World Dignity Forum
5 December 2005
World Dignity Day – International Day of Dalits' Struggle
5 – 10 December 2005
World Dignity Week – International Week for Social Justice
Dear friend,
At the call of the World Dignity Forum and the Social Movements
International Networks (Call of Porto Alegre/WSF), the world has begun
observing 5 December as the World Dignity Day – International Day of
Dalits' Struggle/A Day of Mobilisation for Dignity and Social
Inclusion. This year also the World Dignity Forum has called for 5
December 2005: World Dignity Day – International Day of Dalits'
Struggles and 5-10 December 2005: World Dignity Week – International
Week for Social Justice, to assert dignity, social justice and rights
of humankind against all kinds of discrimination and exclusion based
on caste, religion, colour, race, gender, ethnicity,
ability/disability or language. Dalits, discriminated and excluded are
mobilizing for actions in India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Sri
Lanka, Phillippines, Indonesia, Cambodia, Jordan, Japan, South Korea,
Brazil, South Africa, Nigeria, Ivory Coast, Mali, Mexico, UK, USA,
Germany, France, Norway, Canada and Australia.
Launched at the World Social Forum 2004, Mumbai, India, the World
Dignity Forum embodies the spirit of the Social Forums to create open
spaces and initiate alliances and actions. Initiated by the Dalits and
non-Dalits of India and South Asia, the Fourm is an invitation to
discriminated people all over the world to initiate a Peoples' World
Process to build another worlds. The death anniversary of the historic
Indian Dalit leader Dr. B. R. Ambedkar on 6 December; the need to
continue the struggle for secularism, and for the dignified existence
of minorities; and the challenge to deepen the human rights issues and
struggles of the poor and discriminated, once again urged us to invite
everyone worldwide to join the actions in defense of dignity.
The WDF and its broad constituents see at least three immediate
reasons to call Common Action. First, corporate globalisation today is
trying to expand its domain through a vicious circle of trade and war.
New editions of global trade agreements and wars are taking away
agricultural and food sovereignty, livelihood resources and
employment, and civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights
of the discriminated and the marginal. This is a time to deflect, defy
and defend. Second, the world is witnessing the birth of new open
spaces, new alliances and new initiatives. This new political
dispensation is poised with exciting possibilities. All of us, who
believe in deepening democracy and protecting our rights, have to
intervene in shaping our polity. We have to put forth our agenda of
common needs and development goals for justice and equality, and an
end to poverty and social exclusion. And third, 'dignity' carries
within it exhilarating new possibilities of politics for, of
and by subalterns. It is the reassertion of certain basic, universal
and non-negotiable values for society, which cut across caste, culture
and religion. It is also an effort to create alternatives to the
sometimes exclusive, sectarian, patriarchal and corrupt politics of
the subalterns. The time presents us with new opportunities to
continue our political march for Dignity -- nationally and globally --
and in unity with other similar calls to change the world.
In India, there is a March to Parliament for Peoples' Demands and
Dignity on 5 December at Delhi. There are Polycentric Peoples' Dignity
Rallies on 6 December at Mumbai (Maharashtra state), Chandigarh
(Punjab and Haryana), 7 December at Ahmedabad (Gujarat), 8 December at
Patna (Bihar), Bhubneshwar (Orissa), 9 December at Chennai (Tamil
Nadu) and 10 December at Lucknow (Uttar Pradesh). The main demands
are: No deal at the WTO HongKong Ministerial, Reservation in the
Private Sector, Right to Work and Livelihood to All, Legislation to
Protect the Interests of Forest Workers and Dwellers, No Privatisation
of Essential Services and Public Sector Companies, Scheduled Caste
Status to the Dalits among the Muslims and the Christians,
Comprehensive Social Security, Legislation to protect the Unorganised
Workers and Artisans, Punish the guilty responsible for caste and
communal violence, Comprehensive Social Security and others.
In the spirit of solidarity and support, we request you to support
this day/week. We invite you to participate in the March to Parliament
on 5 December at Delhi and address the meeting at the culmination
point.
In Solidarity,
Ashok Bharti and Mukul Sharma, on behalf of
World Dignity Forum Convenor Group (Ashok Bharti, Mukul Sharma,
MotiLal Nepali, Saima Hasan, Ouattara Diakalia, Steve Percy)
2314/4, Hudson Lane, Kingsway Camp, New Delhi 110009, India.
Ph: 011-30903429 Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
Website: www.worlddignityforum.org
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