00:00what we were talking about when discussing the importance of the ALBA mechanism and the 20 years
00:05and the idea of what comes now, right? That idea of being able to think up a mechanism that does
00:12not shy away from that tension between government or state entities and the social movements,
00:18but that quite the contrary, tries to build mechanisms in which they can have direct action.
00:24Also, I wanted to ask you, one of the main things that the speakers have been saying,
00:30social leaders from all over the world, was the importance of gathering around to really having
00:36a comprehensive understanding of the geopolitical scenario that is here, that the geopolitical
00:41analysis is very important. It is key to then think of strategies, of mechanisms of cooperation
00:48to see where the social movements need to be heading. What do you think in this regard?
00:53No, absolutely, 100%. I mean, until and unless we know our subject, we have a nuanced understanding
01:00of the issues and what are those systematic challenges we are facing because of something,
01:07and that's not something only internal. I mean, geostrategic, geopolitics plays a huge role,
01:15and I think you're correct, absolutely correct. I mean, you have to factor that in, you have to
01:21read, learn about it, you have to understand the international politics, how it works,
01:26how imperialism works, how it affects, and for example, we know countries which, I mean,
01:33which has been, I would say, have been very social, I mean, which believes in social principles,
01:40which, I mean, which believes in socialism, which believes in giving what people they deserve,
01:47but they have been forced. For example, we know countries in Asia, for example, Sri Lanka,
01:52we know countries in Pakistan, countries like Pakistan, for example, the IMF, the International
01:58Monetary Organizations have been forcing them for structural changes. They are forcing them to cut
02:04the state budget. They are forcing them to take, I mean, how does the state then even deliver?
02:10For example, and I'm talking about basic necessities of life in any civilized society,
02:17for example, education, for example, health. So I think these are the, I mean, I would say the
02:22context where if you cut the budgets and the state are unable to do what they promised or they
02:29want to do, it will take a huge toll. You're literally pushing your population at the brink
02:36of collapse, you're literally pushing them into poverty, into, I would say, problems, which then
02:43is going to erupt. I mean, there will be all sort of other issues which will be coming up.
02:49Thank you so much, Adil, for joining us here in Telus for English, and let us have a better
02:54understanding of the importance, the relevance, not only of the 20-year anniversary, but also
02:59of this mechanism that is the Social Movement Council. Thank you so much. Thank you.
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