Over the past generation, progressives have witnessed the fall of the Soviet Union and the decline of neoliberalism. As in all periods of collapse, the smoke and fury of the falling debris has, to some degree, concealed the possibilities that produced, accompanied and emerged from the breakdown. The most exciting progressive alternatives to emerge have come from the resurgence of the left in Latin America. This resurgence is multi-faceted, encompassing social movements, civil society and states: exemplified by networks of indigenous movements, the World Social Forum process and the election of leftist political parties and leaders.

From Jan. 21 to Feb . 2, 2010, Eric Toussaint and Olivier Bonfond -- both involved in alterglobalization activism, members of the International Council of the WSF, of the world co-ordination of social movements, and of the international network CADTM (Committee for the Abolition of the Third World Debt) -- participated in various international events and meetings in Brazil.

Ten years ago this month, in Porto Alegre, Brazil, the World Social Forum erupted onto the global scene. Conceived in the heat of the surging anti-globalization movement, it summoned activists from around the world to gather in a spectacular festival of alternatives to neoliberal globalization. The World Social Forum quickly became a beacon and a magnet, attracting a stunning array of social forces who shared unequivocal opposition to neoliberalism, but who were otherwise exceedingly diverse -- in their demographic make-up, organizational forms, cultural expressions, geographic roots and reach, strategies, tactics and discourses.

In 2001, something rather unique came about in the wonderful world of social movements. A few thousand activists mostly from Brazil met in Porto Alegre to discuss openly, without a pre-fixed agenda, on strategies and theories to oppose neoliberal policies, and brainstorm alternatives. Thus the Forum was born ...

The FSQ follows from the World Social Forum movement and global quest for alternatives. The FSQ, however, undoubtedly has its own personality due to the continual evolution of Quebec’s social, cultural, economic and political environment. In past few decades, the prioritization of growth, competitiveness and national debt reduction has fostered a one-way hegemonic paradigm in order to justify the measures undertaken to create a society that primordially reacts to market conditions.

Earlier this year, I had the opportunity to attend the Inauguration of the 44th President of the United States and to participate in the World Social Forum hosted in Belém, Brazil.

The Inaugural was attended by 1.8 million citizens, which included a notably large percentage of African-Americans, from all over the country. The World Social Forum had over 133,000 participants from around the world with a substantial number of Pan-Amazonic social movements.

In each case I witnessed a mobilized, dynamic civil sphere aspiring to a new, better society. The key to achieving another world is to bring these different populations together.

The Inauguration