NIAMEY SOCIAL FORUM 25-28 NOVEMBER 2008 

1.     General theme:

·        The peoples of Africa march against demeaning globalization

2.     Sub-themes

·        The world food crisis

·        Africa in global geopolitics

·        The challenge of building democracy

However the number of conferences to be organized will be extended to other sub-themes (which appear in the document proposed by the committee from Niger and the participants to the Council) to address the priorities expressed 

3.                Format

·       Day 1 (November 25, 2008): Registration, opening, march and cultural agenda

·      Days 2 and 3 (26-28 November, 2008):
o       Plenary meeting alternating with self-organized      
       workshops

·   Day 4
o       Morning
      Creation of space of convergence and solidarity

o       Afternoon
The plenary will be devoted to the development and the sharing of convergences and alternatives
 

4.     Communication and recording of initiatives

·        A Web site will be set up by September 30

·        Registration/recording from 1-31 October

·        A large internal and external visibility will be ensured

·        Registration fees for individuals, organizations and activities will be posted on the website once registrations are open

5.                Mobilization and participation

·        The objective is to exceed the level of participation of  previous ASF editions and guarantee a broad popular participation

·        The caravans from the subregion will be an important element for mobilization and participation.

·        An ad 'hoc committee chaired by Aminata Traoré will work in collaboration with the secretariat to organize the caravans

·        With regard to participation, the following criteria were identified:

                                                                          i.            Geographical balance

                                                                        ii.            Gender Balance

                                                                      iii.            Balance by type of movements

                                                                      iv.            Degree of initiative  

6.    Mobilization of financial resources 

·        An estimated budget will be finalized by September 20, 2008 by the committee from Niger in collaboration with the secretariat 

·        National momentum efforts to mobilize own resources will be the main strategy

·        It was decided to use national and African sources for resource mobilization within the framework of the financial empowerment strategy of the ASF process

·        A mandate was given to the secretariat to undertake the necessary formalities with national and continental authorities. However the secretariat will continue to call upon international partners.

·        With regards to the relations between the dynamics of the ASF and the private sector, it was decided to resort to private and national sectors respecting certain ASF ethical values, if necessary.

·        Initiatives will be taken to generate solidarity resources

A memorandum of understanding setting out the roles and responsibilities of each party will be signed between the secretariat and the Committee from Niger within the framework of the organization of the ASF.
 

1.      A significant African presence in Belem was recommended by the Council

2.     That will depend on the mobilization of resources by the organizations and networks who want to go to Belem

3.     A strategy for effective communication and coordination of the African participation shall be implemented by the secretariat. For information and registration, visit the WSF and ASF websites.

4.     Belem should be an opportunity for joint activities with other social movements from the South (Afro-Brazilian, Asian, etc.).

5.     The Brazilian government and other governments were contacted  for financial and material assistance

1.      Criteria were set to choose the country which will host the WSF in 2011

2.     The secretariat shall make those criteria available to Council members no later than September 2008 with a copy to the secretariat.

3.     Applications will be sent to Council members between 13 September and 31 October 2008

4.     The secretariat will put them on the list of the council whose members will have two weeks (until November 15, 2008 at the latest) to react and give their opinions

5.     If need be, a meeting of the Council will deliberate on the choice of the country to host the next edition of the WSF.

6.     The Council strongly recommended that the African social movements be more dynamic and represented in the WSF Council.

The program presented was discussed and enriched through the following amendments

1.      Better indicate the political objectives and the expected results of the program

2.     Add, on top of the assessment, a mapping of social movements on the continent

3.     That task shall be carried out by a group of Council members made up of Demba, KEN, Aminata Taoufik and Corinne 

4.     This group shall develop the TOR and the conditions of the mapping should be based on existing national and regional dynamics.

5.     A conceptual opening and political relevance should be sought for that mapping

6.     Subject to the amendments in this program, the preparation note for the ASF and the 2008–2009 work program were adopted by the Council

7.      The secretariat and the committee from Niger are responsible for the integration of the various amendments and the finalization of documents.

Done in Abidjan on 13 September 2008