ESF; Calling all trade unionists
The third European Social Forum (ESF) will take
place from 14-17 October in London.
Open Meeting for trade unionists
Thursday, 29th July, 6.30pm
TUC Congress House
Great Russell Street, London WC1B 3LS
We are asking trade unionists to get involved in the European Social
Forum. Invited speakers will briefly answer the following questions.
What is the ESF? Why is it coming to London? What will it do for us? How
can trade unionists help? It will be followed by contributions from the
floor.
Chair:
Mick Connolly, Regional Secretary SERTUC
Speakers:
Bob Crow, General Secretary, RMT
Maureen O'Mara, outgoing President NATFHE
Barry Camfield, Assistant General Secretary T&G
Rahul Patel, London UNISON, Regional Committee
Anick Coupe, Union Syndicale G10 Solidaires, France
All speakers have confirmed
The ESF is a giant gathering for everyone opposed to war, racism and
corporate power, everyone who wants to see global justice, workers'
rights and a sustainable society.
The ESF emerged from the spectacular success of the World Social Forum
which opened in Porto Alegre, Brazil in 2001. Its first two gatherings
in Florence (2002) and Paris (2003) attracted over 50,000 participants
from across Europe and beyond. It is a chance for people from around the
world to come together to engage in debate, organise action and build
networks to strengthen our movement.
The Forum will be launched with a large opening event on Thursday 14th
followed by three days of discussion and debate involving leading
activists from around the world as well as music, drama, film-showings
and exhibitions celebrating the global movement. The key themes
addressed will be:
o War and peace
o Democracy and fundamental rights
o Social justice and solidarity: against privatisation
(deregulation), for workers, social and womenıs rights
o Corporate globalisation and global justice
o Against racism, discrimination and the far right: for equality
and diversity
o Environmental crisis and sustainable society
There will be an International demonstration through central London on
Sunday afternoon.
This yearıs ESF in London will bring together thousands of people from
across the UK, Europe and the world and is an unmissable event for
everyone who wants to see a better world.
The 2004 ESF is being organised by an Organising Committee of affiliated
national and local social movement organisations and trade unions in the
UK with support from the GLA. The TUC has affiliated. The following
trade unions backing it nationally & regionally are the T&G, UNISON, GMB,
AUT, NUT, NATFHE, AMICUS, TASS, RMT, SERTUC, STUC & LONDON UNISON. So
are many local trade union branches
