London 2004

- European Social Forum success!

More than 20,000 people from nearly 70 countries came to the European Social Forum in London on 15-17 October. Participants flocked to Alexandra Palace in North London and Bloomsbury in central London to hear over 2500 speakers at over 500 meetings and to discuss with passion and enthusiasm how to make Another World Possible. The six key themes of the forum were: war and peace; democracy and fundamental rights; social justice and solidarity – against privatisation and deregulation, for workers, social and women’s rights; corporate globalisation and global justice; against racism, discrimination and the far right – for equality and diversity; environmental crisis, against neo-liberalism and for sustainable society.

The process was entirely inclusive with every shade of opinion and viewpoint within the global social justice movement represented on the platforms of the plenaries, seminars and workshops. Attendance of those on very low incomes was assisted by the provision of free travel and very cheap accommodation for up to five thousand people at the Millennium Dome. An integral part of the forum was a cultural programme with more than 100 films, music, drama, poetry and exhibitions. The forum ended with a 70,000 strong international demonstration through central London and a rally at Trafalgar Square calling for an end to war, racism and privatisation and for a Europe of peace and social justice. The forum was witnessed by 600 members of the international media who took the message and highlights of the ESF to a global audience.

On Sunday morning, over 1000 people from the full range of organisations, trade unions, grassroots networks, and individuals met in the ‘Assembly of Social Movements’, a separate open decision making body which meets during ESFs. In Florence 2002, the Assembly of the Social Movements made the historic call for an international day of action to stop the war against Iraq on Feb 15 2003. This year too, the Assembly of Social Movements agreed a statement calling for a series of significant international actions. The networks and alliances established through the ESF will be strengthened in the coming weeks and months and years.

The record of the ESF 2004 - continuing the dialogue

The written reports or 'memory' of the debates and speeches of the Forum in London are being gathered and published online in order to strengthen and extend the lasting benefits of the dialogue and networking of the ESF 2004.

If you facilitated a session at the ESF 2004, you can ensure that the important issues raised at your meeting are recorded and that people can get in touch by writing a short report on your plenary, seminar or workshop and sending it by email to ukesfprog2@gn.apc.org.

The next World Social Forum and European Social Forum

World Social Forum 2005

The World Social Forum 2005 took place this January 26 - 31 in Porto Alegre, Brazil. There were 155,000 participants, from 135 countries and 6,880 meetings. More than 200,000 people took part in the opening march, and 2,800 volunteers supported the organization. 

A meeting of the International Council of the WSF in Porto Alegre decided that the World Social Forum 2006 will be 'realized in a spread out manner, in different places in the world'. For reports of the WSF 2005 and details of the International Council decision please please see www.forumsocialmundial.org.br.

International media coverage of the European Social Forum 2004