[fse-esf] Mobilisation tour to Estonia and Latvia, March 8-10

[Laura M Tuominen]

Hello,

greetings from Finland! As was discussed in the Berlin EPA, the contact
group for Europe and the world of the NOC has been trying to focus on
mobilising new movements and movements from the CEE countries to the ESF.
Tord Björk just sent his report on his tour to 6 countries. I would propose
a big round of applause for Tord's efforts! :) 

In Finland our ”branch” is trying to build cooperation with Baltic and
Russian movements. I am writing to you now to give a brief update on what is
happening with the upcoming mobilisation tour to Estonia and Latvia. 

Unfortunately, due to lack of time we are not able to travel to Lithuania
this time. We are also planning a trip to Russia, but that has not been
confirmed yet. You will get more information later on.  

WHO WILL BE TRAVELING?

For more information on this tour to Estonia and Latvia, please contact me,
Laura Tuominen: laura.m.tuominen(at)helsinki.fi, +358407309360. 

I am a member of the NOC of the European Social Forum representing Democracy
forum Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam  (http://www.demokratiafoorumi.fi) and I am the
contact person of Finland Social Forum OC in the Malmö ESF process. The
other persons in our delegation to Estonia and Latvia are Ruurik Holm
(research director of The Left Forum,
http://www.vasemmistofoorumi.fi/index.php?option=com_content&task=blogsection&id=8&Itemid=72)
and Vesa Rantama (Friend of the Earth Finland,
http://maanystavat.fi/english.php). 

In Tallinn there are also going to be activists from Attac Finland
(http://www.attac.fi) and Network Institute for Global Democratization
(http://www.nigd.org) present.   

TALLINN, SATURDAY MARCH 8

This Saturday, March 8th , a delegation from Finland is going to travel to
Tallinn in Estonia with the legendary world-system theorist Immanuel
Wallerstein. There is going to an event at the University of Tallinn
starting at 11 am. Below more information on the event:

Conference "Challenges of Globalisation", schedule

Saturday, 8th of March 2008 Tallinn University room U-225

11:00                      Introduction
11:05                      Immanuel Wallerstein
11:50                      Questions to the presentation
11:55                      Jyrki Käkonen
12:20                      Questions to the presentation
12:25                      Peter Waterman
12:55                      Questions to the presentation
13:00                      Discussion (discussant Rein Ruutsoo)
 
After the conference there is going to be a roundtable meeting with various
Estonian movements starting at the cafeteria of the Tallinn university (new
building). All networks that might be interested in the ESF are welcome to
join in! If you have some contacts in Estonia, please send this message to
them!  

So far we have been able to get into contact with for example Estonian
consumers' associations, Fairtrade activists, development cooperation
networks, peace activists, lgbt movement and trade unions. Some of them we
are also going to meet separately on Saturday and Sunday.

RIGA, MONDAY MARCH 10 

On Monday, March 10th  a Finnish 3-person delegation is going to be in Riga
in Latvia.  There we are also going to meet different networks. We are going
to have a meeting for example with Latvian trade unions, development
cooperation networks and lgbt activists. We have also asked our Latvian
contacts to invite other networks to the meetings as well. If you have any
contacts in Latvia, please send this message to them. We would be more than
happy to meet with all networks that might be interested in the ESF! 

Regards,
Laura Tuominen
Member of the NOC/VK
laura.m.tuominen(at)helsinki.fi
+358407309360