[Antiracism] WMSF - Invitation to participate!

[Emily Kawano]

Friends,



Friends, 
Please forward as widely as possible! Thanks. Have attached two copies - one for electronic distribution (it has embedded links) and one for hard copy distribution (links are spelled out). 

In solidarity, 
Emily Kawano
Executive Director
Center for Popular Economics
(413) 545-0743
www.populareconomics.org

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Western Massachusetts Social Forum

Invitation to participate!

 

April 14-15, 2007

University of Massachusetts, Amherst


 

 

Do you believe that there's something seriously wrong with current policies and institutions that cater to the interests of big business and bankers - policies that favor the rich and hurt or, at best, ignore ordinary folks and their communities? Do you believe that "Another World Is Possible"? 

 

If so, then we invite your participation in the Western Massachusetts Social Forum, April 14-15, 2007 at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA.  



Why come?  . To connect with others . To share your story . To develop your leadership skills . To be inspired and to inspire others . To strategize . To link up with a global movement that is changing the world . To heal  . To Celebrate

 

Some people have asked, "Why UMass? Why not make it more accessible for folks from disadvantaged communities in Springfield and Holyoke?"' The issue of location was long debated. We finally agreed to hold the Forum at UMass for the following reasons: 1) UMass is the flagship public university in the state and should be regarded as a public resource and space. 2) It's centrally located in relation to Springfield/Holyoke and Greenfield 3) Availability of good facilities at minimal cost.

 

The WM Social Forum is a local 'edition' of the World Social Forum (WSF) and we adhere to its Charter of Principles. Social Forums are both ongoing processes and open spaces to discuss, reflect, debate, share, exchange, inspire, celebrate, strategize and mobilize in the belief that 'Another World Is Possible,' one that puts people and planet before corporate profits. 

 

We come together in the belief that the current conservative model (neoliberalism) that dominates the world is not working. Neoliberal globalization is a model that caters to the interests of big business and bankers. Its hallmarks are growing inequality, deepening poverty, tax handouts and de-regulation for powerful corporations, cutbacks in social programs, privatization of water, schools, etc. and environmental destruction. Divisions of race, ethnicity, gender, nationality, sexual orientation, religion and so forth are exploited in order to undercut a unified movement against neoliberal globalization. 

 

You or your organization can participate in the following ways:

1. Attend the WM Social Forum Please fill out and send in the registration form below. 

 

2. Organize a workshop/performance/discussion/activity Consider collaborating with other groups. Please fill out the Workshop/Activity registration below. We will use the information to track the range of topics, groups, and strategies for change.   

 

3.  Get involved in organizing the WM Social Forum The WM Social Forum process is in motion - many groups have been working together for months to widen the circle and we invite you to join in this important work. Please visit the website to see how you can get involved www.westernmassafsc.org/wsf/wsf.html.  If you want to talk to someone  please email or call Maya Winfrey (413-772-8898, maya at cooppower.coop)  or Doug Renick (afsc at crocker.com, 413-584-8975).


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