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Alternative globalisation activists, who are opposed to cultural uniformity, promote respect for difference as one of their main values. In order to blend this appreciation of diversity with the various factions of the movement, activists have created a new ideal convergence model: the Social Forums. Three main characteristics apply: an inclusive atmosphere with respect for diversity, the organisation of "open spaces", and the non‐deliberative nature of meetings. Though activists aim to live by these principles, the model remains no less ideal, because this way of acting it out expresses the values of alternative globalisation utopias and is impossible to recreate in real‐world meetings, which is a result both of the behaviour of the parties involved and of structural limitations inherent to the model.Rather than an organisation that encompasses all factions of the alternative globalisation movement, World Social Forums provide platforms for debate and flexible coordination allowing activists to work together in an environment respectful of differences. However, certain aspects of the expansion of these World Social Forums–their increasing size, the growing burden of their organisation, their institutionalisation or internal shortcomings in their democratic process – may pose a threat.

Massivement impliqués dans les mobilisations altermondialistes, les jeunes n'ont pas pour autant renoncé à leur profond désenchantement à l'égard des structures et acteurs traditionnels de la vie sociale et politique, ni à leur individuation. C'est au contraire sur ces bases et en s'appuyant sur leur adaptation à la société informationnelle qu'ils créent progressivement de nouvelles cultures de l'engagement et des visions différentes du politique. À partir d'une recherche réalisée en Europe et en Amérique latine, cet article tente dans un premier temps de dégager différents pôles parmi ces jeunes altermondialistes. Il se penche ensuite sur les formes d'engagement privilégiées, avant d'analyser les conceptions du politique.

Alternative globalization activists, who are opposed to cultural uniformity, promote respect for difference as one of their main values. In order to blend this appreciation of diversity with the various factions of the movement, activists have created a new ideal convergence model: the Social Forums. Three main characteristics apply: an inclusive atmosphere with respect for diversity, the organization of "open spaces," & the non-deliberative nature of meetings. Though activists aim to live by these principles, the model remains no less ideal, because this way of acting it out expresses the values of alternative globalization utopias & is impossible to recreate in real-world meetings, which is a result both of the behavior of the parties involved & of structural limitations inherent to the model. Rather than an organization that encompasses all factions of the alternative globalization movement, World Social Forums provide platforms for debate & flexible coordination allowing activists to work together in an environment respectful of differences. However, certain aspects of the expansion of these World Social Forums -- their increasing size, the growing burden of their organization, their institutionalization or internal shortcomings in their democratic process -- may pose a threat. 24 References. Adapted from the source document.

Contrary to the common view that globalization undermines social agency, "alter-globalization activists", that is, those who contest globalization in its neo-liberal form, have developed new ways to become actors in the global age. They propose alternatives to Washington Consensus policies, implement horizontal and participatory organization models and promote a nascent global public space. Rather than being anti-globalization, these activists have built a truly global movement that has gathered citizens, committed intellectuals, indigenous, farmers, dalits and NGOs against neoliberal policies in street demonstrations and Social Forums all over the world, from Bangalore to Seattle and from Porto Alegre to Nairobi. This book analyses this worldwide movement on the bases of extensive field research conducted since 1999. Alter-Globalization provides a comprehensive account of these critical global forces and their attempts to answer one of the major challenges of our time: How can citizens and civil society contribute to the building of a fairer, sustainable and more democratic co-existence of human beings in a global world? -- Publisher description