SlideShare a Scribd company logo
1 of 3
Download to read offline
My Experience at the World Social Forum
Anamaria Aristizabal
February, 2005
When I came back from the World Social Forum (WSF) in Porto Alegre Brazil, I hit the
ground running. I am doing a Master’s degree in Environmental Management at Yale,
and missing a week of school is enough to snatch one’s peace of mind. Although getting
back has been stressful, I am not even close to sorry to have gone to the WSF. In fact, I
will make it a point to attend to the future WSF whenever possible.
The original reason that led me there was to learn from other social movements (other
than the environmental movement, which I am part of), and build bridges between them.
I feel that many progressive movements work in isolation, and not enough synergies are
created to advance our causes. We have much in common, but we often do not realize it,
because the language that we use is different and because the focus diverges. However,
our underlying values and visions are very compatible.
One of the most exceptional things that I found at the Forum was the variety of
movements present, coexisting under the same umbrella. This is notable because today it
is rare to find an event that hosts so many different perspectives, perhaps with the
exception of the Earth Summits (at Rio and Johannesburg). There were people devoted to
movements ranging from labor, Fair Trade, democracy, and human rights to
environmentalism, spirituality, and the arts. Yet despite this wide scope of interests, all
the groups shared fundamental commonalities: a desire to question the existing order, to
envision a new one, and to implement that new vision.
For me this has a special significance, as all my life I have felt torn between my
environmental, social, economic, spiritual, and artistic interests. I felt that I was a
confused rarity in a society of focused, specialized individuals. This feeling has lessened
as I read about systems thinking and holistic thought, realizing that no systemic problem
(such as poverty, violence, or environmental degradation) will be solved with a technical,
one-dimensional solution. More integral and holistic solutions are needed, solutions that
take into account multiple aspects of human nature. I felt this spirit at the WSF, and as I
went from the cluster of economic tents, to the environmental ones, to the human rights
ones, to the spiritual ones, I felt invigorated, reconnected with forgotten parts of myself,
and felt more whole.
The WSF was a democratic exercise. Although there was an organizational panel that
makes certain important decisions, I felt that at the WSF every person had a voice. Each
workshop was designed and organized by the participants, and needed no permissions or
supervisions of any kind. In spite of technical and logistical difficulties, there were
hordes of translator volunteers to bridge nationalities. There were spaces provided at the
end of the day to write proposals at each of the cluster of tents, for WSF organizers to
collect and assemble. There were plenty of opportunities to protest, to give pamphlets, to
raise awareness of issues.
At the WSF, I gave a talk on becoming a “global citizen” at a panel organized by the
Great Transition Initiative, a network that I am part of (GTI- www.gtinitiative.org). I was
asked to share my personal experience on the topic, and since I found the funding to go
the WSF through Yale University, I was also representing it. I talked about the
Environment School’s efforts to become a global school, comparing them with similar
efforts in Colombian universities and underlining the important role of universities to
shape global citizens. This was a challenging topic for me, and I don’t think I did it
justice. I was walking on delicate terrain by saying that universities are critical in shaping
global citizens, since so many people do not have access to post-secondary education in
the developing world. I also felt terribly out of place sharing the experiences that have
enlivened my desire to become a global citizen (which include travel and access to an
overseas education), as well as the steps Yale has taken to become a global school.
Talking about my background and my affiliation to Yale, I felt as though I had the word
“PRIVILEDGE” taped to my forehead, something that does not click well at the anti-neo-
liberal WSF. But an interesting discussion followed, and the experience was the
beginning of important reflections for me. Perhaps I had been talking more about being a
cosmopolitan person than about being a global citizen. I spoke of developing
understanding and connections with other cultures and global issues. Now I wish I had
spoken more about the responsibilities implied by the concept of a “global citizen.”
Sometimes at the WSF I felt solidarity both with causes on the other side of the world or
as well as with those that affect me directly. Other times I felt clueless and lost, and
aware of how much I don’t know, and how isolated I am in a world of homogeneity and
uniformity. The clearest example of this was the issue of Chavez. In some other realms of
my life, the opinion of my colleagues and acquaintances has been overwhelmingly
negative regarding the Venezuelan President. At the WSF, however, Chavez was a rock
star, attracting more than 15,000 people to his talk at the stadium. At more than one of the
workshops I went to, I heard the affirmation “Chavez is the hope of Latin America.” To
move from one sphere of strident opinion to another was simply disheartening. Although
I welcome the challenge to reconsider my political assumptions on an issue like this
(about which I know little), it was discouraging overall. On both sides of this ideological
conflict, there is a great intolerance for diversity of opinion. And isn’t diversity of
opinions, ideas, and approaches what an event like this is supposed to be about?
My notion of wealth was also challenged. I went to a “social currency” workshop, where
it was argued that communities can take more advantage of their own internal resources
through the use of alternative currencies. The idea is that they depend less on external
actors that bring jobs or money, and more on their own wealth. This ultimately depends
on whether one has a “scarcity paradigm” or an “abundance paradigm.” This means that
any given person or community can concentrate on what one doesn’t have versus what
one does have, and that has a significant impact on the quality of life. With an abundance
paradigm, one starts to see the world according to what we do have, and what we can do.
We realize that we are wealthy—not necessarily monetarily wealthy, but wealthy in
many other ways. Each person is endowed with gifts and abilities that he or she can put in
service to the community in exchange for other services.
These ideas of abundance and scarcity paradigms touched me, because sometimes I feel a
sense of not having enough, both materially and spiritually. I sometimes feel that I don’t
have enough resources to make the change that I want to make in the world. That day, at
that workshop, along with all the other participants, I made a commitment to develop,
each day, the paradigm of abundance in my life, to be able to appreciate, enjoy, and use
for the collective good the abundance of resources I have in my life, and realize that
every one of us, even if we don’t realize it, has much wealth to share.
How will I use what I learned? What do I do now? I am grateful for the experience of
having gone to the WSF, and I want to share this privilege by giving back to my
community in some way. There is much to be done, and while at school, little time.
However, my strengthened sense of global citizen responsibility gives new meaning to
my class field trip to the United Nations Environmental Program’s (UNEP) headquarters
in Nairobi, Kenya. During this trip, our class presenteed the findings of our assessment of
UNEP at their Governing Council meeting. We presented recommendations on how to
reinvigorate UNEP, our global environment organization, in which every citizen of the
world has a stake. This starts to seem more like a global citizen action.
I also recently organized a workshop at Yale called “Vision for Sustainability,” guided by
Manuel Manga, a leadership coach and expert on visioning processes. The goal of this
workshop was to provide a space for Yale students to develop their vision for a better
world in ways that go beyond single disciplines. Orion Kriegman, the GTI Organizer
gave us the framework for the exercise by presenting us the different scenarios for the
planet’s future, one of which is sustainability. Sustainability can mean many different
things for different people, but it evokes a future of quality of life at all levels, and all
kinds of wealth. Once the vision is clear, it’s a matter of bringing it to reality, day by day,
using all our abundant resources and wealth (not necessarily monetary), and the synergies
we build across movements and countries, to prove that what the WSF declares is true:
“Another world IS possible”.

