A GLIMPSE OF THE KARACHI WSF

WSF 2006, last chapter

While the relief and rehabilitation work continues in Kashmir with the help of civil society organizations, the Pakistan Organizing Committee has been making efforts to re-mobilize for World Social Forum in Karachi. On 24th of January last, when the WSF was coming to an end and the one in Caracas was about to start, Pakistani people organized a Pakistan Social Forum in Lahore - an event which enabled them to show solidarity with their friends in Mali and Venezuela, but also to let people know that, contrary to the many rumors, the 3rd part of the polycentric edition of WSF 2006 will indeed take place !

The dates set during the Asian Council meeting of 16th of December last in Hong Kong have been confirmed. As had been proposed by some 80 members representing various organisations in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Thailand, the Philippines, Indonesia, Hong Kong, Japan, Palestine, the USA, Germany, the Netherlands and Belgium, WSF will take place from the 24th to the 29th of December.

During the Pakistan Social Forum, the Organizing Committee assessed the situation. Important efforts still have to be made, in particular concerning fundraising. Nevertheless, the organization process has evolved quite well and much progress has been made. The 12 working groups set up to support the Coordination Committee in the organization of WSF activities have achieved huge mobilization both at national and international level. Furthermore, the WSF Internet website (www.wsf2006karachi.org) has been completely revamped and it now contains all the information that delegates from within and outside the country will require for the event.

For this sixth edition, the World Social Forum wanted to be polycentric: three continents for one single Forum. Precisely because this is a single and unique forum, the Pakistan Organizing Committee members liaised with their friends in Brazil, Mali, Venezuela and India to gather support and help for organizing the WSF in Karachi, particularly in the areas of fundraising and the planning and organization of the WSF programme.

Registrations (activities, organizations, individuals, etc.) till the 15th of February 2006: http://www.wsf2006karachi.org/resgistration.html

Editorial Committee : Frères des Hommes
Sources : Minutes of the Asian Council and Coordination Committee for WSF Karachi Meetings.