(Laea Morris, Young Parents Program Participant)

A stimulating day with hundreds of exhibitions. I took the day to explore and walk from workshop to workshop. I came across a tent packed with a mass amount of noise and people. I got closer to the stage as I realised the noise was coming from protestors, very angry protestors. They were carrying large cardboard caskets with the letters WSF (World Social Forum) across the front. Many questions arose in my mind. Why would they want to put the World Social Forum to an end? I came across several anglophones whom were just as confused as I. There was a demonstrator on stage yelling out his positive feelings towards the Forum. While the protestors expressed their anger back, with drumming, shouting & banners which drowned out his statements.

What was the reason behind the protest, was this for real or was this for entertainment purposes? Was this protest going to turn violent as they forced the protestors to evacuate? Were they part of the World Economic Forum contesting the rival assembly of the World Social Forum? Did they believe that the World Social Forum has no effect and is irrelevant? Were they upset that the World Social Forum which in part represents the “Poor” locked out the poor communities by charging a R$30 registartion fee.

In conclusion it’s only normal that negative tendancies will appear in the World Social Forum. As the singer in the Airport chanted on our depart “Change can and will only happen from within ourselves”.

Sorry, this entry is only available in Français.

by Johanne Chagnon

And what about the field that interesses us in particular, that of community art?  Oh boy!  The World Social Forum has allowed me to live incredibly interesting experiences, to make a first step in networks that I am just beginning to understand and that I will try to explain a little.  I will reference so that you may undertake further research.

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by Johanne Chagnon

One of the major impacts of a gathering such as the World Social Forum is to come into contact with actor-witnesses of various realities, to hear them recount their experiences directly – something that is not often available in the media, and something that is missing but necessary to sensitize people to the real dramas and injustices of those living far from us.  Therefore, the workshop presented by the Arab Feminine Network and the Jordanian Women’s Union with Palestinian women from refugee camps was for me an occasion to hear very touching stories directly from the horse’s mouth so to speak.  I was only able to attend the beginning of the meeting but others shared the intense emotion felt by all people present at the reunion of a mother and her son who had not seen each other for 15 years!  This reunion was made possible because of the Forum.  After having seen and heard these women, so dignified in their suffering, we can no longer hear things about Palestine without having an increased conscience and sensitivity.  As someone said during this workshop:  “Where is the promised prosperity?  We don’t want this world.  If the question of Palestine is not fixed another world is not possible.”

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from Johanne Chagnon

The following notes and general impressions based on my personal experience of the World Social Forum can only be considered extremely partial given the scope of this recent event.

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from Laea Morris, participant of Head and hands (Young Parents Program)

Today Pan Amazonian day at the Forum a day devoted to the Indigenous people of Brazil. An amazing sight to see.

Many brochures being handed out amongst the crowds now more than ever do I wish I understood Portuguese.

Amongst the tribes there is over a 150 dialects spoken, making it very frustrating for communication to be possible today.

I stand back and let a colourful Tribe pass me all of them bare foot in there leather clothing with feathers, painted head to toe with the colours of black and red. I am enthralled by all of this.

Before my arrival in Belem I subconsciously was aware of the existence of such tribes. Until this moment it has only become a reality to me. What a phenomenal day this has been. Amongst the crowd my ear quickly tunes in to a couple speaking English. I inform myself on the Indigenous people and learn the Tribes living in the Amazon nearest Belem have guards to prevent the interaction between them and society. Urban societies in Brazil have many diseases that do not exist amongst the Tribes therefore precautions are taken. Making today a privilege for the Brazilians and I to view the Indigenous people.

Therefore My frustration for communication has ceased and I am honoured by their expressions through song and dance instead of lengthy speeches. The message to me is loud and clear the urgency for their homeland to be protected is a priority.

