JOIN THE
Gujarat Social Forum
Ahmedabad: March 10-12,
2006
The World Social Forum (WSF) has been an annual
event to protest the neo liberal economic agenda. People's movements across the
world have realized that the imperialist led neo-liberal globalization does not
provide any solutions to the problems of the toiling masses. Sustainable
economic development and social and economic justice can only be found in
alternative models for people centered and self-reliant progress. In an attempt
to search alternative models, people across the world came together in 2001,
2002 and 2003 at Porto Alegre in Brazil and in Mumbai in 2004 under the umbrella
of World Social Forum process to explore and propose such alternatives, and
thereby, to question the very legitimacy of the World Economic Forum which
imposes a single economic order across the globe. They do this with the belief
that ANOTHER WORLD IS POSSIBLE.
In the backdrop of WSF 2004 held in Mumbai, we in Gujarat have embarked on an ambitious project of deepening the WSF process by taking it to the regional level. This is being done with a view to enable a two way process to emerge – i.e. the message and ethos of WSF to penetrate to the masses and the concerns of the people to be reflected in the wider WSF movement.
The Gujarat Social Forum – GSF will be a 3-day mega-event, to be held between 10th and 12th March 2006, in Ahmedabad with nearly 140 events (60 seminar/workshops per day) over and above the cultural events and plenaries. It will bring together people's movements, civil society organisations, activists, academicians and professionals on a pro-people platform. It will be a space from where questions on the present context of Gujarat and its assessment on various indices, and the various alternatives can be raised and debates initiated. The overriding concern in this event will be to undertake a comprehensive review of Gujarat and its performance on the parameters of social equity, diversity and democracy.
The structure for the whole process consists of Gujarat General Council (GGC), which is a general body of organisations and individuals which provides a policy framework for the process, and the Gujarat Organising Committee (GOC) which comprises people involved in planning and execution of the event.
In the backdrop of WSF 2004 held in Mumbai, we in Gujarat have embarked on an ambitious project of deepening the WSF process by taking it to the regional level. This is being done with a view to enable a two way process to emerge – i.e. the message and ethos of WSF to penetrate to the masses and the concerns of the people to be reflected in the wider WSF movement.
The Gujarat Social Forum – GSF will be a 3-day mega-event, to be held between 10th and 12th March 2006, in Ahmedabad with nearly 140 events (60 seminar/workshops per day) over and above the cultural events and plenaries. It will bring together people's movements, civil society organisations, activists, academicians and professionals on a pro-people platform. It will be a space from where questions on the present context of Gujarat and its assessment on various indices, and the various alternatives can be raised and debates initiated. The overriding concern in this event will be to undertake a comprehensive review of Gujarat and its performance on the parameters of social equity, diversity and democracy.
The structure for the whole process consists of Gujarat General Council (GGC), which is a general body of organisations and individuals which provides a policy framework for the process, and the Gujarat Organising Committee (GOC) which comprises people involved in planning and execution of the event.
GSF events include:
:: Seminars ::
The plenaries will be organised by the GSF; all other individual seminars will have to be organised by the participating organisations or groups. The plenaries will be an occasion to get prominent people from Gujarat (not necessarily 'Gujaratis') and Gujaratis from outside Gujarat to speak at the events. There will be a total of 5 plenaries, each accommodating a capacity of 1 – 1,200 persons.
Following the plenaries there will be individual seminars which will be hosted by participating organisations. There will be approximately 20 such events which will run parallely per session, each with a capacity to accommodate 200 persons.
:: Cultural events ::
The evening sessions will be devoted to cultural performances (plays, music, etc.). One major cultural event each day will be organised by the GSF. Besides, there will be small areas set aside for impromptu performances, which could be decided at the last minute, as various groups come together.
:: Film festival ::
Films and documentaries on issues and strategies of importance to Gujarat will be screened through the day (approximately 6 per day, in two viewing places).
:: Exhibitions ::
There will be space provided for exhibitions on all of the themes being represented in the plenaries and the seminars.
:: Marketplace ::
The marketplace will be a vibrant showcase of NGOs, publishing houses, academic institutions, cooperatives, selling goods made or produced in the alternative sector. A food court, showcasing the cultural diversity of Gujarat, as also organic products will be a special highlight of the event.
:: Seminars ::
The plenaries will be organised by the GSF; all other individual seminars will have to be organised by the participating organisations or groups. The plenaries will be an occasion to get prominent people from Gujarat (not necessarily 'Gujaratis') and Gujaratis from outside Gujarat to speak at the events. There will be a total of 5 plenaries, each accommodating a capacity of 1 – 1,200 persons.
Following the plenaries there will be individual seminars which will be hosted by participating organisations. There will be approximately 20 such events which will run parallely per session, each with a capacity to accommodate 200 persons.
:: Cultural events ::
The evening sessions will be devoted to cultural performances (plays, music, etc.). One major cultural event each day will be organised by the GSF. Besides, there will be small areas set aside for impromptu performances, which could be decided at the last minute, as various groups come together.
:: Film festival ::
Films and documentaries on issues and strategies of importance to Gujarat will be screened through the day (approximately 6 per day, in two viewing places).
:: Exhibitions ::
There will be space provided for exhibitions on all of the themes being represented in the plenaries and the seminars.
:: Marketplace ::
The marketplace will be a vibrant showcase of NGOs, publishing houses, academic institutions, cooperatives, selling goods made or produced in the alternative sector. A food court, showcasing the cultural diversity of Gujarat, as also organic products will be a special highlight of the event.
More details of programmes, venues,
registration, etc. from:
GSF
Ground floor, Karanjawala Building, Opposite Burhani Stores,
Near Khanpur Gate, Ahmedabad - 380001
e-mail:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
GSF
Ground floor, Karanjawala Building, Opposite Burhani Stores,
Near Khanpur Gate, Ahmedabad - 380001
e-mail:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
"I may disagree of what you say, but I will defend to
the death your right to say it."
-Voltaire
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
SAVAD RAHMAN
subeditor,MADHYAMAM daily,
pooppalam, perinthalmanna,kerala,
india
cell:(91)-9846085873
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