In this article, the author discusses the emergence of unions and social movements which provide opportunities for adult educators in forwarding their adult literacy campaigns. The author describes the recent World Social Forum (WSF), held at the end of January in Porto Alegre, that provides ample opportunities for adult educators to make connections with new social movements. The forum drew 100,000 people to register in over two thousand seminars, workshops and activities. The author mentions that the WSF is a place to learn. Sharing information and learning about action that changes policy and transforms lives and communities is what the WSF is about. The World Social Forum shows that, despite globalisation and the decline in socialist politics, new and inventive social movements cannot be kept down.