The World Social Forum took place in Belem, Brazil from January 27th
to February 1st, 2009. One hundred and thirty-thousand representatives
from civil society organizations, research groups, and non-governmental
agencies attended. A major focus of the Forum was people-centered
responses to the world economic crisis, led by organizations involved
in the social and solidarity economy. The World Social Forum organizers
created a dynamic space for dialogue, networking and collaboration in
Belem, including major themes around Indigenous People’s leadership and
solidarity, ecological sustainability, and responses to the global
economic crisis. RUPERT DOWNING, Co-Director of the Canadian CED
Network had the opportunity to attend the forum. His presentation,
‘Community-Led Research to Strengthen the Social Economy’ illustrated
the Canadian perspective of community economic development, community
resources, building community economics, and building a social economy.