World Social Forum 2011 Dakar - in pictures

Activists for the independence of the Western Sahara protest by holding a silent march. The demonstrators taped up their mouths to denounce the agressive behavior of Moroccans who have prevented them from expressing themselves during the International Social Forum (FSM). The banner reads: "Free FSM for the Sahrawis. Stop Moroccans' agression. Respect human rights", Thursday, 10 February. Photograph: Seyllou/AFP/Getty Images

The day started with a workshop on ending violence against children, especially in schools, February 10. Photograph: Apprendre a vivre Senegal

Given the current global tensions over food, climate and the economy, participants at the forum argued that it's time that the people take a stance and show leadership, 10 February. Photograph: Abdullah Vawda/IPS

Kevin Adomayakpor from OneWorld at a session led by young people about ending violence against children, 10 February. Photograph: Apprendre a vivre Senegal

Senegalese star Fallou Dieng dropped in on the OneWorld / Apprendre à Vivre panel on ICT in education for a little impromptu concert and to encourage parents to keep their children in school. Photograph: Apprendre a vivre Senegal

Fallou Dieng and Action Aid's Victorine Djitrinou discussing why children should be able to stay in school, 10 February. Photograph: Apprendre a vivre Senegal

Taoufik Ben Abdallah, co-ordinator of the forum, 10 February. Photograph: EnergiaFelice

Seminar on migration: People of Colour United to Defend Migrants, 10 February. Photograph: Abdullah Vawda/IPS

Senegalese actors wear masks portraying, from left, French President Nicolas Sarkozy, South African President Jacob Zuma, Burkina Faso's President Blaise Compaore, and US President Barack Obama, Oxfam event, Wednesday 9 February. Photograph: Rebecca Blackwell/AP

As France is starting its double mandate as G8 and G20 chairman this year, and President Sarkozy has promised to launch taxes on financial transactions and banks to mobilise financial resources for African countries this year, Oxfam is campaigning to get as much money as possible for projects in Africa. Photograph: Steve Cockburn/Oxfam

At Oxfam's Robin Hood event petitions are signed on three long banners to be sent to three ambassadors in Senegal: Germany, France and United Kingdom, urging them to make sure their country will adopt taxes on financial transactions and banks as soon as possible, 9 February. Photograph: Steve Cockburn/Oxfam

Play: 'Tukki ta khoula tekki', part of a series of events organised by Fondazioni4Africa and partner organisations, 9 February. Photograph: IncontraSenegal

Jubilee South Tent: 'Wipe out debt'. Photograph: Abdullah Vawda /IPS

Canadian author and activist Naomi Klein speaks at the forum, 9 February. Photograph: EnergiaFelice

Debate with former Italian Prime Minister Massimo D'Alema, 9 February. Photograph: EnergiaFelice

Representatives from Western Sahara, 9 February. Photograph: Abdullah Vawda/IPS

Plastico man, 9 February. Photograph: Abdullah Vawda/IPS

Gender activists explore women's rights issues in the region, 9 February. Photograph: Abdullah Vawda/IPS

Diana Senghor, director of the Panos Institute West Africa, 8 February. Photograph: Abdullah Vawda/IPS

The forum is taking place at Cheikh Anita Diop University campus which our reporter, Claire Provost, describes as 'essentially a medium-sized city. One extremely kind first-year student helped me find my way, after he told me there are 89,000 students and 40,000 WSF participants and saw the look of absolute shock on my face.'
Photograph: Altermundo

The launch of 'End tax haven secrecy', by civil society organisations from three continents: Christian Aid, CCFD-Terre Solidaire, Latindadd, Oxfam and the African Tax Justice Network, Tuesday, 8 February. Photograph: Oxfam-France

France's Socialist party leader Martine Aubry (L) listens to former Senegalese minister Mamadou Faye at the launch of the campaign to end financial secrecy in tax havens by multinationals, which civil society groups say deprive developing countries of billions in revenue, 8 February.
Photograph: SEYLLOU/AFP/Getty Images

Visitors walk amongst tents hosting talks and events, 8 February. Photograph: energiafelice.it

An indigenous Ecuadorian puts his point of view at a meeting, 8 February. Photograph: Altermundo

Tunisia's Jasmine revolution and the popular uprising in Egypt have galvanised and inspired delegates at the forum, Monday, 7 February. Photograph: Abdullah Vawda/IPS

Senegalese president Abdoulaye Wade (L) speaks at a conference, next to him is director general of UNESCO, Irina Bokova, 7 February. Photograph: Seyllou/AFP/Getty Images

Former Brazilian president, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, is the centre of attention as he leaves an event at the Place du Souvenir, 7 February. Lula told reporters before the meeting: 'To the G20, it seems as if there is no problem, and we never talk about unemployment.' Photograph: Rebecca Blackwell/AP

Activists and journalists wait to see former Brazilian president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and Senegalese leader Abdoulaye Wade outside an event attended by the two leaders, at the Place du Souvenir, 7 February. Photograph: Rebecca Blackwell/AP

Egyptian economist and director of the Third World Forum in Dakar, Samir Amin, gives a speech, 7 February. Photograph: energiafelice.it

Malian author, politician, and political activist Aminata Traore at the Forum, 7 February. Photograph: energiafelice.it

Visitors walk near a sculpture in the shape of the African continent during an event at the Place du Souvenir, 7 February. Photograph: Rebecca Blackwell/AP

Tens of thousands of people march through the streets of Dakar to mark the opening of the forum, Sunday, 6 February. Activists from Senegal are joined by people from across the world. Photograph: energiafelice.it

A protester on the march holds a banner reading 'Reducing extreme poverty and hunger', 6 February. Photograph: Seyllou/AFP/Getty Images

European activists on stilts carry a banner reading 'For a world without borders'. The gathering kicked off with a march and a speech by Bolivian President Evo Morales. Photograph: Rebecca Blackwell/AP

President Evo Morales stands in front of a flag representing Bolivia's indigenous Andean peoples as he speaks on the opening day of the forum, 6 February. Photograph: Rebecca Blackwell/AP

People react as Bolivia's President Evo Morales is introduced on the opening day of the forum, 6 February. Photograph: Rebecca Blackwell/AP

People take part in a march marking the start of the forum, 6 February. Photograph: Seyllou/AFP/Getty Images