[fse-esf] The Scandinavian ESF process so far

[Sara Andersson]

 Dear friends, these are some of the developments in the Scandinavian ESF
initiative so far:

1. An initiative group has been formed, so far on the Swedish part
consisting of Attac, ABF (Workers Educational Association), Miljoforbundet
Jordens Vanner (Friends of the Earth Sweden), SEKO (Service and
Communication Union) and Transport (Transport Workers Union), as well as
several local social forums, including Skane Social Forum (located in the
Malmo region).

We use this group, which consists of many of the strategic players in
Swedish civil society, to invite other key players and funders of vital
interest to the process and to the realization of the ESF in Scandinavia. So
far, the results have been very positive. We are also proceeding to set up
an organising group, with participants from all scandinavian countries, and
in this group, we feel that it's vital to bring in both feminist and migrant
groups, and that process is also ongoing.
2. The municipalities of both Malmo and Copenhagen have been overwhelmingly
positive towards the idea of hosting the forum, and can provide some
financial support and help with venues and accommodation etc. To Lisbon, we
will bring a letter of intent from the mayor of Malmo.

Concerning the location of the forum: We would like to keep this open a
little bit longer to see what the best option is. Since the forum will be a
joint Scandinavian event, the location of it is not the most important
question. We are in the favourable position that both cities are interested.
This means the location will depend upon where we can get the best
conditions and support to organise the forum.

3. We are currently getting an idea of the budget issues, and working on a
rough budget estimation.

4. We have initiated contacts with the Greek organisers, Babels and ALIS
networks, to further inform ourselves of what is needed.

5. We are networking with organizations all over Scandinavia, and have
support (and enthusiasm) in all the Scandinavian countries for bringing the
ESF here.
 A note on working methodology and Swedish political background:
The interest for the Social Forum process is growing in Sweden, we had a
record number of closer to 300 people and almost 20 organisations attending
the WSF in Nairobi for example. But there is still a lot to do in getting
the forum process more broadly known and to bring important actors fully
onboard, such as more trade unions. We see the ESF in Scandinavia as a key
factor to achieve this goal.

Politically the municipalities of Malmo and Copenhagen are enthusiastic and
supportive. But as for the national context in Sweden there is a newly
elected rightwing government - the first in 12 years, with an aggressive
agenda to privatise public services and to delute trade union rights. This
fact and the increasing forces of neoliberal globalisation is building up a
sence of urgency among progressive forces and organisations such as the
trade unions to react and to build new offensive alliances.

>From a Swedish context an ESF in Scandinavia would be an important part in
re-igniting progressive forces and organisations in Sweden and especially to
link up this action with the European movements.

In solidarity, Sara Andersson, Attac Sweden, on behalf of the
Swedish intitative committee for a Scandinavian ESF
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