MST Informe
February 7, 2003
MST
portugues em baixo

During the third World Social Forum, an assembly of social movements convened. Below are some of the passages of the final document that was developed on that occasion.

For our Common Future

We are social movements that are struggling around the world against neoliberal globalization, war, racism, castes, religious fanaticism, poverty, patriarchy and all forms of economic, ethnic, social, political, cultural and sexual exclusion and discrimination. We struggle for social justice, citizenship, participatory democracy, universal rights and for the right for people to chart their own future.

We defend peace and world cooperation, sustainability, attending to the needs of alimentation, housing, health, education, information, water, energy, public transportation and human rights for all.

No to War!

We are opposed to war in Iraq, the attacks against the Palestinian, Chechen and Kurdish people, the wars in Afghanistan, Colombia, Africa and the growing threat of war in Korea. We oppose economic and political aggression against Venezuela and the economic and political blockade of the U.S. government against Cuba. We are against all types of military and economic actions advanced to impose a neoliberal model weaken the sovereignty and peace of peoples throughout the world.

The U.S. government and its allies are imposing war as a solution ever more frequently to its conflicts. The majority of world public opinion opposes the impending war in Iraq. We call on all of the social movements and progressive forces to support, participate in and organize world protests on February 15, 2003.

Derail the WTO

The World Trade Organization (WTO), the Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA) and a proliferation of regional and bilateral trade agreements, such as the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) and the proposed free trade zone in Central America, are used by multinational corporations to promote their own interests, dominate and control our economies and impose a model of development that impoverishes our societies.

In name of free trade, all aspects of life and nature are for sale and the basic rights of people are denied. Multinational food companies try to impose transgenic foods all over the world, people who suffer from AIDS and other epidemics in Africa and other locals lack access to cheap generic medicines. In addition, southern countries are trapped in a cycle of debt with no end, that forces them to open their markets and export their resources.

We are going to organize mass protests throughout the entire world during the fifth ministerial meeting of the WTO in Canc?n, Mexico in September (10-14) and during the FTAA meetings in Miami in (November 20-21).

Debt Cancellation

We should support all indebted countries that resolve to interrupt external debt service and break agreements with the IMF, especially structural adjustment programs. Centuries of exploitation of the people of the third world, their natural resources and environment grant them the right to compensation. We ask: who belongs to whom? These questions will be raised in the main mobilizations that will happen in 2003, G8 (Evian, France/ June 1-3), WTO (Cancun, September 10-14) and in the annual meeting of the IMF in Washington (September 29-30).

Opposition to the G-8

We call all of the social movements and progressive forces to take part in the mobilization to denounce the illegitimacy and reject the policies of the Group of 8 Countries that will be meeting in Evian, France June 1-3, 2003. This mobilization will include an alternate conference, an alternate camp and an immense international demonstration.

Women: Promoting Equality

We are part of the actions promoted by women's movements on March 8th, International Womenís Day, to struggle against all forms of violence and patriarchy and for social and political equality.

Solidarity with Peoples in Struggle

We ask for solidarity of all social forces, movements and organizations around the world to peoples such as Palestinians, Venezuelans, Bolivians, Cubans (who struggle against the North-American blockade) and others that are confronting extreme crises and are struggling against imperialist hegemony in this exact moment.

Our International Network

Last year, during the World Social Forum in Porto Alegre, we adopted a declaration that defines our objectives, our struggles and the means through which we build our alliances.

Now we want to build a network articulating our analysis and our commitments to mobilize. To this end, we propose the construction of a contact group as a resource and tool for our international mobilizations, including to prepare meetings, promote debate and democracy through the promotion of a website and email lists.

In the coming months we will have many occasions to experiment, improve and build this process through our campaigns and mobilizations.

The document can be found in its entirety at http://www.movsoc.org.

MST News Briefs

Do Something to Stop the War

During the third World Social Forum, in Porto Alegre, the social movements of the world agreed to organize protests for peace on Saturday, February 15, so that the U.S. does not attack Iraq. We suggest that activities be organized in social spaces, churches, communities, schools, neighborhoods to take part in the protests. We suggest vigils, political acts, meetings, reflections, prayers, white cloths in windows. In the event that Saturday is a day that your city/neighborhood/region doesnít usually have protests, Friday, Feb. 14 can substitute.

French Rural Confederation Seeks Solidarity

About three years ago, the French Rural Confederation organized a protest with hundreds of farmers, destroying a crop of transgenic seeds. The courts prosecuted two of the directors of the confederation, Jose Bove and Rene Riesel, who were just sentenced to 14 months in prison. With the only recourse now being requesting amnesty from the French President, we urge you to send a letter to: President Chirac, webmestre@www.elysee.fr

So that your solidarity also arrives in the hands of the French Rural Confederation, send a copy to Via Campesina Brazil: viacampesina@uol.com.br

Film about Landless is available in news stands in Italy

The documentary "Raiz Forte" (Strong Roots) was edited in Italy with the magazine Carta. Through this effort, 5,000 copies were made and are being sold in news paper stands in Italian cities. Raiz Forte shows the reality of the landless from the MST in diverse states of Brazil. The presentation of the video is at http://www.carta.org./rivista/settimanale/2003/03.video.htm