Context and Background

Under the banner of ‘Another World is Possible,’ tens of thousands of NGO representatives and social movement activists gather annually at the World Social Forum to dialogue, debate and develop joint strategies for moving forward a common agenda. In recent years, growing numbers of U.S. participants came home with a better understanding of social justice movements in other countries, and convinced that it was vital for their own grassroots networks to connect to global movements working towards similar goals.

In a major effort to bring renewed insight and inspiration to social change efforts in the United States, hundreds of community organizations, advocacy groups and national networks will come together in June in Atlanta to build relationships and develop joint strategies for a more effective progressive social agenda.  The US Social Forum process is helping diverse organizations with distinct cultures and approaches form new alliances with each other and with networks at home and abroad.

“The US Social Forum is more than a conference, more than a networking bonanza, more than a reaction to war and repression. The USSF will provide space to build relationships, learn from each other's experiences, share our analysis of the problems our communities face, and bring renewed insight and inspiration. It will help develop leadership and develop consciousness, vision, and strategy needed to realize another world…

We must declare what we want our world to look like and begin planning the path to get there. A global movement is rising. The USSF is our opportunity to demonstrate to the world Another World is Possible!”