Another world is possible!
The World Council of Churches and other ecumenical organizations
at the third World Social Forum (WSF)

WORKSHOPS

Spirituality of Resistance: Water for Life

Spirituality of Resistance: Alternatives to Economic Globalization

Spirituality of resistance: Youth encountering Globalisation

25 January, 14.30-16.30,
Porto Alegre, University Main Campus
(Workshop No. 437 Pre-reg no. 2888)

Co-ordinated by Rogate Mshana, programme executive for Economic Justice, World Council of Churches , tel. 4122 791 6031 and Fax 41 22 791 6409

Does Privatization of Water Guarantee Water for All? If Not what is the Alternative?

Privatization of water has become an issue of concern in many developing countries. If water is reduced to a commodity with a price tag, access to a primary need by those who cannot pay is threatened. When Governments abdicate their responsibility to provide such basic services as water, private suppliers can engage in unregulated competition. "Water is the last infrastructure frontier for private investors". The value of the global market for water and sanitation has been estimated as a US$405 billion a year industry, which is 40% of the size of the oil sector.

The UN considers the increasing scarcity of available freshwater as a factor critical to world peace and security. The World Council of Churches sees water as symbolizing the sacred and the spiritual in all religions and many cultures. Access to water is essential for life, and therefore a basic right for all living things. What is the alternative to the ongoing privatization process around the world?

The Aim of the Workshop
To share experiences on the critique and alternatives to the ongoing privatization of water process.
To discern peoples alternatives to the privatization of water.

Speakers
Prof. Patrick Bond from South Africa will speak on Alternatives to the privatization of water: Peoples'model in South Africa.
Lic. Marcelo Aramaya from Bolivia will speak on Privatization of Water: The Cochabamba Peoples' Initiative.
Ms Hellen Wangusa will speak about Privatization of Water: The Uganda experience.
Ms. Njoki Njoroge will speak on Lobbying Against IFIs on the Privatization of Water.

Each speaker will have 15 minutes followed by I-hour discussion. The Workshop will last for 2 hours. Translation from English to Spanish is planned.

<WCC Contact>, Tel. (41 22) 791 6031, Fax (41 22) 791 6409.

Co-ordinated by Rogate Mshana, programe executive for Economic Justice, World Council of Churches, WCC Contact, tel. 4122 791 6031 and Fax 41 22 791 6409

Are there Alternatives to Economic Globalization?

The pursuit of unending growth is unsustainable, and the social damage that deregulated goods and financial markets cause is provoking an international backlash. However we can also experience many alternatives to the current unsustainable market, trade and finance systems.

The Aim of the Workshop

This workshop organised by the World Council of Churches aims at enabling participants to share with each other critiques, and alternatives to global finance by citing alternatives existing around the world. It also expected to enhance a network on this area of globalizing alternatives to economic globalization in the area of Finance.

Basic Questions at the Workshop
Finance
What is an Alternative to the Current Unjust Global Finance System? How do we resolve the chronic debt problem for poor and middle income countries? Is Financial Direct Investment(FDI) a panacea?

Speakers: Prof. Yash Tandon will speak on Just Financial System: Alternatives to FDIs and Need for Control of Financial Markets.

Mr. Demba Dembele will speak on Alternatives to the Current Debt Initiatives: Beyond PRSPs.

Mr.John Jones Is the World Bank/ IMF /churches-civil Society Dialogue a good strategy? The SAPRIN experience.

Ms: Luise Steinwachs will speak on Corporate Responsibility: The work of the German-Tanzania Network.

Each speaker will have 15 minutes followed by 1-hour discussion. The Workshop will last for 2 hours. Translation from English to Spanish is planned.

The workshop will seek to deepen the following questions/issues:

1. How is debt and trade influencing the lives of young people?

2. Why should young people in the churches be concerned about debt and trade?

3. What difference can young people make in promoting alternatives?

The workshop aims to:

Clarify how the lives of young people are affected by the unjust trade and debt policies.

Assist young people in making use of each others experiences and resources in resisting globalisation.

Strengthen the networks and bonds of solidarity between young people in different parts of the world.

Involve new groups of young people from the churches in resisting and searching for alternatives to globalisation by outlining Christian imperatives for such involvement.

Explore ways young people effectively can challenge and influence the churches and societies which they are part of.

The workshop will be held in English and Spanish. The speakers will be young people from Latin American and other parts of the world.

The workshop will last for 2 hours.

Introduction - 5 min.
Local presentation I (from Argentina) - 10 min.