UNESCO and the World Social Forum

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UNESCO and the World Social Forum
Confronted as it is with social transformations resulting from the technological revolution and globalization of the economy, it is essential for today’s world to foster the development of opportunities for exchanges among partners, for critical reflection on the future of societies we want to create and for elaborating proposals in search of solidarity, justice, peace and human rights.

The World Social Forum can respond to these aspirations. It represents a multifaceted arena where players and civil society movements from all countries of the world can come together and give voice to their thinking. Moreover, the World Social Forum:

builds the foundations of an alternative citizens’ movement through a process of collective construction;

works towards the construction of a global society centred on the human being;

aims at fighting all forms of exclusion;
unites different key players of the future: intellectuals, scientists and activists, essential partners for development.

UNESCO’s presence at the WSF marks the will of the United Nations system both to recognize civil society as an important player in international cooperation and to work towards reconstituting links with political decision-makers and the State. It shows its determination:

to listen to the messages of civil society;

to consolidate existing partnerships and identify new ones;

to act as an intermediary in building bridges between civil society and political decision-makers;

to reaffirm its commitment to support the emergence of a different globalization.

UNESCO therefore sees the World Social Forum as a prime opportunity for dialogue and as a laboratory of ideas for the renewal of public policies which guarantee the right to education for everyone, respect for diversity, and democracy.

UNESCO and the World Social Forum:

2001

2002

2003

2005

2006

2007

UNESCO STAND
Each year an exhibition is organized for the entire duration of the WSF to showcase UNESCO’s action and activities. Information is given on all UNESCO’s fields of competence: education, natural sciences, social and human sciences, culture, information and communication, and publications and documents are displayed and distributed. The stand is also used as a platform for organizing informal discussions and making new contacts with civil society representatives.

Contact: unesco-wsf@unesco.org



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