More Related Content

Similar to 2005- Anamaria at the World Social Forum

Argumentative Essay On Global Citizenship
Argumentative Essay On Global CitizenshipArgumentative Essay On Global Citizenship
Argumentative Essay On Global CitizenshipPaper Writer Anchorage
 
Essays On Homelessness
Essays On HomelessnessEssays On Homelessness
Essays On Homelessnessrhvslabdf
 
The Rose Garden Forum and the Five Shifts - The Work of Sherlock I. Graham-Ha...
The Rose Garden Forum and the Five Shifts - The Work of Sherlock I. Graham-Ha...The Rose Garden Forum and the Five Shifts - The Work of Sherlock I. Graham-Ha...
The Rose Garden Forum and the Five Shifts - The Work of Sherlock I. Graham-Ha...Miles Lane
 
Personal Cultural Reflection &Amp; Philosophy Paper – Michael
Personal Cultural Reflection &Amp; Philosophy Paper – MichaelPersonal Cultural Reflection &Amp; Philosophy Paper – Michael
Personal Cultural Reflection &Amp; Philosophy Paper – MichaelSonia Sanchez
 
My First Impression Of Bafa Bafa After Hearing The Rules
My First Impression Of Bafa Bafa After Hearing The RulesMy First Impression Of Bafa Bafa After Hearing The Rules
My First Impression Of Bafa Bafa After Hearing The RulesSamantha Jones
 
School Psychologist Essay
School Psychologist EssaySchool Psychologist Essay
School Psychologist EssayPamela Williams
 
My Culture Has An Impact On My Socialisation Essay
My Culture Has An Impact On My Socialisation EssayMy Culture Has An Impact On My Socialisation Essay
My Culture Has An Impact On My Socialisation EssayAshley Lovato
 
Challenges Faced By Ethnic Minority Supervisors
Challenges Faced By Ethnic Minority SupervisorsChallenges Faced By Ethnic Minority Supervisors
Challenges Faced By Ethnic Minority SupervisorsKelly Ratkovic
 
