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by Moraa Gitaa

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G21 AFRICA - WORLD SOCIAL FORUM NAIROBI: Contributor MORAA GITAA reports on the 2007 gathering in Nairobi, Kenya that stands as at counterpoint to the gathering of the elites in Davos.

Moraa Gitaa

Mombasa, KENYA - "It is only through determination that most things including debt control can happen. It is about acting and not talking... putting issues together and coming up with one campaign is the best way forward. Africa has fought for independence and once we give our nations the dignity they deserve, we are absolute ly one step ahead in achieving the best out of our countries and reducing the debts our countries have." - Wahu Kaara - an organizer of the World Social Forum (WSF) and an official of Kenya Debt Relief Network.

"Debt continues to weigh heavily on the development of many countries in Africa to the detriment of public investment and other important needs." - Paul Emille - Delegate from Germany at the WSF and organizer of the World Parliamentary Forum (WPF)

"Women have spoken out about their problems, including land, water and environment. They have also protested against the privatization of water services... Africa is rich in resources, and it is absurd for other countries to think that we can't afford facilities." - Sara Longwe - Member of Femnet (A Non-Governmental Organization for women) Speaking at the WSF.

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The seventh World Social Forum (WSF) came to Kenya bringing together thousands of delegates from all over the world to discuss, among other issues, HIV-Aids, gender, privatization, landlessness, peace and conflict, migration and the Diaspora.

Other issues included the youth, debt relief, free trade agreements, labor and housing. This was indeed a great opportunity for the media to market our country. Coming hot on the heels of the recent talks on climate change held in Nairobi, the world presented us with yet another opportunity to showcase our best.

The WSF, held in January, was meant to provide a voice for the world's poor and suffering. Delegates from poor countries said debt servicing was causing great harm to citizens. They cited the deterioration of social services, such as education and health, as results of the huge debt burdens. It was indeed noted that there was need for globalization and reduction of isolation so that the poor could benefit.

Confusing as this may sound, the forum is not an organization of any sort. It, rather, provides space for the world's vulnerable to meet, think and reflect on matters that affect human life, including democracy, free exchange of ideas and challenges facing the poor. It is meant to be anti-globalization and seeks to provide alternatives to liberal economics. Specifically, the movement seeks to protect the world's population and eco-system from the damaging effects and excesses of globalization.

At Kasarani National Stadium in Nairobi. where the meeting was held, there were advocates from every imaginable sector - eg; Human, Labor and Children Rights, Environment, Macro-economics and even gays. Many of the issues discussed were profound, especially in developing third world countries. Namely - Freedom of migration, preservation of indigenous peoples' cultures, respect for cultural diversity, food provision and security, food safety and distribution and, of course, ending or reforming capitalism.

On the other hand, women leaders at the forum called on their male counterparts to give more leadership positions to women since they have proved their capability.

Kenyan Legislators gave the WSF a wide berth, but they converged with counterparts from around the world to discuss important political and social issues. The World Parliamentary Forum (WPF), comprising 43 legislators from Europe and 8 from Kenya, held a meeting at Kasarani and they passed key resolutions.They discussed numerous issues affecting the countries represented.

The WPF is a network of parliamentarians interested in working closely with WSF to seek solutions to issues affecting their countries.The Legislators also called for unconditional cancellation of debt for poor countries. Criticizing the tendency to criminalize immigrants to Europe, they said that the problem of immigration is caused by unequal distribution of wealth in the world, and the situation is made even worse by war and constant negative politics.

Environmental degradation remained a major issue at the WSF. Delegates took issue with the alarming rate of deforestation, the increasing production of industrial waste and indiscriminate exploitation of mineral resources mainly in the developing countries. They complained that industries have continued cropping up, thus leading to wanton destruction of and drastic change of the environment.

Local delegates blamed environmental degradation on rampant corruption and lack of commitment from the Government. They complained that NEMA (National Environment Management Authority) [of Kenyan] has been issuing threats without coming up with tangible environmental management measures to stop industries from polluting the eco-system.

The delegates also linked the problem of environmental degradation to the long-standing problem of land grabbing. In relation to the same issue, the Global Forest Coalition, in a detailed write-up to the delegates, raised concerns about the effect of biomass on human life, especially those being produced in commercial volumes.

