Priorities 2005

The group met on January 24 followed by a meeting of the Secretariat (Kamal Labhib, Gustave Massiah, Pierre Beaudet). Smaller group meetings and discussions were held from 25 thru 29 January. Within the larger program of the WSF, Alternatives-International organized a seminar “Global Apartheid-Global Resistance” on January 31. Earlier meetings of the A-I were held in Montreal, Paris, Casablanca and Mumbai starting in the year 2003.

Issues discussed in this last meeting:

The meeting of January 24 began with the report on the activities of 2004. It might not be as apparent, the members were involved in several consultations with many groups and supported initiatives on concrete projects. Such interactions resulted in our real presence at the WSF. The complete report is available only in English.

As for the perspectives, the discussions were around:

• A-I should have a stronger presence in communication and information sector. All the information we generate should be managed in an efficient manner with not that expensive tools like the internet.
• A-I should be promoted as a think tank of various international social movements. Despite the Forum’s such as the WSF, there is a lack of analytical tools on major international developments.
• Struggles on immigration issues are bound to become bigger in the present context of the continuing onslaught from the neo-liberal policies. We are very much in the middle of such struggles but should continue strengthening ourselves I this respect.
• We should be thinking and planning in terms of international campaigns. Thought should be given to campaigns against imperialism, war, globalization, fundamentalism and their impact on all aspects of life such as environment, work, etc. Several of these campaigns can be translated into concrete projects.
• Focus on the youth should continue through various means such as internships, training, etc.
• A-I should move towards a formal structure. The Secretariat which was formed during the Mumbai meeting should be rejuvenated.
• In the decentralized format of the 2005-06 WSF, we have the occasion to intervene in an important way.