The AFA Secretary General attended the Synthesis Conference-ACSC 2007 held last October 27-28 in Singapore. This was organized by the Singapore Institute for International Affairs (SIIA).
Saying that the current integration of agriculture in ASEAN countries has not benefitted small men and women farmers, the Asian Farmers’ Association for Sustainable Rural Development (AFA) called on governments, NGOs, business and farmers’ groups to work together in a participatory manner to develop a strategic policy for agriculture that integrates trade and development.
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Paper developed by the Asian Farmers’ Association for Sustainable Rural Development (AFA) and presented by Mr. Muhammad Nuruddin, Executive Committee Member of AFA, and Secretary General of Aliansi Petani Indonesia (API) during the Panel Session of the 6th ASEAN People’s Assembly (APA) entitled “Towards Fair Trade In An Integrating ASEAN: Perspectives of Workers, Farmers and Informal Sector” held in EDSA Shangri-La Hotel, Mandaluyong City, Philippines in October 25, 2007.
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AFA co-organized a panel session entitled “Towards Fair Trade in an Integrating ASEAN: Perspectives of Workers, Farmers and Informal Sector” held at the EDSA Shangri-La Hotel, Mandaluyong City, Philippines last October 25, 2007. The pane l session was one of the concurrent panel sessions conducted during the 6th ASEAN Peoples’ Assembly (APA) with the theme “ASEAN at 40: Realizing the Peoples’ Expectations”.
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AFA co-organized a panel session entitled “Towards Fair Trade in an Integrating ASEAN: Perspectives of Workers, Farmers and Informal Sector” held at the EDSA Shangri-La Hotel in Mandaluyong City, Philippines last October 25, 2007. The panel session was one of the concurrent panel sessions conducted during the 6th ASEAN Peoples’ Assembly (APA) with the theme “ASEAN at 40: Realizing the Peoples’ Expectations”.
1. ASEAN economic integration through liberalization in trade, investments and services has caused massive displacement of workers both at formal and service sectors as well as small farmers and producers, who compose the majority of the ASEAN population. Women bear the brunt of this displacement; since at least 50% of the agriculture sectors are women and the displacement increases the ranks of unprotected informal workers, mostly women.
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Dear Friends in PAKISAMA,
Re: Moral Support to “Lumad” Farmers from Sumilao to March on Foot for 60 Days to Reclaim Land
Farmers’ Federations Association for Development Thailand (Sorkorpor) wants to express our admirableness to “Lumad” Farmers through our friends, PAKISAMA.
We realize that LAND is heart of all farmers. In case of Thailand, our small farmers in all parts of the country have ever struggled to protect their ancient lands from many competitive used of other sectors. Regarding to the circumstance, we can say that Filippino and Thai farmers are in the same fate. We think that the campaign by marching on foot for 60 days to reclaim land of Sumilao farmers is a symbol of farmers and poor people who have just only bodies and mind as tools for struggle.
AFA participated in the 3rd APHD Pan-Asia Farmers’ Conference held last October 13-17, 2007 in Bohol, Philippines.
Yesterday, October 15 was International Rural Women’s Day. Today, October 16, is World Food Day. Tomorrow, October 17, is International Day to Eradicate Hunger and Poverty.
In commemoration of these days, we share with you a special message of AFA to the FFTC (Food and Fertilizer Technology Center), which is holding a conference entitled “Enhancement of Women Farmers’ Role in the Development of Rural Asia” this October 16-18, 2007.
We believe that hunger and poverty among small farming families and communities, will be greatly reduced, if, together, we effectively respond to the needs of small men and women farmers and fishers.
Let us be self-sufficient in our basic staples and food, in a sustainable way. Let us, farmers and fishers, have peace and security, in our lands, in our jobs, in our incomes. In doing so, let us pay particular attention to the special needs of our women. These are sure ways to reduce hunger and poverty in the rural areas, where majority of the poor in our world reside.
A special message for the conference:
“Enhancement of Women Farmers’ Role in the Development of Rural Asia”
International Conference Hall, ITTC, RDA, Suwon, Korea
October 15-19, 2007
To the Leaders of FFTC,
To the Presiding Officer of this Session
And to all the men and women participants of this conference,
Anneong haseyo! A pleasant and good morning to all of you.
