There is no doubt at all in my mind that the
WSF is an extraordinary example of positive
energy generation. But as with many innovative
processes, the visible effects are not always
easy to spot. Change only strikes out on the
big avenues once it has spent a long while
exploring the alleyways, and is often only
perceptible to those who believe in it.
Which company or institution would organise
an event for over 150,000 people with resources
as limited as those of the FSM, and without
seeing any immediate profit? None!!
The Forum's budget actually represents the
sum that a multinational would spend on arranging
a meeting for a few hundred people. This means
that the organisation is often a little chaotic,
but the activists adapt to the furnace-like
heat of the tents and to toilet facilities
reduced to their most basic form. The organisation
is obviously not perfect, and there are always
going to be a few mistakes, but when it comes
down to it, things get done. There's plenty
of goodwill and, over and above any disagreements,
the determination to succeed and the shared
goals galvanise the energy and drive it as
far as it can go!
The energy produced springs firstly from
the fact that everyone who can make it does
make it to this major annual meeting, and
that interactions are made far easier. Unlike
an event or meeting focused on one theme or
objective, everything at the Forum is multiplied.
Possibly this means that less progress is
made on each separate issue, but at least
progress is made on a great many issues in
a very short period of time.
From this point of view, the Forum's alleyways,
catering stands, hotel lobbies and café terraces
are as important as the tents themselves.
The autonomous events are as important as
the numerous parallel meetings.
Nevertheless, everything within the official
organisation that contributes to improving
interactions, creating new contacts on the
same theme or linking themes together is contributing
to improving the energetic impact. Major progress
was made this year in this area with the creation
of thematic terrains, the priority given to
autonomous activities, and the abolition of
the big mass events covered by the media.
Some may feel that the glass is half empty,
pointing the finger at the segmentation between
themes due to the separation of terrains,
without seeing the half-full glass represented
by the enormous advantage of having theme
interaction within the same terrain. Change
always provokes conflict. The step forward
taken this year represents real progress,
without hiding the fact that, in the future,
progress needs to be made in strengthening
links and exchange mechanisms between thematic
terrains… one thing at a time, especially
when we are tackling such delicate issues.
The energy impact can also be assessed in
the actual results. On what level is the Social
Forum so important? At the Forum, the idea
that another world is possible is an article
of unwavering faith; but, when it comes down
to it, once the tents have been packed away
and the banners taken down, what has changed
in the world? What sort of impact does what
comes out of the Forum actually have on ordinary
communities? Do alternatives have real potential
to effect change? In what way does the Forum
influence global governance of the planet?
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* Philippe Amouroux
http://www.socioeco.org/en/contact.php
