The WSF’s purpose is to create reflective thinking, democratic debate of ideas, formulation of proposals, free exchange of experiences and interlinking for effective actions. Originating in 2001 with the vision of "Another World is Possible," the 2024 edition is themed around the call for "Another World Now."

Representatives of the World Council of Churches (WCC) will take part of the following activities:

Thematic panels

Thematic Panel on : Climate Justice, Ecology, Just Transitions, Habitat, and Sustainable Development
16 February
09:00AM – 11:30 AM (Nepali Time)
Modality: physical and virtual

The climate crisis which poses a threat to human existence has been the result of excess use of fossil fuels, extractive-based model, and unsustainable models of development. The climate crisis is and will be destructing the ecology, habitat, and civilization as many of the countries in global south are victims of multiple crises arising from the climate emergencies. Addressing this requires energy transformation, an adopted model of development that is more sustainable and is for people and the planet. Climate change is an issue of our generation that needs collective planning and approaches to address it. 

Thematic Panel on: Land, Agriculture, Food Sovereignty, Agro-Ecology Energy and Natural Resources
17 February
09:00AM – 11:30 AM (Nepali Time)
Modality: physical and virtual

A number of interested organisations have come forward to organise this thematic panel  together. This will set the tone for many self organised activities at the WSF and also will help shape the Statement issued at the Square of Statemnt on 19th.  The following articulation already defines the above theme: the accumulation, dispossession, conversion, and annexation of land and other natural resources have been exacerbated by neoliberal policies and practices. This has not only put millions of people`s lives and livelihoods at risk but also contributed to environmental degradation and climate change. We are witnessing the growing extinction of traditional livelihoods based mostly on agriculture, fishing, gathering, and hunting, which are under threat from a variety of land grab-related consequences. These include land loss, diminishing access to resources, damaged ecosystems, deforestation, and a lack of alternative food security measures. Land and food politics are inextricably linked. Therefore, food sovereignty and democratic control over land and other resources are frequently intertwined. The food sovereignty movement is a process that seeks to resist political forces that seek to control all parts of food production systems and bring the entire food production cycle, from seeds to inputs to land and other essentials, under centralised and more privatised control.

Self-organized activities:

Debt Jubilee in a Time of Climate Change
18 February
14:00PM – 15:30 PM Nepali Time
Modality: physical and virtual

In this side-event, church and community leaders as well as experts from climate-vulnerable countries will share lived experiences and case studies on the intersections between external debt and climate change. They will bring proposals for responding to the debt crisis as well as financing climate change adaptation and resilience-building. The session will highlight the moral imperative to tackle the debt-climate nexus, prevent needless human suffering and promote planetary restoration. 

What is common in People's Water Forum (PWF) and WSF?
16 February
14:00PM – 15:30 PM Nepali Time
Modality: physical and virtual

From 18-24 May 2024, Bali, Indonesia will host the 10th World Water Forum (WWF). This triennial event, convened by the corporate-driven World Water Council (WWC), brings together politicians, public agencies, academics, select civil society organizations, multilateral institutions and the private sector to address global water challenges. Marketed as a multi-stakeholder water governance space, the WWF is dominated by Northern donor countries, International Financial Institutions (IFIs) and some of the world’s largest multinational corporations. These actors seek to pressure governments at all levels—especially in the South—to privatize water and sanitation systems and develop market-based solutions to intensifying global water crises including drought, scarcity and climate disasters, 90% of which are water related.

Water for Life over Water for Profit
17 February
14:00PM – 15:30 PM Nepali Time
Modality: physical and virtual

While the UN took about 60 years after adopting the Universal Declaration of Human Rights in 1948,  to recognise  water as a human right, which was adopted by the UN General Assembly and the UN Human Rights Council in 2010. However,the water for life principles are grossly violated by the forces promoting water for profit. Therefore we need to fight these forces innovatively. Among others,  we need to promote concepts like the Blue Communities to defeat the forces of water for profit. Today there are over 200 blue communities across the world, ranging from CSOs, Faith based Organisations, universities, cities, etc. You can join hands to become a blue community today and uphold Water for Life! 

For more information on the World Social Forum 2024 and registration details, please visit: https://wsf2024nepal.org