WSF Nairobi 2007 will be an opportunity to showcase Africa and her social movements, her history of struggle against foreign domination, colonialism and neo colonialism; Africa and her rich heritage of natural wealth, cultural, linguistic and ethnic diversity; Africa and her contributions to world civilization and her role in the quest for another possible more progressive global human society.

The 7th edition of the WSF will gather a multitude of activists, social movements, networks, coalitions and other progressive forces from Asia- Pacific, Latin America, the Caribbean, North America, Europe and all corners of the African continent to share five days of cultural resistance and celebration; panels, workshops, symposia,  processions, film nights and much more.

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150.000 Delegates from all over the world are expected to attend and over 1.000 activities will take place in the 106 spaces provided at the venue

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Entreculturas will attend the event with the Jesuit Ignatian Family. Its contribution will be to share and offer its commitment with literacy for all populations as a starting point for World Development. Especially in Africa's development where Entreculturas supports the Jesuit Refugee Service's education programmes.

From its origins in 2001, in Porto Alegre, Brazil, the Jesuits and their collaborators, the Ignatian Family, have been participating in the WSF to advocate for a more dignified quality of life and for change in social, economic and political structures that continue to make the rich, richer and the poor, poorer.

The Society of Jesus has deliberately decided to collaborate with social movements world wide so as to achieve social change. This is why it will attend the Seventh WSF in Nairobi; because for the first time this forum is held in Africa and Africa is a priority for the Society of Jesus, since it is a great opportunity to show all that this continent can offer and because the WSF can become an effective platform to consolidate the JRS and JMS Networks that will catalyze the long hoped change in Africa's political, social and economic situation.

In order to prepare its participation in Nairobi and discuss the problems concerning Africa in particular but also the world in general, the Ignatian Family will hold a Pre Forum between January 16 and 19. This assembly will gather around 100 people from the Ignatian Family, many of them from the African Continent, and will hold workshops on some of the issues to be discussed in Nairobi, migration, AIDS, external debt, etc.

Goals ant thematic axes of the WSF Nairobi 2007

The 9 goals for the WSF Nairobi 2007 defined at the Meeting of the International WSF in Parma, Italy, are the following:

1. Building a world of peace, justice, ethics and respect for diverse spiritualities;
2. Liberating the world from the domination of multinational and financial capital;
3. Ensuring universal and sustainable access to the common goods of humanity and nature;
4. Democratization of knowledge and information;
5. Ensuring dignity, defending diversity, guaranteeing gender equality and eliminating all forms of discrimination;
6. Guaranteeing economic, social, and cultural rights especially the right to food, healthcare, education, housing, employment and decent work;
7. Building a world order based on sovereignty, self-determination and rights of peoples;
8. Constructing a people-centred and sustainable economy;
9. Building real democratic political structures and institutions with full people's participation on decisions and control of public affairs and resources.

Discussions will focus on twelve main themes:

• AIDS
• Gender
• Privitazation of essential goods
• No Lands Movement
• Migration
• People´s memory and struggles
• Youth
• Debt
• Fai Trade Agreements
• Housing

More information on Official WSF Page and WSF Nairobi 2007

WSF Origin

The World Social Forum is an open annual meeting place for members of the alternative globalization movement to coordinate international campaigns, share organization strategies and information.

• WSF 2001 took place in Porto Alegre, Brazil, from January 25 to 30. Participation of approximately 20.000 people.
• WSF 2002 took place in Porto Alegre, Brazil, from January 31 to February 5. Participation of approximately 50.000 people.
• WSF 2003 took place in Porto Alegre, Brazil, from January 23 to 28. Participation of approximately 100.000 people.
• WSF 2004 took place in Mumbai, India, from January 16 to 21. Participation of approximately 115.000 people.
• WSF 2005 took place in Porto Alegre, Brazil, from January 26 to 31. Participation of approximately 155.000 people.
• WSF 2006 was a polycentric event. It took place in a decentralized way in different places around the world:
• Bamako, Mali, from January 19 and 23. Participation of approximately 25.000 people.
• Caracas, Venezuela, from January 24 to 29. Participation of approximately 80.000 people.