ESF 2004 Newsletter 1- 29/07/04

Another World is Possible

This newsletter is also available for download at www.fse-esf.org

ESF online registration is now available at www.fse-esf.org

Welcome to the first newsletter of the European Social Forum 2004

This will regularly update readers on the latest decisions and information about ESF 2004. We welcome your suggestions for future content so that this newsletter is helpful in making ESF 2004 the best possible festival for creating another world.

A worldwide movement comes to London - The third European Social Forum (ESF) will take place from 14-17 October in London. It will be a gathering for everyone opposed to war, racism and corporate power, for all who want global justice and equality, workers’ rights and a sustainable society.

ESF 2004 is part of a worldwide movement of social forums. The first two ESFs in Italy and France attracted tens of thousands of participants from across Europe and beyond.

Timetable for ESF 2004 - ESF 2004 will open with a large event on Thursday 14 October followed by three days of discussion and debate involving leading activists from around the world, as well as music, drama, film, and exhibitions celebrating the global movement. The ESF will close on Sunday afternoon with an international demonstration through central London.

Registration - ESF Passes entitle you to entry to all sessions at the ESF. Registration in advance costs £30 (waged) and £20 (unwaged). Further details and registration forms can be found on the ESF website. Online payment is now available. You are able to apply for free and cheap accommodation in London available through the UK ESF once you have registered.

Programme Update - ESF 2004 will take place under the main theme of ‘Another Europe in Another World’ with the programme of discussions, debates and cultural activities focusing on six key themes :
 War and peace
 Democracy and fundamental rights
 Social justice and solidarity : against privatisation (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 and sustainable society

Each theme will have a number of plenaries allocated to it. For a full list of the plenaries agreed for ESF 2004 click here : ESF plenaries.

The Forum will reflect the world in which we live with proper representation of women, the black communities and the global south, in the plenaries.

Your group or organisation can suggest speakers for these plenaries by emailing ukesfproposals@gn.apc.org or by attending the UK ESF 2004 programme group. Details of this and other organising meetings can be found here : ESF meetings.

You can also shape ESF 2004 by proposing and organising meetings and cultural events. The deadline for proposing meetings has been extended to 1 August. To make a proposal or to add your support to current proposals visit www.fse-esf.org and click on the programme bar.

Culture @ ESF 2004 - The Culture Working Group is aiming to make the ESF a festival of resistance with performers from oppressed and marginalised communities throughout Europe and the world. All the performers will give a human element to the ESF as well as bringing a lot of fun to us all ! Get involved in the Cultural Working Group by emailing ukesfculture@gn.apc.org or use the ESF website to make a proposal to put on a cultural event.

Build the ESF 2004 - The programme for this year’s ESF is well under way and now the focus is to build the largest, most diverse, ESF attendance possible. The ESF office can provide you with leaflets and information materials to help you publicise the ESF in your local area. You can also download an information pack including a contact list from the ESF website.

Volunteers needed – Help organise the ESF ! - There are hundreds of volunteers needed during the ESF (14th to 17th of October) and many in the month immediately prior to the event. If you are interested please see the volunteer application that will be available shortly on the ESF website at the volunteers section or email ukesfvolunteer@gn.apc.org.

Babels - Babels is an international network of volunteer interpreters and translators who cover the interpreting needs of the Social Forums and related international social movement activities. Babels is looking for volunteer interpreters and translators for the ESF 2004. You can now register online at www.babels.org or contact babels-uk@babels.org.

Accommodation - We aim to provide as much free accommodation as possible in community spaces and in the homes of the movement in London. We strongly encourage all Londoners engaged in social movements to consider what accommodation they can offer to people attending the ESF. You are also able to apply for free and cheap accommodation in London through the UK ESF when you register.

World Social Forum 2005 - The process leading towards the fifth World Social Forum, which will take place in Porto Alegre in January 2005, has begun. You can fill in a thematic consultation at www.consultafsm.org.br which will help to define the programme and format of the next WSF.