http://www.active.org.au/sydney/news/front.php3?article_id=2034&group=webcast
Media release: Asian Social Forum sends message to Australian PM by Kate Walsh and Tim O'Connor 5:27am Mon Jan 6 '03 article#2034 address: 19 Eve St Erskineville NSW phone: 95578944 [EMAIL PROTECTED] The first ever Asian Social Forum (ASF) convenes in Hyderabad India this week (2-7th January). Over 15 000 people have come from Asia and beyond and represent social movements, non-Government Organisations, trade unions and activists under the banner �another world is possible�. AID WATCH Aid/WATCH: 19 Eve St, Erskineville, Sydney, AUSTRALIA, ph +61 2 9557 8944 e:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Media Release Hyderabad, India. 5th January 2003 Asian Social Forum sends message to Australian PM The first ever Asian Social Forum (ASF) convenes in Hyderabad India this week (2-7th January). Over 15 000 people have come from Asia and beyond and represent social movements, non-Government Organisations, trade unions and activists under the banner �another world is possible�. Established upon the principles of the successful model of the World Social Forum which offers a broad platform for discussion and debate, the forums now occurring world wide are proving a powerful stage for the many people disenchanted with the current world order. This historic event has seen representatives this week speak of the many concerns they have. Issues raised have varied enormously and include the controversial proposal to dam the Narmada valley, the Bhopal toxic tragedy, genetic engineering of our ecosystems, the brutal human rights abuses evident in Burma, escalating foreign debt and the casualisation of the regions labor forces. The common themes across all the issues has highlighted the often horrific, human impact of the practices of Trans-National Companies, International Financial Institutions (such as the World Bank, Asian Development Bank and Export Credit Agencies) and the increasing militarization of the current era. Tim O�Connor of AID/WATCH, present at the forum, stated, �Although Australia is geographically positioned in Asia we are increasingly marginalized in the region by the policies of our Prime Minister. In such a precarious international climate we should be reaching out to support the many oppressed and disposessed neighbours we have. The reason AID/WATCH is present in Hyderabad is to gather information and direction from our colleagues in the region and to witness first hand the testimony of those directly affected by the policies of our Government and in turn those international bodies our Government supports�. Kate Walsh, from AID/WATCH commented, �it has been fascinating and frightening to witness the atrocities many of the people gathered here have had to confront as a direct result of the policies of the International Financial Institutions and their practices. The courage these people show in their ability to survive relocation, rape, poverty and starvation can only provide inspiration. In Australia we are sheltered from the impacts of the international agents we support but ultimately we too are responsible for many of these tragedies�. A key feature of the regional social forum�s is to gather the many diverse groups and individual�s into one powerful voice that will allow it to be heard in the international arena. From each forum a number of proposals will proceed onto the WSF where they will be developed into a cohesive force with which these groups can better share information and organize to challenge the behemoth of neo-liberal corporate globalization. The message from the ASF to Prime Minister Howard is most clearly: People before Profits and No War with Iraq. For More information call Tim O�Connor or Kate Walsh in India on: +61 (0) 410 301 050 http://www.aidwatch.org.au -- -- Leftlink - Australia's Broad Left Mailing List mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Archived at http://www.cat.org.au/lists/leftlink/ Sponsored by Melbourne's New International Bookshop Sub: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]?Body=subscribe%20leftlink Unsub: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]?Body=unsubscribe%20leftlink
