Alternative WEF 'summit' is planned for Dublin forum

Anti-globalisation protesters are to host an alternative summit to coincide with Dublin's hosting of the World Economic Forum in October.

While violence has often dominated protests at meetings of world and business leaders, a peaceful counter-summit and street carnival will be held to promote an alternative to the "corporate agenda" of the forum.

The organisers also expressed hope that any protests will be peaceful and that gardaí will act with understanding and restraint.

A spokesman for the Irish Social Forum, as the alternative summit is called, said the meeting was aimed at ensuring the "voice of ordinary people" was heard.

It will include contributions from community and voluntary organisations, such as Amnesty International and the Irish Anti-War Movement, along with trade unionists and globalisation activists.

It says the forum will examine the problems of globalisation and how to pursue social and economic policies which benefit citizens rather than corporations.

"Civil society has evolved to a point where it can articulate itself. It's moved on from where there were elements of civil society bickering among each other. The social forum reflects this growing maturity among the global justice movement," said Mr Brian Finnegan, a spokesman for the organisation.

The main event, the Geneva-based World Economic Forum, will involve wide-ranging talks on improving European economic performance and competitiveness. It will be hosted by the Tánaiste, Ms Harney, and takes place just two months before Ireland's presidency of the European Union.

A range of business, political and media leaders have been invited to Dublin to participate in the forum. The summit will look at specific ways of strengthening European economies and encouraging entrepreneurship.