Social Forums

The World Social Forum 2007 will take place from 20-25 January 2007 in Nairobi, Kenya. Following up from WRI's conference 'Globalising Nonviolence' in Germany in July this year, War Resisters' International will be taking part in the World Social Forum with several activities, aimed at highlighting nonviolence and promoting antimilitarism. WRI will use the opportunity especially to strengthen contacts with other groups in Africa, and to build networks in support of Eritrean human rights activists and draft evaders.

Executive summary of the report
Theme Group Presentation: Nonviolent Strategy and Globalisation
Agenda
Theme Group Notes
Sub-groups' Reports
Evaluation
Things to check out

WRI Theme Group Report: Strategising the Globalisation of Nonviolence

The report is edited by Stellan Vinthagen.

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Nonviolence Training, conscientious objection, and war profiteers

After the European Social Forum in London and the World Social Forum in Caracas, War Resisters'
International is again involved in the European Social Forum in Athens from 4-7 May.

WRI staff is offering three workshops:
Training in Nonviolent Action

Thursday, 4 May, 18.00-21.00 hrs, room F35

Howard Clark

Parallel to the official Caracas "policentric" World Social Forum, sponsored by the Chavez government, the national oil company PDVSA and even the Caracas Hilton hotel, an Alternative Social Forum took place, organised by anarchist and anti-authoritarian groups in Venezuela, and without subsidies, without compromises with power. Most participants probably saw it less as a counter-event, but as a welcome addition to the official social forum, and many particpated in both -- including War Resisters' International.

Discuss this article on the WRI Wiki

Stellan Vinthagen, WRI Triennial Committee, and Department of Peace & Development Research Göteborg University, Sweden stellan.vinthagen@padrigu.gu.se

We live in a historical time of social change. While the economy, state regimes and wars are being globalized, the social forces of people's movements are as well. At least 15 millions demonstrated worldwide against the war in Iraq 2003.

With the invaluable help of volunteers coming from different parts of Europe it has been possible to implement WRI's participation at the European Social Forum as agreed by its Council in Macedonia last June.The office used its net to invite people to come and as a result we have had Ima from Germany and Pedro from Spain to stay in London and work with us for almost a month. They have taken on different tasks and have been able to put together our special tabloid issue of the Broken Rifle.

Europe in Bad Constitution

European Day of Action
Oct 29th
On October 29th 2004 the draft for the EU constitution is intended for signing by the heads of state of the EU member state
In order to prevent this constitution treaty from being passed, we support a Big Public Campaign that aims at informing and warning the public about the contents of this draft constitution.
www.dfg-vk.de

We know it's easy to get lost and confused in a city as big as London, especially if you're here for the first time. But if you provide yourself with the current bus- and tube-guides, a good map and a compass, you'll surely find your way...

To make it a little more comfortable for you to travel from one seminar to another: here's an overview on all the venues of the workshops and seminars described in this edition.

This is only a selection of ESF workshops and seminars related to antimilitarist issues. You may find more information in the complete ESF list, especially in the War and Peace section. www.fse-esf.org
Please note that times and venues may be subject to change after the publication of this issue.

On 29 October, the new constitution for the European Union will be signed during a special ceremony in Rome. It then needs to go through the ratification process in the 25 member states of the European Union.

The new European Constitution is not just a legal document of more than 300 pages - together with the European Security Strategy, which was approved on 12 December 2003, it will be a milestone in the militarisation of the European Union.

European Day of Action October 29th

On October 29th 2004 the draft for the EU constitution is intended for signing by the heads of state of the EU member states. After that the ratification process is supposed to start in all 25 EU countries.

We oppose the ratification of this constitution treaty