National Alliance of Peoples Movements at the World Social Forum: Appeal to join in solidarity towards transformation.

Transcription

1 National Alliance of Peoples Movements at the World Social Forum: Appeal to join in solidarity towards transformation. Dear Friends, The devastative impacts of the free flowing global capital all over the world, expropriating the world's resources is, by now, well realized and recorded too. As a result of the policies, those in the subsistence economy living on the natural resources, along with the organized sections, including those managing the public services and production - distribution processes in the various countries are facing eviction their livelihood and natural resources. The worst affected being the world's poor. There is no aspect of life and no section of a country's population that can go unaffected by the upheaval caused by the capital and market-based paradigm and the corporatised polity. In India, the dalits (socially disadvantaged in the casteist society), adivasis (tribals), women and the labour class have waged battles against this neo-imperialism. They have been challenging the corrupt, criminal politics and the State that is subservient to the hegemonic oppression of so-called 'global' agencies: may it be the World Bank or the WTO. They also have to simultaneously fight the ethnic forces, the politics not just dividing but leading people into caste and religion-based massacres. This has been communalising every sector and aspect of life, thriving on the social disintegration, economic deprivation and identity crisis resulting out of the politico-economic onslaught faced by the increasing number of people in this largest democracy not worth the name. Such struggle thus has necessarily been on multiple fronts, the local environs-human and Nature, at the same time redefining the 'national', and challenging the 'global' powers. Various mass based people's organisation, the people's movements are carrying the torch perseveringly with an alternative vision as also alternative strategies. The National Alliance of People's Movements (NAPM), as most of you know, is such an attempt towards building a people's political force, outside the electoral politics that can counter the forces of destruction, inequality and exploitation and realize the values of equity, justice, peace and nonviolence. With Gandhian, Marxist and Ambedkarian perspectives brought together, the people's movements in India have been shaping up a new praxis on the basis of their struggles and constructive work on alternatives. This New Ideology strives for the radical changes in the production processes, technologies along with social-individual consumption patterns. Further, for it, the economic growth, democratic values and sustainability are equivalent and inevitable components of development. The NAPM has tried to follow an ideological framework that strengthens the people's struggles for life and livelihood, by the agriculturists including agricultural labourers, adivasis - the indigenous populations, Dalits, fisher people, toiling women or the industrial workers and others, and people's development and the people's politics. It's in this context that NAPM has participated at the World Social Forum in Porto Alegre as also the Asian Social Forum in Hyderabad. Knowing fully the critique of these efforts by such forums by some fellow organisations, NAPM tried to gain and widen the space for people's movements and raised the issues regarding transparency to accountability, including involvement of certain corporate funding agencies in the WSF processes. Being in the process and the structure (committees) to the extent possible for mass-based movements, with our own pace and limited resources with unlimited challenges, we could seek answers and evolve consensus on the issues raised. The committees and various groups at work responded. We could demand within and get allotted, space for people's

2 movements. While there are still certain doubts to resistance with respect to WSF-India, on the part of some expressed through articles and actions, there is no doubt in our mind that such international unity and solidarity among widest possible range of organizations that form a part of civil society, is the minimum basic necessary to be able to stand up and question the world level violent attack of the capitalists-communal-criminal nexus. It's towards this end, that we have been a part of the unique phenomenon that is World Social Forum, which has created a hope for the widest possible human alliance for a just, pluralist, secular, peaceful alternative world and humanity. (The political consciousness it expresses can go a long way.) NAPM plans to organize, with other collaborating organizations, conference, panel/s, seminar/s and also mobilize people in the regions where movements work and in Mumbai. While some of our allies are a part of the India organizing committee, others have preferred to participate at the India working council level. The National Coordinator of NAPM is a member of the International Council although in her capacity as a founder activist of Narmada Bachao Andolan and convenor of the Strategy Commission (a subgroup created at Miami). Not all those in the movement could do justice to the responsibility as committee members due to being engrossed in struggles but have faith in the others carrying out various roles with some of our representatives. All the efforts at various levels, we believe would be complimentary. Two of our allies, fisher people and agricultural labourers have decided to mobilize mass-strength in order to project the plight and struggle of their communities, in the context of the anti-people policies denying them right to live, on the 19, on one of the days when WSF-India would be on. All these efforts, we sincerely hope will further the process of building a world level movement for solidarity and cooperation. NAPM appreciates the concern expressed by some of common-thinking networks and organizations in India and abroad as regards the future of WSF and the role of NGOs and movements. We sincerely hope that those will get due space and time for deliberations within the WSF and NAPM would be able to contribute to the same. NAPM has registered itself, as a member of the India Working Council, and will hold a number of panels, seminars, cultural event and other items. We have approached various organizations and individual resource persons to collaborate. Our international allies, we hope, would also participate in the Rural Trip we have announced preceding the main Forum. With WSF being held in Mumbai, a megalopolis, we look forward to the international partners in the global struggle to visit the places of people's struggles as well as reconstructive work on the alternatives in various sectors. A detailed programme and schedule of the panels / seminars to be organized by NAPM with others as well as that of the Rural Trip proposed (including letter of invitation, tour details, requisition form) and estimated expenditure is enclosed herewith. 1. Do convey to us your comments, suggestions and enroll with us for participation in trip 2. Let us know if you or any other group in interested in joining the cultural event. 3. Feel free to propose names of resource persons and organizations that would wish to collaborate with us during the events planed at WSF. 4. Every suggestion and comment would help us plan better. Our motto is to raise the people's issues and take up the perspective of people's movements onto the World Social Forum.

