Alternative summits’ embody a grass-roots strategy for change

There will be no fences, no fake lakes, no photo opps.

But the alternative summits, forums and “Days of Action” happening in Toronto during the G8 and G20 meetings later this month will be bringing in world leaders of a different sort to share information and strategies for world change.

They aim to get the public interest — not the corporate interest — on the public agenda.

Such meetings and rallies are about power for more ordinary people, people who care about climate change, poverty, worker rights, and human rights. Their open gatherings are counterpoints to the closed-door sessions between …