PLANNING for the ESF in Ireland- Public Meeting

national | miscellaneous | news report Tuesday July 02, 2002 16:14 by esfer - gr

The European Social Forum will be a huge convention bringing together thousands of people who oppose the commitment of European governments to free market policies and growing militarism. It is planned for November 7 -10 this year in Florence, Italy.

The idea for a European Forum was proposed at the World Social Forum in Porto Alegre, Brazil in
February. An incredible 70,000 people came together at Porto Alegre. They discussed how best to
organise against the corporations that are wrecking our public services and our planet, how to
tackle the nightmare of Third World debt and how to end the desperate inequality that is being
created by neo-liberal economic policies around the world. The aim of the World Social Forum is to
build a global movement that can stop militarism and the drive to war, and point the way towards a
world in which people come before profit.

The European Social Forum will be based on the Call of the Social Movements that was issued at
Porto Alegre. The first Europe-wide planning meeting issued an invitation to all trades unionists,
campaigning groups, peace activists and concerned individuals who agree with that call to get
involved in organising the ESF.

We hope that hundreds of people will join a large and lively Irish delegation, add hope to get as
many people as possible from Ireland to Florence from all walks of life- trade unionists, anti war
activists, environmentalists, small farmers, greens, socialists, people who care about the Global
South and individuals who are not part of a group but want to do something to make this world a
better place.

All interested groups and individuals are invited to the Irish planning meeting at the Teacher’s
Club, 36 Parnell Square, Dublin 1
At 7.30 pm this Tuesday July 2nd