As George Monbiot wrote in The Guardian 18th December 2009 : "I have spent most of my time at the Klimaforum : the alternative conference set up by just four paid staff, which 50,000 people attended without a hitch. (I know which team I would put in charge of saving the planet.)" In other words Klimaforum09 was a huge success. But Klimaforum09 would not have succeeded without the true commitment of all of you wonderful people : volunteers, speakers, artists, visitors and activists of all kind, who got involved in Klimaforum09, spoke out and took it to the streets in the name of climate justice. There are no words strong enough to express how thankful we are. Klimaforum09s success is definitely a collective one.

Here at the Klimaforum09 Secretariat, we have experienced a kind of post-Klimaforum09 spleen. Indeed, when having been so busy for so long, it is hard when everything just stops. But it is not over yet. For now, the remaining Klimaforum09 team is working on an evaluation report in order to bring forward the experiences we gained. We hope to pass on our modest knowledge to the people hopefully already engaged in organizing the next peoples’ climate forum this year in Mexico, Cancun.

In fact, it is of utmost importance to continue mobilizing civil society and to articulate alternative visions and practices in order to let the world know that change is possible. 10 years after the “Battle of Seattle” (1999) and the first World Social Forum in Porto Alegre (2001), the future will tell us if the unprecedented convergence between social, environmental, and international solidarity movements, as observed in Copenhagen, is actually creating new hope and is a turning point of the “anti or rather alter-globalization” movement.

It has indeed become very clear that the global movement for climate justice is rising and uniting us despite our differences. Like in Seattle, a wide diversity of tactics, practices and very different activists met and reinforced one another. In this perspective, Klimaforum09 played an important role in Copenhagen, as it was the central place to meet and discuss. As a result, Klimaforum09 and other networks (like CJN !, CJA, the ClimateCollective etc.) have contributed to create a political spirit of resistance. Our coalition strengthened and considering the failure of the COP15, the struggle for system change continues.

Klimaforum09 and the future

In order to carry on and reinforce this dynamic, Klimaforum09s Danish network is discussing where we go from here – what is next ?

A number of ideas are emerging. One is to carry on the People’s Declaration (that came out of Klimaforum09), which so far has been signed by more than 500 organizations. The Declaration calls for "a global movement of movements dedicated to promoting a sustainable transition of our societies and which must not only be able to respond to non-sustainable practices, but also to show by example how a new sustainable economy can function." We need to revise the Declaration to our local context and build on how to actually bring forth system change.

Another idea is based on a wish from Klimaforum09s Danish network to continue working together. The idea of a grassroots secretariat has been put forward. Such a secretariat will obviously be open for everyone to join. However, the most important part now is to define concretely what kind of projects or activities the Danish network should engage in.

On the international level, Klimaforum09 is ready to support Mexico in whatever way they need assistance. At the same time, we also acknowledge the importance of working with existing international networks. The idea of participating in the conference in Bolivian in April is also discussed. Klimaforum09 supports the conference – it is an important initiative.

The ways of change goes through civil society – and we are all needed in the fight for system change. Please, keep in touch and do not hesitate to contact us if you want to be part of Klimaforum09s network or if you wish to contribute to the future work.

Ronack Monabay (IPAM/AITEC - UCJS) on the behalf of Klimaforum secretariat

(In the portfolio, you will find some photos from the printed version of our programme. You might like them.)