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The World Social Forum and Hemispheric Trade The World Social Forum is an initiative of Brazilian workers, farmers, intellectuals, businesses, churches, campaigns and research organizations launched as the "people's" counterweight to the World Economic Forum in Davos (Switzerland). The first World Social Forum, also held in Porto Alegre, was a symbolic, educational and inspirational event where close to 20,000 people gathered "to share our experiences, build our solidarity and demonstrate our total rejection of the neoliberal policies of globalization." After this first experience, an International Council composed of a broad spectrum of civil society organizations was set up to guide the process and to guarantee its continuity. The organizers reached the consensus that the WSF 2002 debates should tend toward a more "militant" and "propositional" stance than those of 2001. Up to 50,000 people are expected to attend this year's forum. Because of the South American location, the majority of participants should be from this hemisphere. The deliberations will play a strong role in the future direction of anti-FTAA activities as well as civil society positions on the WTO, which is scheduled to hold its fifth ministerial in Mexico in 2003. The six-day forum offers a full program of conferences, workshops, testimonies, seminars and cultural events. The discussions will touch on a wide range of issues, from corporate control and indigenous peoples' rights to external debt, food security, farmers' and workers' rights, financial markets, the environment and demilitarization. Some participants will come with vehement anti-globalization proposals, including the already launched national plebiscites against the FTAA. Other groups, including "Focus on the Global South," propose what they call "de-globalization." These positions are sure to pit more pragmatic views against radical positions. Another challenge will be the North-South divide, since the event will clearly have a southern emphasis. On the one hand, pressure will increase on the Hemispheric Social Alliance's basic premise of a North-South alliance based on an inclusive set of negotiated alternatives to the free market version of globalization. On the other hand, the conference is sure to strengthen the political action of the anti-globalization coalition and its ability to articulate its positions globally. The WSF and the beginning of preparations to challenge the WTO at its 2003 ministerial are sure to have a strong influence on local reactions to the ongoing FTAA negotiations.
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