Some critical remarks about the London ESF 2004
A great variety of organisations attended the third edition of the European Social Forum in London (14 until 17 October 2004). Next to the obligate presence of activists from trade unions and other social movements, this time also the presence of the peace movement was very good visible. With the many announced actions and debates in which the retreat of the British troops from Iraq was demanded, the peace movement’s presence became clear. But is that ‘other world’ of which some dreams, necessarily also a better, and more peaceful world? Some impressions by Jan Van Criekinge from London.
The War Resisters’ International (WRI), the international network of pacifist organisations, of which Forum voor Vredesactie is a member organisation, had saved expenses neither troubles for its own contribution in the - overwhelming - program of the ESF. At the WRI Council of Ohrid (June 2004), a call was launched to come to the London ESF in October. Even a special ESF-edition came out of ‘The Broken Rifle’; the internal magazine of the WRI, with a detailed description of all activities and workshops related to ‘peace’ on and around the ESF. Forum voor Vredesactie had prepared among many other workshops on Bomspotting as a model of civilian disobedience against weapons of mass destruction, action strategies to prevent the next war, the militarization of the European Union; and about war and the colonial past.
A great variety of organisations attended the third edition of the European Social Forum in London (14 until 17 October 2004). Next to the obligate presence of activists from trade unions and other social movements, this time also the presence of the peace movement was very good visible. With the many announced actions and debates in which the retreat of the British troops from Iraq was demanded, the peace movement’s presence became clear. But is that ‘other world’ of which some dreams, necessarily also a better, and more peaceful world? Some impressions by Jan Van Criekinge from London.
The War Resisters’ International (WRI), the international network of pacifist organisations, of which Forum voor Vredesactie is a member organisation, had saved expenses neither troubles for its own contribution in the - overwhelming - program of the ESF. At the WRI Council of Ohrid (June 2004), a call was launched to come to the London ESF in October. Even a special ESF-edition came out of ‘The Broken Rifle’; the internal magazine of the WRI, with a detailed description of all activities and workshops related to ‘peace’ on and around the ESF. Forum voor Vredesactie had prepared among many other workshops on Bomspotting as a model of civilian disobedience against weapons of mass destruction, action strategies to prevent the next war, the militarization of the European Union; and about war and the colonial past.