Marcela Rebelo
Reporter - Agência Brasil

Brasília - President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva is expected to participate in the American venue of this year's regionalized version of the World Social Forum, scheduled to take place in Caracas, capital of Venezuela, between January 24 and 29. This information comes from the head of the presidential office staff, minister Luiz Dulci.

The minister affirmed that president Lula took part in the four editions of the Forum held in Brazil. "He [Lula] was unable to attend the one in India, but, since this one is in Venezuela, which is closer to home, I believe he will go," Dulci observed. In the minister's opinion, Lula's presence is important, because the president is "very popular with social movements in Latin America."

One of the members of the Forum's Organizing Committee, Gustavo Codas, of Paraguay, said that Lula is expected to appear in Caracas. "President Lula, prior to becoming president, played an important role in the creation of the World Social Forum," Codas affirmed.

Dulci said that he will attend the Forum to participate in some of the debates, together with other ministers, including the minister of Environment, Marina Silva, the minister of Culture, Gilberto Gil, and the minister of the Special Secretariat of Policies to Promote Racial Equality (Seppir), Matilde Ribeiro.

The World Social Forum is an event organized by civil society. The Brazilian government representatives were invited to debate programs developed in Brazil.

Translation: David Silberstein