World Social Forum 2006 - Karachi

The WSF was a space for open dialogue, awareness, and understanding. At a forum entitled "Women in Black", I learned about how in Indonesia, the tsunami was blamed on the "sin of women", and used as an excuse to further regulate women’s bodies. An Iraqi woman spoke of the atrocities happening at Abu Ghraib that we don’t hear about - her friend who had been a prisoner there spoke of a 14-year-old girl who was raped at Abu Ghraib - in front of all the Iraqi prisoners, American soldiers, and her father.

I learned about the Balochistan issue, discovered a strong movement for the rights of the disabled in Pakistan, and was moved by a photo exhibition by the Centre for Street Children in Karachi. There were photo displays and candlelight vigils for Palestine and for those affected in the tsunami and earthquake in South Asia, and theatre performances and interfaith dialogues promoting religious harmony.

There was an incredible silent drama/tableau, where a person was caught and immobile in a net held by WB (World Bank), IMF (International Monetary Fund), WTO (World Trade Organization), and MNC (MultiNational Corporations). A character representing WSF (the World Social Forum) was trying in various ways to release the individual, pulling, pushing, etc. Nothing worked, until the WSF beats down, one by one, the WB, IMF, WTO, and MNCs, and the person was free.

I had been worried that the WSF would be merely a mainstream gathering of elite NGO and union activists. I was relieved to see at least some people from the real grass-roots, from interior Sindh and elsewhere, speaking out about their issues and participating in various events. I learned about the plight of fisherfolk in Pakistan at their stall. I also attended a "World Dignity Forum" discussion and "Dignity for All" rally, regarding the oppression faced by Dalit peoples in South Asia. They emphasized: No development without dignity.

I felt disappointed, however, at the inability to move from merely talking about things to acting on them. There was a lot of awareness-raising, discussing, and understanding, but limited, if any, opportunity to mobilize or connect for unified, directed action. I was also frustrated by the disorganization - because it meant I, and many others, missed a lot of interesting activities, forums, discussions, etc., simply because I didn’t know when and where they were happening.

There was also a troubling occurrence at the Opening Ceremony - to represent freedom, doves were released into the air. The first disturbing thing was that these doves had been kept cooped up for so long for this ’special effect’, and the second disturbing thing was that because they had been cooped up for so long, when they were thrown into the air, they were unable to fly and fell to the ground. It bothered me and many others, as it went against everything the World Social Forum is supposed to stand for.

There was, however, solidarity, passion, energy. One evening, my soul was touched by an evening of Kabir’s poetry - sung by artists from both India and Pakistan. The lyrics spoke of erasing duality and distance, and both performers and audience were enraptured by emotion. At the World Dignity Forum, the crowds chanted "Hum sab ek hain" - We are all one. Every day there were rallies where people joined together to protest oppression and injustice. And at the Closing Ceremony, throngs of people held hands together and swayed to the theme song - "Ek Aur Jahan Mumkin Hain" - Another World is Possible.

Overall, I felt the World Social Forum, despite some shortcomings, was successful in bringing together people from different walks of life, to share and learn about each other’s plights, and understand the common struggle against oppression and injustice. It was also personally meaningful to have this event held in Sindh - the land of my ancestors. I am glad that I had the opportunity to participate, learn, and connect at this world event.