Q&A: ‘It Is Time to Aim Beyond Capitalism’

The World Social Forum meeting this week in this city in Brazil’s Amazon jungle region has an urgent and crucial task: coming up with alternative solutions for the global crisis of capitalism now under way, and pushing for democratic control of the economy and state worldwide, Filipino academic, author and activist Walden Bello tells TerraViva editor Alejandro Kirk in this interview.

Q&A: ‘We Have to be Good at Proposing, Not Just Opposing’

NGOs like Dignity International are packing their bags to fly to Belem in Brazil where the World Social Forum (WSF) is taking place this year. The stakes are high.

WORLD SOCIAL FORUM: Crisis as Opportunity for “Another World”

A World Social Forum (WSF) revitalised by a global crisis that has awakened new interest in the proposition that "another world is possible" - now perceived as either less utopian or more urgently needed - will take place from Jan. 27 to Feb. 1 in Belém, in northern Brazil.

Q&A: "We Need to Let the World Social Forum Evolve"

At the World Social Forum "we have tried new formulas," like holding meetings in different regions, but "we cannot repeat the same things every year," said French activist Henri Rouillé d'Orfeuil, who believes the responses generated by the upcoming edition of the global meeting should effectively address the current global crisis.

POLITICS-US: The Youth Are Getting Restless

Young voters were an important factor in Barack Obama's victory last Nov. 4, but will their new political enthusiasm stand the test of time?

CLIMATE CHANGE: As Politicians Stall, Grassroots Fills Void

Global emissions of carbon dioxide must reach a peak in less than 10 years and then begin a rapid decline to nearly zero by 2050 to avoid catastrophic disruption to the world's climate, according to a new report.

WORLD SOCIAL FORUM: More Words than Action

Unlike the massive gatherings of past years, the World Social Forum’s "Global Day of Action" Saturday did not fill avenues around the world, nor did it make headlines in any major progressive media outlet, let alone mainstream ones.

WORLD SOCIAL FORUM: Diversity, a Birthright Waiting to Be Recognised

For many people, the World Social Forum (WSF)’s influence and effect is waning, perhaps because it has outpaced public opinion and the dominant political processes, but not the real needs of the times, which require complex and urgent solutions.

WORLD SOCIAL FORUM: Mumbai Marches on Against Globalisation

There was grim determination on the faces of the 500-strong crowd that marched through the streets of this western port city for the World Social Forum’s Global Day of Action on Saturday.

TRADE: Developing Countries Insist On Balance

Ministers from India, Brazil and South Africa warned at the Davos World Economic Forum Saturday that the success of Doha trade negotiations over the next couple of months will depend on "balanced" commitments between agriculture and opening of markets for industrial products.

DEVELOPMENT: For the U.S., It Must Be Different

International Monetary Fund managing director Dominique Strauss-Kahn has proposed a global fiscal stimulus to prevent economic contagion from the worsening housing and credit market crisis in the United States.

WORLD SOCIAL FORUM: Evictions High on Atlanta Agenda

Some 400 activists from Atlanta, Georgia and around the U.S. South gathered for a People's Movement Assembly Saturday, in solidarity with the Global Day of Action organised under the World Social Forum process.

WORLD SOCIAL FORUM: Brazilian Youth Raise Their Voices

Brazil, the cradle of the World Social Forum (WSF), is hosting events in 19 cities Saturday for the Global Day of Action. The main participants will be young people, as they have always been at every meeting of the Forum.

WORLD SOCIAL FORUM: Palestinians in Lebanon Seek Right of Return

"We know when we start a campaign we work for an achievable goal," declares Wafa Yassir, the energetic head of Norwegian People's Aid (NPA), which runs programmes for Palestinian refugees in Lebanon.

WORLD SOCIAL FORUM: Post-Socialist Europe Unconcerned

As another crucial civil society event approaches, questions are once more raised over the almost non-existent participation of civic actors from post-socialist Europe.

RIGHTS: WEF Takes On Terrorism, Terribly

The global political elite at the World Economic Forum in Davos is focusing on terrorism as the major threat to international peace - but is conspicuously silent on ensuring that counter-terrorism measures do not breach human rights.

WORLD SOCIAL FORUM: Italians Awaken to Palestinian Pain

Several Italian civil society groups will mark the World Social Forum's global day of action Saturday by pledging support for Palestinians.

Q&A: ‘The WSF Has to Agree On Common Actions Against Common Enemies’

Joao Pedro Stédile thinks that the World Social Forum (WSF) should remain a debating arena for civil society, because with all its breadth and variety, to attempt to agree on resolutions is "an illusion."

Q&A: "It Is Upon Us to Pave the Way for Sustainability"

Anuradha Mittal is an internationally renowned expert on trade, development, human rights and agriculture. In 2004, she founded the Oakland Institute, a policy think tank focused on social, economic and environmental issues.

DEVELOPMENT: China, India, ‘Decoupled’ From US Crisis

China and India have claimed that that they are "decoupled" from the credit and banking crisis in the United States.

DEVELOPMENT-INDIA: Democracy In Conflict With Free Market Policy

Two years ago India was the toast of global investors at the World Economic Forum meet in Davos with the government of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh proudly proclaiming the country as the ‘world’s largest free market democracy’.