World Social Forum Porto Allegre, Brazil

As thousands of young people gathered in New York City to protest the World Economic Forum in early February, their counterparts from different countries around the world participated in the 2nd World Social Forum held in Porto Alegre, Brazil.

As thousands of young people gathered in New York City to protest the World Economic Forum in early February, their counterparts from different countries around the world participated in the 2nd World Social Forum held in Porto Alegre, Brazil.

The event was attended by almost 60,000 people who gathered to discuss the struggle against capitalist globalization and imperialism and to propose another vision of a more just, humane and peaceful world free of racism, sexism and oppression. Under the banner of \"Another World is Possible\" delegates and observers gathered to discuss their particular struggles and share experiences in an effort to coordinate the worldwide fight against globalization and imperialism. Young workers, students, environmentalists, religious believers and artists were an important part of the week�s events bringing fresh ideas, experiences and enthusiasm.

Perhaps the biggest youth oriented event of the World Social Forum was the two-day World Youth Meeting, which focused on the worldwide struggle of youth against capitalist globalization and neo-liberal policies. Young people from different regions of the world discussed the struggles of the youth in their particular countries and discussed the ways in which they were fighting back. Samba Tembile from the Committee for the Cancellation of Third World Debt focused on the struggle of youth on the African continent and his struggles in Mali. Contrary to the myths purported by the capitalist media, says Tembile, \"the truth is that we are very active and that�s why I came here and we are going to continue the fight.\"

Tembile was only one of many young people present to challenge the notion that youth around the world are apathetic and uninterested in what is happening around the world. Young people outlined their involvement in the struggles against programs such as FTAA, that encourage the privatization of public education, unemployment, destruction of the environment, poverty, racism, sexism, the death penalty, and neo-liberal policies.
An important component of the World Social Forum was the Youth Campground, an affordable housing option that provided camping space for 3,000 of the youth participating in the WSF as delegates and observers. The Youth Campground became an event in itself, featuring a series of workshops, discussions and debates on the issues of most concern to youth. The youth were very vocal in their opposition to capitalism and used the Youth Campground as a forum to trade experiences with other young people and brainstorm new ways of protesting neo-liberal globalization policies.

Activities ranged from a farmers� market that was set up to sell organic products to an event focusing on the role of the hip-hop movement in the struggle against capitalist globalization to impromptu street theater performances. According to Wadson Ribeiro, President of the Brazilian Union of Socialist Youth (UJS), the general feeling among the young participants that was demonstrated through the activities of the Youth Campground \"pointed to the belief that another world is possible only through the destruction of capitalism and the construction of socialism.\"

The presence and participation of youth at the 2002 World Social Forum was larger this year than last, and if their enthusiasm and fighting spirit is any indication, next year�s WSF should include an even stronger and more organized youth delegation.

Jessica Marshal is a member of the National Council of the YCLU, USA, currently studying in Brazil