World Social Forums 2001-2022

World Social Forum is an annual gathering of civil society organizations promoting social movements. Read the article carefully for essential and complete details on World Social Forum 2001- 2022.

Table of Contents

The World Social Forum can be considered a visible manifestation of global civil society, bringing together non-governmental organizations, advocacy campaigns, and formal and informal social movements seeking international solidarity.

This article will give a detailed insight into the World Social Forums. This study will be of tremendous help to government job examination aspirants as the topic, in particular, is covered under the GK, current affairs and world politics sections.

What is the World Social Forum?

The World Social Forum is an annual gathering of civil society organizations that was first hosted in Brazil. The forum promotes counter-hegemonic globalization in an effort to create an alternative future. The World Social Forum prefers to describe itself as:

A permanent space and process to build alternatives to neoliberalism
An open space – plural, diverse, non-governmental and non-partisan
It stimulates decentralized debate, reflection, proposal building, experiences exchange and alliances among movements and organizations engaged in concrete action.

World Social Forum – Important Facts

The World Social Forums functions in a certain manner, every year. It’s vital to understand the facts and traits on how it operates. Read below to get a thorough understanding about the same.

This yearly summit of the anti-globalization movement attracts an average of 100,000 people around the world.
The World Social Forum casts itself as an alternative to the World Economic Forum organized in Davos (Switzerland).
It is a dynamic, open space, providing social movements and citizens from around the world – trade unionists, intellectuals, farmers, women groups, youth etc. with an opportunity to meet and exchange ideas about actions to be undertaken.
Promotes a world based on fairness and more human development.
The World Social Forum is opposed to the values of neoliberalism as defended by international institutions, multinational corporations and even by some governments.
The 11th edition of the World Social Forums took place in Dakar, Senegal in February 2011, but regional and thematic forums are also organized throughout the world.

World Social Forum (2001-2022)- Themes

The Human Rights Council chooses a new theme for the Social Forum every year. The themes are all associated with universal social issues. Given below is a tabular format of all topics surrounding World Social Forums since the 1st World Social Forum ever hosted.

World Social Forum- Year, Location & Themes
Year	Location	Theme
1st – 6th May 2022	Virtual Event	Global challenges, local solutions Solidarity in a changing world
2020- 2021	Virtual Gatherings	Pandemic responses, social solidarity, and health equity Digital activism and the future of social movements
1st – 2nd October 2019	Salvador, Brazil	Power, to transform the world Defending social and environmental justice
13th – 17th March 2018	Salvador, Brazil	Resistance, rebellion, global alternatives Defending democracy and people’s rights
2nd – 4th October 2017	Salvador, Brazil	To resist is to create, to resist is to transform Afro-descendant and indigenous peoples’ rights
9th – 14th August 2016	Montreal, Canada	Another world is necessary, together it’s possible Inclusive economy and climate justice
23rd – 28th March 2015	Tunis, Tunisia	Fanon: Fifty years on Struggles against imperialism, racism, and authoritarianism
2014	Tunis, Tunisia	Dignity and justice for Palestine Global resistance to imperialism and dictatorship
2013	Tunis, Tunisia	Dignity, rights, and freedom for the peoples Democratic struggles and the Arab Spring
24th – 30th January 2012	Porto Alegre, Brazil	Crises of capitalism, ecological and social debts The rights of peoples and the responsibility of governments
6th – 11th February 2011	Dakar, Senegal	Another world is possible: Let’s build it! Empowerment of African social movements
2010	Porto Alegre, Brazil	Global crisis, social justice, and environmental sustainability Indigenous peoples’ rights and struggles
27th January – 1st February 2009	Belem, Brazil	Crisis of capitalism and alternatives Cultural diversity and social transformation
2008	Belem, Brazil	Rights of peoples and the environment Economic justice and gender equality
2007	Nairobi, Kenya	Africa’s struggles for justice Climate change and environmental justice
January 2006	Caracas, Venezuela	Popular struggles against imperialism Social movements as drivers of change
26th – 31st January 2005	Porto Alegre, Brazil	Another world is possible Inclusive development and alternatives to neoliberalism
16th – 21st January 2004	Mumbai, India	Empowerment of people against globalization Solidarity with local struggles and resistance
2003	Porto Alegre, Brazil	Water as a commons Indigenous rights and land struggles Alternatives to corporate globalization
2002	Porto Alegre, Brazil	Peace, justice, and against war Labor rights and workers’ struggles Environmental sustainability
2001	Porto Alegre, Brazil	Counter-globalization Opposition to neoliberal economic policies Social justice and equity

Conclusion: Members of the global justice movement, also known as the alter-globalization movement, hold the World Social Forum to coordinate international campaigns, exchange and improve organizing tactics, and educate one another about movements from around the world and their specific problems.

FAQs

What is the World Social Forum (WSF)?

How does the World Social Forum operate?

The World Social Forum provides an open space for social movements, citizens, trade unionists, intellectuals, and various groups to meet and exchange ideas. It opposes the values of neoliberalism advocated by institutions, corporations, and governments.

How many people attend the World Social Forum on average?

The yearly summit of the anti-globalization movement attracts an average of 100,000 people from around the world.

How is the World Social Forum different from the World Economic Forum in Davos?

The World Social Forum positions itself as an alternative to the World Economic Forum, focusing on promoting fairness, human development, and social justice.

What themes have been covered in World Social Forums?

Themes vary each year and focus on universal social issues. Some past themes include defending social and environmental justice, resistance against imperialism, empowering social movements, and advocating for indigenous rights.