1. The International Civil Society Forum (ICSF) is an open meeting space for deepening reflection, democratic debate of ideas, formulation of proposals, the free exchange of experiences and the articulation aimed at efficient actions between persons, civil society organizations and movements that, through Youth and Adult Education, promote the respect for Human Rights, the exercise of participatory democracy and equalitarian, solidarity and peaceful relations among individuals, ethnic groups, genders and peoples, condemning all forms of domination as well as the subjection of a human being by others.

2. The initiative, as international event, seeks to contribute to the prevalence of global solidarity as a new phase of world history; a globalization that respects universal human rights and the environment, sustained by democratic international systems and institutions at the service of social justice, equality and the sovereignty of peoples.

3. The alternatives proposed by the ICSF are based on lifelong learning as a human right, in opposition to the proposals of assistancialist, privatist and economicist nature. They reaffirm the role of civil society and public power in the promotion and development of that learning. They condemn the lack of responsibility of national governments and international institutions in the promotion and provision of quality Youth and Adult Education for All.

4. The ICSF is a global event located in time and space. It will be held in Belém, capital of Pará state, Brazil, on November 28th to 30th, 2009. It seeks to prepare the participation of civil society in the CONFINTEA VI official meeting that will take place in that same city on May 19-22.

5. The ICSF gathers and articulates individuals and civil society organizations and movements in several continents and countries, however, it does not aspire to be a representative instance of world civil society.

6. The ICSF does not have deliberative character. Therefore, no person shall be authorized to manifest on behalf of the Forum standpoints claiming to be the expression of all its participants as a whole. Hence, during the activities of the Forum individuals, organizations or groups of organizations participating in the Forum must be assured they will have freedom to debate on statements they may make and actions they may decide to carry out, separately or jointly with other participants.

7. The ICSF does not constitute, therefore, a locus of power to be disputed by participants neither seeks to be the only alternative for the articulation and action of individuals, organizations and movements that participate in this space.

8. The ICSF is an open, non-confessional, non-governmental and non-party space, open to the diversity of the identities and individuals present in Youth and Adult Education practices.

9. Government leaders and parliamentarians who abide by the principles of this Charter can be invited to participate.

10. The ICSF is an opportunity, through Youth and Adult Education, to strengthen and build new national and international articulations between individuals and society’s organizations and movements that respect the values and principles expressed in this Charter.

11. The ICSF invites people, movements and organizations that develop transformatory practices in Youth and Adult Education to actively participate in instances and agendas, from local to international levels, with the aim of building a solidarity world determined by the exercise of a planetary citizenship.

(*) This document was elaborated on the basis of the Charter of Principles of the World Social Forum.