Adult Literacy And Community Development Essay
Adult Literacy And Community Development EssayAdult Literacy And Community Development Essay
Adult Literacy And Community Development EssayBuy Dissertation Paper UK
 
Community Analysis
Community AnalysisCommunity Analysis
Community AnalysisKelly Byers
 

Similar to 2005- Anamaria at the World Social Forum (20)

Argumentative Essay On Global Citizenship
Argumentative Essay On Global CitizenshipArgumentative Essay On Global Citizenship
Argumentative Essay On Global Citizenship
 
Reflective Essay About A Community
Reflective Essay About A CommunityReflective Essay About A Community
Reflective Essay About A Community
 
Christian Worldview Curriculum
Christian Worldview CurriculumChristian Worldview Curriculum
Christian Worldview Curriculum
 
Essays On Homelessness
Essays On HomelessnessEssays On Homelessness
Essays On Homelessness
 
The Rose Garden Forum and the Five Shifts - The Work of Sherlock I. Graham-Ha...
The Rose Garden Forum and the Five Shifts - The Work of Sherlock I. Graham-Ha...The Rose Garden Forum and the Five Shifts - The Work of Sherlock I. Graham-Ha...
The Rose Garden Forum and the Five Shifts - The Work of Sherlock I. Graham-Ha...
 
Essay On Volunteerism
Essay On VolunteerismEssay On Volunteerism
Essay On Volunteerism
 
Personal Cultural Reflection &Amp; Philosophy Paper – Michael
Personal Cultural Reflection &Amp; Philosophy Paper – MichaelPersonal Cultural Reflection &Amp; Philosophy Paper – Michael
Personal Cultural Reflection &Amp; Philosophy Paper – Michael
 
Reflection Paper On Community Development
Reflection Paper On Community DevelopmentReflection Paper On Community Development
Reflection Paper On Community Development
 
My First Impression Of Bafa Bafa After Hearing The Rules
My First Impression Of Bafa Bafa After Hearing The RulesMy First Impression Of Bafa Bafa After Hearing The Rules
My First Impression Of Bafa Bafa After Hearing The Rules
 
Global Citizen Essay
Global Citizen EssayGlobal Citizen Essay
Global Citizen Essay
 
defense2
defense2defense2
defense2
 
Cultural Communities Essay
Cultural Communities EssayCultural Communities Essay
Cultural Communities Essay
 
Diversity In College
Diversity In CollegeDiversity In College
Diversity In College
 
School Psychologist Essay
School Psychologist EssaySchool Psychologist Essay
School Psychologist Essay
 
Community Development Essay
Community Development EssayCommunity Development Essay
Community Development Essay
 
My Culture Has An Impact On My Socialisation Essay
My Culture Has An Impact On My Socialisation EssayMy Culture Has An Impact On My Socialisation Essay
My Culture Has An Impact On My Socialisation Essay
 
Challenges Faced By Ethnic Minority Supervisors
Challenges Faced By Ethnic Minority SupervisorsChallenges Faced By Ethnic Minority Supervisors
Challenges Faced By Ethnic Minority Supervisors
 
Adult Literacy And Community Development Essay
Adult Literacy And Community Development EssayAdult Literacy And Community Development Essay
Adult Literacy And Community Development Essay
 
Community Analysis
Community AnalysisCommunity Analysis
Community Analysis
 
Speech On Diversity In Society
Speech On Diversity In SocietySpeech On Diversity In Society
Speech On Diversity In Society
 

More from Anamaria Aristizabal

2018-Leading Change: Building our Collective Capacity - white paper
2018-Leading Change: Building our Collective Capacity - white paper2018-Leading Change: Building our Collective Capacity - white paper
2018-Leading Change: Building our Collective Capacity - white paperAnamaria Aristizabal
 
2015- Integral Coaching and Teal Management
2015- Integral Coaching and Teal Management2015- Integral Coaching and Teal Management
2015- Integral Coaching and Teal ManagementAnamaria Aristizabal
 
2009-Green Business Opportunities for the Colombian Amazon
2009-Green Business Opportunities for the Colombian Amazon2009-Green Business Opportunities for the Colombian Amazon
2009-Green Business Opportunities for the Colombian AmazonAnamaria Aristizabal
 
2013- Ecoaldeas: Semilleros de innovacion social
2013- Ecoaldeas: Semilleros de innovacion social2013- Ecoaldeas: Semilleros de innovacion social
2013- Ecoaldeas: Semilleros de innovacion socialAnamaria Aristizabal
 
