FYI
for all those going to the WSF. Pay special attention to item 7--I
actually changed my ticket so I could go to this. I really think it could
be fascinating--I got an opportunity to meet some of the NAPM folk the last
time of India and think that they're doing really interesting
work.
N
-----Original Message-----Dear South Asian Friends:
From: India Resource Center [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
Sent: Friday, November 21, 2003 2:11 PM
To: India Resource Center
Subject: Update: World Social Forum, India, Jan 16-21, '04
PLEASE FORWARD WIDELY
This is an update on the World Social Forum <www.wsfindia.org> being held in Mumbai, India from January 16-21, 2004. The Forum is a crucial event, especially given the turbulent times today, that aims to strengthen social movements globally to realize that Another World is Possible. The WSF in Mumbai offers us, as South Asians, a unique opportunity to engage with social movements from South Asia - some of the most vibrant in the world. For those of us who belong to social movements in US, UK, Australia and other industrialized nations, it is especially important that we engage with social movements from the South in order to forge a unified platform that rejects the militaristic, neo-liberal agenda of the North and builds an alternative world centered on the human person. And finally, the WSF would not be complete without the representation of the significant political and social work done by South Asians in the ever increasing South Asian diaspora- ranging from the US, Canada, Guyana and Surinam to Trinidad, UK, South Africa and Fiji, to name a few.
We, at the India Resource Center and Global Resistance, are working to ensure a strong delegation from the South Asia diaspora at the WSF in Mumbai. We have been pleasantly surprised by the response from our first email to South Asian diaspora activists and movements. We expect close to five hundred activists from the South Asian diaspora and if you haven't done so already, please let us know if you are attending by sending an email to [EMAIL PROTECTED]
I hope you will join us as we embark upon this extremely important initiative.
1. WORKSHOP ON SOUTH ASIAN DIASPORA
2. REGISTRATION DEADLINES
3. HOTEL RESERVATIONS
4. INTERCONTINENTAL YOUTH CAMP
5. AIR TRAVEL to Ind
6. PRESS ACCREDITATION
7. PRE-WSF Tour of People's Movements and Struggles
8. OUTREACH, DONATE, COMMUNICATE
1. WORKSHOP ON SOUTH ASIAN DIASPORA
We are organizing a workshop on Building and Strengthening a South Asian Diaspora Network that will take will bring together South Asians activists residing outside South Asia to share experiences and strategies. This is a strategy meeting on how to organize and form mutually beneficial relationships beyond borders. We will be using the campaign to hold Coca-Cola accountable in India as one case where we can work together. See http://www.corpwatchindia.org/issues/PID.jsp?articleid=4545 for details.
We are interested in hearing from you about suggestions for this workshop and we are also seeking co-sponsorships from groups around the world.
The date for the workshop will be finalized by the WSF India Organizing Committee sometime in December. You can view the entire list of proposed workshops at http://wsfindia.org/event2004/
Global Resistance is also co-organizing three other workshops at the WSF-
1. Outsource This!: Job (In)Security in the Race to the Bottom
2. People's Forum Against Coca-Cola
3. Climate Justice- Linking Human Rights, Environmental Justice and Climate Change
2. REGISTRATION DEADLINES
The deadline for registering yourself and/or your organization to the World Social Forum is NOVEMBER 30, 2003. Please visit http://wsfindia.org/register_here.php to register.
3. HOTEL RESERVATIONS
You can also book hotel rooms in Mumbai through the WSF India website <http://wsfindia.org/sitamice/> The organizers are asking that you reserve rooms by November 30th.
4. INTERCONTINENTAL YOUTH CAMP
The IYC will be held at the Don Bosco grounds in Matunga, Mumbai from January 16th-21st, 2004, and applications for workshops and events at the youth camp are now open. Email [EMAIL PROTECTED] to obtain more information or visit <http://wsfindia.org/youthforum/>
5. AIR TRAVEL to India
January is the peak tourist season in India and air tickets to India become harder to obtain as one approaches December. If you haven't already done so, you should plan your dates and purchase your tickets as soon as possible.
From the US, we use a reliable travel agency that you can contact for tickets- Dev at 415 956 3900
6. PRESS ACCREDITATION
The Press Accreditation process to the WSF is now open until December 19, 2003. Details are at http://wsfindia.org/pressroom.php
7. PRE-WSF Tour of People's Movements and Struggles
The National Alliance of People's Movements (NAPM), a network of over two hundred people's movements in India, is organizing a tour of people's movements and struggles in India prior to the WSF, from January 7th to January 13th. For those of you who are interested in engaging with grassroots struggles in India, we strongly recommend participating in this tour. Details can be found at http://www.corpwatchindia.org/bulletins/PBD.jsp?articleid=4923
8. OUTREACH, DONATE, COMMUNICATE
And finally, as we had mentioned in our previous emails, please assist us in the following:
OUTREACH: We would like to get this invitation to as many South Asian activists as possible, please forward freely.
DONATE: We, along with many others, are raising resources to ensure a balanced representation at the WSF- both from India and internationally. Let us know if you are interested in assisting us in this area, or if you would like to donate. We are especially looking for funds to assist our Indian partners to mobilize towards Mumbai.
COMMUNICATE: If you are attending the WSF or would like to, please let us know by sending an email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Also let us know if you have any questions. We are also looking for volunteers, both in India to assist during and prior to the WSF, and internationally, to assist us in outreach efforts.
We look forward to hearing from you.
In solidarity,
Amit Srivastava
Coordinator
India Resource Center, a project of Global Resistance
E: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
W: www.IndiaResource.org
