Davos and Anti-Davos

 
Since 1971, The World Economic Forum (WEF) has played a key role in formulating economic policies throughout the world. Despite its corporate bent, the WEF-sponsored in Davos, Switzerland by an organization that serves as a consultant to the United Nations, and financed by more than one thousand corporations-has served as a forum for discussions between social, labor and corporate executives. In fact, the current "management" of the Davos meeting prides itself on its success in bringing together civil society, private sector and political leaders to discuss the most controversial aspects of globalization. The agenda for the January 25-30, 2001 Davos meeting shows the WEF's continued concern with the "backlash" against globalization. Top-level NGO and labor leaders will attend this year's meeting in larger numbers than ever, and many will have key roles as speakers.

But not everyone is satisfied with the Davos forum. Seattle-type protests are scheduled for January 27-28 in Switzerland, and in Porto Alegre, Brazil organizers are planning a World Social Forum (WSF), billed as the "Anti-Davos." The Brazil forum purports to be a new international arena for the creation and exchange of social and economic projects that promote human rights, social justice and sustainable development. It will take place every year in Porto Alegre to coincide with the World Economic Forum. The WSF will provide a space for developing economic alternatives, exchanging experiences and strengthening North-South alliances between NGOs, unions and social movements. It will also be an opportunity to develop concrete projects, educate the public and mobilize civil society internationally.

The WSF is an outgrowth of the growing international movement that advocates greater civil society participation in international financial institutions such as the International Monetary Fund, World Bank and World Trade Organization. "For decades, these institutions have been making decisions that affect the lives of people all over the world, without a clear system for accountability and democratic participation," a statement from the organizers claims.

The state of Rio Grande do Sul, of which Porto Alegre is the capital, is directly involved in the organization, promotion and financial support of the WSF. Olivio Dutra, the state governor, is one of the most important leaders of Brazil's Workers Party (PT). In mid-January, Dutra joined a PT colleague, Marta Suplicy, the newly elected mayor of S�o Paulo, in declaring support for globalization at the Annual National Convention of Leather and Shoe Manufacturers. They defined their support for a globalization "soberana e n�o subordinada" - one that respects national sovereignty and doesn't subordinate the country's interests to foreign ones. This view is compatible with the general outlines of Brazil's trade policy, but goes beyond the position of President Cardoso in demanding integration of the social dimension in the Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA) negotiations as well as open access for all of Brazil's products.

Parliamentarians from all over the world will meet at a World Parliamentary Forum at the WSF to produce a common platform on globalization and neoliberalism. This could be a significant meeting for Latin America. If it attracts a representative group from the larger countries, including Mexico, the forum could become another voice for including a social dimension in the FTAA negotiations-an original objective of the 1998 People's Summit in Santiago Chile.

It is significant that the US has indicated that it would prefer to complete the FTAA negotiations early, for fear that the left will win the next Brazilian presidential elections. It is precisely this Brazilian left that is at the heart of the World Social Forum.

www.weforum.org - www.forumsocialmundial.org.br - www.forumparlamentarmundial.rs.gov.br