1 July 1998
Dear comrades and friends,
KMP (Peasant Movement of the Philippines) invites you to the Peasant Forum: Throwing Off the Yoke of Imperialist Globalization on November 11-12, 1998 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. It is one of the sectoral fora within the People's Assembly which is being held parallel to the 6th APEC Leaders Summit.
The 1998 APEC Leaders Summit will be held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on November 18-19, 1998 amidst a worsening economic and political situation in the region. The current economic and financial crisis spurred by IMF-WB-WTO maldevelopment policies, particularly those pertaining to liberalization, privatization and deregulation, is gripping the Asian economies and sparing no one, even Japan's. This has led to mass layoffs and worker dislocation, and further immiserization of rural communities with intensifying landlessness, poverty and hunger.
Even so, governments continue to fit their economic policies to the globalization scheme as its leaders profit politically and financially from it. State bureaucrats would rather protect the interest of MNCs/TNCs (multinational and transnational corporations) and follow the lead of the centers of imperialism — the US, Japan and EU — than those of the majority of the people.
Parallel to the APEC Summit will be a People's Assembly to be convened by the Malaysian non-governmental organizations on November 8-14. Its theme is "Confronting Globalization, Reasserting Our Rights." Below is the Assembly's schedule:
The KMP, along with the Asian Peasant Forum of the AIWPS (Anti-Imperialist World Peasant Summit), APWN (Asian Peasant Women's Network), AMIHAN (Philippine Federation of Peasant Women Associations) and PAMALAKAYA (Philippine Federation of Fisherfolk Organizations), will convene the Peasant Forum.
To be attended by peasant and fisherfolk leaders, activists and advocates from the different APEC-member countries, the forum aims to (1) provide a venue for sharing and discussion of effective strategies adopted by the various peasant movements in their struggle against monopoly capitalist globalization; (2) expand and consolidate the Asian and global network of peasant and fisherfolk organizations which were started by the AIWPS, APWN and the People's Campaign Against Imperialist Globalization (People's Campaign); and (3) identify and plan for specific international peasant campaigns.
Leaders of peasant movements in selected APEC member-countries in Latin America, South Asia, South-East Asia and East Asia will share their experiences of struggles against monopoly capitalism in a plenary session. Workshops will be conducted to provide the participants small-group venues to discuss the impact of globalization in their global region, share with one another the strategies that have proven effective in their fight against globalization, and pinpoint burning issues as bases for international peasant campaigns. A Peasant Forum Statement of Unity will be presented in the plenary session of the People's Assembly.
In line with this, it is our pleasure to invite you to the Peasant Forum and the People's Assembly. Please fill out the attached registration form and send it back by e-mail, fax or post to:
The Peasant Forum Secretariat
c/o KMP (Kilusang Magbubukid ng Pilipinas)
69 Maayusin corner Malambing Streets
UP Village, Diliman 1100
Quezon City, Philippines
Telephone: (632) 920-5668; (632) 435-3564
Fax: (632) 435-3564; (632) 434-3836
E-mail: KMP@info.com.ph or PAMPIL@skyinet.net or PX.ISDA@pop.skyinet.net
Please feel free to send a copy of this invitation to other peasant organizations and advocates in your country.
To cover primarily the cost of conference preparations and materials, a registration fee of U$50 for the People's Assembly and U$20 for the Peasant Forum will be collected from each participant. The latter will be waived if we are able to get enough funding for the Peasant Forum.
The cost of food and accommodation is estimated at M$150 (US$40) per person per day. Actual plane fares, visa fees, travel and airport taxes and other incidental expenses will also be borne by the participants.
We enjoin Third World participants to source funding to cover their expenses. However, those who will not be able to and thus need financial support to attend the Peasant Forum/People's Assembly can communicate with the Peasant Forum Secretariat to request for subsidy. We are trying to raise funds to be able to subsidize the cost of plane fares, food and accommodation of some Third World participants. But visa fees, travel and airport taxes and other incidental travel expenses will be borne by them in the spirit of shared responsibility.
We also seek the help of our First World partners to sponsor at least one participant from the Third World and cover the cost of his/her plane ticket, food and accommodation. This way, we will ensure participation of a number of the rural poor in the Peasant Forum and People's Assembly. Please communicate with the Peasant Forum secretariat if your organization is able to respond positively to this request.
Further communications about the Peasant Forum will be sent to you as soon as we receive your registration form.
We hope that you can join us in a meaningful exchange of views and experiences in the Peasant Forum and the People's Assembly.
For the Peasant Forum Organizers,
Rafael Mariano
KMP Chairperson and AIWPS Convenor
1998 PEOPLE'S ASSEMBLY ON APEC
Peasant Forum: Throwing Off the Yoke of Imperialist Globalization
November 11-12, 1998
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
R E G I S T R A T I O N F O R M
Please type or write your answers in capital letters. Please send the accomplished form on or before August 15, 1998 through email, fax or post to:
The Peasant Forum Secretariat
c/o KMP (Peasant Movement of the Philippines)
69 Maayusin corner Malambing Streets
UP Village, Diliman 1100
Quezon City, Philippines
Telephone nos.: (632) 920-5668; (632) 435-3564
Fax: (632) 435-3564; (632) 434-3836
E-mail: KMP@info.com.ph or PAMPIL@skyinet.net or PX.ISDA@pop.skyinet.net
First Name _______________________ Last Name ______________________________
Age ____ Sex ____ Nationality ______________ Citizenship __________________
Mailing Address ___________________________________________________________
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Telephone ______________ Fax _______________ E-mail _______________________
Languages spoken __________________________________________________________
Name of organization ______________________________________________________
Position in organization __________________________________________________
Office Address ____________________________________________________________
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Telephone ______________ Fax ________________ E-mail ______________________
Please write a brief description of your organization. Please include nature of your organization; coverage (regional, national, provincial, etc.); scope (what sectors and/or issues); number of membership; strategies/programs; links or membership in international network/formations; other relevant information. Please use a separate sheet if necessary and/or send your organization's brochure.
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Will you stay for the People's Assembly Plenary? Yes _____ No _____
For women: Will you attend the Women's conference? Yes ____ No _____
Special food requirement (Vegetarian, etc.) _______________________________
Signature: ____________________________________ Date: _____________________