threat of capital flight, which can destroy any government overnight. To imagine that a leader's personal charisma and a CV of struggle will dent the corporate cartel is to have no understanding of how capitalism works, or for that matter, how power works. Radical change will not be negotiated by governments; it can only be enforced by
This week at the World Social - Forum, some of the be mid in.
the world will exchange ideas about what is happening around us. These conversations refine our vision of the kind of world we're fighting for. It is a vital process that must not be undermined. However, if all our energies are diverted into this process at the cost of real political action, then the WSF, which has played such a crucial role in the movement for global justice, runs the risk of becoming an asset to our enemies.
What we need to discuss urgently is strategies of resistance. We need to aim at Fred Leplat
coming to London later this unions, NGOs, and community organisations attending the Forum in Paris last year, the ESF is the largest gathering of activists demonstrating and planning for a Europe based on needs
With Tony Blair as Prime Minister, London is seen across the world as the second centre after Washington for neoliberalism and war-mongering. It is therefore a great opportunity for all those in Britain opposed to Blair to welcome activists from across Europe into the "heart of the beast" to demonstrate that he does not have support for either
The organisation of the ESF in London logistics of accommodating 50,000 peo. ple and translation. Last year in Paris there were 2,000 volunteers making the
But even more important is bringing together a wide range organisations who are not used to working together even though they may share broadly the
It is not often that anti-road protesters are in the same room as tradeunionists and pensioners, or representatives of the black and ethnic minority
It is this diversity, and the willingness to work together to make the ESF happen, that is the strength of this event.
The ESF in London will not have the same level of support from the state as the London Mayor's office has identified some financial resources, but it falls far short of the f1.5million needed to book venues for the Forum and accommodation for the visitors.
This is where the support of tradeunions is vital to make the event hap pen. The TUC general Council is backing the event in principle, and major unions such as UNISON, WU, RMT, NUJ and NATHE are also on board.
The London Region of UNISON has kicked the fund-raising ball rolling by agreeing to grant 50,000 towards the ESF. Backing is also coming from other organisations such as War on Want, and the World Development Movement, CND, the Stop the War Coalition, the National Pensioners Association, the Kurdish Federation (FED-BIR), and the National Assembly against Racism. probably in mid-October, will be opportunity in Britain to revitalise t labour movement and its allies in t community.
But more importantly, the young a the new to the movement will get idea of the potential of our power fight for another Europe and a bett
• The ESF in London will be based upon the Charter of Principles of the World Social Forum http://www.wsfinc ia.org/charter.php
• Affiliation to the UK Organising Committee: National org isations: €250 - €1,500; Regional orga sations: £100 - £500; Local organis tions: £50 - £250
• The UK ESF Organising Committee can be contacted at: uke: [email protected]
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22 soca Broad anti-capitalist nce March 2004