WSF holds meetings to coordinate, refine organizing strategies and share ideas on issues that affect members. It is well programmed that such meetings coincide with the World Economic Forum, the congregation of the mighty and the moneyed, and to steal the media thunder through mass protests.

Thus this WSF had its share of placards and picketing as delegates from poor countries held a peaceful march within the stadium chanting 'We won't pay' in relation to advocating for debt cancellation. The theme of the march was 'Break free from the illegitimacy of debt cancellation.' Another group held a demonstration outside the offices of the European Union.

It was not just work, work and more work at the forum. There was play too.

The robust dancing and ululating from women's groups were unmistakable. Once again, we were reminded that while elitist women fight and jostle for leadership positions in women's organizations, the (lay) poor woman sustains households single-handedly day in day out, year in year out. on the proverbial one fish and a loaf of bread.

Such women have formed groups which include financial merry-go-rounds we call 'Chama.' These groups operate in circles that even Micro-Economists have missed out on. These women's livelihoods thrive in many sectors, except those that involve the building of infrastructure in the slums where they live.

There was certainly not a dull moment at the 5 days of the WSF.

A group calling itself the Progressive Youth Organization, demanded free food and organized an invasion of food tents by people identified as slum dwellers, who argued that the food was too expensive for poor people. They argued that five star hotels had no right to sell food at the WSF as their prices were too high.

The argument may hold water, but the invasion only helped to entrench the perception of the poor as an angry, hungry and uncontrollable lot, incapable of logical solutions to problems affecting them. But then again it on the other hand portrayed the rich as a thoughtless, arrogant and showing off lot, who have the nerve to serve a sumptuous banquets before poor, hungry people who have never eaten, nay, laid eyes on such food.

How else can you explain outside caterers in the likes of the five star Norfolk and Windsor Golf and Country Club stands?

The twice raiding of the five star food stands by poor delegates in as many days truly drove home the idea of the WSF and the gap that it aims to bridge between the social and economic divide.

There were also other extremes - particularly the untouchables from India, people at the bottom rung of the caste system. Whereby they have Priests and Teachers as the highest caste, Rulers and Warriors the second in command, and in third place, Merchants and Traders, but to me it appeared as if the majority of peasants and workers belonged to the untouchables.

Closer home, two groups were of particular interest. One, was that, finally, the Kenyan gays got out of their closets and demanded recognition.They also had their protest complete with placa rds.

We may all want to wince when the issue confronts us, but at the WSF, our sisters and brothers declared their stand and asked for respect. Usually we hide behind the argument that to be gay or a lesbian is a Western concept, but I've always wondered how come homosexuality is so rampant along the Kenyan Coast and in Up-market Nairobi they have their special clubs and nightspots? Well, now recognition and respect for diversity stare at us and is even being taken to the next level.

Secondly, pickpockets and petty thieves also seemed to have a field dayt as a few laptops were reported missing as were some wallets - maybe our security forces were out chasing the daring violent criminals who had almost turned Kenya into a gangland.

Kenyan Musicians and other local Artistes complained of being sidelined in the event or - if one was scheduled to perform - there was disorganization. This lwas the case of Eric Wainaina who ended up performing at odd hours and late into the night.

In contrast to the local scene, the World Economic Forum selected several Kenyans as Young Global Leaders 2007 among them Salim Amin the award winning film maker and CEO of Cameraprix who is a son of legendry photojournalist Mohammed 'Mo' Amin.

On the role of honor was author, journalist and G21.net alumnus Binyavanga Wainaina, winner of the Caine Prize for African writing in 2003 and founder of Kwani Kenya's only online literary magazine which encourages emerging new writing.

Their peers in the current community of 416 Young Global Leaders include co-founders of Google, Larry Page and Sergey Brin and the President of the Democratic Republic of Georgia Mikheil Saakashvili. The World Economic Forum Award is bestowed upon the world's distinguished young leaders under the age of 41.

The WSF January 2007 - Nairobi Kenya, certainly brought out the best and worst in us! Hot on the heels of the WSF was the UNDP poverty and human index report released last month - the contents therein will be discussion for another day as will be Government spokesman Dr. Alfred Mutua's recent PR campaign titled 'Truth Be Told - The Facts' (What President Kibaki's Government has achieved - An accountability statement)