Between 15,000 and 20,000 people from around the world are expected to descend on Atlanta from June 27 to July 1 for the first US Social Forum, an offshoot of the World Social Forum first held in Brazil in 2001.
Attendance is expected to include community organizers, trade unionists, students, elected officials and more for a weeklong conference filled with dialogues, workshops, debates, marches, rallies and cultural events.
Many of the arts and culture events will take place at Hammonds House African American Gallery, 7 Stages Theatre, Horizons Theatre, Charis Books and More, Gateway Theatre and Eyedrum.
According to Atlanta USSF director and organizer Alice Lovelace, the USF was created to provide an open platform to discuss alternatives to the economic plans created by multi-national corporations and the governments at the World Economic Forum.
While influencing the political climate remains the USSF’s goal, the week of events has also become an event for networking and a meeting of the mind with organizations – ranging from non-profits fighting racism and poverty to universities and organizations working reverse global warming. There will be hundreds of workshops held at various locations throughout the week. The headquarters for the event is the Civic Center on Piedmont Avenue in Downtown.
Lovelace, a longtime poet, teacher and activist in the city, said she sees the USSF as a "gathering of civil society" to discuss ways to make the world a better place to live.
"The forum gives those who believe in peace and community and a different kind of world a place to raise their voices, understand what’s going on around the globe today and how they can impact it," Lovelace said.
In preparation for the USSF, Lovelace has traveled to other forums held recently in India and Kenya to see how to translate the forum experience in America.
For more information and a schedule of events, visit www.ussf2007.org.
