BY PIP HINMAN
SYDNEY Against the backdrop of a looming US-led war on Iraq, some 300 activists participated in the first Sydney Social Forum on September 20-21.
The SSF hosted 65 workshops and six feature panels. Topics discussed included alternatives to the World Trade Organisation (WTO) and the movements resisting racism and nationalism. The final plenary looked at alternatives to neo-liberal globalisation.
Activists from various groups planning protests against war, Pine Gap and the proposed new nuclear reactor in Sydney and a variety of solidarity campaigners ensured a weekend of debate and discussion.
Sean Healy, one of the SSF organisers, told Green Left Weekly that the SSF had issued a call urging people to take action against the WTO.
On September 21, NOWTO organised a "spokescouncil" for all those interested in protesting at the WTO mini-ministerial to be held in Sydney on November 14-15. It attracted 100 people who agreed to support and publicise a number of initiatives. They include a march for the free movement of peoples on November 13, a blockade of the site on November 14 and a unity rally later on the same day. The NOWTO spokescouncil agreed to the following demands: Shut down the WTO; No war on Iraq, Free the refugees and Another world is possible.
From Green Left Weekly, September 25, 2002.
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