Presents a process-oriented account of the World Social Forum (WSF). This book looks at how the WSF has become a famous international arena in which social movements gather each year in order to clarify their criticisms of the world as it is, and to debate the fundamental principles on which an alternative world could and should be built.

It will also be useful to scholars trying to understand this extraordinary and sui generis new international social movement.

Preface
Foreword
Introduction
The World Social Forum Charter of Principles
PART 1
The early days
1. Putting the proposal
2. The event is a success
3. Moving on, necessarily to the world level
4. The difficult consensus rule
5. The Charter of Principles
6. An international support function
7. Confirming the route
PART 2
Organizing Social Forums - the basic choices
1. Forum - an "open space"
2. Organizer-facilitators
3. Self-organization and self-management
4. Co-responsibility
5. "Delegates" or individual participants?
6. Non-directiveness
7. Horizontality
8. Respect for diversity and pluralism
9. Respect for the environment
10. Financing the events
11. World Social Forum - a civil society space
12. Encouraging networking and action
13. Multiplicity of possible courses of political action
14. The rejection of violence
15. No final document
PART 3
Issues and developments
1. World Social Forum - a space or a movement
2. "Open space" - who for?
3. Happiness as a hallmark, and young people
4. How is the Forum politically effective?
5. Building unity among the organizers
6. Charter of Principles - doubts and issues
7. Networks and parties
8. Translations, communications technology and media
9. Towards new ways of doing things
10. The need for inner change
PART 4
Outlook
1. The social and cultural impact of Mumbai
2. The 2005 World Social Forum
3. Forums spreading and taking root around the world
4. Complementary information: After 2005, will be World Social Forum be held in Porto Alegre again?
5. The temptation of a final document
6. History of the WSF International Council - a search for identity and function
7. Davos-Porto Alegre
8. All in good time