2010- Visión Sector Minero-Energético y Sector Ambiental-Colombia
2010- Visión Sector Minero-Energético y Sector Ambiental-Colombia2010- Visión Sector Minero-Energético y Sector Ambiental-Colombia
2010- Visión Sector Minero-Energético y Sector Ambiental-ColombiaAnamaria Aristizabal
 
2005- Singing in Kenya: Encounter with Nobel Prize Wangari Maathai
2005- Singing in Kenya: Encounter with Nobel Prize Wangari Maathai2005- Singing in Kenya: Encounter with Nobel Prize Wangari Maathai
2005- Singing in Kenya: Encounter with Nobel Prize Wangari MaathaiAnamaria Aristizabal
 
2009- Memorias de Evolución Colombia
2009- Memorias de Evolución Colombia2009- Memorias de Evolución Colombia
2009- Memorias de Evolución ColombiaAnamaria Aristizabal
 
2005- Ecobarrios: A Bottom up Approach to Building a Sustainable City
2005- Ecobarrios: A Bottom up Approach to Building a Sustainable City2005- Ecobarrios: A Bottom up Approach to Building a Sustainable City
2005- Ecobarrios: A Bottom up Approach to Building a Sustainable CityAnamaria Aristizabal
 
2002- Cumbre Rio+10 - Sociedad Civil
2002- Cumbre Rio+10 - Sociedad Civil2002- Cumbre Rio+10 - Sociedad Civil
2002- Cumbre Rio+10 - Sociedad CivilAnamaria Aristizabal
 
2003-Perspectives of Indian Environmental Leaders
2003-Perspectives of Indian Environmental Leaders2003-Perspectives of Indian Environmental Leaders
2003-Perspectives of Indian Environmental LeadersAnamaria Aristizabal
 
2004-Andean Environmental Sector Market Research
2004-Andean Environmental Sector Market Research2004-Andean Environmental Sector Market Research
2004-Andean Environmental Sector Market ResearchAnamaria Aristizabal
 
2004 Ecobarrios- Revista Ambiente- Argentina
2004  Ecobarrios- Revista Ambiente- Argentina2004  Ecobarrios- Revista Ambiente- Argentina
2004 Ecobarrios- Revista Ambiente- ArgentinaAnamaria Aristizabal
 
Taller "Coaching para la Excelencia" abril-2015
Taller "Coaching para la Excelencia"  abril-2015Taller "Coaching para la Excelencia"  abril-2015
Taller "Coaching para la Excelencia" abril-2015Anamaria Aristizabal
 

More from Anamaria Aristizabal (19)

2018-Leading Change: Building our Collective Capacity - white paper
2018-Leading Change: Building our Collective Capacity - white paper2018-Leading Change: Building our Collective Capacity - white paper
2018-Leading Change: Building our Collective Capacity - white paper
 
2015- Integral Coaching and Teal Management
2015- Integral Coaching and Teal Management2015- Integral Coaching and Teal Management
2015- Integral Coaching and Teal Management
 
2009-Green Business Opportunities for the Colombian Amazon
2009-Green Business Opportunities for the Colombian Amazon2009-Green Business Opportunities for the Colombian Amazon
2009-Green Business Opportunities for the Colombian Amazon
 
2013- Ecoaldeas: Semilleros de innovacion social
2013- Ecoaldeas: Semilleros de innovacion social2013- Ecoaldeas: Semilleros de innovacion social
2013- Ecoaldeas: Semilleros de innovacion social
 
2010- Visión Sector Minero-Energético y Sector Ambiental-Colombia
2010- Visión Sector Minero-Energético y Sector Ambiental-Colombia2010- Visión Sector Minero-Energético y Sector Ambiental-Colombia
2010- Visión Sector Minero-Energético y Sector Ambiental-Colombia
 
2005- Singing in Kenya: Encounter with Nobel Prize Wangari Maathai
2005- Singing in Kenya: Encounter with Nobel Prize Wangari Maathai2005- Singing in Kenya: Encounter with Nobel Prize Wangari Maathai
2005- Singing in Kenya: Encounter with Nobel Prize Wangari Maathai
 
2009- Memorias de Evolución Colombia
2009- Memorias de Evolución Colombia2009- Memorias de Evolución Colombia
2009- Memorias de Evolución Colombia
 
2005- Ethics and the Evangelicals
2005- Ethics and the Evangelicals2005- Ethics and the Evangelicals
2005- Ethics and the Evangelicals
 
2005- Ecobarrios: A Bottom up Approach to Building a Sustainable City
2005- Ecobarrios: A Bottom up Approach to Building a Sustainable City2005- Ecobarrios: A Bottom up Approach to Building a Sustainable City
2005- Ecobarrios: A Bottom up Approach to Building a Sustainable City
 