After this emotional day I am sure many others have been impacted and good will come of it.

from Johanne Chagnon

Yes! It’s done! LEVIER presented our workshop yesterday, within the framework of the World Social Forum. Forty people came to attend this workshop during which we discussed community art as an intervention in the struggle to counter poverty and social exclusion. Despite the excessive heat and the near-constant noise from the ventilation system, the people who participated in this workshop (originating in France, Colombia, Congo, Brazil… and Trois-Rivières!), showed a real interest in what we had to share: Bravo to them!

Using a mixture of French, English and Spanish the four of us each contributed something with the use of video projections and other audio-visual material: Maria presented the Herstreet project; Laea spoke about the community art project involving members of the Young Parents’ Program of Head and Hands; Aleks of the Société Elizabeth Fry du Québec, presented Agir par l’imAGinaIRe, a collaborative project with LEVIER; and I introduced the work of LEVIER in general and showed documentation from the project hosted by Le CARRÉ that I participated in.

We exchanged contact information with some for possible follow-up conversations/collaborations.

While the inside venues are host to a wide range of workshops, there is another forum taking place outside that is full of movement and animation. Near the youth camping site, there is what I’ve come to think of the alter-globalization Woodstock, complete with many sales-people, music, mini-demonstrations, impromptu workshops, etc. Also on site (in both locations) are a great many kiosks full of information from a wide variety of organizations and products related to the economic solidarity movement.

More next time about my reflections on the various workshops I have attended…

from Johanne Chagnon

January 28: Pan-Amazonian day. Both university campuses where the Forum is being held are currently marked by the presence of the various Pan-Amazonian peoples - including individuals from Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Peru, Suriname, Venezuela and French Guiana. Despite this alignment, the problem of language prevents me from learning more about and communicating directly with these individuals.  This frustration is similar to the one I feel related to the Forum on the whole: The majority of activities are in Portuguese as is almost all the documentation. I feel slightly excluded, and I suppose this sentiment is shared by others who do not have a command of the language. Am I truly in a ‘world’ Forum? I have been told that since the Forum took place in Porto Alegre, there was talk about suitable translation services… Nevertheless, my eyes were regaled all day long with the festivities. Was what I witnessed a stereotypical folkloric spectacle? It is difficult for me to answer this question for the moment.

from Johanne Chagnon

Today, January 27th, thousands of participants in the Forum invaded the streets of Belem including a wide range of activists who will be presenting over the next days duing the Forum. The walk was noisy, festive and very colorful! However much I question at times the real possibility of a radically different world, taking part in this collective walk has certainly charged my batteries!

The latest set of photographs explore the multiple colors and diversity of individuals taking part in the walk. One of the performances that most attracted my attention took place in the central square: a masked man carrying out ritual gestures to the sounds of loud music. I do not fully understand what this performance was about, nor could I read the newspaper cuttings that the performer included in his performance, but the effect was very remarkable to me.

from Laea Morris, participant of Head and Hands (Young Parents Program)

One flight away from the anticipated Para de Belem; I arrive in Sao Paulo Brazil. I am fascinated as I am greeted by Japanese airline employees & dozens of Japanese families. Iquickly enquire and learn Sao Paulo, Brazil is home to the second largest population of Japanese ethnicity  with an estimate of 1.5 million. Japanese were lured to Brazil given the dream of making quick money working the  planations and returning home after a few years. It ended with them working on low salaries and exhaustive hours. A brief historical lesson on the Japanese Brazilian’s has left me with immense anticipation for the World Social Forum (WSF).

Para de Belem, astounding images coating the walls of the city. What were the stories behind these hundreds of murals. Was it expressions of anger? Was it expressions of happiness? Was it boredom? I find myself curious in finding out the emotional after effects of “Grafiti” that covers the city of Belem.

Port of Belem de Para, similiar to that of the Vieux Port de Montreal which consists of Harbour front restaurants, Boat rides, Market places and Homeless. Their are dozens of markets that line the streets of Belem. I was captivated by a young family using natural items found in & around Belem to create earings & crafts to sell in the Central Park. A source of providing for their children. I viewed this as a form of Art for survival.

Anticipating the commencing of the Forum…