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africa social forum 

DECEMBER 1-5 2005

conakry, Guinea

 

fourth edition

 

Africa, the cradle of humanity 

and the world’s future

 

  

INFORMATION GUIDEBOOK

 

another africa is possible 

another world is possible  

 

I.                 Context and Justification

In the spirit of the World Social Movement, Conakry will be hosting the Fourth Edition of the Africa Social Forum (ASF) December 1-5 2005, following on the previous editions in Bamako, Mali (2002), Adis Abeba, Ethiopia (2003) and Lusaka, Zambia, (2004). The Africa Social Movement has grown considerably through the organisation of national and regional social fora throughout the Continent as well as an increasing participation on the part of Africans in the various World Social Fora. This dynamic has helped civil society heighten its awareness of the need to strengthen the independence of African countries as well as establish synergy and complementary actions on the part of the various movements towards the implementation of credible development policies.   

The African continent is currently facing a number of difficulties be it on the economic, political or social level, which maintains it in a chronic state of underdevelopment. More than half of the African countries are ranked as being in the least advanced category. Economically, the implementation of severe macro-economic measures is causing more injustice and harm to the African populations. Parallel to this, the systematic pillage of natural resources and the flight of intellects are worsening the crisis and the progression of underdevelopment. Agricultural, trade or debt related issues remain unsolved at a time when free trade policies are being promoted by international financial institutions (WTO, IMF, World Bank etc.) as well as future APC-EU trade.   

On a social level, with more than 52% of its population under the age of 35, the Continent is facing is coming up against serious problems related to justice, the degradation of traditional values of solidarity, identity crisis, causing increasing gaps within the social structure which are at the source of most conflicts. Furthermore, these conflicts added to a high rate of emigration, the escalade of HIV-AIDS and the overall degradation of the environment is all elements confronting the evolution of African civilisations today.  

On the political front, even with the many efforts here and there towards democratization, African countries continue to pay a very high price for their bad governance. Attempts to democratize electoral systems are at a standstill in most African States, which has a negative influence on the different mechanisms used to access and exercise political power. Opposite to the recorded inefficiency of imposed values and regulations (i.e. poverty reduction strategies, structural adjustments etc.) we see the emergence of a need to identify endogenous solutions that require the africanization of certain concepts and certain principles such as democracy, good governance and conflict management.  

This being said, Africa is also bursting with potential. On one hand, the Continent represents the world’s reserve in mining resources, a huge agricultural and environmental potential, a unique diversity of human expertise and a cultural heritage which finds its origin at the root of the history of man and of which many aspects have yet to be discovered. On the other hand, there are millions of people belonging to traditional and modern organizations, working together not only to fight poverty but also to preserve certain human values that lean towards sustainable development.  

Indeed, at a time when the incredible technical and scientific progress we are witnessing has gone a deviated from its original mission which was to serve all mankind rather than a small minority, society has been caught up into a rat race based on the materialisation of human values which has ended up enslaving human beings. 

The Forth Edition of the Africa Social Forum aims to make African development stakeholders more aware of the need to rectify the current situation and find ways to go about it in a collective manner. It will release new ideas and new strategies that promote a more just globalization while reviving and updating African values; a vision that will continue to grow at the World Social Forum in Kenya in 2007.

 

Objectives 

General Objective 

o       Define the basis for a political, economic, social and cultural rebirth of the Continent through the Africa Social Movement.  

Expected Results 

The Africa Social Forum will have:       

o       Contributed to a clearer vision of the present and the future through an overview of the history and values of the African continent.

o       Highlighted the abundance of human creative potential on which can be built a new identity for the Continent

o       Analysed current mechanisms of subservience and exploitation

o       Encouraged synergies and complementary initiatives towards change

o       Promoted and encouraged mobilisation around the Polycentric Social Forum of Bamako in 2006 and the World Social Forum in Nairobi in 2007 

Methodology 

The Forum will consist of: 

o       Conferences, workshops, seminars, roundtables 

o       Sub-regional and regional platforms

o       A Youth Forum

o       Women’s Tribunal

o       Local Elected Forum

o       Trade Union Forum

o       Farmers’ Forum

o       Popular platforms

o       Artistic and cultural events

o       Commercial and artistic exhibition; poems and news competition

o       Forum on Communication

o       Writers and culture forum 

Themes and subjects of discussion: 

  • Governance and démocracy : international policy ; rights and democracy ; governance

  • Culture and religion : history of the Continent ; cultural identity ; religion ; art

