Social Forum
2008 Social Forum
Geneva , Switzerland | 1-3 September 2008
About the
Social Forum
The Social Forum is a unique space for interactive dialogue between the
United Nations human rights machinery and various stakeholders, including
grass-roots organizations, and underlines the importance of coordinated
efforts at national, regional and international levels for the promotion of
social cohesion based on the principles of social justice, equity and
solidarity as well as to address the social dimension and challenges of the
ongoing globalization process.
The Social Forum was originally an initiative (resolution 2001/24) of the
former Sub-Commission on the Promotion and Protection of Human Rights (the
Sub-Commission) which was the main subsidiary body of the former Commission
on Human Rights. After the Commission on Human Rights was replaced by the
Human Rights Council in 2006, resolution A/HRC/RES/6/13 of the Human
Rights Council decided that the Social Forum shall continue meeting every
year and requested that its next meeting be held for three working days
during 2008. The Human Rights Council Has decided that the 2008 Social
Forum should focus on:
( a ) Questions relating to the eradication of poverty in the context of
human rights;
( b ) Capturing best practices in the fight against poverty in the light
of grass-roots presentations to the Social Forum;
( c ) Social dimension of the globalization process;
The same resolution has requested the President of the Human Rights
Council to appoint before the end of 2007 the Chairperson-Rapporteur for
the 2008 Social Forum from candidates nominated by regional groups. In
December 2007 H.E. Ambassador Musa Burayzat, the Permanent Representative
of the Hashmite Kingdom of Jordan to the United Nations Office and Other
Organizations in Geneva was appointed as the Chairperson-Rapporteur of the
2008 Social Forum, which will be held on 1-3 September 2008 in Geneva.
Background
The idea of a Social Forum had been discussed since 1997 in response to
concerns about the impact of globalization on the enjoyment of economic,
social and cultural rights. It was meant to serve as a new space in the
United Nations system for the exchange of diverse views and concerns from
many regions, professions and cultural backgrounds to formulate new ideas
and proposals for action to address the challenges currently facing human
rights.
Thus, apart from Member States, Sub-Commission members, global and
regional intergovernmental organizations and non-governmental organizations
(NGOs) in consultative status with the Economic and Social Council,
participants included grass-roots organizations, in particular those of the
poorest and most marginalized groups, and the private sector.
As a pre-sessional forum on economic, social and
cultural rights the initial meeting of the Social Forum was held in 2002,
and two-day meetings were held annually between 2004 to 2006 with the
participation of ten members of the Sub-Commission taking into account
regional representation.
The Fourth session of the Social Forum (its session under the
Sub-Commission) was held on 3-4 August 2006, at Palais des Nations, Geneva
. The theme for the 2006 Social Forum was: "The fight against poverty
and the right to participation: the role of women."
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