Editorial

The 7th edition of the World Social Forum brings the world to Africa
as activists, social movements, networks, coalitions and other
progressive forces from Asia-Pacific, Latin America, the Caribbean,
North America, Europe and all corners of the African continent converge
in Nairobi, Kenya for five days of cultural resistance and celebration;
panels, workshops, symposia, processions, film nights and much much
more; beginning on the 20th of January and wrapping up on the 25th of
January 2007.

While War Resisters' International is critical of some of the
tendencies within the World Social Forum (and the European Social
Forum), it is important for an international nonviolent and
antimilitarist network to engage with the Social Forum process. The
theme of the 7th WSF, "People's Struggles, People's Alternatives",
is especially relevant to the WRI network. WRI's Statement of
Principles says: "Addressing the causes of war requires a commitment
to social transformation. WRI seeks to join with others in building a
world based not on fear of military might, nor on domination and
hierarchy, but based on relationships of equality, where basic human
needs are fulfilled, where women and men have an equal voice, different
cultures and ethnic groups are accepted by one another, borders do not
divide, and the natural environment is respected. We work to build
societies where everyone can have a say in the decisions that affect
them and where collective responsibility and voluntary cooperation
replace imposition."

In this spirit, War Resisters' International will participate in the
World Social Forum in Nairobi.