Green Left Weekly's Walter Yoia from Resistance and Cameron Durnsford from the Australia-Venezuela Solidarity Network spoke to participants at the World Social Forum — held in Caracas on January 24-29 — about their impressions of the gathering.
Alejandro Limon (Mexico)
I'm here to get informed about what is happening. I'm participating so I can meet and interchange with others. I've been living and studying in Venezuela and have been radicalised by the process occurring in this country. I think that the WSF will be influenced by the fact that it is taking place within this amazing process. Participants will no doubt see the achievements of the mission and hopefully it will raise the level of participation and discussion for this and future forums.
Enrique Conde (Spain)
I'm here because I want to get to know about the forum and also to experience the Bolivarian revolution firsthand. I think the WSF helps one to get in contact with others and to get ideas on how to help the world. I don't know what the outcome will be, as those with the power are not here at the forum — the business types and such. But we need to give our opinions so that we are heard, so that the message of another world is heard.
Victoria (Argentina)
In my country I am part of the student movement, which struggles mainly for public education, but also for ending unemployment and around the issue of the disappeared. I am here because I want to be part of creating another world through this political process, which has more legitimacy, and to reject the neoliberal model. It's great to see so many young people fighting for a wide range of causes they see as unjust. But it is also important that we all have a common aim.
Volker Drell (Germany)
I'm here to get a new impression on what's going on in a political and social context around the world, to help get a better idea on how to move toward a socialist world. I hope for political self-consciousness for the masses, so that people feel they are the ones who are making the policies, and not being governed, but governing themselves. I've noticed that the destiny of the process is not clear, even that some leaders are lacking a clear ideological position. Nevertheless I believe there is great potential.
Juan (Peru)
I'm here to engage with social movements, because a lot of movements and organisations of resistance against neoliberalism are here. I am very interested in what is happening here because you have, in one form or another, an alternative to neoliberalism, a model that can be followed in other parts of the world. My vision for another world is to fight and to resist.
Maria (Brazil)
I'm here because I think that another world is possible! I'm from the Brazilian student movement, but there is still a lack of political consciousness in my country, which I'd say is a big problem. I want to see and engage with different organisations and movements, and make some contacts with people here from all parts of the world.
Natalie (Australia)
Part of the reason I am here today in Venezuela is to take a break from the Howard government and its attacks in Australia. I am here as part of the Australia-Venezuela Solidarity Network that is taking part in the WSF and in a brigade to see the revolutionary process underway in this country. There is quite a large contrast here with the movements back home. Here people are mobilising, taking part in creating a new country, not only in Venezuela but across the continent. The government here prioritises people rather than controlling and oppressing them. There is a real movement for change here and hopefully this will spread around the world through arenas such as the WSF.
From Green Left Weekly, February 1, 2006.
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