jctr.org.zm - Quarterly Bulletin 66; Letter from the Editor

The World Social Forum (WSF) is an annual meeting held by left wing members of the alternative globalization movement to coordinate world campaigns, share and refine organizing strategies, and inform each other about movements from around the world and their issues. The 2006 World Social Forum took place in three different places of the world. The organizers of the World Social Forum chose the city of Bamako, Mali to host the African session of its 2006 gathering from January 19-23.

The Bamako forum was an interesting one for us Africans since it was the first time the forum had been held on the African soil. It was encouraging for us as well that the African issues took centre stage on most of the discussions. A march past at the beginning of the forum indicated the wish of many people as the posters and blanked read. The major interests were in fair trade policies, no privatization of the railroad, an end to subsidies to imperialist agribusiness, freedom for Western Sahara and an end to the third world debt. Development of industries in Africa, fair treatment of immigrants in Europe, protection of the environment of the poor countries and promotion of African cultures were some of the major interest points for the participants. The African participation was also very encouraging as observed by the organiser of the forum Mamadou Goita, “We had over 300 people from the rural areas of Mali alone, while another 8,000 came from neighbouring countries. All of them participated in the forum and enriched the discussions. This has never happened before.”

It was also a time to reflect on the internal operations of the African governments and see what needed to be improved for the benefits of the Africans. Women empowerment, child abuse, especially where young girls are forced into early marriages, internal conflicts, education, health care and poverty in general, were some of the points that were discussed. The WSF is not really a decision making body, but it is an important avenue that provides the platform for discussion of all these social issues. The individual groups and governments have to implement what they learn when they get back to their countries. The forum helps to keep contact with the world and learn new challenges that face the developing countries in their economical policies.

But is it necessary to continue having these meetings every year when the forum is not a decision making body? I have no doubt that the meetings are important and helpful to the development of our nations. In Pacem in Terris, (Peace on Earth) John XXIII encourages different groups to participate in the operations of their countries.

Individual citizens and intermediate groups are obliged to make their specific contributions to the common welfare. One of the chief consequences of this is that they must bring their own interests into harmony with the needs of the community, and must contribute their goods and their services as civil authorities have prescribed, in accord with the norms of justice and within the limits of their competence. Clearly then those who wield power in the state must do this by such acts which not only have been justly carried out, but which also either have the common welfare primarily in view or which can lead to it. (Peace on Earth, # 53)

This message is good for all those involved in the forums, especially as we look for the Nairobi 2007 World Social Forum. We all have to contribute to the development of our countries. Let us as civil societies come up with lasting solutions to our problems and also help in the implementations of them. The culture of blaming either the politicians or traditional rulers must come to an end. We must look at how we can supplement these leaders as we all aim to improve the lives of the people.

Most of the articles in this Bulletin are encouraging citizens to be pro-active in life and see how as individuals can contribute to the development of Africa. As human beings we are supposed to be responsible for our creations, the environment is very important for the development of our nations. This environment is not only in nature but also in the structures of our societies. Is the environment favourable for all to participate in the constitution making process? Is the environment conducive for the growth of youths in our nations for them to become leaders of our nations? What happens to our culture as it comes in contact with evangelisation? These are some of questions that as citizens we are called to answer as we contribute to the development of the nations.

We all have what it takes to improve our nations, but we lack the culture of dynamism. Aquiline Tarimo, a Tanzanian Jesuit priest in his; Applied Ethics And Africa’s Social Responsibility puts well when he says that, “The availability of physical capital like science and technology, economic policies, and financial investment are of course necessary incentives for economic growth; but in the long run transformation of human capital, which consists of cultural traditions, beliefs systems, and thinking models, is the most effective means of addressing poverty” (Pg.30). We all need to re-orient our thinking and start thinking on how as individuals we can contribute to the productiveness of our countries. We had talked enough and have even blamed a lot of people, but what have we produced that have improved the situation of our countries? Indeed Africa now needs producers and not talkers. John XXIII is right when he encourages the citizens to work hand in hand with governments so that peace and justice must be maintained for the benefit of the underprivileged

Quarterly Bulletin

Bulletin 67 1st Quarter 2006

Bulletin 67
1st Quarter 2006