NEWS: 8/10/02
THE INAUGURAL SYDNEY SOCIAL FORUM: ANOTHER
WORLD IS POSSIBLE
SYDNEY: An ACMICA contingent
attended the inaugural Sydney Social Forum (SSF) last month
to form links and network with other social movements that
share the conviction "another world is possible."
Inspired by the World Social Forum (WSF) held in Porto Alegre,
Brazil, the SSF provides a local platform for civil society
to form coalitions, discuss issues and share visions for another world.
Such forums are the direct result of a dissatisfaction within
civil society with the prevailing corporate-driven model of
globalisation that seems to priviledge abstract economic laws over
real social needs.
"A forum like the SSF is desperately needed for Sydney
wherein the progressive forces have traditionally been less
organised and able to counter the globalising trends.
"It is a positive step towards building a force or network
or forces capable of articulating with clarity the injustices
and excesses of the contemporary world order and the action
necessary to bring about a just and sustainable order never
seen before." ACMICA organiser, Minh Nguyen said.
One of the commitment that came out strongly at this forum
was the need to mobilise civil society against the "mini-ministerial"
WTO meeting to be held in Sydney, November 14-15.
ACMICA is committed to this action and will attempt to form
a Catholic "block" in the weeks ahead.
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