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Towards a Social Forum for the Eastern Region

medico | 19.04.2004 16:50 | Cambridge

Social forums are spreading throughout the world, from the global gatherings of the WSF in Brazil and India, to the Europe wide gatherings of the ESF, to local and regional gatherings.

These involve a diverse array of movements, including campaigns for peace, the
environment, social equality and global justice, plus many more.

Networks of campaigners in the North Essex area, including local groups against war,
GM crops and racism have decided to begin a dialogue about initiating such a process of
networking in our region. We would like to meet with all the diverse campaigns and
movements in tha area.

The first meeting will be on:
SAT 8th MAY, 12-4 pm,
FRIENDS MEETING HOUSE,
COLCHESTER,
CHURCH ST. (Between Arts Centre and Mercury Theatre, by Jumbo Water Tower!).
(NOTE: change of dtae from the 24th).

This event will include the screening of a short film about social forums; a discussion
about initiating a local social forum event/process; a discussion about promoting and
engaging with the forthcoming European Social Forum in October at London's Alexandra
Palace; and a workshop with people from Indymedia about a regional news/events/links
website to help network activists in the region.

Please can you come, and spread this information to all interested networks of activists.

More details see: www.colchesterpeace.org.uk/socialforum

(The date has changed because sections of activists we are networking with will be
engaging in an important protest against racism and fascism in Wickford, South Essex
on Sat 24th)

medico

Comments

Hide the following 3 comments

great, but....

19.04.2004 22:08

While it is great that a new social forum is starting in the region, i really hope they do not just focus on the 'Holy Trinity' of peace, the environment and racism/refugee issues, etc. Imo, if we do not tackle basic issues of housing, health/welfare, poverty/debt drugs, crime, etc, we will not be taken seriously and will be seen as middle class do gooders. Furthermore, we leave the field open to others, (you know who I
i mean) who will 'racialise' the above issues and cause havoc. I wonder if we have the political will to take on these issues though, they are not sexy and they are not safe. Although heavily involved in the SF movement and inspite of there being some great people involved, I have my doubts.

Sheff-Bod

What is "Eastern Region"?

21.04.2004 01:58

Is this trying to fit with the Government's Eastern region, or is it really just for the vague area of East Anglia?

Aaron

linking together makes us stronger

23.04.2004 03:26

The last comment contains a good question. Obviously if groups of activists in towns and cities near each other build communication networks together we can be more effective in our mobilisations and struggles.

But one of the things up for discussion on May 8th is whether it would be best to have an Eastern / East Anglian region, or smaller units. The answer to this is best provided by mapping the existing networks of resistance. Which social movements usually mobilise in which sections of towns, villages and cities?

Here in Colchester, many groups network with kindred groups in neighbouring Ipswich or Chelmsford. Is this then the best area for our social forum? Should groups around Cambridge and Norwich organise their own? Or would a gathering of all the activists in this whole region be better?

At the moment, this is all up for discussion. You are witnessing the very start of a process on 8th May, which we all should shape and reshape. We may end up with one big regional social forum. We may have three smaller ones. We may have a rolling combination of all these. Lets get together and see.

There is always someone on the edge of a region, area or locality. Where are the boundaries of these 'regions'? Will you lay just outside and feel excluded?

Hopefully, we are seeing the start of thousands of social forums blossoming here in the UK. If you find you have one to your east, and one to your west, perhaps go to both! Or just join the one that feels best for your group of activists. Affiliate to your nearest social forum, untill you have one nearer still!

Hope to see you on May 8th for the start of the process?!


blu_spaghetti_tribe