The launch of the South Africa forum for International Solidarity at UJ underway….. The launch of South Africa Forum for International Solidarity [SAFIS] today,08th of November 2011 at the University of Johannesburg marks another milestone in solidifying the importance of consolidating solidarity work in South Africa, the continent and elsewhere. Many questions were posed to enrich the launch around the following imperatives; · How do we stand with others when severe cases of inequalities, poverty and unemployment are observed in all parts of the world, · How to connect with local struggles within the confines of social justice and human rights, · How to focus on micro-politics to unlock improvement of people of the world, and · How to centre the interest of marginal grouping, with voice of the periphery of the main stream voices. Many messages of support were received as part of reengineering a popular expression which says ‘no man is an island’, and the draft declaration was unpacked for panel-beating by all participants; Declaration on international solidarity and people’s cooperation Preamble Taking note of the momentous developments that unfolded in early 2011 in north Africa and the middle east, and that continue to inspire popular uprisings against dictatorship and authoritarian rule across and beyond; Thereby reminding ourselves, and the world, of the power of the people in democratic struggles to bring about change and an improvement in their lives; Noting also that recent democratic uprisings have had a profound impact that continues to inspire people around the world from all walks of life, rekindling hope after decades of setbacks, defeats and erosions of our fundamental rights. Recognizing that growing number of oppressed, marginalised and vulnerable people around the world, and those who stand in solidarity with them, increasingly recognise their own cause as part of common, global struggle for just and liveable future; Acknowledging with growing alarm that our planet faces a grave and increasing ecological crisis due primarily to the devastating and accumulating impacts of human industrial, commercial and military activities – a crisis that now threatens Earth’s ecosystems and biodiversity, and thus the very prospects for survival of much of humanity. Taking heed of the unprecedented advances in communications technology, and the enormous potential they offer for building solidarity and practical action; Understanding that our common struggles and challenges for the realisation of fundamental freedoms self-determination, social and economic equality, and gender and environmental justice, cannot be solved in isolation or in one country alone; Reaffirming our conviction that economic development without social justice has proven incapable of responding to the converging challenges and crises of our time, including the economic crisis of 2008 whose ill effects continue to reverberate around the world Reaffirming also our belief that democratic states can only secure a just and peaceful future for coming generations when they are guided by universal principles and standards of human rights, and held accountable by their people; Seeking to unleash the contributions to peace, human rights and the environment that we know are possible when like-minded workers, unemployed people, youth, women, intellectuals, and social formations, share the experience and knowledge they have gained through years of activism and dedicated struggle. Affirming that active, informed, organised people are key to build international solidarity, lending practical support to others engaged in struggle, and debating issues and sharing perspectives that will advance appropriate strategies and solutions\ Recalling in humility and gratitude the past sacrifices we build upon today in our attempts to advance the cause of solidarity, justice and emancipation; Declaring, finally, our enduring conviction that “Another world is Possible” – indeed, not only possible but, with increasing urgency, vitally necessary; Therefore we, the undersigned, do hereby proclaim this declaration of international solidarity as articulating our shared aims and aspirations, common principles, objectives, and ways of working together towards the goal of solidarity with all struggles based on similar principles throughout the world. 1. Aims and Aspirations 1.1.We seek to recall and reclaim the dignified history of struggle against injustice represented by the overcoming of Apartheid. We affirm that this requires people of conscience in South Africa to commit to a broad outlook, strategically coalesce around key human rights and development issues, and together pursue social justice. 1.2.We seek to create opportunities and mechanisms to build on that history, collectively and collaboratively. We recognise that this calls for our commitment to participate – respectfully, candidly, and in good faith – in common for a and joint actions. 1.3.We seek to contribute our energies and efforts to the creating of a just, equitable and sustainable world. We acknowledge that this requires unity and struggle towards global solidarity and international cooperation. 2. Principles 2.1.We believe in and commit ourselves to the creation of a new, democratic and just world order where equality of nations and peoples, freedom from poverty and hunger, environmental justice, and solidarity are the principal interests driving international relations. 2.2.We respect and support human rights and commit ourselves to standing in solidarity against all forms of oppression, occupation and injustice. 2.3.We call for the prioritisation, in the struggle to resolve global affairs, of the crises faced by people of the global South, who are disproportionately victims of environmental devastation and injustice. 2.4.We support sustainable development that promotes equality, social justice and stewardship of the environment. 2.5.We believe in the power of active, informed, organized people to create change-socially, economically and politically. 2.6.We call for a progressive, democratic and pro-poor foreign policy, informed by a holistic definition of national interest that it is not confined to narrow commercial or class interests. Only such a foreign policy allows us to celebrate our inter-connectness with all of humanity, and to discharge our responsibilities as global citizens in South Africa. 2.7.We fully support and call for the fundamental transformation of the international multilateral syste, particularly the financial and economic architecture and its institutions. In particular, we seek changes in control and decision-making, governance and accountability that ensure appropriate representation of the diverse and pressing interests of developing countries and their people. 3. Objectives 3.1. We will come together as a forum to consider key political, social and economic issues and wherever practicable, will seek to address these in a collective voice. 3.2. We will condemn all forms of government-sponsored violence against people engaged in actions to secure their rights and freedoms. 3.3. We will express solidarity-including through mass mobilization and mass action-with those social classes, communities and people who face oppression or injustice, irrespective of national boundaries, including non-nationals within South Africa who continue to face grave violations of their human rights. 3.4. We will pay special attention to, and seek proactively to address, political instability and human rights abuses and violations in Africa and beyond. 3.5. We will actively seek, foster and promote cooperation and shared learning among those focused on or practicing alternatives to the hegemonic practises of contemporary capitalism in its various forms and especially those pursuing ethical, responsible and sustainable approaches to development. 3.6. We will critically engage with the south African government’s foreign policy, particularly with regard to its role in the monitoring of, and accountability for, human rights violations through all bilateral and multilateral for a and mechanisms, with the goal of seeking to guide and shape policy processes and outcomes, in line with the principles and values articulated in this declaration. 3.7. We will also seek ways to critically engage with the policy commitments and practices of other national governments, inter-governmental organizations, and other institutions wherever appropriate, in pursuit of the better world we seek, and also in line with the principles and values articulated in this declaration. 3.8. We will continue working to build cooperation and to widen our national, regional and global networks. 4. Ways of Operating 4.1. We will work together to organize meetings, seminars, workshops and conferences, with the aim of building and sustaining a forum for cooperation and shared learning. 4.2. From time to time, we will invite each other to events we organize with the aim of sharing experiences, knowledge and outcomes of our projects and programmes. 4.3. Through constructive engagement and debate, we will seek to deepen our understanding of, and commitment to, the values and principles that should guide our dialogue and actions. 4.4. We will remain inclusive, so that any signatory organization or individual feels free to put forward positions or engage with issues of interest in line with the forum’s founding principles. 4.5. We acknowledge that despite this statement of solidarity, differences among us may continue to exist, and that signatories are therefore not required necessarily to endorse all positions or participate in all actions that may arise on the basis of this declaration. 4.6. We will use accessible means of communication as far as possible to enable organizations and individuals across the country to take part. 4.7. We will openly discuss and decide by consensus matters on administration, logistics, finances and fundraising, in a manner that seeks to avoid undue bureaucracy.
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