N°  26  March 2002 PORTO ALEGRE Politically-speaking, the new global movement has seen a leap in quality. This is the result of it being able to establish important objectives such as a big “no” against Bush’s war, commitment to the Palestinian issue, the environment, school, water and bio-diversity, and basic work rights as the objective of a new type of democracy founded on permanent participation and a network of grassroots experiences. Luciana Castellina, Massimo Serafini THINGS FROM THE OTHER WORLD   Angela Pascucci THE MOVEMENT PULLS AT THE NETS   Giorgio Cremaschi THE MANY FACES OF THE MAYORS     THE CGIL CONGRESS The issues of a general strike, the infringement of art. 18 and government power in education, health and tax are at the centre of the CGIL congress. There is also the immediate choice to be made for job rights and also something more long-term which will be of political value for democracy. It is now a question of seeing if and how this change can be translated into permanent trade union practices, and how and to what extent the whole of the Left will support it. Rossana Rossanda THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE SUBSTITUTE   Dino Greco CHECKING OUT THE CHANGE     Marcello Cini SCIENTISTS AND ECOLOGISTS: FRIENDS OR ENEMIES?   After the birth of the environmentalist movement, science has finally recognised why there are grounds for alarm. For the moment, the neo-conservative forces in power question the seriousness of the problem and are supported by a large number of scientists. Such a campaign goes against reality and conceals new developments in research. It also lends support to weighty choices in all areas, from energy policy to bio-technology.   Gianni Ferrara HEADING FOR A EUROPEAN CONSTITUTION?   Can a Constitution be drafted without a State or people? Heads of State at Laeken seemed to think so and have instituted a convention in order to draft a constitutional text for Europe. There is some doubt as to the objective, which may or may not be a European State, and there are no plans to give voice to the people. Doubts and reservations regarding the issue are increasing and Gianni Ferrara will look at these, giving way to a no-holds-barred debate.   Bruno Cartosio FIGHTS AND SILENCE FROM US TRADE UNIONS   Heinz Bierbaum SCHRÖDER ENTRAPPED   Uri Avnery IRAN, THE NEW SATAN     Giovanni Russo Spena PALESTINA, GRASSROOTS DIPLOMACY   Gianpasquale Santomassimo MODERATE PROTESTERS   Dieder Eribon BOURDIEU, FRENZY OF INTELLIGENCE   Achin Vanaik INDIA, INTEGRALISM IN POWER     THE REFOUNDED COMMUNISTS' LINES Giuseppe Chiarante WEAK SPOT   Riccardo Bellofiore INTERNAL CONTRADICTIONS   This summary has links to the Italian titles and where possible, with the version in its original language