Int'l Forum for Resistance, Anti-Imperialism, Solidarity between Peoples, and Alternatives

01.12.2008

Upon the initiative of the Consultative Center for Studies
and Documentation in Beirut, in collaboration with the International
Campaign against American and Zionist Occupation (the Cairo
Conference), the International Anti-Imperialist and Peoples’ Solidarity
Forum (the Calcutta- India Conference), the Stop War Campaign (London),
with the participation of the National Gathering to Support the Choice
of Resistance (Lebanon), and with the support of other political and
social forces signing this call and participating in the Forum’s
proceedings;

Based on the right to resistance as a principle,
choice and culture, inspired from its confrontation of both the
American and Zionist occupation, in appreciation of its great
sacrifices, human heritage, and achievements in defending the right to
liberation, freedom, independence, and to contribute to the elimination
of the illusion of peoples’ oppression and humiliation;

Based
on the experiences of Anti-Imperialism, Solidarity between Peoples
defending their legitimate rights and supporting the vulnerable in
facing occupation and invasion. Also based on alternative experiences
of refusing the intellectual and cultural stereotyping, refusal of
marginalization and wasting rights together with the experiences of
production-solidarity networks, and the reorganization of land and
local administrations. And as a complement of the Beirut Conference to
Support Resistance in 2006, the Cairo Conference, the Calcutta
Conference, the New Delhi Conference, the International Citizens’
Tribunal in Brussels in 2008, the Durban, Mexico, and Colombia
Conferences;

Within the sphere of international social forums,
the Porto Allegri Charter, the Alternative Globalization Campaign, the
Anti-war Movement, the movements against Israeli Occupation, in support
of the Palestinian people and the “ Right to Return”.

“The
Beirut International Forum for Resistance, Anti-Imperialism, Solidarity
between Peoples, and Alternatives” will be held in Beirut on 16 to 18
January 2009, in order to:

- Coordinate the elaboration of
mechanisms to support the resistance and expand it to the greatest
extent possible, which would allow the popular movement everywhere to
defend the right to resistance, especially resisting the American and
Zionist occupation.

- Work on establishing practical
alternatives through solidarity among peoples facing the policies that
abandon rights by some International Organizations (World Bank, World
Trade Organization, International Monetary Fund……) and also the
non-equal partnership agreements.

- Seek to promote and
develop alternative policies and visions of Anti-Imperialism, the
strategies of occupation, wars and militarization, hegemony and
superiority, capitalist marginalization and the destruction of the
environment, the squandering of natural and cultural resources,
dependency in the management of the international order, through the
Security Council and unfair international institutions.

The
above shall be based on rich discussions ongoing for a while, in most
forums and conferences, on the necessity to move a step forward on the
common track, and based on an initial assessment seeking to overcome
some obstacles hindering efficiency and influence, based on the
following principles:

A- The slogan of “Another world is
possible” adopted by the various forces and movements should encompass
support to the Resistance which is confronting, on the front lines, the
American and Zionist occupation and is defending the rights of peoples
to freedom, the burden of imperialist and hegemonic invasion, and the
return of colonialism.

B- The development and dissemination of
the anti-neoliberal globalization movement and moving towards a world
with more solidarity and humanity supposes a non-reliance on the
hegemony of big industrial powers, seeking to build another axis
between the peoples of the North and those of the South (Latin America,
the Arab Islamic region, Asia, Africa) to reach equal relations on the
political and economic levels.

C- The Imperial march on the
world countries by occupying its territories, looting its wealth and
resources, attempting to terrify and subjugate its peoples by means of
war, “fighting Terrorism”, and “security companies”, and by
dissemination of poverty, hunger, destruction of natural environment,
and dumping them in debts. All these policies should be confronted
Anti-Imperialism and Peoples’ solidarity networks and by supporting
resistance in the countries of the world.

In that regard,
dialogue forums and conferences seem to be insufficient alone for
ceasing occupation, imperialistic invasion, and the defense of natural
and acquired rights. The forces of resistance, social and political
forces, and civil society organizations can establish among each other
mechanisms and visions and practical alternatives to be achieved at
local, national, regional and international levels, without abandoning
their intellectual and political beliefs, while preserving their total
independence, for the Forum is not a framework for action on the front,
but it is a joint endeavor on activities that are agreed upon.