2002-Anamaria at the WSSD
2002-Anamaria at the WSSD2002-Anamaria at the WSSD
2002-Anamaria at the WSSD
 
2002- Cumbre Rio+10 - Sociedad Civil
2002- Cumbre Rio+10 - Sociedad Civil2002- Cumbre Rio+10 - Sociedad Civil
2002- Cumbre Rio+10 - Sociedad Civil
 
2003-Perspectives of Indian Environmental Leaders
2003-Perspectives of Indian Environmental Leaders2003-Perspectives of Indian Environmental Leaders
2003-Perspectives of Indian Environmental Leaders
 
2004-Andean Environmental Sector Market Research
2004-Andean Environmental Sector Market Research2004-Andean Environmental Sector Market Research
2004-Andean Environmental Sector Market Research
 
2004 Ecobarrios- Revista Ambiente- Argentina
2004  Ecobarrios- Revista Ambiente- Argentina2004  Ecobarrios- Revista Ambiente- Argentina
2004 Ecobarrios- Revista Ambiente- Argentina
 
Art of Hosting Plus
Art of Hosting PlusArt of Hosting Plus
Art of Hosting Plus
 
Taller "Coaching para la Excelencia" abril-2015
Taller "Coaching para la Excelencia"  abril-2015Taller "Coaching para la Excelencia"  abril-2015
Taller "Coaching para la Excelencia" abril-2015
 
SoL Global Forum Program
SoL Global Forum ProgramSoL Global Forum Program
SoL Global Forum Program
 
Folleto SoL Colombia
Folleto SoL ColombiaFolleto SoL Colombia
Folleto SoL Colombia
 
Presentación SoL Colombia
Presentación SoL ColombiaPresentación SoL Colombia
Presentación SoL Colombia
 

Recently uploaded

PPT Item # 5-6 218 Canyon Drive replat prop.
PPT Item # 5-6 218 Canyon Drive replat prop.PPT Item # 5-6 218 Canyon Drive replat prop.
PPT Item # 5-6 218 Canyon Drive replat prop.ahcitycouncil
 
National Women's Month Celebration for PENRO Quezon
National Women's Month Celebration for PENRO QuezonNational Women's Month Celebration for PENRO Quezon
National Women's Month Celebration for PENRO QuezonAryaCapale
 
My Burning Issue: "War in Ukraine" Cycle 54
My Burning Issue: "War in Ukraine" Cycle 54My Burning Issue: "War in Ukraine" Cycle 54
My Burning Issue: "War in Ukraine" Cycle 54mmazurak
 
Parents give a charity ideas for children
Parents give a charity ideas for childrenParents give a charity ideas for children
Parents give a charity ideas for childrenSERUDS INDIA
 
Children who live with Grandparents are really lucky
Children who live with Grandparents are really luckyChildren who live with Grandparents are really lucky
Children who live with Grandparents are really luckySERUDS INDIA
 
War in Ukraine and problematics of the Ukrainian refugees in USA
War in Ukraine and problematics of the Ukrainian refugees in USAWar in Ukraine and problematics of the Ukrainian refugees in USA
War in Ukraine and problematics of the Ukrainian refugees in USAival6
 
Yes!? We can end TB - World Tuberculosis Day 2024.
Yes!? We can end TB - World Tuberculosis Day 2024.Yes!? We can end TB - World Tuberculosis Day 2024.
Yes!? We can end TB - World Tuberculosis Day 2024.Christina Parmionova
 
CBO’s Work on Health Care and a Call for New Research
CBO’s Work on Health Care and a Call for New ResearchCBO’s Work on Health Care and a Call for New Research
CBO’s Work on Health Care and a Call for New ResearchCongressional Budget Office
 
Item # 1a - March 18, 2024 Special CCM Minutes
Item # 1a - March 18, 2024 Special CCM MinutesItem # 1a - March 18, 2024 Special CCM Minutes
Item # 1a - March 18, 2024 Special CCM Minutesahcitycouncil
 
The Federal Perspective on Coverage of Medications to Treat Obesity: Consider...
The Federal Perspective on Coverage of Medications to Treat Obesity: Consider...The Federal Perspective on Coverage of Medications to Treat Obesity: Consider...
The Federal Perspective on Coverage of Medications to Treat Obesity: Consider...Congressional Budget Office
 
What Teenagers Have to Say about the Grandparents
What Teenagers Have to Say about the GrandparentsWhat Teenagers Have to Say about the Grandparents
What Teenagers Have to Say about the GrandparentsSERUDS INDIA
 
