December 2005, Kuala Lumpur, ASEAN had its first interface with civil society

For the first time in its 38 years, ASEAN leaders welcomed representatives of civil society to their hallowed business meeting. That is, for 15 minutes, a civil society rep read a statement prepared and approved in a wider civil society conference held several days earlier, and Summit chair Malaysian PM Abdullah Ahmad Badawi gave an initial response and assurances that the ASEAN leadership takes civil society involvement very seriously.

This is the first time ASEAN civil society has been invited by ASEAN Heads of State to interact and present the conclusions of their deliberations to the Summit itself. Civil Society groups hope this historic development will become a regular part of the program of future ASEAN Summits.

Civil society organizations if given the space will engage ASEAN. Will there be space for such interface with ASEAN for civil Society during the ASEAN Summit in Singapore?

Civil society will play an important role in developing the people-centred ASEAN Community. Is ASEAN serious about engaging and involving the civil society?

The 3rd ASEAN Civil Society Conference (ACSC3)is being organized by the SAPA Working Group on ASEAN, 1-3 November 2007, in Singapore. The Singapore Working for ASEAN is the local host for the event.

Solidarity for Asian People's Advocacy (SAPA}

The SAPA WG on ASEAN is a common platform for collective action on ASEAN advocacy. The WG-ASEAN respects and promotes the multiplicity of perspectives, strategies and forms employed by its individual members, as it strives for specific unities in ASEAN-related advocacy and action.

The Solidarity for Asian People's Advocacy (SAPA} was formally established at its first regional consultation in Bangkok from 3-4 February 2006.

SAPA was born out of common concerns about how to enhance the effectiveness and impact of civil society advocacy by improving communication, cooperation and coordination among non-governmental organisations (NGOs) operating regionally, in the face of rapidly increasing and multiplying inter-governmental processes and meetings in Asia.

The 2nd Consultation of SAPA held in Singapore on 19 September 2006 decided to establish working principles and mechanisms such as a General Forum.

The 1st SAPA meeting, which was attended by about 35 regional organisations, has now grown into a regional forum for sharing, coordination and cooperation among more than 100 CSOs through a SAPA e-group.

Presently, more than 100 CSOs both national and regional are members of SAPA.

Sources and Relevant Links:

SAPA Solidarity for Asian People's Advocacy (SAPA}

SAPA Working Group on ASEAN (WG-ASEAN)

SAPA 2nd ASEAN Civil Society Conference Held in Cebu

SAPA Programme ASEAN Civil Society Conference (ACSC II)

SAPA CIVIL SOCIETY MEETS ASEAN, FINALLY? 17 December 2005

SAPA Programme ASEAN Civil Society Conference [ACSC I]

Forum Asia ASEAN: Need for Greater Civil Society Involvement

Forum Asia 40th Anniversary Highlights the Need to Set ASEAN on a New Path