World Social Forum in Kenya

Source: World Social Forum Opens in Kenya

Thousands of anti-globalization protestors marched in Nairobi, Kenya at the opening of the annual World Social Forum. The five-day forum brings together grassroots activists to address global social problems such as HIV/AIDS, the landless, and migration, with a special focus on Africa.

The World Social Forum – established in 2001 as a rival to the World Economic Forum, a meeting of political and business leaders – describes itself as a platform for ordinary people to exchange ideas opposed to a world dominated by capitalism and imperialism. The World Economic Forum will meet in Davos, Switzerland on Jan. 24-28, 2007.

Among pressing issues to be discussed at the World Social Forum are Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs) currently being negotiated between the European Union and countries in Africa, the Caribbean and Pacific regions. Many forum attendees believe the EPAs penalize developing nations by requiring them to open up their markets to unfair competition.

The World Social Forum has been criticized, particularly by socialist and communist left parties, for producing few practical ideas, concentrating instead on general and vague criticisms of neoliberalism and imperialism.