Item # 5&6 - 218 Canyon Drive replat prop.
Item # 5&6 - 218 Canyon Drive replat prop.Item # 5&6 - 218 Canyon Drive replat prop.
Item # 5&6 - 218 Canyon Drive replat prop.ahcitycouncil
 
Item # 4 - Appointment of new PW Director
Item # 4 - Appointment of new PW DirectorItem # 4 - Appointment of new PW Director
Item # 4 - Appointment of new PW Directorahcitycouncil
 
World Happiness Report 2024- Full Report
World Happiness Report 2024- Full ReportWorld Happiness Report 2024- Full Report
World Happiness Report 2024- Full ReportEnergy for One World
 
Parents can give charity ideas for kids.
Parents can give charity ideas for kids.Parents can give charity ideas for kids.
Parents can give charity ideas for kids.SERUDS INDIA
 
Best charity ideas parents give their children’s
Best charity ideas parents give their children’sBest charity ideas parents give their children’s
Best charity ideas parents give their children’sSERUDS INDIA
 
DB9_BTR_Webinar_Slidedeck_20230320 (1).pptx
DB9_BTR_Webinar_Slidedeck_20230320 (1).pptxDB9_BTR_Webinar_Slidedeck_20230320 (1).pptx
DB9_BTR_Webinar_Slidedeck_20230320 (1).pptxNAP Global Network
 
PPT Item # 2 -- Announcements Powerpoint
PPT Item # 2 -- Announcements PowerpointPPT Item # 2 -- Announcements Powerpoint
PPT Item # 2 -- Announcements Powerpointahcitycouncil
 
2024: The FAR, Federal Acquisition Regulations - Part 17
2024: The FAR, Federal Acquisition Regulations - Part 172024: The FAR, Federal Acquisition Regulations - Part 17
2024: The FAR, Federal Acquisition Regulations - Part 17JSchaus & Associates
 
OECD Webinar - ESG to deliver well-being in resource-rich regions: the role o...
OECD Webinar - ESG to deliver well-being in resource-rich regions: the role o...OECD Webinar - ESG to deliver well-being in resource-rich regions: the role o...
OECD Webinar - ESG to deliver well-being in resource-rich regions: the role o...OECDregions
 

Recently uploaded (20)

PPT Item # 5-6 218 Canyon Drive replat prop.
PPT Item # 5-6 218 Canyon Drive replat prop.PPT Item # 5-6 218 Canyon Drive replat prop.
PPT Item # 5-6 218 Canyon Drive replat prop.
 
National Women's Month Celebration for PENRO Quezon
National Women's Month Celebration for PENRO QuezonNational Women's Month Celebration for PENRO Quezon
National Women's Month Celebration for PENRO Quezon
 
My Burning Issue: "War in Ukraine" Cycle 54
My Burning Issue: "War in Ukraine" Cycle 54My Burning Issue: "War in Ukraine" Cycle 54
My Burning Issue: "War in Ukraine" Cycle 54
 
Parents give a charity ideas for children
Parents give a charity ideas for childrenParents give a charity ideas for children
Parents give a charity ideas for children
 
Children who live with Grandparents are really lucky
Children who live with Grandparents are really luckyChildren who live with Grandparents are really lucky
Children who live with Grandparents are really lucky
 
War in Ukraine and problematics of the Ukrainian refugees in USA
War in Ukraine and problematics of the Ukrainian refugees in USAWar in Ukraine and problematics of the Ukrainian refugees in USA
War in Ukraine and problematics of the Ukrainian refugees in USA
 
Yes!? We can end TB - World Tuberculosis Day 2024.
Yes!? We can end TB - World Tuberculosis Day 2024.Yes!? We can end TB - World Tuberculosis Day 2024.
Yes!? We can end TB - World Tuberculosis Day 2024.
 
CBO’s Work on Health Care and a Call for New Research
CBO’s Work on Health Care and a Call for New ResearchCBO’s Work on Health Care and a Call for New Research
CBO’s Work on Health Care and a Call for New Research
 
Item # 1a - March 18, 2024 Special CCM Minutes
Item # 1a - March 18, 2024 Special CCM MinutesItem # 1a - March 18, 2024 Special CCM Minutes
Item # 1a - March 18, 2024 Special CCM Minutes
 
The Federal Perspective on Coverage of Medications to Treat Obesity: Consider...
The Federal Perspective on Coverage of Medications to Treat Obesity: Consider...The Federal Perspective on Coverage of Medications to Treat Obesity: Consider...
The Federal Perspective on Coverage of Medications to Treat Obesity: Consider...
 
