Asian Social Forum 2003

2-7 January 2003, in Hyderabad, India

Another World is Possible! Another Asia is Possible!

World Social Forum , India invites you to join the process of conceiving and constructing Asian alternatives to globalisation

As the clock moves towards the 3rd international gathering of the 2003 World Social Forum at Porto Alegre in Brazil, WSF-India invites you to the city of Hyderabad, to take leadership in dialogue, discourse and design to formulate an Asian blueprint for building another world - a plural, just, responsible and shared world which accords equal dignity and rights to all its people.

The Asia Social Forum 2003 will focus not only on the impact but also the processes of neo-liberal globalisation that is creating a small global, 'over-class' and a vast, increasingly marginalised and vulnerable under-class in every country. Every part of the process seeks to draw out people's perceptions regarding the impact of neo-liberal economic policies and their attendant divisiveness on their daily lives. Local forms and idioms will inform the language of resistance and the formulation of alternatives.

Connecting Across Asia

Asia's own diversity and spread invites and demands interaction and connections across the continent. The variety of Asian cultures, faiths and traditions provides to the process a rich resource to explore. The Asia Social Forum 2003 proposes and seeks participation from all the many Asian sub-regions so that the process builds and yields a rich exchange bringing together Central Asia, West Asia/Middle East, South Asia, North Asia, South-East Asia, and reaching out to the Pacific.The WSF India is working to build contacts across Asia to develop an initiative to form an Asia Solidarity Group/Network, which will mobilise participation, support and assistance from organisations, movements and networks from all over Asia. We welcome ideas, advice, and suggestions for the WSF-India Working Committee, to help make the Asian Social Forum a working example of unity in diversity. We invite proposals on content and specific activities and events. We hope especially for interest and response from groups and networks in Asia, to give the Hyderabad setting a genuinely truly Asian heart and character. To join the network, organisations and interested individuals can register (add your email in 'Join the ASF Network' on the website www.wsfindia.org).

The Forum Focus

The main or broad themes identified by the WSF India are the following :

  • Peace and Security
  • Debt, Development, Trade, Finance and Investment
  • Nation State, Democracy and Exclusions
  • Social Infrastructure, Planning and Cooperation
  • Ecology, Culture and Knowledge
  • Alternatives and Peoples Movements.Proposals

for the organization of conferences /seminars/workshops are being sought from the interested organisations. Interested organisations are requested to make their initial proposals for the proposed activities online as per the schedule given below:

  • Conferences September 30
  • Seminars October 15
  • Workshops October 30

Design your own process and event !

All participating networks and organisations must arrange to cover costs of their own travel and local stay, and to pay basic costs of Forum facilities.

Event Duration No. ofParticipants Facilities Costs
Conference 4 hours Upto 4000 Rs.2,50,000 ($5000)
Seminar 4 hours 1000-1200 A/C, Auditorium Rs. 30,000 ($600)
Seminar 4 hours 800-1000 Non A/C, Simple facilities Rs. 3,000 ($60)
Seminar 4 hours 200-300 A/C, Auditorium Rs.25,000 ($500)
Seminar 4 hours 200-300 Non A/C, Simple facilities Rs. 2,000 ($40)
Workshop 4 hours 50-75 A/C, roundtable Rs.20,000 ($400)
Workshop 4 hours 50-75 A/C, ClassroomType Rs.15,000 ($300)
Workshop 4 hours 50-75 Non-A/C, SimpleClassroom Type Rs.500 ($10)
All equipment such as OHP, Slide Projector and LCD Projector are additional cost as follows:
Equipment Cost  
OHP 400/- (10$)  
Slide Projector 500/- (15$)  
LCD Projector 2,500/- (60$)  

The individual registration fee for the Asian Social Forum will be Rs.100 ($2) per delegate. Delegates will have to pay separately for their board and lodging directly to the providers. The Hyderabad local organising committee will help with information regarding logistics and help with bookings, etc, for delegates. For all other details, contact 'WSF India, Delhi Secretariat'.

Forum Schedule

Date 9.00 am to 1.00 pm 2.30 pm to 6.30 pm 7.00 pm to 11.00 pm
2nd Jan. Registration Opening Plenary(open to public) Film Shows;Cultural Performances;Testimonials, Open spaces
3rd. Jan. Conferences - 2 per day(3-4,000 people); 25 Seminars in Parallel(200-300 people);50-100 Workshops(50-100 people) Film Shows;Cultural Performances;TestimonialsOpen spaces
4th. Jan. Conferences - 2 per day(3-4,000 people); 25 Seminars in Parallel(200-300 people);50-100 Workshops(50-100 people) Film Shows;Cultural Performances;TestimonialsOpen spaces
5th Jan. Conferences - 2 per day(3-4,000 people); 25 Seminars in Parallel(200-300 people);50-100 Workshops(50-100 people) Film Shows;Cultural Performances;TestimonialsOpen spaces
6th Jan. Conferences - 2 per day(3-4,000 people); 25 Seminars in Parallel(200-300 people);50-100 Workshops(50-100 people) Film Shows;Cultural Performances;TestimonialsOpen spaces
7th Jan. Closing Plenary(open to public)

Those interested in submitting films or participating in the cultural events are welcome to get in touch with their proposals.

Youth Camp:

Young people are organising a special space for themselves within the Asia Social Forum. Focusing mainly on the under privileged, the unemployed, the marginalized the youth camp will feature special workshops, films, music, and other events of, by and for Asian youth. Details about participating in the youth camp and its activities are available on: www.youth4wsf.org. Log in and join the mailing list.

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results

statement
7/1/2003

critique

KRRS