Meanwhile a heated debate has already started about a 'Bid' to bring the next European Social Forum to London: European Social Forum London 2004 Bid: A Stitch Up?
The 1st London Social Forum 4 October 2003
Clement House and Old Building London School of Economics and Political Science Aldwych/Houghton Street Holborn London
Programme for the day:
10.30 - 11.30 Plenary
11.30 - 1.00 Workshops (see below for workshop programme)
2.00 - 3.30 Workshops (see below for workshop programme)
4.00 - 6.00 Plenary
We hope you will come and help us build our own social forum here in London. We also invite you and your organisation to participate.
LSF Workshop Programme:
MORNING:
Room D202 - 11.30-1.00: Public, Private, People's Investments Chris Cook, LSF, cojock@hotmail.com Re-visiting the privatisation debate to examine the different forms of "enterprise model" (eg Industrial and Provident Society, Corporate, Partnership, Co-operative etc etc) - particularly in the field of "Social Enterprise". If new Government-proposed entities such as Community Interest Companies are objectionable (for reasons given by speakers such as Alyson Pollock) then what WOULD work?
Room D302 - 11.30-1.00: Future of the Anti-War Movement in London Oscar Reyes, LSF, oereye@yahoo.co.uk What lessons does the campaign against the Iraq war hold for our future activism? This workshop invites you to reflect on political strategy and network with other activists to sustain a strong and democratic anti-war movement in London and beyond. The discussion will be opened by Naima Bouteldja, Mike Marqusee and Milan Rai.
Room D106 - 11.30-1.00: Refugees and Asylum-seekers Dave Esterson, LSF, Daveesterson@aol.com How do we stop the hate campaign?
Room D602 - 11.30-1.00: Working in London Vicki Morris, No Sweat, VickiMrrs@aol.com http://www.nosweat.org.uk, 07719 283132 Pay, conditions and campaigns - union and otherwise.
Room D502 - 11.30-1.00: Transport in London Dagmar Diesner, arthemis_dagmar@yahoo.co.uk Discussion will be opened by Christian Wolmar, author of Down the Tube. See details of the LSF Transport Group
Room D402 - 11.30-1.00: Democracy LSF, Jeremy Gilbert, Jeremy.gilbert@ntlworld.com
Room D206 - 11.30-1.00: Argentine Solidarity Campaign Claudia Hasanbegovic, claudiniah@yahoo.com.ar, 0207 336 0888 Argentina: Neoliberalism and its Consequences Presentations by Claudia Hasanbegovic, Argentine lawyer, researcher and human rights advocate and Julie Hearn, a British researcher and social activist, followed by group discussion
Room D702 - 11.30-1.00: TBC (Wombles)
Room D703 - 11.30-1.00: Genes, Corporations and People: the Politics of Human Genetics David King (Human Genetics Alert - david.king@hgalert.org); Sarah Sexton (The Cornerhouse); Alex Plows (Cardiff Universitty). An introduction to issues raised by human genetics and its growing importance to the pharmaceutical industry. Speakers will analyse the real medical promises of this science, and show how eugenics is returning in a technological, market-driven form. They will also discuss the way that control of human genes is becoming central to pharmaceutical industry strategies, and the threat that genetic medicine poses to traditional public health approaches. We will present perspectives from feminist, critical-science and disabled people's movements. There will be time for discussion of possible campaigning strategies and the need for formation of new networks to address these issues.
AFTERNOON:
Room D302 - 2.00-3.30: ATTAC: New Ways Forward in Global Economic Thinking Helena Kotkowska, Attac, hkotkowska@hotmail.com
Room D202 - 2.00 - 3.30: Taxation and Monetary Alternatives Chris Cook, LSF, cojock@hotmail.com Looking at initiatives in the Transport area - such as taxing the beneficiaries of new infrastructure who own Land the value of which increases as a result. Also the Tobin Tax, Carbon Tax etc . The theme is taxation of resource use/ownership rather than "income" or spending.
Room D702 - 2.00 - 3.30: Networking with people in conflict areas Helsinki Citizens' Assembly, m.h.kaldor@lse.ac.uk Based on experiences in the Balkans, Iraq and Chechnya, Mary Kaldor, Yahia Said and Florent Schaeffer introduce a discussion on creating and maintaining networks to support and communicate with people in conflict areas.
Room D602 - 2.00-3.30: Palestine Anita Bressan, LSF, anitabressan@yahoo.it
Room D402 - 2.00-3.30: War, Peace and Civil Liberties Les Levidow, CAMPACC, Les.Levidow@btinternet.com How can anti-war forces be linked more effectively with refugee groups here?
Room D502 - 2.00-3.30: Media LSF Media Group Speakers from Campaign for Press and Broadcasting Freedom, National Union of Journalists, Friends of Le Monde Diplomatique and Panos Institute discuss British and international media.
Room D206 - 2.00-3.30: Student Activism Oscar Reyes, LSF, oereye@yahoo.co.uk As another academic year begins, what directions will student activism take? This workshop will discuss student political strategies in a non-party context and promises to create some exciting new activist networks for the coming year. It will be introduced by experienced and independent-minded student activists.
Room D106 - 2.00-3.30: Fundraising for Small Community Groups Steve Peake, Synergy Communities, steve@indigenouspeople.f9.co.uk Social enterprise for sustainable education - a beginner's guide to incorporation, fundraising, marketing and public relations for community groups (particular emphasis on working in partnership with local authorities)
Room D703 - 2.00-3.30: The Coca-Cola Boycott Suqi Hughes, Colombia Solidarity Group, suqihughes@yahoo.co.uk Emilito Habana will introduce the Coca-Cola boycott, followed by a short video and discussion of ways to take the campaign forward.
Room D211- 2.00-3.30: Campaigning for Socially Inclusive Education Local Education Action by Parents, Louise Irvine, louise@magicland.freeserve.co.uk An open discussion and exchange of ideas and experiences on how people can work together to create change in education in London for the benefit of all children and young people not just an elite.
Original article on IMC London:
