Porto Alegre Brasil, January 26-31 2005

I have just had the privilege of taking part in the most important international event organized by civil society to discuss social justice. The central theme was: “Another World is Possible”.  Ah, it was a fabulous experience that I wish to share with you. It was a privilege because it was a great learning experience for me; a privilege as well to represent the barrio along with 6 others and also to meet and share with the people from the favelas of Rio de Janeiro which turned out to be the high point for me.

The event was well organized and on a massive scale - 500 centres spread out over 3 or 4 kilometres; 4 events held each day in each centre making a total of 8,000 discussions. It was very demanding time wise, going from 8.30 am to 9.00 pm; it was certainly for the strong hearted. Then there was the heat.  It was something over 30º every day.  I never drank as much water!  There were 11 cluster groups on topics ranging from ecology and ethics, to democracy, to solidarity, to economics, to Friends of the Earth and so on.  Each night one scanned the long list of events and chose the next day’s programme.

I went with the intention of learning something about alternative education (90% was about Brazilian experiences and in Portuguese) and of course to sit at the feet of the “specialists”.  I overestimated these good people and found Leonardo Boff very moderate and apparently repeating the content of his last book.  Likewise Frei Betto repeated statistics we already knew when talking about, “eradicating poverty”.  He has left politics and is no longer is director of the programme “Hunger Zero”.  Eduardo Galeano was subdued; he appealed that ‘yes a utopia is possible’ and asked people to dream!

It was the place to be, and the most rewarding aspect was the unexpected; the very first event I attended just happened to be about Transformation and the message was a clear - responsible listening (escucha responsible). Here we are, the Christian Brothers in a time of transformation and the very first event I attend is dedicated to the topic! I went along to hear Leonardo Boff where the Franciscan family gave their testimony “The Mystique of Peace”. The testimony of a Sister from Angola and her work in schools there got a wonderful response.  A Br. Sergio spoke about his work with the landless country people and asked “which side is the violence on?” and “Who can promote peace?”  He had no illusions and stated clearly that there will be no peace till there is justice.  He also mentioned the 3 temptations we are faced with 1) fear, 2) be a hero, 3) health.  A Palestinian lady gave a very emotional talk on what life is really like in Jerusalem. The Palestinians were very well supported.

When a meeting on Music and Psychology in Education was cancelled I went in to the Popular Movements and there the atmosphere was fabulous, no long discourses.  There were simply dynamics with a small explanation which was very powerful; it is clear that language, colour of the skin etc are not important. Appearances can deceive. We are all equal. When I told people whom I represented, the acceptance was tangible. We have so much in common. Email addresses were exchanged and at the end they asked my permission to include my contribution in a video!

It was a rough and ready experience. There were over a hundred Paraguayans sleeping in a big hall and the showers were at another part of the complex.  While  on my way there one day I was struck by an indigenous lady, a Guaraní, at her morning prayer, gesturing the sun and the earth etc.  I sensed that she was praying for the world; later, on the journey home, I had the chance to chat with her for a moment during a stopover and I asked her about her prayer.  Among other things she said that her people always pray in the plural.  She lives here in Asunción and I hope to meet her again. 

The unexpected was magic.  Coming back to base on the second last day there was an open air theatre on the Africa – Brazil relationship which was very powerful. At the Caritas event the speaker asked us to chat with the person next to you.  It turned out that the person next to me was a Sister from Canada, and there is now the possibility that she can put us in touch for some funding!

The most important aspect was the people.  This was a people event: people spoke and greeted each other at any given moment.  For example, the march was total chaos from my cultural point of view.  Everybody just rallied around their flag, chatted and greeted people.  A group might decide to dance the samba, so the whole procession was held up.  But there was no hassle; contagious joy and merriment ruled.  It was a real happy celebration. Another magic moment for me was a Buddhist session on dance and prayer, considering prayer as corporal expression.

Where the Forum goes next is not known. It would seem that the next one will make decisions rather than just discuss topics. I would say that those excluded from society had a very small voice. Their documents and proposals will most likely be overshadowed by the intelligentsia. 

                                                          Hermano Eduardo McArdle (LAR)

Where did the idea come from?

In November 2003, over 100 trade activists from 50 countries took part in a historic gathering - the International Trade Campaign Conference, in Delhi, India - from which they issued the global call to a Week of Action. Following this there was discussion with international networks before the idea was presented to a seminar of 500 people at the World Social Forum in Mumbai, India, in January 2004. Thousands of key campaigners are already inspired by what the Week could achieve; and hundreds of groups, campaigns and networks all over the world have begun organising.

What is the Global Week of Action?

A Week of Action from 10-16 April 2005, where as many campaigns as possible across the world come together in united action. The idea is for all of the organisations, networks and movements to take action in their own national and regional campaigns. The aim is to challenge the free trade myth and put forward alternatives by delivering the biggest global mobilisation we have seen.

Who is involved?

Anyone and everyone! The Week of Action is an opportunity for all movements and campaigns to join together in united action. It is not led or organised by any one organisation or campaign.  Below are listed some action steps being taken in various parts of the world.

Sierra Leone

Zambia

Kenya

Ghana

USA

Canada

India

Ireland

United Kingdom