BY NICK EVERETT
SYDNEY — Activists representing the Wilderness Society, the Palestine Human Rights Campaign, the Democratic Socialist Party, the International Socialist Organisation, the NSW Greens and the Australian Manufacturing Workers Union met on May 21 to begin planning a Sydney social forum for late July or early August.
This follows a number of initiatives in Australia to build on the success of the world social forums held in Porte Allegre, Brazil, in 2001 and 2002. The Brisbane Social Forum held on March 16-17 attracted 300 people and included two prominent US activists: rap artist Michael Franti and Z magazine editor Michael Albert. The successful 750-strong second Asia Pacific International Solidarity Conference during Easter brought together a range of forces from the region which are also keen to collaborate more closely.
A public information night for the forum will be taking place in June. Anyone wishing to present a workshop at the forum, or contribute ideas, should send an email to <info@sydneysocialforum.org>. Further information can be found at the forum's website <www.sydneysocialforum.org>.
From Green Left Weekly, May 29, 2002.
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