"...Improvement of the political dialogue and relations between social movements, citizens, scientists and research institutions for a better democratic process in sciences’ decision making..."

IMO, this shows why we need a political dialogue between scientists and social movements across the planet...

"...Science, technology and social and economic interests are profoundly intertwined today, interacting and mutually influencing one another. Many movements that are struggling for changes now recognize that, unless these issues are taken up by many and various groups of citizens, it will not be possible to deal with the challenges of our times.

"One of the immediate stakes of the FSM S&D is to allow the exchange between the scientists and the social movements in the FSM ( especially at the self-managed workshops) on subjects connected to the mobilizations of the social movements.) To facilitate this process, we are seeking researchers to ask them to share with the social movements, the scientific controversies which move, of their point

"The World Social Forum has played an integral part in the adoption of the free software through the Americas as well as in developing countries around the world. For this reason, the WSF is topical for this blog. Roberto Savio is probably among the best informed insiders at the World Social Forum (WSF)..."

"What to expect from a world social forum on Science and Democracy ?

Free Software Foundation Europe: «... From September 17th to 21st 2008 the European Social Forum (ESF) is being held in Malmö, in the south of Sweden. More than 20 000 people are expected to participate in the forum, which is a meeting place for social movements in Europe.

"...From September 17th to 21st 2008 the European Social Forum (ESF) is being held in Malmö, in the south of Sweden. The forum is by far the biggest meeting place for social movements and a progressive civil society in Europe - with the aim to create a better Europe and a better world. More than 20 000 people are expected to participate in Malmö.

"The following is a post from a guest, Ian Elwood, who has been involved in social justice movements for some time and has tried to bring the Free Software and Free Culture movements to them. We post it here because it expresses a voice in the discussion of free network services. Indymedia London recently considered questions very much like these. Ian Elwood’s thoughts follow..."