Dissidents split anti-capitalist forum

AN EVENT which started as an alternative to the market-friendly World Economic Forum has split in a row over the influence of the Venezuelan Government.

Some anti-globalisation groups at the World Social Forum, annoyed by all the focus on Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, have split to hold their own “Alternative Social Forum” in the Venezuelan capital, Caracas.

Disgruntled activists complain the ubiquitous red T-shirts of Mr Chavez’s party and rows of promotional booths are everywhere at the main event, stifling debate and undermining the forum’s capacity to act as a catalyst for social change.

The seven-day alternative symposium shares some of the anti-capitalist themes dominating the World Social Forum, which has drawn more than 60,000 people and coincides with the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.

But the dissident event is taking up issues that resonate in Venezuela, like the dangers of authoritarianism under a military strongman.

The theme could easily be taken as criticism of Mr Chavez, a former paratroop commander accused of running roughshod over democratic institutions.

It is off-limits in the main forum, said Nelson Mendez, a Venezuelan engineering professor who has helped organise the dissident event.

Participants at the main conference have heaped praise on Mr Chavez’s social programmes for the poor and applauded him for standing up to US-backed free trade initiatives.

Helped by armies of street vendors, Mr Chavez’s image has permeated the World Social Forum, including masks and talking dolls of the president.

At the push of a button, the doll booms: “It’s your dream, it’s your hope and it’s your job to be free and equal.”

Despite the anti-capitalist tone of the event, the BBC reported street vendors are making a $7 (€5.78) profit on every T-shirt sold featuring Mr Chavez or revolutionary icon Ernesto ‘Che’ Guevara.

The World Social Forum was first held in Brazil in 2001. But critics say it has lost much of its spontaneity and grass-roots activism.

At the alternative forum, activities include talks on Venezuela’s military build-up and the role of transnational corporations in the country.