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U.S. Social Forum Progressive forces in the United States have not been able to mount an effective national response to issues such as the Gulf Coast tragedies, corporate scandals, government corruption, war, attacks against migrants, deregulation, corporate welfare, a widening gap between the rich and poor, a deteriorating education system, monopolization of the media, privatization of public resources, a ballooning federal deficit and attacks on our civil liberties. In the face of these enormous challenges the progressive movement remains fractured along geography, race, class and issues. The nation’s largest labor federation split, and union membership is at its lowest point in decades. Churches, once a backbone of the civil rights, peace and environmental justice movements, have lost strength due to scandal within the Catholic church, declining membership and the rise of the religious right. Grassroots community-based organizations represent a growing sector, but are severely under-resourced. This lack of political strength demonstrates the clear need for greater convergence among progressives and for spaces in which progressives can begin to come together and articulate our vision for “another world.” The US Social Forum will provide this space. It will be the largest gathering of progressives in over a decade, drawing participants from different regions, ethnicities, sectors and ages. Community-based organizations, Indigenous nations, unions, academics, policy and advocacy organizations will be able to come together for dialogues, reflection and to define future strategies. The purpose of the USSF is to effectively and affirmatively articulate the values and strategies of progressive civil society in the United States. Those who build towards and participate in the USSF are no longer interested in simply stating what social justice movements “stand-against,” rather we see ourselves as part of new movements that reach beyond national borders, that practice democracy at all levels, and that can articulate the world we want. The USSF provides a first major step towards such articulation by bringing together the new movements. Jobs with Justice is on the National Planning Committee of the U.S. Social Forum. The United States Social Forum comes at a significant time in US history. The conservative political right dominates the three primary institutions of the federal government. The US military is bogged down in the occupation of Iraq and Afghanistan as public support for these invasions erodes. The disaster of hurricane Katrina and the failure of the federal government to respond have illuminated extreme poverty in the US and the race and class divisions in this country. The USSF will provide a process to build a powerful movement in this country based on the organized voices and experiences of those from the grassroots most affected by US and global injustices. There are 35 organizations currently on the National Planning Committee, and we decided that the NPC would have no more than 50 organizations. The remaining positions on the NPC are reserved for organizations serving people of color, women or youth. If your organization would like to apply for one of the remaining positions, you can request an application. Organizations are welcome to join Working Groups without being on National Planning Committee. For more information: www.ussf2007.org WORLD SOCIAL FORUM
For more information: WSF website |
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