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From the Amazon: we told you so

Sara Wolcott | Sunday 1st February 2009

At the gates of the Amazon in Northern Brazil, the World Social Forum (WSF) celebrates its last day today, the 'Day of Alliances'. Inspired by the opportunity to make a difference and believing (or wanting to believe) that) 'Another World Is Possible', tens of thousands of people from around the world have converged to discuss what they want to see happen in the future. And as they celebrate indigenous cultures and traditions in song and dance, highlighting especially the indigenous cultures in Amazonia, they look with certain bemusement across the ocean to where their rival, the chilled World Economic Forum (WEF) sings a distinctly different tune of greater humility.

Even Schwab, the founder of the WEF has come to admit that while profit is good, it 'can not be profit any cost.' Many are suddenly speaking of the need for 'values'. (A mistaken use of the term: everyone always acts from their 'values', its' just a question of which 'values' people are acting from). The World Economic Forum is hardly a cheery gathering this year.

And its missing one of its key members. Brazilian President Goesto chose to join four other heads of State (Paraguay, Bolivia, Equador and Cuba)
at the World Social Forum, marking this the first time so many high profile leaders have gathered at the WSF. It also marks one of the few occaisions where Heads of State gathered with common people, especially poor people, for a shared conversation about our shared future.

It is also a clear sign that South and Latin America area ready to become the leaders in the Green, Just Economy that just might emerge from the ashes of this Financial Crisis. Which, as many point out, is not just a financial crisis: we are also facing a global food, fuel, water and potentially conflict crisis. It is, according to one Amazonian leader, a 'crisis of civilization'. While few are rejoicing at the financial crisis (they know it will effect them, and the poor, not just the bailed out bankers, will suffer greatly in the coming months and possibly years) many can't help but shake their heads at Davos, saying, 'we told you so.'

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