Blogging the WSF

Mumbai, Jan 19 - Today I took a break from the throngs of the WSF, and escaped into the biggest slum in Asia, which by comparison, was tranquil. "Dharavi" is a massive conglomeration of shanty hut upon hut, precariously held together by bits of scrap material and sheer will power. I accompanied a delegation of Fair Trade activists from all over the world and India to Dharavi to mark the unveiling of their campaign and global march. The first stop was Asha Handicrafts in Andheri, about 15 minutes from the WSF in Goregaon. Asha Handicrafts is a fair trade cooperative, connecting Indian craftspeople with buyers in and out of India. Like the other fair trade organizations whose representatives I met, the criteria of fair trade are extensive: fair wages, no child labor, safe working conditions, and high environmental standards. I also had the chance to interview many representatives from different countries such as Zambia, France, Kenya, and Italy about either the fair trade associations or the importers of fair trade goods. I also spoke with a Kashmiri artisan who complained about the decline in working conditions and market as a result of globalization and conflict in Kashmir. It was a welcome break gfrom the overwhelming throngs, and incessant marches of the WSF.

Today was also the day that my own workshop was held. As part of my work with the Afghan Women's Mission, I organized a workshop called "Afghanistan: The First Stop in the 'War on Terror'". Speakers included my husband and colleague, Jim Ingalls, Pakistani professor Pervez Hoodbhoy, and Sahar Saba of RAWA, the Revolutionary Association of the Women of Afghanistan. Despite the fact that we were designated one of the furthers corners of the NESCO grounds, about 40-50 people showed up and we had the most interesting and productive session I've encountered at the WSF (okay I'm a bit biased but some members of the audience mentioned the same). A long discussion about the burqa and whether it should be considered a revolting garment, was part of the discussion. The main part however, was focused on what next for Afghanistan? A handover of the country from the US to the ISAF? A UN sponsored peace keeping mission? A war crimes tribunal for Afghan warlords? Or a US puppet president? The answer was not clear but what was clear was that people left understanding the situation better and vowing, I hope, to include Afghanistan on their anti-war agenda.

Finally, the song and dance of the myriad Indian political groups of dalits, refugees, trade unionists, etc, has not abated.The energy remains high and the atmosphere charged with excitement. It seems as though, despite the fact that the star-speakers of the WSF seem to deliver little more than platitudes, the positive element of activists developing connections and sharing ideas manages to take place almost as a force of nature.