  • Economy and globalization : economic globalization; trade issues and free trade areas ; agricultural issues ; debt and development

  • Social services and environment : Millennium Objectives of development; education ; environment ; health 

  • Integration : regionalism ; integration ; religion ; Diaspora ; communication ; security ; conflicts and peace 

 

Participation 

The Forum is open to everyone who wishes to participate

 Will be invited: 

  • Participants from African countries representing the main sectors
  • African Diaspora
  • Regional and international institutions
  • NGOs, Unions, Farmer’s organisations, women’s groups, youth organisations, human rights organisations, community organisations, artistic and cultural organisations, education organisations
  • Local elected representatives
  • Thematic sub regional and regional networks
  • Media
  • Academics
  • Leaders of opinion etc.

 

     Organizers 

The Forth Edition of the Africa Social Forum is organized by the Africa Social Forum Council, the CECIDE (International Trade Centre for Development) in charge of the external contacts and National Council of the Guinean Civil Society organizations, in charge of the internal contacts. E-mail contact cecidegn@yahoo.fr 

The host country  

Guinea is situated in West Africa. Its population is approximately 8 million people, 51% of which are women and 45% under the age of 30. A French colony, it was the first to access independence in 1958. After a first centralized Republic, authoritarian and with a Unique Party, the country has endowed with a policy system of multipartism. Since 1989, the development of the country is marked by a regional neighbourhood dominated by conflicts and instability. It is in this context that the Guinean Social Movement (thousands of cooperatives, trade unions, NGOs, women and youth associations, etc.) grows and works; it keeps a good relationship with bordering countries. Moreover, beyond its own cultures, Guinea is the only country of West Africa which integrates various cultures from its neighbourhood: French-speaking (Senegal, Mali, Côte d’Ivoire), English (Sierra Leone), American (Liberia) and lusophone (Guinea Bissau).  

Council of African Social Forum  

CECIDE (International Trade Centre for Development)  

Established in 2000 the CECIDE is a Guinean NGO that works towards sustainable development in a world plagued by unfair trade and globalization. It aims to increase citizens’ understanding of issues related to international trade and development, an improved knowledge of international trade institutions and mechanisms and major stakeholders.  The CECIDE promotes multilateral cooperation and the involvement of actors engaged in trade issues and questions relating to sustainable development. It encourages a participatory approach within the decision making process concerning sectoral policies; the promotion and defence of citizen’s economic rights. CECIDE is in charged of ensuring the secretariat of the African Social Forum, whose first edition was held in November 2004 in Conakry (Guinea).  

National Council of Guinean Civil Society Organisations, CNOSCG 

Established in February 2002, the CNOSCG is an umbrella structure whose membership includes Guinea’s major civil society alliances, federations, trade unions etc. It is also composed of regional, prefectoral and sub-prefectoral councils all working towards the empowerment of civil society and the protection of citizens’ interests. The Council aims to promote sustainable development, participatory democracy and cooperation between civil society and other stakeholders.   

IV. Programme

We will send you the detailed programme as soon as it is available 

1st  December 2005

Morning

  • Opening ceremony

  • Cultural events

  • Conferences

Afternoon

o       Thematic workshops

o       Conferences ; panels

o       Cultural events

o        

2nd , 3rd, 4th December 2005

Mornings

o       Conferences ; panels and workshops

 

o       Cultural events

Afternoon

o Workshops

o   Plenary

Evenings

o Cultural events

5th December 2005

Plenary and closing

 

General Information 

¨      ASF space 

ASF activities will be organized in Conakry in Palais du Peuple, inside buildings and on sites located around Palais du Peuple (Cendid, Hôtel Riviera, Jardin du 2 octobre, etc.). The Forum will take place in 5 days, that means from 1 to 5 December 2005. 

     Halls:  Big halls for plenary sessions: 2000 places

        Halls for workshops and forums: 50 to 200 places    

Exhibits: It is possible for organisations to reserve a space or a stand to inform participants on their programme, activities etc. To make a reservation, please inform the steering committee before 31st October.  

¨
      Translation  

A simultaneous system of interpretation will be ensured in five halls (English, French) 

VI. Content 

Debates address the following issues: 

1.     Social movements and the development of Africa

-         Issues related to globalization and responses. 

-         Policies for Africa

-         Economic, social, political and cultural aspects;

-         Advantages 

-          Consequences 

-          What mechanisms to ensure  rebirth? :

o       Political 

o       Economic

o       Social

o       Cultural  

2.