World Social Forum (WSF) started more than two decades ago as an open platform of social movements, trade unions and civil society organisations of the world. The first WSF was organised in Brazil. While the world was seeing the worst impacts of capitalism and new liberal economic policies, WSF voiced that another world is possible. This other world could be based on the values of freedom, equality, and justice. Since then, the WSF process has continued globally with different intensities in different years.

The India Social Forum 2023 (ISF 2023) serves as a crucial stepping stone towards the upcoming World Social Forum (WSF) in February 2024 in Kathmandu, Nepal. ISF 2023 brings together state-level and grassroots organizations and people’s movements across India, focusing on civil and political rights, socioeconomic rights, and social movements based on identities such as Dalits, tribals, women, labour, and minorities. It also facilitates the participation of trade unions, farmers’ unions, informal labour unions, and other relevant stakeholders.