A Tale of Two Worlds: Thousands meet in Brazil to counter World Economic Forum

(OTTAWA) As corporate executives and politicians strike deals behind closed doors at the World Economic Forum (WEF) in New York this week, quite a different gathering is taking shape in Brazil. The World Social Forum (WSF), which last year saw over 15,000 participants from all corners of the globe, will be meeting to look not at ways to increase profit, but at how to create a more just and sustainable world.

"The World Economic Forum does not discuss what the best economic and social systems might be. Their interest is in maintaining the status quo, and on maintaining the wealth and power of its participants," said Maude Barlow, National Chairperson of the Council of Canadians.

The Council of Canadians will be at the WSF to promote two international initiatives: one, a treaty to protect our global water resources, and the other, also a treaty to commit global governments to prohibit patents on genes, seeds and other life forms.

"The world is in the middle of a crucial debate about the ethics of genetic technologies like cloning, genetically engineered foods, and gene-based research," said Nadege Adam, Biotechnology Campaigner for the Council of Canadians. "If we continue to allow patenting of genes and seeds, that debate will be perpetually skewed in favour of those with deep pockets who seek to profit from our common genetic heritage."

The format of the WSF includes hundreds of workshops, panels and speeches by such notables as Noam Chomsky and Nobel Peace Prize recipient Rigoberto Menchu. The conference theme, "Another World is Possible," is particularly fitting for those heading to Porto Alegre to push for the protection of the world's water.

"Though our water is crucial to sustaining life on this planet, politicians have allowed our water supplies to be polluted and depleted. Now they're selling off our water delivery systems to the highest bidder," said Jamie Dunn, Water Campaigner for the Council of Canadians. "Our water is too precious to be handed over to the global marketplace. We need commitments from national governments around the world to stop this trend. We'll be working this week in Porto Alegre to grow our support for the treaty."

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