INTERVIEW WITH CANDIDO GRZYBOWSKI: ” THE WORLD COULD BE VERY DIFFERENT FROM HOW IT IS TODAY”

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RIO DE JANEIRO, Jan 12 2008 (IPS) - \”The World Social Forum didn’t produce the progressive wave in Latin America by itself; nevertheless, it would be difficult to imagine it without the presence of the WSF\”, says Cândido Grzybowski, director of Ibvase (Brazil) and member of the WSF International Committee.

Each place, each group and each event will have its particular style, whether it be a classical type of forum (such as in Barcelona), or a protest march (Belén in Brazil), a seminar (in Russia) or a cultural-political event (as in Rio de Janeiro). What’s important is to show that we’re united in a citizens’ active network –virtually connected by Internet- and extending to every part of the world. The effectiveness of the day of action will be judged from two perspectives. Firstly, as a mobilisation and local identity, and in this sense I think that the WSF can only be strengthened. Secondly, in terms of political impact on civil societies, governments and power structures such as corporations and the mass media, etc., although this last is more difficult to determine. What’s important is that the 26 of January will act lready lost its arrogance. WSF intellectuals such as Walden Bello had suggested that the Forum should acquire a “new form.” How do you envisage the future of the WSF? The WSF is no longer a novelty; however, it continues to represent a genuine point of reference for most of the movements, networks, campaigns and bodies throughout the world, particularly those who are more active in the struggle against neoliberal globalisation. Certainly the WSF needs to embark on a new stage, but without abandoning its role as an open space for a diverse range of people to come together, for the discussion of collective issues and an array of perspectives. It is vital that we stick together, creating new perspectives and new ways of implementing actions. We need to maintain our unity not so much through the proposals offered, but rather by means of ethical and shared values and principals, and so deal with the “crisis of civilisation” that the radical expansion of economic and financial globalisation has so visibly created: growing inequality and social exclusion in the world; violence; terrorism; war; the environmental crisis. The only certainty is that the world could be very different from how it is today.

I also believe that the WSF would lose a lot if it turned into a centrally directed political force, which would be a sort of new international movement of the left. It’s not about defining a minimally shared platform, or rather the opposite, that each person involved feels motivated to implement innovative actions at the most radical level possible, localising and re-localising life, taking into account the demands of an inclusive and sustainable world. What we underline at the WSF is the need to strengthen the exchange process, joint creation and the confrontation of ideas, before, during and after an event. I think it’s possible to set up a type of sub-forum around certain issues that lead to greater commitments. However, these sub-forums should be established within a plan of investigation and action, of elaboration, dialogue and controversy. Such forums could use the major events to draw attention to their debates, agreements and disagreements, strengths and weaknesses.

Since the first WSF, Latin America has gone through a marked turning to the left, in various different ways. To what extent is this realignment related to the WSF? I’m absolutely sure that the birth of the WSF in Porto Alegre, Brazil, in South America, was related to the preceding conditions throughout the region: a region that rebels against neoliberal policies, that is committed to a process of democratization, and which has experienced a left-wing wave in the wake of military dictatorships. The WSF didn’t produce that wave by itself; nevertheless, it would be difficult to imagine such a sizeable and dynamic wave without the presence of the WSF. Lula aligned himself with the WSF right from the beginning, as did Evo Morales. Chávez has always given it his backing. Citizens’ protests within the region against elected governments who deviate from their electoral platforms are organically driven by active members of the WSF. It is important to reiterate that the WSF doesn’t propose anything by itself. Mobilisations and coalitions are the result of autonomous decisions by its members. What I mean is that the WSF has the ability to feed and does feed citizens’ activism, dreams and hopes, particularly in our region. However, specific actions are driven by the movements that provide the support for such actions.

As far as I’m concerned, changes are taking place, although they’re not the ones we truly dream about, even though it’s a big step forward to feel good about being a citizen of this region. As a radical democrat, I think the outcome is unpredictable, although in the past we never had as we do now, a context of democratic disputes so potentially transforming. I believe we are building the foundations for a different future.

Can you tell us a little about WSF 2009? The main event for WSF 2009 will take place in Belén in the Amazon. In spite of the logistical difficulties that almost everyone will face to reach Belén, I think that this venue will inaugurate a new stage for the Forum. To begin with, it has a very potential symbolic meaning, pointing towards other perspectives. While the whole world discusses a new agenda –the environmental issue- and in spite of all the terror and war, and in spite of neoliberalism, we can show our radical commitment to the causes that benefit the common good, which form the basis of all life, as an indication of who we are and what we want. We are going to place the focus on social density and other perspectives that show how the (indigenous) people who inhabit the forests are resisting the onslaught of huge corporations and the same predators as always. We are going to give our backing to a cause at a deeply local but at the same time universal level. I am sure that WSF 2009 will once more return our agenda to the mainstream of world debate. Additionally, following the experience of the Global Day of Action, we will have the opportunity to produce an event showing different aspects of a growing and militant planetary citizenship. We still haven’t defined certain internal methodological issues, of how to organise a debate so centred within multicultural dimensions and differing perspectives. However, the WSF will find a way through, as we’ve shown by the experience of past events. We’ve never held a WSF identical to any of its predecessors; we are always innovating – and we’re going to innovate once more, I’m very sure of that. (END/COPYRIGHT IPS)