AFA participated in the 3rd Congress of the World Rural Forum with the theme “Towards Development and Solidarity-Challenge and Commitmentâ€, last October 19-21, 2006 in Basque, Spain. The Congress was sponsored by World Rural Forum, a forum for meeting, analysing and observing rural development.
Former AFA Chairperson Tri Heru Wardoyo gave a presentation on AFA during the Congress. AFA Chairperson Seo, Jung Eui had to suddenly cancel his participation a day before the event due to some pressing concerns back in Korea, where they were having a huge protest rally against US-Korea FTA.
Aside from Mr. Wardoyo, other AFA members who were invited as representatives of their own base organizations included Mr. Chaiwat Suravichai , Secretary General of Sor Kor Por (Thailand), and Ms. Ryoko Tsuboi, Aino Editor, of Ainokai (Japan). Mr. Wardoyo represented his local organization in Indonesia. Together with AsiaDHRRA (Ms. Marlene Ramirez/ Secretary General, Jaybee Garganera/PhilDHRRA National Coordinator), the team met with some international NGOs in Brussels to explore possible EU-Asian cooperation.
The congress gave AFA delegation new ideas and perspectives on issues affecting farmers and humanity in many parts of the world and the many initiatives being done. AFA was also strongly promoted during the event as it stood beside older and bigger international farmer organizations such as Via Campesina and IFAP.
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