JAKARTA, INDONESIA, 29 APRIL 2010 — SOME 30 grassroots and other social movement groups in Indonesia attended a workshop-forum on understanding the changing context in EU-ASEAN and EU-Indonesia relations, as well as the recent challenges that these pose to Southeast Asians and Indonesians.

The meeting also served as an opportunity for various social movements to build understanding and consolidate plans in addressing issues like trade and FTAs, climate change, social protection and decent work, and food sovereignty. Among common concerns raised were the need for awareness-raising, more transparency and people’s participation in the formulation of policies including enforcing these policies (contrary to the current top-to-bottom approach), and the continued assertion of the right to live as a basic right. There was also recognition that problems faced by working community are relatively similar in the ASEAN-EU-US and that there are false trade balance surplus between Indonesia and EU.

As the meeting was also attended by Tina Ebro, Asia Co-coordinator of Asia-Europe People’s Forum, Indonesians were able to gain some level of understanding of AEPF as a regional and inter-regional level of advocacy for grassroots concerns.

The speakers in the forum were EU Ambassador to Indonesia and Brunei Julian Wilson (main speaker), Indah Suksmaninsih (IGJ), Joseph Purugganan (EU-ASEAN FTA Campaign Network), Kris Vanslambrouck(11.11.11), Roland Kulke (Rosa Luxembourg Foundation) and Dr. Syamsul Hadi (Indonesian Political Economy Association). Binny Buchori (Perkumpulan Prakarsa) moderated the question-and-answer portion.