European Social Forum 2004

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.

Continuing the ESF process