultural and information activities have taken place also in the premises Another programmed major activity involving all active participants to the LSF is the organization of an event-forum : of about 30 simultaneous activities which will take place at the end of January during WSF 2005 with digital link with Porto Alegre – we hope to make it a successful full test scale for the Ivry LSF process
Resources (finance, spaces used)
MANCHESTER SF self financed People in the group pay on the base of what they can effort
BERLIN SF The SFB was able to get financial resources from a foundation for social matters. But it has no independent resources in form of membership fees, rooms or equipment.
THESSALONIKI SOCIAL FORUM We use university space and trade union federation space for free. Political groups which take part in the forum give money, campaigns also with concerts e.t.c where we collect money from the people. Also trade unions some times give money or space as a support
IVRY SF Ivry Social Forum association has established in May a covenant with the municipality ( led by French communist party) to use and manage for one year premises well situated in the town centre equipped with, telephone photocopy and two computers- it is a form of municipal subsidies – we hope to make the best of fhis invaluable tool –All other resources are membership fees and volunteer work
Contacts/Links/Affiliations
(which groups/individuals are involved in the LSF)
MANCHESTER SF The people who regularly attend the MSF cannot be said to represent any particular organisation as each person is considered to have equal weighting/authority. They do, however, belong to a wide selection of organisation, bringing great diversity to its activities: Manchester Forum for Palestine PSC Manchester Northern Anarchists Network Solidarity Federation Revo Whalley Range Peace and Justice Rifondazione Comunista GROW T&G and Thameside Trades Council TC Individuals
THESSALONIKI SOCIAL FORUM Mainly groups of the left (7) some first degree unions, and the union of public servants, small neighbourhood forums and citizen movements (not very strong)
Role of political parties, NGO, TU, etc
MANCHESTER SF There is no official representative of any TU, NGOs, party.
THESSALONIKI SOCIAL FORUM Political groups and parties of the left are the majority in the forum