[governance] " ... the disabling fragmentation within civil society ...

[Deirdre Williams (via governance Mailing List)]

Since this problem has presented itself to IGC s well, there may be
interest in this project.
Deirdre
--------- Forwarded message ---------

Da: Great Transition Network <gtnetwork at greattransition.org>
Risposta: <gtnetwork at greattransition.org>
Data: martedì 3 settembre 2019 17:44
A: Roberto Savio <utopia at robertosavio.info>
Oggetto: Farewell to the WSF? (GTN Discussions)

From Paul Raskin [praskin at tellus.org]
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[*Note that this is being resent due to a glitch in the first email.]*

Dear GTN,

Since 2001, the World Social Forum has served as civil society’s answer to
the World Economic Forum, the annual powwow in Davos of the masters of the
neoliberal universe. Over the years, the WSF has brought together hundreds
of thousands of activists to meet, network, and reenergize commitments. It
has stood as a tangible expression of the diffuse but vibrant “alter
globalization” community, and a source of hope for the emergence of a
systemic global movement.

At the same time, the WSF has mirrored the movement’s immaturity. Most
significantly, the disabling fragmentation within civil society has been
reflected in the forest of separate tents that spring up at Forums, each
devoted to specific issues and grievances, with little exploration of
common visions, positions, and coordination mechanisms. More prosaically,
the logistical chaos that has plagued Forums and frustrated attendees
symbolizes the underdeveloped organizational capacity of the “movement of
movements.”

Now, as these deficits take their toll and the times change, the WSF seems
to be losing momentum and relevance. So it’s timely to critically reflect
on its achievements and whether the WSF, itself, needs a Great Transition.

Our September GTN Discussion—*FAREWELL TO THE WORLD SOCIAL FORUM?*—takes up
the challenge.
(Please organize your comments as responses to one or more of the following
topics.)

*Looking Back*
*What has been the historic significance of the WSF? In what ways has its
strategy of providing a neutral gathering space advanced (or curtailed) the
“movement of movements”? *

*At a Crossroads*
*Does the WSF retain its vitality as a beacon of “another world,” or is it
losing momentum? Has its unbending commitment to radical pluralism
sacrificed movement unity? *

*Looking Ahead*

*Should the WSF continue to operate as an open space? Seek to reinvent
itself as a collective force for political action? Or should attention
shift to fresh initiatives for building a coherent global movement?*
Roberto Savio, founder of Inter Press Service (IPS) and longtime member of
the WSF International Council, opens the debate. His essay, soon to arrive
by email, can be found here
<https://greattransition.org/images/Savio-Farewell-WSF.pdf> . I look
forward to your comments, whether brief or extended (but less than 1,200
words).

The discussion will go through Wednesday, October 2, when Roberto will have
an opportunity to respond. Per usual, we will then create a public GTI
Forum that samples a range of perspectives raised in the internal GTN
discussion.

Over to you,
Paul
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