SAPI and Social Forums

World Social Forum IV, Nairobi 2007

SAPI facilitated the participation of 64 delegates representing all the states in India and 16 from Srilanka. SAPI organized 2 seminars: a) Marginalization and Exclusion: Re-defining Visions for Future in South Asia and b) Globalization and Neo-liberalism: Challenges and Alternatives for the Poor in South Asia. The cultural team of SAPI was at its best in the Moi sports complex. The innovative mock funeral procession of Coke and Pepsi attracted the attention and appreciation of all. At the invitation of SAPI during the WSF, 150 delegates belonging to various organizations and movements in India came together and built a bond to expose the nexus among G8, WB, WTO, IMF and MNCs which cause havoc to the marginalized, displacing millions of adivasis from their homelands and crushing the dalit upsurge for dignity and human rights. “It is an unforgettable event and the forum has challenged me to involve myself deeper with the marginalized people in my own state” said Shakira from Andhra Pradesh.

Six of the SAPI delegates also took part in the Ignatian Family Encounter preceeding the WSF.

Karachi Social Forum, 2006

Though an effort was made for a big representation of the SAPI delegates in Karachi in March 2006 due to the unsettled political issues between Pakistan and India the visas were issued just three days before the programme. Some who had applied also could not get their visas. Due to these problems a small delegation of 5 persons 2 from India and 3 from Sri Lanka participated.

India Social Forum, New Delhi, Nov 2006

India Social Forum (ISF) was the third event organized by WSF-India after ASF - Hyderabad, 2003 and WSF – Mumbai, 2004. Around 1200 SAPI delegates participated in this event, nearly 50% being women. The Inaugural March that began from Indian Social Institute after the inauguration set the tone for the dynamic participation of the delegates. The delegates of SAPI organized over 8 workshops and seminars, 10 dances and 11 street plays. While the seminars and workshops brought out the concerns of the marginalized in South Asia particularly of Dalits, Adivasis, women and elected panchayat leaders, traded women etc., the dances brought out the cultural ethos. Siddhis, Lamanis, Gowlis from Karnataka; Hos, Oraons, Santals, Kharias from Central India; Bihus from North-East; Dalit youth from Gujarat and Andhra Pradesh; Dalit activists from Tamilnadu, Andhra, Bihar and UP contributed their share for overall visibility of SAPI. The delegates of SAPI occupied almost one-third the cultural stage of the ISF every day. Sunitaben from Gujarat summed up the feeling of the delegates: “I am happy to meet so many people who are also struggling against injustices because it gives us a feeling that we are not alone in this struggle.”

World Social Forum V, Porto Alegre, Brazil 2005

Thirty one delegates from India and Sri Lanka participated in the Fifth World Social Forum held at Porto Alegre, Brazil in 2005. Before the WSF the delegates also visited Manaus and participated in the Pan-Amazon Social Forum. This experience was great eye opener to the delegates directly experiencing the plight of the indigenous people of Amazon. Useful contacts were made with number of people’s movements, particularly with CIMI in Manaus. Later SAPI’s participation in WSF was conspicuous by the various open space activities, press conferences and various interviews and workshops. As the Jesuit delegates commented: SAPI group had come with a purpose and at every level they bring out the concerns of the marginalized in South Asia. Later a Video documentary titled: A Movement in the Making was prepared based on the participation of SAPI in WSF which is widely screened in villages to share the experiences of the smaller group to all the members of SAPI. Many articles were written by the delegates reflecting on the process of World Social Forum. The Sri Lankan delegates who were basically from the plantation sector evolved the concept of World TEA Day in WSF jointly with other organization involved in labour issues.

World Social Forum IV, Mumbai 2004

Over 300 Jesuits with 150 religious and priests and about 1200 collaborators, coworkers and partners under the South Asian Peoples’ Initiatives [SAPI] participated in this mega event. These 1650 participants came from all over India, Sri Lanka, and Nepal in South Asia and other parts of the world. SAPI offered 17 workshops, of which 2 were mega events, 5 cultural shows, 4 stalls to exhibit the productions, number of open space activities. Eight month long preparation and meticulously planned pre-wsf processes at the state levels yielded rich dividend. The effect of this intervention is seen is the follow up activities of SAPI till today. SAPI’s participation in Mumbai WSF has become a reference point in the Church and Society of Jesus in many parts of the world. Number of articles written by the participants in various dailies, magazines and journals are clear expressions of strengthening of the voice Another World is possible and necessary.

As a follow up of Mumbai WSF, the SAPI delegates have come together to discuss various important issues at the National level particularly to intervene and contribute at the governance and policy making levels. Some of them are enumerated under the head background information in the proposal.

Asia Social Forum, Hyderabad 2003:

Over 120 delegates from India, Sri Lanka and Nepal participated in the Asia Social Forum and organised two workshops: Globalisation and Impact on Livelihood Rights of Dalits and Tribals and Dalits in search of Identity. In both the programmes over 200 delegates participated and these were well attended seminars. We also had the privilege of linking issues of the marginalised form India, Sri Lanka and Nepal as we had experts participating from these countries.