Mathieu Vick | CUPE Communications
The World Social Forum (WSF) ranks among the world’s largest gatherings of social movements and civil society. It brings together thousands of people concerned with social justice, democracy, the environment and other causes to build international solidarity and to promote strategies for a fairer and more just society.
This year the event took place in Montreal and over 15,000 people from around the globe participated in the hundreds of activities that took place from August 9th to 14th. CUPE was very active in leading sessions on a wide range of topics, including the impact of free trade on public health care, blue communities and public water, bargaining and energy democracy, among others.
One of the main outcomes of the event was a joint declaration calling for an end to austerity and to the commodification of public services. The strengthening of public services was seen as the clearest way to combat rising income inequality and environmental degradation. The growing influence of private finance and the profit motive in health care, education and energy was linked to reduced access to good quality, universal services and to driving down working conditions around the world.
