In a world witnessing revolutions in mid-stride, flourishing climate crises, and the reign of austerity economics, tens of thousands of people from all over the globe are gathering in Tunisia for the 2013 World Social Forum to confront the contemporary situation with their consistent call: “another world is possible.”

This year, WSF participants come together under the banner of “dignity” and seek a way to push back against the neoliberal establishment that refuses to loosen its grip despite the calamity their chosen policies have unleashed in recent years.

Tunisia’s hosting of the event makes it the first time the global gathering has taken place in an Arab country and marks the important role the country played since the overthrow of former President Ben Ali in 2011.

As Al-Jazeera, who spoke with WSF spokesman Romdhane Ben Amor, reports:

“It’s the first time the forum is being held in an Arab country,” he said.

He estimated as many as 50,000 visitors from 128 countries would be gathering to discuss shared economic and social problems. The forum will begin with all these participants marching down the streets of Tunis, the capital, on Tuesday afternoon.

The issue of public debt would be one of the main topics on the forum’s agenda, he said.

“It’s a leading dilemma in Tunisia,” he said. “There’s no work, prices are rising, the government isn’t able to invest in society, and it’s all because of the debt.”

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