Welcome to BASE21

After the Seattle struggles of 1999, the internationalist anti-globalisation movement has grown immensely, both quantitatively and qualitatively. The year 2001 was a tumultuous year, with many events and happenings that provided possibilities of both progress and backlash to the anti-globalisation movement.

First, the most obvious turning point was the 9.11 tragedy and the all-out 'War Against Terrorism' initiated by the US imperialists that immediately followed. The attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon triggered a wave of nationalism, militarism and racism, which are effectively being used by the ruling elite all over the world, to push for neo-liberal agendas and oppress the anti-globalisation movement. Despite the intimidating maneuvers by imperialists/neo-liberalists to under-mine our movement, the power of the anti-globalisation movement showed its force once again, when it organised hundreds of thousands of people worldwide to protest, bringing together different slogans and demands of anti-war, anti-globalisation, anti-US and anti-imperialism. However, as was symbolically seen in the US, there were disputes between major trade unions and radical student groups surrounding Bush뭩 attack on Afghanistan. Although this example cannot be generalised, it shows that there are still weak links in the anti-globlisation alliance, that at certain moments there can be an inclination towards nationalism and conservatism.

Second, the launching of the WTO New Round was, at the same time, a failure for Third World countries and social movements, and well as providing future prospects in dismantling the regime. The 'Doha Development Agenda' was successfully launched amidst the bullying tactics of imperialist countries, papering over conflicts and differences. Ironically, this merely brings to light evermore, the crisis of legitimacy of the WTO. In light of this crisis, the anti-globalisation movement, once again, succeeded in mobilising hundreds of thousands of people onto the streets simultaneously on 9th and 10th November, despite the remoteness of the venue and manipulative propaganda from imperialists. The WTO meeting raised some important questions for future struggles -the necessary but problematic solidarity with Third World governments, the matter of the 'social clause', and the pursuit of regionalism by imperialist countries 뻯he promotion of the FTAA, ASEAN+3, and other BITs and FTAs. The situation surrounding free trade and investment raises the importance for anti-globalisation movements to resist neo-liberalism both globally and regionally, as well as the urgency of formulating practical strategies to stop further treaties and moving together towards exclusion of those areas that are basic to human needs.

Third, the crash of the Argentine economy confirmed once again the destructive and volatile nature of neo-liberal financial globalisation. The monstrous cycle of debt crisis and IMF restructuring has only pushed Argentine economy closer to the brink, as it had done to the Korean economy. Both crises are manifestations of how financial liberalisation and expansion through speculative invest-ments can do to the economy and the people who live in it. International movements demanding control of financial transaction, unconditional cancellation of debt and resistance against IMF Structural Adjustment Programs have grown over the last few years, gaining citizenship especially after the Asian crisis. However, the onset of the Argentine crisis calls for stronger unity between the movements, the necessity to raise fundamental questions, and the urgency in formulating a definite plan of action to counteract financial globalisation and speculative capital. The present world recession -a clear manifestation of the habitual danger on a global scale- may be used to suppress the hopes of the people but it also acts as an opportunity to realise the alternative.

Lastly, in the face of the fact that the internationalist movement against neo-liberal globalisation has grown rapidly over the last few years, overcoming various obstacles and effectively using opportunities, there should now be a calm assessment on the strategies, the agendas and the alternatives which have been formulated over the time. The World Social Forum provides the perfect place for serious discussions on the present and future of our movement. The WSF is both the reason and result for the success and development of anti-globalisation movements, and not stopping at the symbolic opposition to the World Economic Forum, has created an invaluable space where ideas and information can be exchanged. However, despite the increase in diversity in the agendas and the groups who promote them, racism, nationalism and sexism still prevail in much of the movement. It is imperative for us to overcome these obstacles that divide the movement and hinder true solidarity based on equality. [PICIS]