Latest Updates on the road towards the World Social Forum Free Palestine
1. International mobilization for the WSF Free Palestine
Delegations from 36 countries from all five continents have already registered for the World Social Forum Free Palestine
turning this event into the largest gathering of solidarity and social movements for Palestine. Delegations from the
following countries have confirmed their presence:South Africa; Germany; Argentine; Belgium; Brazil; Canada; Chile;
Colombia; Cuba; Ecuador; Scotland; Spain; United States; Philippines; France; Ghana; Guinea; India; England; Iran;
Israel; Italy; Japan; Jordan; Lebanon; Norway; Palestine; Pakistan; Paraguay; Democratic Republic of Congo; Senegal;
Swaziland; Togo; Tunisia; Uruguay; Venezuela.
158 self-organized activities promoted by organizations from 21 countries have been registered. We are currently closing
the process of convergence of these activities that has allowed us to ensure strong, global and focused discussions. We
are further happy to see that a short analysis of the registered self-organized activities shows an impressive coherence
of intentions of global solidarity: The activities fully reflect the aims, priorities and analysis of the Reference
Document elaborated in Palestine for the WSF Free Palestine.
Almost 3000 participants have already registered through the WSF Free Palestine registration website and many more are
organizing with their movements to attend. From all over Brazil and neighbouring countries buses are being organized.
Be part of the WSF Free Palestine – Let’s bring Solidarity to a new level!
Register now your participation as individual, participant linked to an organization or media vehicle at: http://www.inscricoesfsmpl.rs.gov.br/en (read further logistical information below).
2. High-profile speakers
Dozens of inspiring speakers, key activists of the global solidarity movement, intellectuals, social movements leaders
and artists have already confirmed their presence at the World Social Forum. See below a few examples of what is waiting
for you during the historic days of Porto Alegre, November 28 – December 1, 2012.
Ronnie Kasrils
He was cabinet minister in South Africa from 2004 to 2008. He was a member of the National Executive Committee (NEC) of
the African National Congress (ANC) from 1987 to 2007 as well as a member of the Central Committee of the South African
Communist Party (SACP) from December 1986 to 2007. He is one of the most eloquent speakers on Israeli apartheid from a
South African perspective: “In South Africa - let’s not forget it - there was a time when the world would compare any
repulsive tyrannical regime and they would say: one place there will never be a change – these black guys they are not
going to be able to remove the apartheid tyranny. These guys are too powerful, the resources, military, the might, the
gold, the wealth – impossible! But not for a repressed people who can never say that we accept the yoke.”
Angela Davis
Through her activism and scholarship over the last decades, Angela Davis has been deeply involved in our nation’s quest
for social justice. She has always emphasized the importance of building communities of struggle for economic, racial,
and gender justice. Angela Davis is the author of nine books and has lectured throughout the United States as well as in
Europe, Africa, Asia, Australia, and South America. For a presentation on Palestine see: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IZS2lVDqBTE=1=PL276B1C2099A0ED05=results_video
Marcel Khalife
Marcel Khalifé was born on June 10, 1950 in Amchit, Lebanon. He studied the Oud (the Arabic lute) at the Beirut National
Conservatory of Music and graduated in 1971, and, ever since, has been injecting a new life into the Oud. Marcel
Khalife’s works has been critically acclaimed both in the Arab World and worldwide. His creativity, innovations and his
political and humanitarian concerns have made him one of the musical heroes of the Palestinian cause. In June 2005
Marcel Khalifé was named UNESCO Artist for Peace for his artistic achievement and humanitarian contributions. He has
performed in some of the most prestigious music halls around the world. “Nothing justifies our art other than to speak
for those who cannot speak.” See a Marcel Khalife performance at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PDRKsmiFQJI
DAM Hiphop
DAMs music is a unique fusion of east and west, combining Arabic percussion rhythms, Middle Eastern melodies, and urban
hip hop. DAM’s musical inspiration comes out of everyday life in their hometown of Lyd fifteen minutes from Tel Aviv
among the youth of the city and neighboring communities with programs and opportunities that have otherwise been denied
to Palestinian citizens of Israel. The group has been featured in Vibe, National Geographic, Rolling Stone, Q, Basement,
Reuters, and The New York Times, and has appeared on MTV, CNN, BBC, and Al Jazeera. For one of their music videos see: http://www.damrap.com/media/clip/dam-born-here-hebrewarabic-english-subtitles/35
3. WSF Free Palestine Extended
For those who are unable to join us in Brazil, the World Social Forum Free Palestine WSF-FP calls for simultaneous
protests, creative actions and media efforts worldwide to call attention to the goals and strategies that will be
discussed and promoted during this Forum. In order to know how to participate at the WSF Free Palestine Extended, please
click here: http://www.wsfpalestine.net/en/call-simultaneous-solidarity-action-28-november-1-december-2012
Be a part of the WSF Free Palestine wherever you are: 28 November to 1 December 2012!
4. World Parliamentary Forum Free Palestine
“Members of the Legislative Assembly of the State of Rio Grande do Sul support the united effort developed in Brazil, in
Palestine and in the world to build the "World Social Forum - Free Palestine", in Porto Alegre, from 28 November to 1st
December 2012. We welcome and host the World Parliamentary Forum - Free Palestine (WPF Free Palestine), which will take
place in the afternoon of November 30 of this year, in the Legislative Assembly of the State of Rio Grande do Sul.
