In essence, it is a meeting to debate social issues, organized by social movements and NGOs from all over the Planet.
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The first meeting was in 2001: a response to the World Economic Forum. Yes, the one in Davos, where world leaders meet to debate mainly economic issues and liberal ideas.
The participants of the World Social Forum have a leftist profile. The event's agenda focuses on the debate on fairer and more equal relationships. The “number 1” edition, in Porto Alegre, was a success: 20.000 people from 117 different countries!
At the time, eight entities formed a committee to get the ball rolling, including the Landless People's Movement (MST), the Central Única dos Trabalhadores (CUT) and the Brazilian Commission for Justice and Peace.
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These people prepared the ground for the international meeting and continue to be part of the organization to this day.
O World Social Forum inspired other actions around the world. And in addition to the event in Porto Alegre, every year, it also organizes regional and thematic social meetings in other parts of Brazil and the world.
(Sources: Agência Brasil and World Social Forum)
See also: