Frequently
Asked Questions
What is a Social Forum?
It is an open meeting place where progressive
social movements, networks, non- profits and other civil society
organizations come together to pursue their thinking, to debate
ideas democratically, to formulate proposals, share their experiences
freely and network for effective action. It’s character
is plurality and diversity, non-governmental and non-party.
A Social Forum is what you make it- a meeting place, a place
for debate, an exchange of ideas and solutions, a theater stage,
a celebration, a festival, a bazaar- it can be any or all of
these.
The first World Social Forum was held in
2001 in Porto Alegre, Brazil with some 20,000 people attending.
World Social Forums have been held each year since then. There
were 150,000 at the 2005 Forum, also held in Porto Alegre and
in 2006 “polycentric’ forums
are being held in: Caracas, Venezuela; Bamako, Mali; Karachi,
Pakistan.
Since the first Word Social Forum, there
have been dozens of regional, national and city based forums,
from Africa to Australia, which are helping creating a network
that is forming the basis of a new “grassroots globalization”.
The Mediterranean Social Forum brings together activists from
Southern Europe, Northern Africa and the Middle East.
If you are interested in knowing more about
Social Forums visit our “Learn More” page
Why Maine?
Social Forums ask us to believe “Another World Is Possible.” A Maine
Social Forum will give us the space to cross-pollinate ideas, debate, network
and develop the positive alternatives we need for a better Maine. World Social
Forums have successfully brought together hundreds of thousands of people annually
since 2001, and in 2004 over 5,000 people gathered for the Boston Social Forum.
We believe the time is now for us to say, “Another Maine IS Possible,” and
bring Social Forums to our own backyard.
How is it organized?
A Planning Committee of member organizations and individuals
decides the logistical needs of the planning process for
a Maine Social Forum. This Planning Committee is committed
to planning the MSF under the World Social Forum Charter
of Principles, and is open to individuals who can commit
time and resources to this effort, or to any organization
who can commit a representative to participate in the planning
decisions. If you are interested in joining these discussions,
please email info@mainesocialforum.org
Charter of principles?
The Maine Social Forum is organized in accordance with the charter of the World
Social Forum. Visit our CHARTER page
to learn more.
When and where is it ?
The Maine Social Forum will be held in Lewiston at the Bates Mill and in Kennedy
Park on July 28-30, 2006. After some research, Lewiston had the greatest potential
for available facilities to host the event. A host group of folks from the
Lewiston area who can help with logistics and outreach has been formed.
What can I do?
There are many ways to get involved of the the planning of the
MSF. Here's a few:
Join the Planning Committee
Planning a large, regional event takes a lot of time and resources. The process
is only made better with more hands involved. Please consider giving your
time to working on the Planning Committee, or if you are involved with a
non-profit or grassroots organization, asking them to sign-on.
Help with outreach
Help by telling other organizations and friends about the MSF. An informational
flyer is available about the MSF, and we’ll have additional materials
available in the coming weeks. If you can help with outreach this winter
and spring, please let us know.
Lewiston Support
Recently the planning committee has confirmed the reservation of the Bates Mill
and Kennedy Park as the meeting spaces of the Maine Social Forum this July.
A host group of folks from the Lewiston area who can help with logistics
and outreach has been formed. If you live in the Lewiston-area and can help,
please contact Marga Huntington at marga@gwi.net
Donate space
As we move forward it will be important for the MSF Planning Committee to have
office and meeting space. Lewiston has been chosen as the site for the event,
and it will be ideal to have an office within the City. If you or your organization
has office and/or meeting space that you can donate for the next six months,
you would be helping us greatly.
Donate seed funds
Fundraising for needs has begun and will provide for the hiring of a small number
of employees to provide day-to-day support for the event. Please consider
not only joining the Planning Committee, but making an early donation to
the organizing effort. The amount of work for the event only increases as
we move closer to the date of the event, and paid staff support will be critical
to making the planning process and the event run smoothly. For information
on how to make a donation, please contact info@mainesocialforum.org An
easy-to-use web interface will be available soon to facilitate taking donations
online via credit card or Paypal.
Stay in touch
Stay tuned and stay in touch. By email: The Maine Social Forum listserv will
have periodic updates on the progress of the Planning Committee. To join
the list, again please contact info@mainesocialforum.org
This site will be updated regularly- so check
back often. Let us know your ideas! It is never too early to
begin to think about programs, workshops, music, performances
and celebrations that can be a part of the Maine Social Forum.
More Information About
Social Forums
The first World Social Forum was held in Porto
Alegre Brazil in 2001,with some 20,000 in attendance. Since
then there have been the following World Social Forums:
- Second and Third: Porto Alegre
- Fourth: Mumbai, India
- Fifth: Porto Alegre (150,000+ participants)
- 2006 Polycentric: Caracas, Venezuela;
Bamako, Mali
- 2006 Karachi, Pakistan
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