By Anand Mathew
Kathmandu, Feb 19, 224: Social activists from 72 countries attended the five-day World Social Forum (WSF) convention that ended February 19 in Kathmandu with a call to create a war-free world.
The convention with the slogan ‘Another World is Possible’ began February 15 with a rally of 20,000 people who marched through the streets of the Nepal capital demanding freedom for Palestine, an end to slavery, casteism, fundamentalism, human trafficking, dignity of women, Dalits and all marginalized communities.
In 252 seminars, workshops and other activities organized by various human rights and social organizations from all over the world on varied topics such as climate justice, discrimination, safe migration, end to trafficking.
Around 9,000 people participated in smaller groups. They discussed, analyzed and deliberated the present-day sociopolitical situation in different parts of the world, and came forward with statements of their own in favor of fraternity, solidarity, rejuvenation of democracy.
Indians from multiple social and Christian organizations participated in large numbers. A large number of Christians, including Catholics and members of the World Council of Churches, organized seminars and workshops.
Among them were 60 members of the Forum of Religious for Justice and Peace from India and their 70 collaborators. They held seminars and workshops on topics such as care for the earth, Our Common Home, protection of the rights of minorities for an inclusive society and safe and dignified migration.
In the seminar on Care for the Earth, the participants deliberated on destruction of nature and the environment, the pollution of water bodies, irresponsible use of natural resources and asserted that for the survival of the community of life, fossil fuel be reduced and eliminated and clean energy be used.
They demanded that the governments of South Asia, particularly India and Nepal take serious steps to reduce fossil fuel to zero level and replace it with clean energy. They appealed to the developed countries to compensate the countries of South Asia for their losses in such transformation so that sustainable life for all, especially the poorest in the region, is achieved.
The forum members and their collaborators listened to the issues of persecution on minorities especially Christians in India and Pakistan.
Saeda Diep, renowned human rights activist of Pakistan, narrated the various atrocities on Christians, Hindus and on Ahmediyas and Shias in Pakistan.
Jesuit Father Bosco Xavier from India presented the various discrimination faced by people all over the world, based on their descent and work.
They also resolved to promote diversity of religions, cultures, ethnicity and languages which is the essence of the region that needs to be respected and promoted.
A statement the forum demanded the governments in South Asia, particularly India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka to stop discrimination and violence against minorities and vulnerable communities in their countries, and promote their unique cultures and religious beliefs.
Deliberating on Safe and Dignified Migration, the Forum members affirmed that large scale migration within the countries and internationally, for better economic opportunities and due to conflicts ad violence is a social reality in South Asia.
The forum demanded the governments in the South Asia region to adopt laws that will protect the rights of migrant workers and safeguard them against all types of discrimination and indignity. The Forum also called upon all stakeholders in every country to ensure that safe migration and dignified work and life are ensured for migrant workers in the region.
Montfort Brother Varghese Theckanath, a forum member, organized a three day International Tribunal on Eviction in which testimonies on eviction were presented. The jury consisting of eminent human rights activists from all the continents gave a verdict in favour of rehabilitation of all the evicted communities.
Forum national convener Presentation Sister Dorothy Fernandez organized various activities of her group along with Congregation of Jesus Sister Ancy, Father Xavier and Indian Missionaries of Society Father Anand.
The five-day program also witnessed many cultural events.
Bhrikuti Mandap, the venue of the WSF gathering, reverberated with Nepali songs and dances and songs in various other Asian, African, South American and European languages.
Every evening, the artistes of Prerna Kala Manch, the theatrical wing of Vishwa Jyoti Communications in Varanasi, performed professional stage dramas on issues of farmers, minorities.
The artistes won hearts with their street plays which exhibited issues and solutions to environmental degradation, discrimination and communal conflicts.
Thus wrote Mahatma Gandhi: “Victory attained by violence is tantamount to a defeat, for it is momentary. If we are to reach real peace in this world, and if we are to carry on a real war against war, we shall have to begin with the children. Non-violence is the first article of my faith. It is also the last article of my creed”.