Itinerary
Global Citizenship program
Please note that the information on this web page may change.
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Participation in the World Social Forum
Note that this trip has already taken place. Here are some photos to prove it!
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The World Social Forum which takes place annually in the last week of January is a historically unprecedented forum for citizens and citizen movements. From the WSF website: "The World Social Forum is an open meeting place where social movements, networks, NGOs and other civil society organizations opposed to neo-liberalism and a world dominated by capital or by any form of imperialism come together to pursue their thinking, to debate ideas democratically, to formulate proposals, share their experiences freely and network for effective action. Since the first world encounter in 2001, it has taken the form of a permanent world process seeking and building alternatives to neo-liberal policies." In 2006, the WSF organizers decided on a "polycentric" approach whereby three forums would take place simultaneously: One in Bamako (Mali-Africa), one in Karachi (Pakistan-Asia) and one in Caracas (Venezuela-Americas). |
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Students at The Evergreen State College can participate in the Global Citizenship program and accompany us to the Americas WSF in Caracas in late January. Additionally, we are planning to offer an Extended Education opportunity to the greater Evergreen community. There are two options for student who plan to attend the WSF:
- Register for the Global Citizenship program for 4 credits. This is for students who will joining us at the Forum and participating in our discussions, etc. in Caracas but not attending the program on the Olympia campus before and after the conference. Students will be expected to attend one program meeting per day during the WSF and produce a report based on their experiences. Students interested in this 4 credit study abroad intensive are encouraged to contact the faculty by November 30. Travel deposits are due December 9. There will be two planning sessions (January 11 and January 18) before we leave, both from 8:00-10:00 pm. Depending on circumstances, financial aid may be available to assist with travel expenses. The trip will be about 10 days long and cost approximately $2,300. A faculty signature is required for this CRN.
- Register for the Global Citizenship program for 12 credits. This is for students who want to attend the WSF and the Global Citizenship program (which includes classroom readings, coursework, etc. before and after the forum).
| Important! Please note that this trip is contingent on having enough travelers and meeting Evergreen requirements and deadlines. We cannot guarantee that this trip will happen -- even though it is our expectation that it will! |
Students who will not be attending the WSF in Caracas can register in the Global Citizenship program for 8 credits.
It will be possible for members of the greater Evergreen community to attend through Evergreen's extended education program. Watch this space for information on this excxiting opportunity!
Important Dates
- November 2, 2005, 12:00 - 1:00 pm. Information session.
- November 16, 4:30 - 6:00 pm. Information and planning session, Seminar II, B-1107.
- November 30. Academic Fair. All students wishing to attend the WSF are encouraged to contact the faculty by this date.
- December 1, 7:00 - 8:30 pm. Information and planning session.
- December 7. Requests for standard (non-expedited) delivery passports should be received by this date.
- December 9. Deposit deadline.
- December 21. Deadline for remainder of sum.
- January 4, 2006. Requests for expedited passports should be received by this date.
- January 11, 8:00 - 10:00 pm. Planning meeting.
- January 18, 8:00 - 10:00 pm. Planning meeting.
- January 20. Leave Seattle / Arrive Caracas.
- January 24-29. World Social Forum. Caracas, Venezuela.
- January 30. Return to Seattle.
Passport Information
The guidelines here are general -- and aren't guaranteed to be accurate. Please consult the official information (usually on the web) for the country where you hold citizenship.
If you are a US citizen You will need a valid US passport to visit Venezuela. If you are a US citizen and you don't have a valid US passport you will need to obtain or renew a US passport. There is a wealth of information available at http://travel.state.gov/passport/passport_1738.html as well.
You will initially have to make application in person. Students may apply in-person at the downtown Olympia post office branch or the Thurston County Clerk's Office for an initial passport. If you pay $60 per application, in addition to regular application fees, plus overnight delivery costs, you can obtain an expedited passport. Anyone may request expedited service for any type of application (e.g., first-time applications, renewals, amendments of existing passports, etc.) After you apply you will receive your passport within about 2 weeks if you paid additionally for expedited service and two-way overnight delivery. Routine Service delivery will ordinarily take place within 6 weeks. You can also contract Chris Ciancetta (chrisc@evergreen.edu) if you have specific questions about passports. We hope to cover this for the whole group along with other pre-departure information.
From the US State Department Web Site: A valid passport and a visa or tourist card are required [to enter Venezuela]. Tourist cards are issued on flights from the U.S. to Venezuela for persons staying less than ninety days. Venezuelan immigration authorities have been requiring that U.S. passports have at least 6 months validity remaining from the date of arrival in Venezuela. Some U.S. citizens have been turned back to the United States for having less than 6 months validity. Passports should also be in good condition, as some U.S. citizens have been delayed or detained overnight for having otherwise valid passports in poor condition...
Venezuela's legal code mandates that minors (under 18) who are residents of Venezuela (regardless of nationality) and who are traveling alone, with only one parent or with a third party, must present a copy of their birth certificate and written authorization from the absent parent(s) or legal guardian, specifically granting permission to travel alone, with one parent or with a third party.
If you are not a US citizen you will need to make sure your passport is valid for entry into Venezuela.
Costs and Other Important Information
While attending the Forum, students will keep journals and attend regular discussions. Each student will develop a report (or other product) based on learning at the Forum in order to obtain full credit.
We will make every effort to make this trip viable for everybody who wants to attend. We will strive to provide travelers with pertinent information. Although financial aid may be available, students are responsible for arranging their own trip expenses.
• Estimated costs for Evergreen students
(not including Evergreen registration or airfare): $1,250
• Estimated cost for Extended Education participants
(not including airfare): $1,400 - $1,450
Prices include land travel, most meals (10 breakfasts, 5 lunches, 10 dinners), a fulltime translator for our group, several excursions, WSF registration and accomodations. Currently airfare roundtrip from Seattle to Caracas is a little over $800. There are web sites that purportedly offer pretty good deals for student airfares. (I'll post the urls if somebody will let me know what they are.) Our trip is being coordinated by Global Exchange, "a membership-based international human rights organization dedicated to promoting social, economic and environmental justice around the world."
Financial aid may be available for Evergreen students. If you are interested in this opportunity, you need to begin looking into this as soon as possible. Please contact Colby Morelli or other counselors (finaid@evergreen.edu) at Evergreen's Financial Aid office. Please note that It is possible to receive financial aid even if you are not presently receiving any.
Travelers also need a yellow fever vaccination (which can be received at Evergreen's Health Center — if they are given prior warning).
Information on the World Social Forum, particularly the Americas
Polycentric Forum in Caracas, Venezuela, January 2006:
- World Social Forum 2006
- Registration of activities for the WSF 2006
- Themes for the WSF in Caracas
- WSF program 2006
- WSF 2006 Electronic Space
- World Social Forum (Wikipedia entry)
- World Social Forum 2006 Karachi, Pakistan
- World Social Forum 2006 Bamako, Mali
- 6th World Social Forum Expects 80,000 to Come to Venezuela
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