Invitation to the first social forum in Germany

For Justice, Peace and the Preservation of Nature

In Germany so-called "reforms" are being carried through in the interest of profit, worsening people's living conditions. These policies are leading to spiraling unemployment, increasing poverty and the financial collapse of state and communal services.

This is a world wide process. Neo-liberal globalization has infringed the richer countries with working and living conditions that the poor countries have already had to live with for many years. Both the richer and the poorer countries are faced with a worsening - natural resources are being irrevocably destroyed now and for future generations. Economic interests are being enforced by severe military means. All regulations and barriers are being broken down in the interests of Capital - and the "Fortress of Europe" is raising walls to keep all migrants and refugees out. Social services are being dismantled in the wake of their privatisation. Social and democratic rights are being scrapped.

As social unrest grows it becomes more and more mandatory to find answers to such questions as what changes are necessary in order to purport social and democratic justice and to preserve the natural resources for mankind's survival as well as of how to secure dignity, meaningful work and existence for all men and women.

Ever fewer people feel themselves represented. But it is mandatory for us to make the changes necessary. We need a civil forum in society in order to exchange thoughts and ideas and build up forces of resistance and struggle - this also meaning overcoming the many barriers in the consensual development of alternatives.

This dialog is part of a growing world wide process documented by the first world social forum in Porto Alegre in 2001. Since then millions of people found themselves together under with the slogan "another world is possible" in continental, regional or local social forums. In Germany there are now many and different social forums.

All those in wishing to participated in the process of building up a just, peaceful and ecological society are invited to participate in the

First Social Forum in Germany
July 21rst through July 24th 2005 in Erfurt


Preparations:

On the 18th of July 2004 6 workgroups were established. These preparatory groups are open to all individuals and organizations that wish to purposefully work therein. You will find the names of persons to contact and the minutes on the following pages.


Program:

All those in wishing to build up a just, peaceful and ecological society are invited to participate in the first social forum in Germany. Your participation can mean the conception and carrying through of seminars or workshops, financial support and/or your simple attendance in Erfurt in July 2005.

The program is aimed to show the real interests of participating groups. It will be possible to attend seminars, workshops and/or conferences. In addition there will be a "Women's Space" and a self-organized "Open Space".
Please let us know of your interests, wishes and suggestions. You can do this by clicking "Anmeldung".

The Program will be structured along the following four themes:

1. Work and Human Dignity
2. Globalization and Germany's Role in the World
3. Human Rights and Political Participation
4. a World worth living in - a different World

It is thus feasible to discus a certain topic i.e. "the Right to Laziness" from several different angles as under nos 1, 3 and 4.

The first social Forum in Germany will commence with an Open Air Event on Thursday, July 21 - a cultural event with very few opening statements showing it's imbeddedement in the European and World Social Forum Processes. We are hoping to great a speaker from either Brasil or India and either Italy or Greece. Furthermore there is a meeting of the social movements scheduled for Sunday morning.