Preparatory Events in Asia for AEPF-8

In preparation for 8th Asia-Europe Peoples' Forum in Brussels on 2-5 October 2010, key AEPF networks in Southeast Asia and South Asia have been conducting national forums among civil society organizations and dialogues with the European Commission officials.

Forums in Southeast Asia

The forums aim to i) provide grassroots and other social movement groups with an understanding of the changing context of EU-ASEAN relations and the recent challenges that this pose to them – implications on trade and investments, climate change, social policies (i.e social protection and decent work), and food sovereignty policies; ii) Provide space for social movement networks of AEPF to consolidate position and plans on major AEPF-8 issues; and iii) build understanding and collaboration among social movement that will bring grassroot’s voice to the higher level of advocacy in AEPF meeting.

The forum in each country is followed by sharing and strategizing session on campaigns that touch on relations between EU and ASEAN and EU and particular Southeast Asian country – i.e. EU-ASEAN FTA, social protection, climate change, and food sovereignty – and discussion on the ASEM-8 and the parallel AEPF-8 in October. This meeting facilitates a more active participation/involvement of civil society networks in the run-up to and during AEPF-8 that will be held in Brussels where the seat of power of the European Union is.

Schedule of National Forums/Meetings in Southeast Asia

Caucus/forum in South Asia

The caucus is a result of proposals in AEPF-7 for an AEPF expansion in South Asia. Three proposals from India, Pakistan, and Nepal were submitted to the AEPF International Organizing Committee (IOC) to expand and activate AEPF committees in these countries and to hold a South Asia caucus before the next biennial people’s forum. The proposals emanated from the realisation of South Asians that their participation at AEPF-7 signals the need to determine and clarify the role of South Asia in AEPF in addressing inter-regional involvement, advocacy, and cooperation given that: a) the importance of South Asia in the next five years is underscored by its current political situation as one of the hotspots in the continuing “War on Terror” policies and campaign of the United States and Europe through NATO; and b) South Asia (India) is going to be the site of the ASEM Meeting in 2012.

Thus issues tackled at the caucus are those of special interest to South Asians like corporate governance, existing financial and trading systems, climate change, and peace and security, including food sovereignty and the right to information.

Schedule of South Asia Forum/Meetings