FOR A WOMEN’S SPACE AT THE EUROPEAN SOCIAL FORUM IN ATHENS, IN MAY

The organizing committee of the European Social Forum

Subject: Creation of a specific space for the women’s and feminist organizations and our meetings

Dear comrades,

It is well known that the women’s and feminist organizations and collectives have had an important presence in the World and European fora. We hope that our presence in May will be equally important.

For the facilitation of meetings, small activities, networking, we wish the formation of a women’s space which we are going to call “The Women’s Village’. This proposal was discussed and agreed upon in the preparatory meetings of the women in Istanbul and Wien.

We have the example for the village, from Porto Allegre, and is as follows:

In an open space of the ESF venue, we set up a large tent, probably covered by a parachute (open at the sides). In any case the space we estimate to be 150 sq. meters at least. Around and at the edges of the covered space, which will be open at the sides, we put benches for sitting. Also we hang banners from different organizations, of major size that we are going to set when the space is ready, so as to avoid the well known conflicts and the efforts for creating impressions. We want this space to accommodate all of us, and in parity. In the middle or one edge, we will have a small microphone installation. We will also have a screen for projections. In this space, women will meet, and there will be small events, discussions, workshops, projection of videos, painting, etc. It will be our appointments place, this is why we need our own space which will be open for collectives and individuals, and coulourful.

The tables or stools of women’s organizations must probably be near by, preferably also outside, covered at the top for the sun and the wind. This small project is not at all difficult to realize, and it will assist our activities and our pleasant stay at the forum.

We believe that the expenses should be undertaken by the general budget, given that the committee for organizing the Women’s Assembly and the women’s activities has no funding up to now, and we try to publish posters and leaflets for our activities exclusively by our own means.

We also want to underline that we find the amount set for every stool for the forum and the amount for the subscription of organizations too high and unapproachable for many groups and organizations, which thus they will not be able to subscribe or to exhibit their literature and goods. It is necessary the economic participation of every organization to relate to its size and its economic capacity. In addition to this, we have the subscription for persons, which rises the bill even higher.

We ask you to adopt our proposal and we are ready to collaborate for its realization.

The Organising Committee for he women’s assembly

and the women’s and feminists’ activities during the 4th ESF

Athens, 25/2/06