Melbourne Social Forum

The Melbourne Social Forum is a volunteer effort by members of many independent organisations and citizens concerned about globalisation. The founding members met at the World Social Forum in Mumbai, and decided Melbourne, and the world, could benefit form a local Social Forum being established here...

Mission Statement

To create an open public space to discuss, share and act on ideas for sustainable social and ecological justice.

MSF charter of principles

This Charter of Principles is what the Melbourne Social Forum (MSF) does and why. It forms the basis of our decision making process and future directions. The principles contained in this Charter are to be respected by all those who wish to take part in the process and to organise the MSF. This document represents the ideas that the MSF feels are needed to preserve its core intentions which we consider to be valuable in themselves. It is intended that these fundamental principles do not change, however they may be amended and added to as may be necessary in publicly pre-announced periods of review.

1. The Melbourne Social Forum provides an open space.
2. We consider the current dominant and hegemonic form of globalisation to be unjust; however, we see peaceful and non-exploitative alternatives as potentially valuable and therefore seek to build global and local communities that are both socially and ecologically just.
3. We are inclusive of all people, both within and outside of the mainstream, and respect both equity and diversity by encouraging the participation of all people regardless of age, ethnicity, religion, gender or sexual preference and are committed to reducing their barriers to participation as much as possible.
4. We operate under the principles of pluralism and “deep” democracy. The organising body operates on a consensus-based democratic model however participants are welcome to operate at the democratic level that they feel is appropriate.
5. We have a non-violent mandate.
6. We are plural, diversified, non-confessional, non-governmental and non-party. We operate in a decentralised fashion that interrelates organisations and movements engaged in concrete action at levels from the local to the international to progress social and ecological justice.
7. Neither party representations nor military organisations shall participate in the Forum. However, government leaders and members of legislatures who accept the commitments of this Charter may be invited to participate in a personal capacity.
8. We operate from a position of social unity that respects human rights and acknowledges the responsibilities that come with these rights.
9. We provide a space to interlink civil society on a global and local level, however we do not represent civil society.
10. No one can speak for the MSF, and similarly the MSF cannot speak for anyone.
11. Participants in the Forum, including attendees and organisers, shall not be called on to take decisions as a body, whether by vote or acclamation, on declarations or proposals for action that would commit all, or the majority, of them and that propose to be taken as establishing positions of the Forum as a body.
12. We organise in a manner that is transparent and honest. This means that we are responsible and accountable and provide sound management for the MSF. Moreover our communications are respectful and strategic.
13. We encourage creativity and actively seek to facilitate this creativity.