The World Social Forum was held in Tunis from 26 to 30 March. The opportunity to review
the strengths and weaknesses of this activist tool. ---- Twelve years after its first
edition, is in Tunis from 26 to 30 March, which this year was held the World Social Forum
(WSF). Symbol of the anti-globalization movement, the WSF contains all the contradictions,
strengths and weaknesses. It is not to be "for or against" the WSF, but to determine how
such initiatives can be useful for social movements, and therefore what should be our
involvement in it and what to use. ---- A congenital weakness of the system "World Social
Forum" is to be animated, since its creation by people self-appointed, co-opted, and that
few have links with community structures. There are also some leaders of unions and
associations, but the operation in a closed circle remains a strong feature.
It is a size limit for a movement that wants to show that "another world is possible."
The FSM has a charter that reflects the diversity, sometimes the ambiguity of its
components. The movement oscillates between a third world tinged with Christian humanism
and the more radical aspirations highlighting the need for a revolutionary break with
capitalism. The report political organizations is also unclear: they do not have their
place in the FSM ... but there actually appear publicly through their newspapers, their
foundations, their training organizations and research. This topic has been a point of
tension in particular the European Social Forum, also down from Istanbul in 2010.
FSM manual
The fact remains that these Forums bring together tens of thousands of activists who want
to "change the world". Es involved in libertarian unions, associations and collective
struggle, we can not ignore it and limit ourselves to comment on its weaknesses. This is
also where it is going if we want to build a strong international social movement. Without
illusion or concession on more institutional aspects of the WSF, it is necessary to
compare our practices, discuss our differences, learn the strengths and weaknesses of others.
Needless to dream that, where the FSM passes, the social movement is automatically
stronger. Porto Alegre, Mumbai, Nairobi, Belem, Dakar ... have not known social explosion
linked to social forums. Tunis is no exception to this observation: the revolutionary
movement and the resistance against the revolution-exist, but the FSM is nothing to do.
In fact, the Social Forums are especially interesting places for networks that also live
outside of them. Many movements and use those moments that can continue the work, to raise
awareness, strengthen. Palestine Rail borderless alternative unionism ... are examples of
collective present in Tunis in which activists Alternative libertarian act. This is also
an opportunity to direct contact with our libertarian comrades on site. We will return in
the next issue.
Mouldi C. (AL Transcom)
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