Date: Thu, 9 Oct 2003 16:13:17 +0800 From: "Alan G. Alegre" <alalegre@fma.ph> Subject: [communication 943] Fw: Invitation to the 5th Asia Pacific Research Network Annual Conference To: "wsis-asia" <communication@wsisasia.org> Message-Id: <000801c38e3d$32b55640$fd00a8c0@fma> X-Mail-Count: 009435th APRN Annual Conference War and Terror: People's Right and the Militarization of Globalization Beirut, Lebanon November 3-5, 2003 RATIONALE The process of corporate globalization has been both economically and =politically aggressive to the rights of citizens, especially in =developing countries. Monopolizing decision making in the World Trade =Organization (WTO), developed countries that are hosts to headquarters =of TNCs compel developing countries to liberalize and deregulate =national trade and investment policies to allow global corporations =unrestricted access and exploitation of human and natural resources in =these countries. The impacts of this process have been oppressive to the peoples of =developing countries, particularly in the Asia-Pacific and Africa-Arab =regions. Faced with a groundswell of protests and resistance from social =movements that challenge WTO and globalization in developing countries =and throughout the continents, national and global elite tend more and =more in employing coercive mechanism to push the globalization process =against the backdrop of massive opposition. Since 9/11, this trend =heightens and dominates the global and national socio-political affairs. Riding on the 9/11 tragedy, the US-led war on terror took an =aggressive position in global politics. Its war in Afghanistan and in =Iraq has radically changed the political context of the world, including =the WTO. The war has made it relatively easier to pressure as well as =entice countries to toe the line of the G8, especially the US and EU, in =WTO negotiations. Since 9/11, the people's resistance to further =liberalization and G8 positions is easily attacked as being terrorist or =pro-terrorist. Amidst the "global war on terror" that reinforces state repression in =many developing countries lies the need for peoples and social movements =to understand and articulate the collaborative agenda of corporate =globalization and the global war on terror to comprehensively address =current social problems and chart lasting alternative strategies towards =global justice, peace, and development. Thus, the Asia-Pacific Research Network is organizing its 5th Annual =Conference on the theme, "War and Terror: People's Rights and the =Militarization of Globalization". Through the conference, the APRN and =its member organizations hope to strengthen their research cooperation =on the WTO and its impact and expand their linkages and cooperation with =African-Arab NGOs and academic institutions not only on the WTO but also =on other relevant issues. The APRN is a network of leading research NGOs in the region with the =main objective of exchanging information on international issues, as =well as experiences, technologies, and methods in research. At present, =the APRN has 32 member organizations from 16 countries. The conference will be held for three days in Beirut, Lebanon hosted =by the Arab NGO Network for Development. It expects to gather more than =a hundred participants from the NGOs, people's organizations, academe, =and other sectors. Registration fee is US$ 300, which covers meals, =accommodation and conference organizing costs from November 3-5, 2003. For more information, contact the APRN Secretariat via secretariat@aprnet.org or visit the APRN website at www.aprnet.org. 5th APRN Annual Conference War and Terror: People's Right and the Militarization of Globalization Beirut, Lebanon November 3-5, 2002 Draft Program November 2 Arrival of delegates November 3 Welcome Remarks from APRN Welcome Remarks from Arab NGO Network for Development Keynote: Terrorism in the Context of Globalization Mr. Samir Amin Director, Third World Forum Keynote: US Hegemony and Militarization of Globalization Michel Chossudovsky Editor, Global Outlook Center for Research on Globalisation Panel on Terrorism, War and Globalization in a. Middle East Moustafa Barghouti b. South Asia Admiral Vishnu Bigwhati c. East Asia Professor Okamoto Mitsuo Peace Studies Hiroshima Shudo University, Japan Workshops: a. State Terrorism Host: Joselito Natividad, EILER b. Resistance and Terrorism Host: Izzat Abdul-Hadi, Bisan Center for Research and Development c. Community Rights and Resistance Host: Fatima Burnad, Society for Rural Education and Development d. International Law on Terrorism Host: TWN/CAP e. Weapons of Mass Destruction Host: Serapina Cha, Mi-kyung, Korean House of International =Solidarity f. Foreign Occupation Host: Ziad Abdel Samad, Arab NGO Network for Development g. Oil and War Host: IBON Foundation h. Rise of the Fascist Right Host: IMSE November 4 Panel Discussion Causes of Militarization and War Mohamed Sayed Ahmed Economic Crisis and the Rise of the Fascist Right Mr. Robert Fisk (to be confirmed) Editor, Independent News Oil/Military Industrial Complex Ahmed Zaki El Yamani Panel Discussion: Sharing of Impacts of Militarism and War on =Economic and Social Rights of the Basic Sectors a. Peasants Rafael Mariano, Kikusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas (Peasant Movement of the Philippines) b. Labour Korean Confederation of Trade Unions c. Women Azra Talat Sayeed, Roots of Equity e. Indigenous Peoples Note: Speakers will be announced later. Workshops: Sharing of Impacts of Militarism and War on a. Labour Hosts: Center for Women's Resources b. Women Host: APWLD c. Peasant and Rural Sector Host: Pesticide Action Network-Asia and the Pacific (PANAP) d. Indigenous Peoples Host: Documentation for Action Groups in Asia (DAGA) e. Migrants Host: Asia Pacific Mission on Migrants (APMM) November 5 Panel Discussion on Alternatives, Global Justice, Peace and Social Movements Vandana Shiva Fahima Sharafedine Workshops per Region > Situations/Problems of Social Movements in the regions > Alternative Strategies to Promote Social Justice > Identify Research and Advocacy Report-back/ Plenary Session Closing Departure Conference Organizers APRN Secretariat IBON Foundation 3/F SCC Bldg., 4427 Interior Old Sta. Mesa, Manila Tel Nos: +632-7141831, Fax: +632-7160108 secretariat@aprnet.org Local Host Arab NGO Network for Development P.O. Box: 5792/14 Mazraa: 11052070 Beirut, Lebanon Tel No.: +961-1-319366 Fax: +961-1-815636 annd@cyberia.net.lb943_2.html (attatchment)(tag is disabled)