A WORLD OF PEACE, WITHOUT EMPIRES OR WAR, IS POSSIBLE!

Our session on this topic will feature a panel by members of two nationwide U.S. organizations: the Alliance for Democracy and School of the Americas Watch. A major focus will be on analysis of violence in the United States and around the world. The increasing inequality in economic, military and political power, and in access to resources within different sectors of national and global populations, will be addressed, with consequences noted. Human suffering is increasing, both locally & globally, as compiled in health and mortality statistics, caused by degradation of the environment, by conflicts based on racial, ethnic and religious differences, and by abusive exercise of power. Issues and facts will be presented, as well as potential solutions. Who are the potential leaders, and what are the strategies and timely actions that can produce positive changes?

Traditions at past gatherings of the World Social Forum have inspired the theme of this session. It was a World Social Forum in Porto Alegre, Brazil where it was first proclaimed that "Another World Is Possible!"
As noted in Principle #4 of the World Social Forum's Charter of Principles, "alternatives proposed at the World Social Forum stand in opposition to a process of globalization commanded by large multinational corporations and by the governments and international institutions at the service of those corporations' interests, with the complicity of national governments." Our alternatives have been designed to ensure that human solidarity will prevail as a new stage in human history. This will respect universal human rights and those of men & women of all nations, for social justice, equality & the sovereignty of peoples.