Protests against globalisation set to continue

About 10,000 people rallied in Porto Alegre during the World Social Forum Keystone

Academics, politicians and members of non-governmental organisations attending the World Social Forum in Porto Alegre, Brazil, have pledged to continue their protests against globalisation.

In addition to calling for more dialogue on the social aspects of economic issues, the organisers also announced that they have decided to hold the next World Social Forum in Porto Alegre in January 2002.

At the end of the five-day gathering on Tuesday, Swiss parliamentarians, taking part in the conference, said they were very satisfied with the outcome of the forum.

“For us, the conclusion was extremely positive,” said Pierre-Yves Maillard of the Swiss socialist party. He added that the Brazil forum clearly demonstrates that the leaders in Davos “no longer represent the only way of thinking”.

Maillard told swissinfo, “I think that we have given off a much better impression of Switzerland, here in Brazil, than the security forces and government gave off in Davos”.

On Monday, the Swiss parliamentarians added their voice to a charter calling for minimum standards for workers.

The Swiss delegation of seven politicians joined nearly 400 delegates from 35 countries in approving the charter, which calls for sustainable development and a greater level of social responsibility from big business.

The World Social Forum in Brazil was set up as an alternative to the World Economic Forum in Davos.

During the summit, some 300 conferences were attended by politicians and union leaders from around the world while about 10,000 demonstrators gathered in Porto Alegre to protest against “neo-liberal globalisation”.

swissinfo