What Teenagers Have to Say about the Grandparents
What Teenagers Have to Say about the GrandparentsWhat Teenagers Have to Say about the Grandparents
What Teenagers Have to Say about the Grandparents
 
Item # 5&6 - 218 Canyon Drive replat prop.
Item # 5&6 - 218 Canyon Drive replat prop.Item # 5&6 - 218 Canyon Drive replat prop.
Item # 5&6 - 218 Canyon Drive replat prop.
 
Item # 4 - Appointment of new PW Director
Item # 4 - Appointment of new PW DirectorItem # 4 - Appointment of new PW Director
Item # 4 - Appointment of new PW Director
 
World Happiness Report 2024- Full Report
World Happiness Report 2024- Full ReportWorld Happiness Report 2024- Full Report
World Happiness Report 2024- Full Report
 
Parents can give charity ideas for kids.
Parents can give charity ideas for kids.Parents can give charity ideas for kids.
Parents can give charity ideas for kids.
 
Best charity ideas parents give their children’s
Best charity ideas parents give their children’sBest charity ideas parents give their children’s
Best charity ideas parents give their children’s
 
DB9_BTR_Webinar_Slidedeck_20230320 (1).pptx
DB9_BTR_Webinar_Slidedeck_20230320 (1).pptxDB9_BTR_Webinar_Slidedeck_20230320 (1).pptx
DB9_BTR_Webinar_Slidedeck_20230320 (1).pptx
 
PPT Item # 2 -- Announcements Powerpoint
PPT Item # 2 -- Announcements PowerpointPPT Item # 2 -- Announcements Powerpoint
PPT Item # 2 -- Announcements Powerpoint
 
2024: The FAR, Federal Acquisition Regulations - Part 17
2024: The FAR, Federal Acquisition Regulations - Part 172024: The FAR, Federal Acquisition Regulations - Part 17
2024: The FAR, Federal Acquisition Regulations - Part 17
 
OECD Webinar - ESG to deliver well-being in resource-rich regions: the role o...
OECD Webinar - ESG to deliver well-being in resource-rich regions: the role o...OECD Webinar - ESG to deliver well-being in resource-rich regions: the role o...
OECD Webinar - ESG to deliver well-being in resource-rich regions: the role o...
 

