The World Social Forum is a new international arena for all those opposed to neo-conservative policies where they can consider, organize and build alternatives that put human development first. It will take place at Porto Alegre (Brazil) from 25^th to 30^th January 2000, on the same dates as the World Economic Forum at Davos (Switzerland). Fifteen Alliance workshops will participate to coordinate the Forum workshops dealing with different subjects (women and economics, intercultural dialogue, training union leaders, food security, art, etc.)

It will gather elected representatives, unions, associations, people's movements, NGOs, and citizens' groups from all over the world. It will permit formulating general perspectives and proposals, exchanging experiences and setting up tactical and strategic partnerships.

Contact: fsm@uol.com.br - www.worldsocialforum.org

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In April 2001, the Summit of the Peoples of America will take place at Quebec. All the heads of state (except that of Cuba) have been invited. This meeting is to take place in the framework of the negotiations to set up the AFTA (American Free Trade Area). Several groups of organizations will meet to consider and make known alternatives to the global market, in order to resist the signing of these agreements.

Contact: alternatives@alternatives-action.org - www.alternatives.ca

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The Congress of Unity, or the World Assembly of Cities, will be held from 2^nd to 6^th May at Rio (Brazil). It will gather about 2,000 elected municipal representatives from all over the world with the aim of merging the two major world organizations of cities: the International Union of Local Authorities (IULA) and the World Federation of United Cities (FMCU). The objective is to build and develop an organization of cities capable of dialoguing with the UN, which represents governments.

Contact: www.iula.org

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