The fifth edition of the World Social Forum took place once again in Porto Alegre, Brazil, from January 26 to 31, 2005.

It was opened to organisations and individuals and a new perspective and methodological approach was adopted to increase collaboration and dialogue during the event. The goal was to avoid repetitive activities on similar issues that were developed independently of each other. This initiative started from the premise that it is not possible to build another world without combining efforts, building alternatives and interlinking common actions and campaigns.

Those who participated in the previous WSFs have contributed to create a new type of organisation, which is more a process than an institution. While being extraordinarily ambitious in its diversity, in the wide range of topics it deals with and in the activities it holds, the Forum is also consciously modest with regard to its role: its Charter of Principles clearly specifies that it is not the only space of convergence.

This is just one more space within a broader process of global struggles and its function is to offer a way by means of which people who share common concerns and believe that "another world is possible" could jump over geographic, cultural and political differences and could freely develop new plans, strategies, initiatives and organisations.

It is a space for democratic debate of ideas, reflective thinking, formulation of proposals, exchange of experiences and interlinking of social movements, networks, NGOs and other civil society organisations. After the first world meeting held in 2001, it became a permanent process of seeking and building alternatives to neoliberal policies.

The International Council of the Forum has decided that next year's editon will be realized in a spread out manner, in different places in the world. With this, the WSF ensures it's commitment with it's Letter of Priciples, seeking for a permanet process of searching and building new alternatives, which are not limited to the events proposed.

In this report we offer articles, discussions from previous regional forums, news, debates and background information on the World Social Forum 2005. Coverage was also provided during the development of this event.

New book

The World Social Bibliography
A bibliography on the World Social Forum and the global solidarity and justice movement. By Jai Sen and Peter Waterman, with Madhuresh Kumar, December 2003, pdf format.