Living Participation: Considering the Promise and Politics of Participatory Educational Reforms in Brazil

Abstract

Um outro mundo é possível/Another world is possible. —World Social Forum motto, Porto Alegre, Brazil 20031 Porto Alegre, Brazil established itself on the world map of leftist-leaning politics in January 2001, when the city hosted the first annual World Social Forum. That inter/national social movement grew from a desire among radical activists and academics to critique the World Economic Forum that was taking place at the same time in Davos, Switzerland among the Group of Eight countries. The intention was to create a space where those countries excluded from the economic summit could discuss alternative routes to global political justice and economic stability. Inclusion was a goal of their efforts; popular participation the means to achieve it.