Hence,
the Beirut International Forum for Resistance, Anti-Imperialism,
Solidarity between Peoples and Alternatives invites participants to
take part in one of the following six workshops:

1- Workshop on Supporting Resistance and Liberation:

This
workshop seeks to open horizons that are not enough developed yet in
the current political literature, on the right to resistance as a value
in it self, a necessary condition for any balance on the international
scene today. It also tackles the topic of resistance against American
and Zionist occupation, defending the rights of peoples to freedom and
liberation, and contributing in protecting other vulnerable peoples
from occupation. It talks about objective solidarity between resistance
movements. Also, it seeks to finds integration with this resistance,
based on its achievements and the objective conditions it provides,
helping rebuild more equitable and humane political, social, economic
and cultural systems.

2- Workshop on Anti- Imperialism and Solidarity between Peoples:

This
workshop aims to focus on the objectives of Imperialism and its dark
chapter in the history of mankind. And to reveal its drive to wage
wars, impose sanctions, control resources, exploit markets, subjugate
peoples, invade countries, and militarize economies, force
globalization and neo-liberalism.

Also, this workshop is a call
for political powers, organizations, and people all over the world to
build broad-based united Anti-Imperialism struggles, and to launch
international, national, and local initiatives facing its policies. And
to organize peoples’ solidarity actions to build a political,
economical, and developmental alternative samples.

3- Workshop on Supporting Political Alternatives:

It’s
an open workshop for the anti-war forces, security and oppressive
policies, the rejection of occupation and imperial invasion policies,
and what is called “fighting terrorism”, marginalization, the violation
of rights and the neo-liberal globalization. It seeks to promote joint
action to produce visions and alternatives for the Greater Middle East
policies, the Union for the Mediterranean, the ECA between Northern and
Southern America, and other regional gatherings resulting from invasion
strategies.

4- The Parliamentarians Workshop:

It’s a
workshop between parliamentarians and members of elected councils for
the European Union, the South America Parliamentarians Union, the Arab
Parliamentarians Union, and Parliamentarians from the countries of the
South, seeking to establish an equitable south-south partnership, in
addition to an equitable south-north partnership. It also tackles other
topics of interest to parliamentarians in their parliaments such as the
removal of the terrorist label from legitimate resistance movements,
the implementation of the decision of the European Parliament to cease
work on the Euro-Israeli Partnership, the implementation of the
decision of the Court in The Hague to remove the separation wall in
Palestine, in addition to other decisions seeking the restoration of
some rights.

5- Workshop on solidarity between local communities and sectors:

It’s
a workshop on the creation of south-south and south-north joint
mechanisms, on the rehabilitation of local communities, twinning, the
reorganization of local administrations, the training of the youth and
the unemployed. It also tackles building common solidarity in restoring
respect to the environment, to the earth, water, the right to food
security, trade, maritime fishing, in addition to joint action for
other rights.

6- Workshop on defending legal and civic rights:

It’s
a workshop to discuss the continuation of the international citizens’
tribunal and the Peoples’ Tribunal, along with restoring consideration
to victims of American and Zionist crimes, war crimes, crimes of
genocide, crimes against humanity, and the prosecution of criminals, in
addition to filing individual complaints in European courts. Moreover,
it tackles holding international institutions responsible for policies
of famine, poverty and illegal debts of the Third World, the
prosecution of international security companies accompanying
occupation, and big companies responsible for destroying the
environment and squandering food resources.

This global vision
is subject to dialogue and improvement through practical proposals.
Also, workshops are open for the participation and contribution of all
forces and parties based on an agenda including all the workshops that
is under preparation and publication, and that will be subject to
discussion and improvement before the forum.

The Consultative Center for Studies and Documentation in Beirut
The International Campaign against American and Zionist Occupation (the Cairo Conference)
The International Forum Against Imperialism (the Calcutta- India Conference)
The Stop War campaign (London)
The National Gathering to Support the Choice of Resistance (Lebanon)