On the invitation of AEPF organizers, I participated in Asia Europe Peoples’ Forum in the first week of October at Brussels Belgium. This was an important event of about 300 prominent activists from all over Asia and Europe.
Briefly, AEPF is a network of progressive civil society and social movements across Asia and Europe. It has actively advanced people’s voice within Asia-Europe relations especially in areas of peace and security, democracy and human rights, and social, economic rights. Formed as a parallel people’s network of the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM), AEPF has developed a unique function of fostering people’s solidarity across the two regions and continues to tamper the neo-liberal policies that ASEM is globalizing through multilateralism. Imminence of regional integration, political and economic re-grouping, and the imperative for the working together of Asian and European civil society led to the formation of AEPF on the eve of the first official Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) Summit in Bangkok in 1996.
At present, ASEM consists of 27 European Union Member States, the European Commission, the ASEAN Secretariat, ASEAN member states, China, Japan, Republic of Korea. India, Pakistan and Mongolia were the last countries that joined in 2007.
One major result of AEPF-7 in Beijing was the proposals for AEPF expansion in South Asia. The proposals emanated from the realization 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.
ASEM is getting new members next year, Russia, Australia and New Zeeland decided
in Brussels ASEM. The ASEM 13 in 2012 will be held in Laos, but the
AEPF has not decided where to organize AEPF 13 in 2012. AEPF organizers are skeptical about Lao PDR as desirable place.
in Brussels ASEM. The ASEM 13 in 2012 will be held in Laos, but the
AEPF has not decided where to organize AEPF 13 in 2012. AEPF organizers are skeptical about Lao PDR as desirable place.
One Day one I spoke in Climate Change Workshop with following speakers and organisors. Speakers:
§ Fabby Tumiwa (Institute for Essential Services Reform, Indonesia, Ms. Jutta Kill
(FERN, tbc)
(FERN, tbc)
§ Nizamuddin Nizamani(Pakistan) Climate Change and unnatural causes of Floods in Pakistan
§ Lidy Nacpil (Jubilee South-APMDD)
§ Nicola Bullard (Focus on the Global South)
Moderator: Dorothy Guerrero (Focus on the Global South)
On day two October 3, I spoke in the session Religious diversity, Secularism, Citizenship and Democracy organized by Centre Lebret-IRFED, Bandung Spirit Network and Pax Romana ICMICA
Speakers included me, Mr Antoine Sandong, Mr. Richard Werly, Sally Russet etc
I
§ I participated in Workshop Policy Dialogue on Peace and Security Organised by Kalle Sysikaski (AEPF, Finland) and presentations were made by Varsha barry, Achin Vanaik, Colin Archer and Jan Oberg
I also participated in workshops Getting Rid of the Weapons of Mass Destruction, Illeligitimate Debt and SDR Finance, Food Sovereignty etc. The organizers of the workshop specially Jubillee South came up with the idea doe demand to write of Pakistan Debt on October 14, 2010, which was arranged all over the place. The aspact of the event were the BRUSSELS NIGHT.
§ The world in crises and alternative pathways Speakers:
§ Francois Houtart (Cetri), MP Walden Bello (Akbayan, Philippines), Achin Vanaik (Delhi University), Marica Frangakis (Attac Greece), It was moderated by Tran Dac Loi (VPDF) and Fiona Dove (TNI), Samir Amin (WFA), Boris Kagalitsky (TNI), Paedro Paez (Ecuador), Nicola Bullard etc.
In addition to Brussels Nights, important events included the Corporate Lobby Tour, organized by Corporate Europe (CEO) and guided its head Mr. Oliver, that included the four KM tour of the area around EU parliament that hosts hundreds of companies maneuvering EU policies favoring Multinational Corporations.
Public Action was also important event against the Trade Agreements that deprives the world community of cheaper medicines.
On Day two The Belgian Prime Minister, Yves Leterme also joined AEPF participants and responded to the interventions from Asian as well European participants about EU polices. It was moderated by Andy Rutherford from One World Action
Meanwhile three different sessions with European Commissioners and EU MPs were organized in Residence Palace, an important place in government.
The last day was concluded at European Parliament with many EU and Asian MPs.
There ar many nice to know things about AEPF that can be communicated to those having interest in different topics. Most importantly Beyond Free Trade: Alternatives for EU-Asia relations.
After Conclusion of AEPF I visited Bruges in Belgium, the cultural center in Europe and World Heritage decalred by UN. A nice place to see. It was followed by three days in Paris, France. There are many experiences worth sharing.
Nizamuddin Nizamani
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