Oceania Social Forum
Bringing together the peoples of Oceania to renew the vision of the world we share
Nelson, Aotearoa/New Zealand 21st –24th April 2003
A social forum inspired by the 2001 and 2002 World Social Forums that have been held in Porto Alegre, Brazil, is to be
held in Nelson, from Monday 21st to Thursday 24th April 2003.
Rationale.
The World Social Forums and the Regional Forums they have spawned, bring together individuals and groups “that are
opposed to neoliberalism and to domination of the world by capital and any form of imperialism”. With their overarching
theme “Another World is Possible,” the Forums offer an opportunity “to building a planetary society directed towards
fruitful relationships among Mankind and between it and the Earth,” and represent a positive movement for change.
In light of the rapidly deteriorating US financial position and a Japanese economy that analysts fear is close to
collapse, there is a pressing need to explore alternatives to the existing social and economic paradigm.
The WSF’s Charter states that “The meetings of the World Social Forum do not deliberate on behalf of the World Social
Forum as a body. No-one therefore will be authorised, on behalf of any editions of the Forum, to express positions
claiming to be those of its participants.”
The increasing number of organisations, groups and social movements from all over the world that are involved in the
process of building the WSF are making it a truly world phenomenon. Large numbers of the 60,000 attending this year’s
Forum came from overseas with almost 1000 delegates from Italy and 700 from France. Their youthfulness suggest that the
movement represents the way of the future.
The venue. New Zealand has a history of being a birthplace of world changing people and ideas and a record of taking
progressive initiatives. In the 19th century it was the first country in the world to give indigenous people the vote
and to grant universal suffrage. More recently it led the world with its anti-nuclear legislation. Over the years New
Zealand has been able to wield an influence out of all proportion to its size.
Possible Outcomes As with the World Social Forum, the Oceania Social Forum will be a forum for the expression of
concerns that can be readily linked to the globalisation of neoliberalism, provide the opportunity for the eme rgence of
new visions and real alternatives, and encourage the development of movements for change in New Zealand, Australia and
the Island nations of Oceania.
Meetings have been held regarding the Oceania Social Forum with representatives from the Council of Trade Unions (CTU),
the Association of NGOs of Aotearoa/ New Zealand (ANGOA), the Council for International Development, Dev- Zone,
(formerly the Development Resource Centre), Amnesty International, Proutist Universal, and the Latin American Solidarity
Committee. The Forum’s organising committee in Nelson holds 2 weekly meetings and is looking to appoint a
co-ordinator(s).
National Steering Group
Presently includes
Sukhi Turner: Mayor of Dunedin
Pat Hanley: Projects manager of ANGOA (Association of NGOs of Aotearoa)
Makere Harawira
Bruce Dyer of Proutist Universal
Proposed structure of the Forum
Monday 21st April: rally
Mornings: conferences
Afternoons: workshops and seminars
Early evenings: testimonials of esteemed contributors
Evenings: concerts and cultural events
Possible speakers
Confirmed Edward Goldsmith. Yet to be confirmed, Vandana Shiva, Maude Barlow, Tony Clarke, Paul Hawken, Sohail
Inayatullah, and Annette Sykes among others.
Conferences and workshops
People interested to hold conferences and/or workshops are invited to make contact with details of their proposals.