WSF Starts Walking the Walk in Caracas · Global Voices
Iria Puyosa

The WSF is the expression of a new way of doing politics. People—the youngest as well as the historical fighters still fighting— are increasingly aware of politics going beyond simple party or parliament representation. They want to get involved in changing their own reality and the world, everyday and not only once in a while at elections time.  I think that left parties must understand this logic as a positive trend of emancipation. Nonetheless, there is resistance. Those who bet to monopolize the representation and attempt to control the Forum are there.
So explains Antonio Martins (ES), of the International Ciranda of Independent Information, which is linked to the World Social Forum.
The Sixth World Social Forum has just started amidst controversy (ES) about parties’ interference, squabbling for public funds, militarism, and factionalism.  However, Periodismo para la paz (ES) (Journalism for Peace) argues that discussion about such controversies can wait. The WSF days are for talking with others who have been working on the same issues, making a difference, and helping to make another world possible.
Unfortunately, not everyone in Caracas has understood the enormous potential for building social networks and starting partnerships that can arise in the WSF. There are a lot of people still grieving because they won’t be able to go out naked to have their picture taken by Spencer Tunick. Others are simply excited because Richard Stallman (ES), leader of the free software movement, is in Venezuela.