Karibu to World Social Forum in Nairobi 2007

The 7^th edition of the World Social Forum brings the world to Africa as activists, social movements, networks, coalitions and other progressive forces from Asia-Pacific, Latin America, the Caribbean, North America, Europe and all corners of the African continent converge in Nairobi, Kenya for five days of cultural resistance and celebration; panels, workshops, symposia, processions, film nights and much much more; beginning on the 20^th of January and wrapping up on the 25^th of January 2007.

From its modest origins in Porto Alegre in the year 2001, the World Social Forum has mushroomed into a global counter-force challenging the assumptions and diktats of imperialism and its associated neo-liberal policies that have over the decades, imposed colonialism and neo-colonialism; devastated Southern economies; bolstered the disastrous and repressive reigns of assorted tin pot dictatorships; marginalized women; disenfranchised youth; intensified the destruction of the environment; unleashed bloody, inhuman and needless military conflicts in nation after nation, region after region and deepened the exploitation of poor peoples around the world.

Another World is Possible
Rallying around the clarion call of Another World Is Possible, the World Social Forum has placed social justice, international solidarity, gender equality, peace and defence of the environment on the agenda of the world’s peoples. From Porto Alegre to Mumbai to Bamako to Caracas, Karachi and now Nairobi, the forces and the contingents of the World Social Forum have collectively expanded the democratic spaces of those seeking concrete, sustainable and progressive alternatives to imperialist globalization.

The World Social Forum is, to use a Kiswahili word, a global Jukwaa, in other words, an international PLATFORM, to quote from the Porto Alegre Charter “an open meeting place where groups and movements of civil society opposed to neo-liberalism and a world dominated by capital or by any form of imperialism, but engaged in building a planetary society centred on the human person, come together to pursue their thinking, to debate ideas democratically, formulate proposals, share their experiences freely and network for effective action.”

A great chance to meet andetwork
MS Zimbabwe partners are excited about the opportunity to mix and mingle with civic organizations and movements from around the globe, and discuss the multitude of challenges experienced by impoverished and oppressed communities in Africa and elsewhere in the world. MS partners from Zambia, Mozambique, Tanzania, Uganda and especially Kenya will likewise join the event.

WSF Nairobi 2007 will be an opportunity to showcase Africa and her social movements; Africa and her unbroken history of struggle against foreign domination, colonialism and neo-colonialism; Africa and her rich heritage of natural wealth, cultural, linguistic and ethnic diversity; Africa and her reputation for embracing communities from around the world; Africa and her contributions to world civilization; Africa and her role in the quest for another possible, more progressive global human society.

The theme for the 7^th edition of the World Social Forum is
“People’s Struggles, People’s Alternatives”.

Words alone can not capture the vibrancy, the potency, the promise and the excitement of a World Social Forum event. There is no alternative to being there, amidst it all, participating, congregating, conversing, marching, singing, laughing, dancing, dreaming, networking and strategizing with sisters and brothers, friends and neighbours, comrades and colleagues from five continents, across oceans, mountains, deserts and rivers and over one hundred and forty countries.

Join the magic of the World Social Forum in Nairobi, Africa, from January 20^th to the 25^th, 2007.

For more information visit the official WSF web site: http://wsf2007.org/

or contact the ZSF (Zimbabwe Social Forum)
Tel/Fax: (263-4) 776830/776831

E-Mail: zimsocialforum@zimcodd.co.zw