3 Our commitment is to strengthen the unity of all who dare fight the global powers and endeavour towards realization of the alternative vision. We appeal to you all, our friends, to join us and let us know you are with us, as an ally, in whichever capacity with whatever contribution. Awaiting an early response. P.Chennaiah- Sanjay M.G. Medha Patkar Mukta Srivastava National Co-coordinators National Coordinator NAPM Representative at WSF

4 An invitation to join the rural trip to experience people s movements and struggles, pre-wsf meet in Jan 2004 in Mumbai. Dear friends, While the preparations for the fourth World Social Forum, to be held in India in 2004 are on, you must have received an invitation for the same. The people s movements in India are looking forward for your visit to web together our common efforts to build a wider alliance to fight the global forces of corporate globalization and the hegemony of the financial institutions. We welcome you all to India. India, with its cultural, linguistic and ethnical diversity, is in the grip of the global powers, with her natural resources mortgaged to the transnational and national corporations. This has resulted in the displacement and destitution of a large number of her citizens. The successive governments in power compete with each other in appeasing the global capital forces and thus putting the lives of the citizens in perils. The WSF, which proposes democratic, people-centred alternatives to imperialist globalization cannot come at a better time than this. The Another World, which is Possible, can be attained only through knowing the small and large people s movements in the nook and corner of the country, struggling for a just and egalitarian society. A network of the people s movements in various states within India, National Alliance of People s Movements is planning a visit by the selected participants of WSF to those areas and centers where people s struggles are on. While WSF is to be held in Mumbai the giant megalopolis, the real and rural face of India, still agrarian economy, can be seen only through an opportunity to reach out to the rural places and poor communities in urban and rural areas, to understand their social rubric, economy and lifestyle, the disparity, deprivation as also self-reliance. The tour will cover different places, interacting, exchanging views with the locals leadership and strengthening the movements who are working in diverse areas such as displacement due to dams and other projects, tribal (indigenous) rights, farmers unions, fight against MNCs etc. The team of foreign activists and other participants will also see and enjoy the diverse culture and heritage of the country, as also people s initiative in reconstruction, with an alternative technology. The details of the tour are appended. We extend you a cordial invitation and an appeal to participate and express solidarity with the movements in India. Since only a limited number of participants can take part in this (due to logistical problems), we would encourage you to kindly register for the same at the earliest by filling the Requisition Form attached along with this. (see below the two alternative tour plans, expected expenditure and requisition form) Your visit, which would give you an unique experience, can also strengthen the people s struggle and reconstruction. We look forward to hear you. In Solidarity, Medha Patkar Coordinator, National Alliance of People s Movements Mukta Srivastava Tour Co-ordinator National Alliance of People s Movements

5 A Rural Trip for the first hand experience of People s Movements and Issues prior to WSF 2004 There are two plans to choose Plan A for the state of Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra or Plan B for the state of Gujarat. You can choose any one of these and inform us accordingly. 1. Tour details: Plan A: Visits to states of Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra ( Jan 7 th to Jan 13 th 2004 starting Mumbai. Date Day From To Mode of Transport 7 th night ---- Leave Mumbai Approximate time of travel Bhopal Train 14 hours (by train) Nature of struggle Schedule 8 1 Reach Bhopal 1. People s struggle against the Bhopal Gas Carnage affected. MNCs and Destructive Development 2. Meeting with organizations 3. Press Conference Hrs: Freshing up Hrs: Lunch Hrs: visiting Bhopal gas affected people Hrs: press conference meeting with organisations Hrs: Dinner 21Hrs: leaving for Badwani Night Leave Bhopal Badwani Bus 12 hours

