World Social Forum: Dakar, Senegal

2/01/11 -- WORLD SOCIAL FORUM

Dakar, Senegal: On the afternoon of February 1st, 2011, World Social Forum coordinator Miniane Deouf convened a meeting calling for African Consensus. The meeting was held at the CRES (Center for Research of Economy and Society), an important think tank in Senegal.

African Consensus is a new economic paradigm and alternative to the Washington Consensus. It seeks to articulate the importance of grassroots approaches, local initiatives, social business and the power of small is beautiful. In Africa the non-formal sector already accounts for 40 percent of GNP.

The World Social Forum tabled a draft African Consensus Resolution for comments from the attendees, who will form the drafting committee.

Intense debate and revision of the document is taking place on the sidelines as the World Social Forum prepares to open on February 6, 2011. It is expected that a formal announcement of the African Consensus Resolution will be made during a pan-African session of the World Social Forum on February 7, 2011.

Laurence Brahm, global activist lawyer and economist, founder of Himalayan Consensus, was invited to share the Asian economic development experience with the delegates. During the meeting he was invited to join the drafting committee.

Didier Awadi, one of Africa’s leading rap singer celebrities attended the session to express solidarity behind the African Consensus approach.

African Consensus calls for: protection of ethnic diversity and individual identity, through sustainable businesses and economic programs, that in turn support community development and protect the environment.

Following the meeting at CRES, Laurence Brahm was received by African celebrity activist Alioune Tine, President of Raddho. Their meeting took place at Raddho headquarters in Dakar. Raddho is one of Africa’s most important human rights NGO. Alioune Tine has been instrumental in mediating peace in Sudan, and Guinea. He expressed support for the African Consensus and agreed to join the drafting committee.

Among those present at the African Consensus Resolution meeting yesterday were:

Miniane Deouf, Coordinator of World Social Forum;

Professor Abdoulaye Sakho, UCAD and CRES Center for Research on Economic and Social;

Abdoulaye Sene, president of the development Commission of the National Assembly, deputy from the National Assembly;

Professor Bara – Guye IED (Instiution for Environmental Development) Afrique

Charales Owens Ndiaye Word Social Forum, ANAFA;

Tidiane Kase, Communication Director, World Social Forum, Fahamu Network for Social Justice;

Yaya Birane Wane, Program Director, Raddho;

Mbaye Diene, CRES;

Abdoulaye Aziz Sall, Consultant;

Didier Awadi, Studio Sankara, musician;

Mamadouba, representing National Association of Rural Mayors;

Antoine Faye, Press Office of President National Assembly;

Rokhaya Ngoye Mbaye, Consultant;

Laurence Brahm, Founder, Himalayan Consensus Institute.