2005- Anamaria at the World Social Forum

  • 1. My Experience at the World Social Forum Anamaria Aristizabal February, 2005 When I came back from the World Social Forum (WSF) in Porto Alegre Brazil, I hit the ground running. I am doing a Master’s degree in Environmental Management at Yale, and missing a week of school is enough to snatch one’s peace of mind. Although getting back has been stressful, I am not even close to sorry to have gone to the WSF. In fact, I will make it a point to attend to the future WSF whenever possible. The original reason that led me there was to learn from other social movements (other than the environmental movement, which I am part of), and build bridges between them. I feel that many progressive movements work in isolation, and not enough synergies are created to advance our causes. We have much in common, but we often do not realize it, because the language that we use is different and because the focus diverges. However, our underlying values and visions are very compatible. One of the most exceptional things that I found at the Forum was the variety of movements present, coexisting under the same umbrella. This is notable because today it is rare to find an event that hosts so many different perspectives, perhaps with the exception of the Earth Summits (at Rio and Johannesburg). There were people devoted to movements ranging from labor, Fair Trade, democracy, and human rights to environmentalism, spirituality, and the arts. Yet despite this wide scope of interests, all the groups shared fundamental commonalities: a desire to question the existing order, to envision a new one, and to implement that new vision. For me this has a special significance, as all my life I have felt torn between my environmental, social, economic, spiritual, and artistic interests. I felt that I was a confused rarity in a society of focused, specialized individuals. This feeling has lessened as I read about systems thinking and holistic thought, realizing that no systemic problem (such as poverty, violence, or environmental degradation) will be solved with a technical, one-dimensional solution. More integral and holistic solutions are needed, solutions that take into account multiple aspects of human nature. I felt this spirit at the WSF, and as I went from the cluster of economic tents, to the environmental ones, to the human rights ones, to the spiritual ones, I felt invigorated, reconnected with forgotten parts of myself, and felt more whole. The WSF was a democratic exercise. Although there was an organizational panel that makes certain important decisions, I felt that at the WSF every person had a voice. Each workshop was designed and organized by the participants, and needed no permissions or supervisions of any kind. In spite of technical and logistical difficulties, there were hordes of translator volunteers to bridge nationalities. There were spaces provided at the end of the day to write proposals at each of the cluster of tents, for WSF organizers to collect and assemble. There were plenty of opportunities to protest, to give pamphlets, to raise awareness of issues.
  • 2. At the WSF, I gave a talk on becoming a “global citizen” at a panel organized by the Great Transition Initiative, a network that I am part of (GTI- www.gtinitiative.org). I was asked to share my personal experience on the topic, and since I found the funding to go the WSF through Yale University, I was also representing it. I talked about the Environment School’s efforts to become a global school, comparing them with similar efforts in Colombian universities and underlining the important role of universities to shape global citizens. This was a challenging topic for me, and I don’t think I did it justice. I was walking on delicate terrain by saying that universities are critical in shaping global citizens, since so many people do not have access to post-secondary education in the developing world. I also felt terribly out of place sharing the experiences that have enlivened my desire to become a global citizen (which include travel and access to an overseas education), as well as the steps Yale has taken to become a global school. Talking about my background and my affiliation to Yale, I felt as though I had the word “PRIVILEDGE” taped to my forehead, something that does not click well at the anti-neo- liberal WSF. But an interesting discussion followed, and the experience was the beginning of important reflections for me. Perhaps I had been talking more about being a cosmopolitan person than about being a global citizen. I spoke of developing understanding and connections with other cultures and global issues. Now I wish I had spoken more about the responsibilities implied by the concept of a “global citizen.” Sometimes at the WSF I felt solidarity both with causes on the other side of the world or as well as with those that affect me directly. Other times I felt clueless and lost, and aware of how much I don’t know, and how isolated I am in a world of homogeneity and uniformity. The clearest example of this was the issue of Chavez. In some other realms of my life, the opinion of my colleagues and acquaintances has been overwhelmingly negative regarding the Venezuelan President. At the WSF, however, Chavez was a rock star, attracting more than 15,000 people to his talk at the stadium. At more than one of the workshops I went to, I heard the affirmation “Chavez is the hope of Latin America.” To move from one sphere of strident opinion to another was simply disheartening. Although I welcome the challenge to reconsider my political assumptions on an issue like this (about which I know little), it was discouraging overall. On both sides of this ideological conflict, there is a great intolerance for diversity of opinion. And isn’t diversity of opinions, ideas, and approaches what an event like this is supposed to be about? My notion of wealth was also challenged. I went to a “social currency” workshop, where it was argued that communities can take more advantage of their own internal resources through the use of alternative currencies. The idea is that they depend less on external actors that bring jobs or money, and more on their own wealth. This ultimately depends on whether one has a “scarcity paradigm” or an “abundance paradigm.” This means that any given person or community can concentrate on what one doesn’t have versus what one does have, and that has a significant impact on the quality of life. With an abundance paradigm, one starts to see the world according to what we do have, and what we can do. We realize that we are wealthy—not necessarily monetarily wealthy, but wealthy in many other ways. Each person is endowed with gifts and abilities that he or she can put in service to the community in exchange for other services.
  • 3. These ideas of abundance and scarcity paradigms touched me, because sometimes I feel a sense of not having enough, both materially and spiritually. I sometimes feel that I don’t have enough resources to make the change that I want to make in the world. That day, at that workshop, along with all the other participants, I made a commitment to develop, each day, the paradigm of abundance in my life, to be able to appreciate, enjoy, and use for the collective good the abundance of resources I have in my life, and realize that every one of us, even if we don’t realize it, has much wealth to share. How will I use what I learned? What do I do now? I am grateful for the experience of having gone to the WSF, and I want to share this privilege by giving back to my community in some way. There is much to be done, and while at school, little time. However, my strengthened sense of global citizen responsibility gives new meaning to my class field trip to the United Nations Environmental Program’s (UNEP) headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya. During this trip, our class presenteed the findings of our assessment of UNEP at their Governing Council meeting. We presented recommendations on how to reinvigorate UNEP, our global environment organization, in which every citizen of the world has a stake. This starts to seem more like a global citizen action. I also recently organized a workshop at Yale called “Vision for Sustainability,” guided by Manuel Manga, a leadership coach and expert on visioning processes. The goal of this workshop was to provide a space for Yale students to develop their vision for a better world in ways that go beyond single disciplines. Orion Kriegman, the GTI Organizer gave us the framework for the exercise by presenting us the different scenarios for the planet’s future, one of which is sustainability. Sustainability can mean many different things for different people, but it evokes a future of quality of life at all levels, and all kinds of wealth. Once the vision is clear, it’s a matter of bringing it to reality, day by day, using all our abundant resources and wealth (not necessarily monetary), and the synergies we build across movements and countries, to prove that what the WSF declares is true: “Another world IS possible”.