03.11.2004
Explanation note: WSF 2005 will take place in Porto Alegre

The World Social Forum (WSF) International Council Secretariat and the 5th edition Organizing Committee have reassured: the next meeting of the people who struggle for a new world – and practice this construction – will take place in Porto Alegre, from January 26 to 31 2005.

Independence is a feature that WSF has been able to consolidate, and it is also one of the reasons why it is successful. After only four years since its first edition, in Porto Alegre – the Social Forums are already a political innovation which have been spread throughout the world. Besides the international meetings, there are continental, thematic, national, regional and local Forums. Hundreds of millions of people are attracted to these events, precisely because there is no political instrumentalization within them. Multiple campaigns, struggles, projects and dreams of a new possible society are shared at theses events – and none of them is more important than the other. From 2005 on, a new methodology will encourage even more the convergences and common actions, but the adhesion will always be volunteer. This new horizon to political action – which reassures the right of each society to build their future – is in contrast with the weariness of the traditional institutions, which are seen more and more as not very democratic, submitted to the financial markets and impervious to the citizens’ opinions.

The accomplishment of three World Social Forums in Porto Alegre became possible through the fact that the city became a concrete reference of the new world. In decades, the social struggles set up a society that is critic, organized, aware of its rights and willing to conquer them. Besides, the WSF was warmly welcome by the population, the enthusiasm and the support of the town’s City Hall and State Government.

The election of a different government does not erase this tradition of struggles, nor changes the relationship between World Social Forum and Porto Alegre. We hope that the ones who were elected maintain their commitments. When Porto Alegre was chosen to receive WSF 2005, almost two years ago, the International Council reassured their fraternal relationship with the capital of Rio Grande do Sul state, where WSF was born. The place where forthcoming editions will take place will also be decided – always without any interference of political parties or government – by the International Council, which will meet next January in Porto Alegre. One of its permanent aims is to turn WSF a worldwide event, and it has already been decided that the meeting in 2007 will take place in an African country. In less than three months, the great world meeting of alternatives will be together again, along Guaíba river.


WSF International Office
Brazilian Organizing Committee