Another World Is Possible
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Mumbai, January 17 -- Diversity of nations and races at World Social Forum (WSF) in Mumbai is astonishing. Tens of thousands of people from the whole world gathered here together, all of them having their own struggles but at the same time united in one common fight, fight against imperialism and globalism.
The constant flow of protesters, on the streets of the Nesco ground, from Africa, Tibet, South Korea, India, South Africa, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Brazil and many other countries, in traditional dresses, with traditional instruments causes almost an explosion of colors and sounds. Traditional dances, specially of those from African dancers, attracts attention of everybody here. Each 10 meters there is another gathering, another dancers or event.
"212 people came from South Korea all together. Other then that we also have another organizations who came on their own. We are here trying to do a pre-closing march one hour before the final rally, and to gather all Asians and other people in solidarity for March 20. Basically that is our main task here." The positive energy that radiates from each corner of WSF venue, smiling people and friendly faces are speaking for itself that "another world is possible". "I'm surprised of the spirit of people here really. I went to a lot of international conferences, I saw many NGO people coming together to talk but here the thing is their eyes, their gestures is totally different. Everybody want to walk together. This is a new movement", Park told us. Many participants came here on their own, for only one reason and that is love and friendship. That's what Marco Somma from Italy told us. "I came here with my family and we came for love and friendship", Marco explained, waving with his PACE flag. Walking the streets and giving the leaflets to the people was also Abdourahamane Ousmane from Niger. He came here with his organization called Alternative to exchange the experience with many other organizations, groups and people. "My organization is one of those that is organizing Niger Social Forum and I hope to meet other organizations and groups here and exchange the experience. I hope to link my organization with others who have similar goals and visions." Not everyone was fully satisfied with WSF organizers and conditions at the venue. A group of disabled persons was protesting this afternoon in front of the Media Center. Their complaints are mainly related to difficult access to facilities here and luck of the support. Jean Stuart, writer and activist from Unated States came to India to participate at WSF and to express her views at the panel discussions about disability rights and disability in a global perspective. "I'm very glad that we are here and that WSF is acknowledged the legitimacy and importance of disabled rights but it is obvious that there is a gap in concessness and no one really thought to plan for our presence here. For instance, I had a terrible time using a toilet and terrible time trying to get to the workshop I wanted to attend." Jean is part of the panel organized by Centre for Advocacy and Research from Delhi. She stressed the importance of dissability rights being addressed at WSF. "It's first time that WSF had addressed dissablity issues so it's historical moment. We have been constantly marginalised by the progressive community and that has been a some of great frustration for us because we are progressive ourselves", she told us. Second day of WSF 2004 is about to end officially but activites will continue until late night with cultural events, WSF Film Festival and dancing will go on for a while here. |
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