The 2009 World Social Forum, described by some as ‘creative chaos,’ was a time of excitement and brainstorming. It was a huge laboratory experience, at the least, and a celebration of life, at the most. Those that see the event as a resounding success mention such proposals as abolition of tax havens which they deem as the weak link in a system in which all could prosper from the existence of finance. The liberalization of financial services has allowed banks to grow and become big. The WSF wants these big banks to fund activities relevant to society.

Economy of solidarity was a persistent concept all throught this year’s WSF. As one Peruvian economist stated, “All crises – food, energy, financial – that have shaken the planet are linked.” In the middle of the Amazon, the Indian people, massively present in Belem, reiterated the link between man and nature.

In order to preserve the Amazon, the environmental organizations have called for the break from a development model that leads to the transformation of forest to pasture or areas of intensive soybean monoculture. They called for agroforestry that can exploit the forest resources without destroying it. This solution preserves the environment and ensures food security of local communities.

For the first time with the WSF, the American flag was not burned. There is even talk that the next meeting in 2011 will be in the United States. At the closing of the 2009 WSF, a definitive statement was read: “We offer another perspective on the crisis and show that there are alternatives to a bankrupt capitalism. And who can deny that these are now necessary?”

Image

Via IPS