6 9 2 Reaching Badwani at 7 Hrs. Anti Dam Struggle Narmada Bachao Andolan Visiting the villages - meetings SSP villages Bhadal / Kakrana (tribal areas) 7-9 Hrs: Freshing up & breakfast 10 Hrs: Leaving for kakrana 13 Hrs: Reaching Kakrana Hrs: Lunch 15-18: visit to village and meeting 19-20: Dinner 21Hrs back to Badwani and stay Overnight at Badwani Leave From badwani to pati at 9Hrs Reach Patti At 12 Hrs. Bus / Jeep 2 hours Struggle of tribals on health, water issues 13 Hrs: Lunch 14-16: visits to the villages and 19 hours: back to Badwani and stay overnight at Badwani 11 4 Leave Badwani at 9 Hrs. Night Leaving Sendhawa to Karjat At 20 Hrs 12 Reach Sakad / Chatli (Sendwa) at 12 Hrs 5 Reaching Karjat at 8Hrs Bus / Jeep 3 hours 1.Struggle on tribals rights 2. Visiting a tribal school Karjat Bus 12 hours Struggle of tribals for land rights 13Hrs: Lunch Hrs: Visit Sakad Village Hrs: Visit Chatli (Sedhva) Hrs: Dinner 20 Hrs: Leave For Karjat 8-10 Hrs: Freshen up Hrs: Field Visits Hrs: Lunch 14-16Hrs : Meeting with Groups Working In Karjat

7 21 Hrs: Reach Thane and Stay Overnight at Thane 13 6 Thane Bus 2-3 hours Struggle against Coca Cola 8-9 Hrs: Break- Fast 9-16Hrs: Visit Coca Cola Struggle Hrs: Urban Programme 21 Hrs: Back To Mumbai

8 1. Tour details: Plan B: Visits to states of GUJARAT ( Jan 8 th to Jan 13 th 2004 starting Mumbai). Day From To Mode of Transport Approximat time of travel Nature of struggles Schedule Date 8 th 9th - Leave Mumbai in the evening 1 - Reach Baroda In the morning Baroda Train 8 hours - - Struggle for peace and justice Visit to violence affected area such as best bakery case. Visit to PUCL Visit to Shanti Abhiyan Stay Over night at Baroda

9 10 th Januar y 2 Bus/ Jeep Visit environmental movements in Baroda Industrial pollution Visit to Effluent Channel, PSS Visit to Shishu Milap, VKU, Sahiyar and PUCL Meeting with the NGOs and NAPM Gujarat Leave for Raipipla and reach in the evening 11 Januar y 3 Leave Raipipla Jeep Mining area,kantindra visit to river Narmada

10 12 th 13 4 Mozda Soil water conservation programme, Women s cooperatives meeting Forest and land rights struggles Visit to Mozada collective Stay over night at Mozda Leave Mozda Umaar goan/ Dhara mpuri Train/bus Fisher people -livelyhood issue, struggle against mega Port Kinara Bachao sangharsh Samiti Cultural programme Or struggle for forest rights Back to Mumbai

11 Requisition Form Name: Address : Telephone: Age: Male: Female: Experience related to Social issues /Struggle: Nationality: Languages Known: Area of Interest: Profession: Estimated Expenditure for the tour will be : Plan A: INR 4500 or approx. $ 100 (as per current rate) Plan B: INR 3500 or approx. $ 80 Mode of Payment in advance will be: Cheque in the name of ( will be intimated through further communication) Dress code: keeping the rural Indian culture in mind, it would be important to wear decent dress and especially women are advised not to wear shorts and low cut shirts or tops. If your want to participate in this tour please sign below

12 Confirmation for participation: I will participate in this tour and will follow the tour norms. A cheque of $ 100 or $ 80 is being sent for making necessary bookings. Name and Signature (Put your initials for signature) Date

13 National Alliance of People s Movements (NAPM) National Alliance of People s Movement (NAPM) is a network of over two hundred people s movements in India with a clear ideology against corporate globalisation, religious fundamentalism, discrimination of any kind and struggling for people s right over natural resources, for true internationalism and for a just and egalitarian society. NAPM is a coming together, a process of like-minded groups and movements who while retaining their autonomous identities, are working together to bring the struggle for a people-oriented development model to the centre-stage of politics and public life. NAPM brings together struggles of various marginalized sectors into an inter-sectorial alliance, which asserts the primacy of natural resources ownership to communities, who live and sustain by those resources. The bringing together of these traditional communities also brings with it a new politics of natural resource ownership and control. It is understood that such an alliance, emerging with a definite ideological commonality and common strategy, can give rise to a strong social, political force and a national people's movement. The Organisation has both short term and long term goals. While it plans to turn around the development paradigm in the long run for an equitable, gender just and participatory development, in the short term it aims to bring justice to those groups affected by the present socio political system and ensure more voice and visibility to their struggles in various national and international foras. It uses mass mobilization along with advocacy lobbying and networking with like minded groups to achieve these ends. NAPM in its organizational form tries to integrate not only sections of marginalized communities but also their supporters with individual membership. It attempts to link between the struggling rural masses, urban civil society, laborers students and intelligentsia. With in its structure, it aims at a democratic functioning and also consensus-based decisionmaking. Sharing of resources, and access to relevant governmental and non governmental resources has been one of the prime feature of this network with organizations with more experience and resources helping newer struggles to break new paths.