ASEAN Civil Society Organizations Reaffirms Commitment for Independent Peoples’ Forum at 4th Regional Consultation Meeting

By ACSC/APF 2014 Steering Committee • February 23, 2014

Participants of the 4^th Regional Consultation Meeting reinforced their commitment to maintain inclusiveness and independence of the ASEAN Civil Society Conference/ASEAN Peoples’ Forum (ACSC/APF) 2014. The ACSC/APF, which will be held in Yangon on March 21-23, could be the largest regional civil society conference held in Myanmar in contemporary history.

The Meeting was attended by 22 representatives from ASEAN member countries and 55 Myanmar civil society representatives. During the two-day preparatory meeting, participants finalized many aspects of the program and agreed on how to move forward in solidarity.

“There are good regulations and principles to ensure the ASEAN Peoples’ Forum is accessible, independent and inclusive. We hope we can uphold these values until the final day without obstacles. Last year, President U Thein Sein acknowledged the important role of civil society for national transition, so we hope the authorities will give us their full support and cooperation for this event, and to welcome our regional friends. This event is an important milestone for Myanmar’s transition and for the ASEAN Community 2015,” said Daw May May Pyone, Executive Director of NGO Gender Group and chair of the Steering Committee of the ACSC/APF.

This year, organizers are expecting as many as 1,200 participants from different levels of Civil Society from across the ASEAN region. Most of the participants are expected to come from grassroots Community Based Organizations (CBOs) and local Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs).

“This is my first time participating in a Regional Consultation Meeting and I am very happy that I am able to take part in this process. I have learnt a lot and I am very excited about the forum and hope many Myanmar grassroots organizations are able to attend the ASEAN People’s Forum,” said Liz Hlaing, a member of the National Organizing Committee.

ACSC/APF events have always been regional events and Myanmar’s National Organizing Committee has prioritized regional solidarity and participation.

“I am very pleased with what we have accomplished so far to maintain the regional identity of the ACSC/APF and I would like to give credit to our Myanmar friends for upholding this value to a high degree. Myanmar has been an important focus of ASEAN civil society since the first ACSC in 2005, so this event is extra special to us all,” said Premrudee Daoroung, Co-Chair of the ACSC/APF Steering Committee.

ASEAN Civil Society Conference/ASEAN Peoples’ Forum is an ASEAN civil society event first held in Malaysia in 2005 and has been carried on since. Its sole purpose is to channel voices of the grassroots civil societies of different backgrounds from across the ASEAN region.

Since Myanmar has the 2014 ASEAN chair, the responsibility of hosting the ACSC/APF has fallen onto the shoulders of the Myanmar civil society.

Enquiries:

Daw May May Pyone, Chair, ACSC/APF Steering Committee (Myanmar/English) + 9595096935 / 095096935
U Nyunt Hlaing, Chair, ACSC/APF Media Committee (Myanmar) +9595058285 / 095058285
Premrudee Daoroung, Co-Chair, ACSC/APF Steering Committee (Thai/English) +66814342334
Debbie Stothard, Co-Chair, ACSC/APF Media Committee (English), Tel +66816861652

View photos here on ACSC/APF 2014 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/ACSCAPF-2014/573005016079439?fref=ts

This post is in: ASEAN

ASEAN Civil Society Organizations Reaffirms Commitment for Independent Peoples’ Forum at 4th Regional Consultation Meeting

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