INTERVIEW : ‘BAMAKO ROOTS THE PROCESS IN AFRICA’ Dr Aminata Dramane Traoré is a Malian author and social activist. A former Minister of Culture and Tourism, she is one of the main organisers of the Malian Session of the World Social Forum 2006.

TV: What are the main aims of hosting a polycentric session of the WSF; what role does Bamako, as the first session, play in this process?

AT: The most important aim is to reach people where they are, in order to build a common agenda against neoliberalism. Bamako is the first step in the process to root the World Social Forum in Africa and mobilise more people on this continent, which has been the hardest hit by globalisation.

TV: You organised the first African forum in 2002. How different has it been to organise a World Social Forum?

AT: The challenge is similar in terms of bringing people together and sharing new ideas about economic issues, external development, trade etc... The difference is in the size, which is difficult to manage in terms of logistics and the scope of the debates.

It is not easy to assess the number of participants at this stage. We have registered more than 600 activities, which means the participation of hundreds of organisations. We are expecting, in any case, thousands of participants from Africa and all over the world. Malians and other Africans seem happy and proud to host such a large and relevant gathering. Some things are bound to change in the way citizens think when they see the level of mobilisation for another world.

TV: It’s been a year since the 5th World Social Forum at Porto Alegre (Brazil). Can you give us your view on what progress has been made over the last year and the impact of the WSF in Africa?

AT: Each Word Social Forum adds to our engagement since the new order continues to empower the majority of the people around the world. Holding the WSF in Africa will increase African awareness as far as the link between poverty and globalisation is concerned. Also, Africans will feel more connected to the process than if it were being held elsewhere.

Before the World Social Forum, a strong movement that was capable of challenging powerful institutions and countries was missing. Now that we are many, we are able to stand up together and resist. There is hope that another world is possible.