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This may be of interest to some Thumpers?
ANOTHER WORLD IS NEARLY HERE!
-- Irish Social Forum to debate opposition to neoliberalism --
A debate on how best to oppose the forces of neoliberalism and global capitalism ? and indeed what to replace it with - is set to be the highlight of this year's Irish Social Forum, which will take place in Dublin next weekend, October 8th to 10th. Another central theme will be racism in Ireland and its role in neoliberalism.
Author and academic Peadar Kirby will argue for less market and more state... "What we call the Celtic Tiger is simply an Irish version of the tilt towards the market that is evident in countries throughout the world, as the state restructures itself so as to put the needs of global capital above the needs of its citizens."
However, Aileen O'Carroll of the anarchist Workers Solidarity Movement is calling for a "social revolution" to bring about "a world based on the principals of economic equality and direct democracy rather than the principal of profit."
"For me, the only solution is to replace this political system with one which is completely different," O'Carroll said. "I don't believe parliament will bring us the change we want. It cannot challenge the fundamental inequalities of neoliberalism. Parliament's role is to manage inequality not to remove it."
The plenary, which will also be addressed by Mick O'Reilly of the ATGWU and
Labour Councillor Mary Murphy, will feature conflicting views on social partnership and whether to participate in it.
Meanwhile, the role of racism in the neoliberal globalisation project will be highlighted at the other main plenary, titled Racism in Ireland. Author and Trinity College academic Dr Ronit Lentin will focus on the consequences, for Ireland, of the global migration regime.
In the wake of the 2004 Citizenship referendum, Lentin will argue that while, like all modern nation-states, Ireland is a 'racial state', at the present time of unparalleled prosperity (which, however, is accompanied by growing poverty and rich-poor gaps), Ireland is also a racist state."
"Ireland is creating armies of invisible migrant labourers. Looking at the stories of migrants is one alternative way to think about globalisation in today's Ireland."
Also due to speak at the plenary on racism are Aisling Reidy of the Irish Council for Civil Liberties, Rosanna Flynn of Residents Against Racism and Jason Brannigan of Belfast-based Fascists Out Campaign.
The ISF will feature workshops hosted by more than 40 different groups from around Ireland on such topics as racism, trade unions, inner-city regeneration, trade justice, the global arms trade, Public Private Partnerships, the US military's use of Shannon Airport, female genital mutilation, left unity, incinerators, the EU constitution and the Criminal Justice Bill.
The Irish Social Forum is a gathering for everyone opposed to war, racism and the implications of corporate-led globalisation or neoliberalism. It is
a space to bring together everyone who wants to see global justice, workers' rights and a sustainable society.
Lentin described the Irish Social Forum as being "dedicated to all those opposed to the neoliberal globalising forces of a regime where racial states harmonise their closure against people from the poor world."
'The ISF is a unique opportunity to build a broad movement which can challenge the dominance of pro-market sentiments and ideas throughout public discourse but especially in the media and in policy circles. As the destructive effects of the market on Irish society, and especially on the most vulnerable among us, become ever more evident building such a movement is an urgent priority.'
For some the Irish Social Forum will be a pre-cursor to the European Social Forum (ESF), which will this year be held in London from October 14th to 17th. Upwards of 50,000 activists from across Europe are expected to converge on London for this, the third ESF (www.fse-esf.org).
The Irish Social Forum was launched in July 2003, as a counter-summit to the World Economic Forum (WEF), which was due to be held in Dublin in October 2003. In the event, the WEF was cancelled, but the ISF went ahead and was a
huge success, with over 400 people attending.
The Irish Social Forum 2004 will open at 7.30pm this Friday, 8th October at the St Nicholas of Myra Parish Centre, off Francis Street in Dublin's Liberties. The evening will include an introductory talk, screenings, live music and a DJ. Drinks will be served.
Saturday gets under way at 10.30am in the UCD student centre, where the workshops and the plenary will be followed by an evening of live music from Latin America workshops. An international range of food will also be on offer.
On Sunday the Forum moves to the ATGWU building in Middle Abbey Street.
Full details of the weekend's events are available at
www.irishsocialforum.org
PLENARY SESSIONS:
RACISM IN IRELAND
(Saturday 9th October, 2pm, UCD Student Centre, Belfield)
* Jason Brannigan, Fascists Out Campaign
* Rosanna Flynn, Residents Against Racism
* Ronit Lentin, Campaign against the Deportation of Irish Children
* Aisling Reidy, Irish Council for Civil Liberties
ALTERNATIVE FORMS OF OPPOSITION TO NEOLIBERALISM
(Sunday 10th October, 2pm, ATGWU, Mid Abbey St)
* Peadar Kirby, Lecturer, School of Law and Government, Dublin City University
* Mary Murphy, Labour Party Councillor (former National Policy Officer, SVdeP),
* Aileen O'Carroll, Workers Solidarity Movement
* Mick O'Reilly, General Secretary, ATGWU
WEBSITE:
www.irishsocialforum.org
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Barry Finnegan 085-1423454
Mary Kinane 086-6097532
Ian McDonald 086-6059122
Ciaran Moore 087-9570520
Liz Curry 086-8410666 (after 4pm)
