There has been a clear affirmation by the vast majority of the people who have contributed to the review that AEPF is both a relevant network and that it has unfulfilled potential. In the context of the continuing social and economic injustices that deprive millions of women and men across Asia of their rights and the growing social and economic exclusion of millions in Europe and the role of the ASEM member states in perpetuating this situation through their financial, economic and social policies and practice, there is a great need to both strengthen and give focus to the campaigns and lobbying of the movements and networks involved in the AEPF.

REPORT during the AEPF-8 and side events in Brussels, October 2010

By Network for Transformative Social Protection
31 October 2010

One of the major AEPF campaigns that had space at the AEPF-8 for exchanges among Asian and European civil society groups and with ASEM and European decision-makers on realities, analyses, and proposals is the campaign to Reclaim People’s Dignity or campaign for transformative social protection.

From 4-5th October 2010, heads of state and governments from across Asia and Europe met in Brussels for the eighth Asia Europe Meeting (ASEM8) to discuss their future priorities and plans. From 2-5th October around 600 civil society, NGO and people’s organisations representatives, activists and parliamentarians from across Asia and Europe, met in Brussels for the 8th Asia Europe People’s Forum (AEPF).

The de-privatisation and reclaiming of the commons in many different ways – nature, knowledge, information, political participation - is critical. If this stays in the hands of individuals, corporations or as financial commodities - then they fall outside the realm of democratic control and participation. This is an approach that can help us to link together the struggles in the North and South.

Nicola Bullard, Focus on the Global South

Another world is possible and is also happening - we need to be inspired, committed and to work for the change we are all fighting for.

 Andy Rutherford, One World Action

Tom Reifer
Source: tni.org

Cold War divisions were central to the rise of Asia-Pacific regionalism, but what factors are influencing alternative visions for Asia in the twentieth century, and what implications do they have for the global system as a whole?

Ben Hayes, Nick Buxton, Praful Bidwai, Susan George, Walden Bello
Source: tni.org

Ahead of the Asia Europe People's Forum (AEPF) which coincides with the official ASEM8 summit this year in Brussels, four TNI scholar-activists - Susan George, Praful Bidwai, Ben Hayes and Walden Bello - discuss some of the key struggles facing citizens from both regions.

The title of the 8th Asia Europe People's Forum 'Challenging Corporate Power, Building States of Citizens for Citizens' highlights the worrying lack of democratic accountability that characterises both the EU and the nature of its bi-regional relations around the world. Led by neoliberal free market ideology, the EU's plans for "Global Europe" have far-reaching implications for people in both regions, meanwhile their voices remain consistently excluded from official forums. In this booklet four scholar activists look toward ASEM8 and the alternative/inclusive AEPF8, and consider some of the major issues that will be on the agenda for discussion: the ongoing crisis of neoliberal capitalism, democracy, evolving security regimes, the environmental crisis and poverty.

Contents:

• Introduction
• Susan George: European Union: most anti-democratic and neoliberal in history (read article online)
• Praful Bidwai: Power without responsibility? The rise of China and India (read article online)
• Ben Hayes: The EU Security-industrial Complex (read article online)
• Walden Bello: Class and conflict: tensions at the heart of Asia and Europe (read article online)
• About TNI, Contact details

Download .pdf