Re: [Fsfe-uk] european social forum/communications rights forum

[Tom Chance]

Hi Graham,

On Saturday 02 Oct 2004 19:50, Graham Seaman wrote:
> Hi,
>
> Has anyone been involved with the European Social Forum in the end?

No :( I promised to try a while ago, but haven't had the time to do anything 
of substance.


> My impression of what has gone on (and it is only an impression, because
> I haven't been involved)
> is that:
>
> 1. The  ESF itself has been  taken over by an odd coalition of the
> Socialist Workers Party, Socialist
> Action, and people linked to Ken Livingstone.
> 2. These people have no interest in free software
> 3. As a result, any activity by european free software organisations
> will take place outside the formal
> ESF framework - in particular in the parallel European Communication
> Rights forum in Camden
> (see http://esf2004.net/en/tiki-index.php?page=EfCr ).
>
> Does anyone know if this summary is correct? And is anyone on this list
> planning to be involved with
> the communications rights forum?

From what I've read, yes, though I still find it bizarre that they felt the 
need to make a splinter forum when the rasion d'etre of the ESF is that 
anyone can come along and add their issue to the agenda with a spontaneous 
seminar. I suppose they wanted a dedicated space for some long, decent 
discussions.

If anyone does have the time to get involved with the EfCr I'd recommend it 
wholeheartedly. It's crazy that the activist side of the Free Software world, 
and the techie FS-friendly side of the activist world don't collaborate, 
especially when you see all the amazing Free Software promotion a lot of 
activists are doing.

I'm happy to tag along for a day or possibly two if others want to go to the 
EfCr. But I can't start committing myself to yet more zany projects ;-)

Regards,
Tom