Civil Society and cultures of the World
Social and Cultural Activities
Introduction
Several cultural activities were provided with the intention of creating a
social meeting place and a link between the Forum’s participants and the
local population. Events were open to the public and free. The programme was
designed to reflect the rich cultural diversity of the world.
The cultural programme took place at the International Conference Centre of
Geneva (ICCG) and at the Civil Society Village. This tent village was put up
between the Conference Centre and the ITU building. There were stands offering
food from Afghanistan, Vietnam, Algeria, Russia, Peru and Iran. Some
participants also exhibited arts and crafts. Every night a different music
group played on stage. The village, as well as the Conference Centre, provided
stalls for organizations to present their activities. The cultural activities
enabled the participants to spend time together after the sessions among
themselves, and with the local population.
 Welcome Ceremony
Children and young adults staged the play "Les Maîtres du
Monde" (The Masters of the World) about the relationship between humankind and
the environment. The play was performed in French, English and Spanish, and was
a real success. The group "Théâtrochamp", directed by Ms. Annouchka
Chenevard Sommaruga, intends to help and motivate teenagers through theatre
plays.
The
Sydney Children's Choir sang for world peace at the Opening
Ceremony. About 50 children participated in this colourful celebration, singing
songs from various cultures, including indigenous peoples from Australia.
 After welcome speeches by the Chair of the World Civil Society
Forum, the UN Director-General in Geneva, the Swiss and Geneva authorities, a
reception was offered by the latter.
Concerts
Several concerts were held with performers from around the
world, but living in Geneva or nearby:
Monday 15 July 2002
19.00 Circé et César: Blues from Switzerland
20.30 La Kinkerne: Traditional music from Switzerland, Savoie
and Val d'Aoste
Tuesday 16 July 2002
20.00 Clair de Lune: Musicians and dancers from Casamance,
Senegal
 Wednesday 17 July 2002
20.00 Traditional music from India:
Vocal - Mrs. Lakshmy Natarajan
Vocal - Mrs. Sudha Venkat
Violin - Mr. Nagesh Vepa
Mridhangam - Mr. Mahesh Natarajan
Thursday 18 July 2002
20.00 Celto fools: Celtic music
Friday 19 July 2002
20.00 Batambo: Group of Salsa from Cuba
22.00 Keur Senegal: Musicians and percussionists from Senegal
 Saturday 20 July 2002
14.00 Brazilian Popular Musique: Carlos da Cruz,
Stéphane Deluze
16.00 Kinkiliba: Swiss group performing African dances and
music
20.00 Improvised session: Indigenous peoples from Bolivia
followed by percussions from Brazil
22.00 DJ Max
Films
The Forum showed several documentaries from different parts of
the world. We decided to focus on documentaries made by indigenous peoples
themselves. We invited indigenous representatives to present their
documentaries and to open a discussion with the audience at the end of the
projection:
Monday 15 July 2002
World Conference Against Racism
Focus on Indigenous Peoples and the Permanent Forum
Produced by Moana Sinclair
Documentary presenting the work of indigenous peoples representatives at the
World Conference Against Racism (in Durban)
Tuesday 16 July 2002
RALCO, Chili
Produced by Esteban Larrain
Documentary on the fight of the Mapuches communities against the construction
of the Ralco dam, which, if realised, would displace many families, as well as
affecting the environment of the valley.
Wednesday 17 July 2002
Steven Wallace
Documentary on the death of Steven Wallace. It questioned police procedures
around indigenous peoples.
Thursday 18 July 2002
Los alpaqueros de Puno (The Alpaca Breeders of
Puno)
Produced by ACRICAR-PUNO.
Documentary on the work of ACRIACAR-PUNO (Associacion de Criadores de
Camelidos
Andinos Region Puno, Association of Andine Cameloid Breeders in the Puno
Region). It showed the difficulties which this organization faces in dealing
with the requests of its beneficiaries, especially requests for technical
assistance. The documentary consisted of images, the commentary being provided
live by ACRICAR’s representative Antonio Vilavila.
Friday 19 July 2002
The Rocks at Whisky Trench
presented by Mr. Kenneth Deer (Mohawk)
Documentary on the problems faced by the Mohawk community in
Canada
Saturday 20 July 2002
Large Dams
Documentary on the construction of dams in different locations –
Brazil, China and India. It showed the public’s resistance and the
conflicts that arise in the face of such immense projects.
La filière des médicaments au Niger (The
Medication Channels in Niger)
Nigeria, a poor country amongst poor countries, must look for alternatives
to satisfy the medical needs of their population. This documentary highlighted
the oligopolistic market of large pharmaceutical firms.
Le mémoire du vent (The Memory of the Wind)
Produced by Felix Zurita.
An exceptional documentary about the last politicial-historical events of
Guatemala. The main theme was the contempt felt for indigenous peoples. The
wind mentioned in the title represented the memory of a peoples in constant
reinvention.
L'île aux fleurs (The Island of Flowers).
This documentary showed very passionately the connections between economic
activity, pollution, inequalities and the end of freedom.
 Exhibitions
There were several exhibitions, including:
The language of culture, showing the diversity of
indigenous peoples through photos, textiles, music, their history, etc. It was
organized by Ms. Phillis Wrestler.
Photographic exhibition of the Crimean Tatar peoples, by
Mr. Pierre de Vallounbreuse.
Photographic exhibition of the Kuna people of Panama, by
Madre Tierra - Traditions pour Demain and Mr. Diego Gradis.
Photographic exhibition of the Indigenous Colombian
peoples, by Ms. Esperanza Sanchez Espitia.
Photographic exhibition ‘Skate Rebel’, on an
ecological theme, by Mr. Jean Jaques Kissling.
We thank all those from the Organizing team who
have contributed to the Social and Cultural activities.
|
