Anti-globalisation forum opens
BUENOS AIRES - The World Social Forum opened in the southern Brazilian town of Porto Alegre on Friday with international delegates calling for peace.
Over the next five days representatives at the forum, established as a left-wing alternative to the World Economic Forum in Davos, are meeting to discuss leftist political ideas, citizen initatives and trade union strategies, with the growth of neo-liberal globalisation and the need for a fairer world order heading the agenda.
The forum, now in its third year, has attracted 100,000 delegates from 153 countries.
On Thursday evening, prior to the main event, 10,000 people demonstrated against the threat of a war against Iraq.
While politicians are not usually invited to the World Social Forum, Brazil's new socialist president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva is due to attend. Explaining the decision, the forum's organisers said Lula da Silva embodied the policies and hopes of forum participants.
The event has steadily gained followers with the number of participants growing from 15,000 in 2001 to 50,00 last year.
However, delegate numbers could be restricted next year as the organisers report increasing problems coping with such large masses of people.
While the meeting is planned for India next year, the forum is expected to meet again in Porto Alegre in 205. Sapa-DPA