Another World is Possible
The World Council of Churches and other ecumenical organizations
at the third World Social Forum (WSF)
Porto Alegre, Brazil
23-28 January 2003

Workshops

Discussion panels

Press releases
  • Porto Alegre: Of course we can change the world! (04.02.03)
  • World Social Forum: How globalization is challenging the churches (04.02.03)
  • "The church's place is at the World Social Forum" (30.01.03)
  • Porto Alegre: "Lula is preaching the gospel" says Federico Pagura (30.01.03)
  • WCC in Porto Alegre: "Struggling against intolerance is a form of resistance" (29.01.03)
  • "Spirituality of Resistance" key theme of WCC's contribution to World Social Forum (21.01.03)


    • Globalized communications critique economic globalization: WCC staff member Rogate Mshana interviewed by an internet radio broadcaster


    "Water - a human right" - "Water belongs to the people" - "Water is wealth". Access to drinking water is one of the Forum's main concerns.

    		 Under the heading ‘Another World is Possible’ tens of thousands of representatives from social organizations in all parts of the world participated in the third meeting of the World Social Forum, that took place 23-28 January 2003 in Porto Alegre, Brazil. Among them were a handful of representatives from churches, ecumenical organizations and related bodies, who presented the contribution being made by the Christian faith to the cause of changing an unjust world order.

    The World Social Forum saw itself as a space for the democratic debate of ideas and proposals, for exchanging experiences and for social movements, networks and organizations in civil society to meet together. Its aim was to discover and build alternatives to neo-liberal globalization. It made no claim, however, to be representative of world civil society. It was non-governmental, non-party and non-confessional in nature. It did not include representatives of governments, political parties or military or armed organizations.

    The World Council of Churches decided to have a stronger presence at this third meeting of the World Social Forum by sending an ecumenical delegation whose task it was to hold a series of workshops with the theme ‘A Spirituality of Resistance.’ Some delegation members also took part in the discussion panels arranged by the Forum organizers. Furthermore, Bishop Federico Pagura, a WCC President, was one of the personalities invited by the organizers to take part in the section entitled ‘Testimonies’.

    The WCC presence and activities was within the framework of the ‘Ecumenical Caucus’, set up by the WCC, together with the Lutheran World Federation, the Ecumenical Alliance for World Action, the Latin American Council of Churches, and an ecumenical coalition of Brazilian churches and related local organizations.


    WSF website

    Photos http://www.photooikoumene.org/ (search: "Brazil")

    Documents

  • Evaluation: A spirituality of resistance The WCC at the third World Social Forum
  • Lead us not into temptation: Churches' response to the policies of international financial institutions
  • Water For Life - Streams of Justice, Ecumenical Team fact sheet)
  • World Summit on Social Development (WSSD) report
  • Justice, the heart of the matter - an ecumenical approach to financing for development"

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    A prophetic voice: giving witness at the Forum, WCC co-president Federico Pagura shares insights from his experience as a committed Christian. With Geneviève Jacques, WCC director of programmes.


    Inter-religious worship. Believers from eight different religions join together in prayer for peace.

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