[…] We believe this is a unique and direly needed opportunity for discussions, exchange of ideas and experiences,
strategic planning and development of parliamentary initiatives aimed at the solution of the Palestinian question. […]
At the same time that global civil society meets to discuss solidarity with Palestine, the contribution of their
representatives in parliament cannot be absent.”
For more information, the program, how to participate and contact details for the organizing committee of the World
Parliamentary Forum, please click here: http://fpmpalestinalivre.blogspot.com.br/
5. Churches and theological authorities support the World Social Forum Free Palestine
Faith based organizations are strongly mobilizing for the WSF Free Palestine. Grassroots organizations, prominent
theological figures and the World Council of Churches support the WSF Free Palestine. Leonardo Boff has motivated his
support for the WSF FP saying that: “It is our duty to be on the side of the Palestinians.” Nancy Cardoso, a methodist
pastor from CEBI( Ecumenical Bible Center) in Rio Grande do Sul explains the plans for a faith based track at the WSF
Free Palestine: “We see the WSF Free Palestine as a key space to give voice to our Palestinian brothers and sisters from
the Kairos Palestine Initiative and to deepen the discussion on Palestine.” Among the religious authorities so far
confirmed are Hanna Atallah, archbishop of Jerusalem and the Jewish theologian professor Marc Ellis.
6. Registration and logistics
Individual participants
Individual registration gives the participants the right to participate in the whole WSF Free Palestine program
(conferences, workshops and cultural events). In order to register, access the link http://www.inscricoesfsmpl.rs.gov.br and choose the form “Individual participants”. Fill in the form and wait some minutes. Then check your email and click
on the link received in order to activate the registration (or copy and paste the link on your web browser).
After this confirmation, you will receive a message with your number and all details concerning payment of registration
fee. Note: if the message with the link to activate the registrations takes too long to arrive, check the SPAM box. Some
rare times your server blocks this email. In such cases, register with a different email (type gmail, yahoo, hotmail).
Organizations and participants that are members of organization
Access the website http://www.inscricoesfsmpl.rs.gov.br. Select the form "Organization" and, right after, click the button "New organization".
Register your organization, wait some minutes, then check your email and click on the link received in order to activate
the registration (or copy and paste the link on your web browser the, press ). After this confirmation, come back to the registration website and register your participants.
Note: if this message takes too long to arrive, check the SPAM box. Some rare times your serverblocks this email. In
such cases, register with a different email (type gmail, yahoo, hotmail).
Registration of delegates (participants linked to the organization)
Each registered organization can also enroll their participants (or delegates). In order to do this, after receiving the
email and activating the registration of the organization, please return to the website and choose the form
"Participants linked to the organization". Enter the same email and password used to register the organization (item b
above).
The registration fee for organization allows to register up to five delegates. The system allows you to register as many
delegates as you wish, but additional delegates must pay a fee equivalent tothe individual participant.
Press
Media professionals who will cover the event may register directly on the website, also indicatingthe media for which
they will be covering the event. Those who are interested in taking part in theshared coverage must authorize the free
reproduction of contents through creative commons or copyleft licenses.
Attention: In order to register media professionals or freelancers, it is compulsory to register first the name of the
media outlet (which can be a digital media as well). In order to do so, please go to the website http://www.inscricoesfsmpl.rs.gov.br and select the form "Press/media vehicle". Register the outlet, wait some minutes and verify your email with the link
to activate the registration. Click on the link or copy-paste it to your browser. After confirmation, come back to the
site and register the media or freelancer professional.
Note: if this message takes too long to arrive, check the SPAM box. Some rare times your serverblocks this email. In
such cases, register with a different email (type gmail, yahoo, hotmail).
7. Hotel accommodation
All expenses for lodging and meals shall be borne by the participants themselves. The Organizing Committee facilitates
the search of accommodation indicating on the site a list of hotels and inexpensive hostels (see list of hotels at http://www.wsfpalestine.net/pt-br/accommodation).
8. Registration fees
The payment of registration is a political call to self-sustainability of the World Social Forum Free Palestine, and is
a contribution of all organizations and individuals participating in its construction. Aware of the different payment
capacities of its participants in a scenario of economic crisis and dwindling resources internationally, the Organizing
Committee of the WSF Free Palestine has stipulated different fees that were defined as follows:
- Organizations (entitled to up to 5 delegates): R$ 200 (or US$ 100). If your organization is sending more than five
delegates, you must add extra R$ 20 (or US$ 10) for each additional delegate
- Individuals and additional delegates/participants: R$ 20 (or US$ 10)
- Palestinian Refugees: free
- Trade union confederations : R$ 2.000-5.000 (US$ 1.000-US$ 2.500), according to ability
Non-Brazilian organizations and individuals can pay for the registration upon arrival in Porto Alegre.The proof of
payment can be presented during the accreditation or in the days before, at the WSF Free Palestine office.
9. Visa letters
The Brazilian Organizing Committee is in touch with the Ministry of External Affairs to assure that Brazilian embassies
and consulates from the countries where visa is required to speed up the process to issue visa to participants at the
forum. If you need a personal invitation letter, please register online for the WSF Free Palestine and write to registration@wsfpalestine.net subject: visa invitation letter. You have to send your full name (as in the passport), passport number, date of
expiration and the city of the consulate where you will be applying for visa.
ENDS