(These are my notes from a January 22 press briefing. Sorry, my spelling of names is off; can someone please correct?)
Prof Edward Onyugi? (Sunet), lead organization of Nairobi forum
Moema Miranda (IBASE)
Taoufik Bin Abdullah? (Enda), secretariat of African Social Forum
Omar? (South and East Africa Trade Institute, Seatini)
Highlight history and direction of forum, and where it is going.
Edward: Forum opening w/ march and ceremony in Uhuru park, and
discussions began in earnest yesterday. Several hitches, things not in
place in time. But we console ourselves that the forum is a process
that always faces challenges but then settles down. Weve sorted out
transfer of registration from KICC to Kasarani, and problem of
translation equipment not arriving on time. Several experiments this
year, esp. “4th day” when groups come together to plan and strategize
future directions and actions. We hope it will add value to momentum
and growth of forum. People will come with proposals that they will
discuss. Help us analyze this at end whether it is an experience worth
keeping, modifying, improving. This year 14 co-organized large events
that are not self-organized (2 versions in program that is a bit
misleadingthe one in middle is more accurate). Some speakers are
already listed, but others will be added. It will be worth visiting
these.
Taoufik: African social movements full engaged in organizing of
forum. Many consultations on African level. It came as a result of a
long process in Africa, and strong discussions within IC. After Bamako
began discussions to take advantage of forum. Most important event on
continent in 50-60 years. Not only committed, but want to succeed.
Expectations: 1. Large groups of Africans are here, and we want to
build and construct idea of African unity among people (not only among
states). Part of social process of unity of continent. 2. We want to
reinforce our voices. We are suffering because we are not part of
discussions on future. Nairobi gives us an opportunity to reinforce
voices, to tell leaders that there is no future w/o us. 3. Position
ourselves in continent in context of different forces trying to take
control. We say no, and we want to be in control of our future and
decisions. There is no future unless we are included in process.
Finally, the world is here. This is not a charity forum. Be we ask
others to be with us as we discuss how to shape Africa. We want to be
part of the alternative agenda that comes out of this forum. Africa was
present in decision-making process, but also in attendance. All
countries representedall Africa represented.
Moema: Important, and thank you all for being here. This is
important after long struggle to be here. Not a miracle, but a result
of long, deep, and engaged work to be here. It is easy to do the forum
in Porto Alegre where we have support of a PT government and a history
of working together on struggles. But it is harder here in Africa where
there are more divisions. For those of us from alter-world movement, we
are proud though it has not been easy. But we are proud, and we need to
work together. Another world is not possible without Africa being part
of the solutions. From here, working together we will make another
world possible. We are inventing new ways to make forum, for example
4th-day activities. We will give visibility to all campaigns.
South-South dialogue that engages the north opens avenues. What comes
out of the forum? Engaging, acting. New and visible ways are coming out
of Africa. It helps change and recreate world. We are building a common
future with hope and justice. Recognize Kenya and Africa in organizing
forum.
Q of # of delegates & registration fee:
Omar: yesterday we had registered 46,000 delegates. We would have had
many more Kenyans (with affordable entrance fees). But if you look at
program, not all events are taking place here. Some activities taking
place in slums, etc. 46K not attending, but those registered. What most
people dont realize is that all of the costs of the forum have to be
met by the OC. There is no central pot of money. Forum has cost us $5M
USD, and we still have pending bills. In our organizing efforts, we
expected support from solidarity organizations. We received some, but
fell far short of the cost. We needed to meet expenses. Some on
resource committee wanted to charge more, which would have made it
prohibitively expense. In October we met with social movements in
Kenya, and do appreciated that most live on $1USD a day, and charging
them $7USD makes it impossible to attend. So we set up solidarity fund.
7,000 members have social movements have benefits from this fund. We
also promised daily entrance passes for 50 KSH, so they can attend the
events they most want to. I know that there is a lot of pressure to
open the gates and let everyone in. But the same people who are saying
this are also saying that we are losing controlthat people are losing
their purses, laptops, etc. Im not saying that poor will cause more
problems, but we would know less of who is here. There are tradeoffs.
Moema: Under capitalism, everything has a price. Someone needs
to pay for it. It is easier when the government pays for something. But
we dont want to compromise our autonomy. If we relied only on friendly
governments, that would compromise out positions. And it is not just
Kenyas responsibility. It is our responsibility. Dont ask what are
you doing, but what am I doing. If we want a social forum, we need to
find ways to support event.
Q on relation of forum to Kenyan government:
Edward: we informed government, and approached minister and approved a
year ago. Govt came on board as a partner to provide things like
security. Meeting with police, immigration, foreign affairs, and others
that we thought would have something to do with the holding the forum.
In that way, our relationship is in order. They have not put in money,
but in-kind with police. Coming elections: dont want to engage in
party politics. It has not interfered with our work, and we have not
allowed candidates to use forum as platform for their campaigns. This
is in accordance with WSF charter. (One exception, but he has long been
involved in social forum process. It is important to include people who
contribute to memory of resistance; not invited as opposition leader.)
Q on conflicts around Kenya:
Omar: Sudan, Somali, Uganda raised resources to be here. In some cases,
organized caravan to be here. Co-organized on conflicts and peace.
Strong expectations that forum will help create social momentum in
region. On official level, there are problems. But people here have
worked to organize themselves.
Q of Palestine flag:
Omar: But there are other flags. As long as it is not in conflict with Charter, it is ok. If it is, then we will react.
Q common message for Davos?
Moema: another world is possible
Edward: militarization needs to end. War next door is US war by proxy.
This message needs to go to Davos.
Moema: demonstrate deep solidarity of south. Not only deepen
resistance, but look for alternatives. We need organize struggles. From
old left, we thought that at teleological end the answer was there. But
now the focus is on the struggle. We need to be connected and build
common community.
Omar: one life is worth one life. We need to stop one-way flow of
resources. Mobilizing forces, and one day this will change.
Q what themes well define alt-globalization movement in years to come.
Taoufik: Take responsibilityif we want to be part of new world, we need to take action to be part of that.
Q key challenge:
Taoufik: before it was just a country, but here it was the entire
continent which means difficulties of mobilizing social movements in 53
countries and become stake-holders in forum. If we just take example of
transport, we face barrier of lack of awareness in certain sectorsand
need to talk to civil society. Some did not find it necessary to take
up invitation (members of regional African institutions).