Dear Friends:
We are sending this message in the spirit of solidarity to all PGA friends in order to initiate the PGA Asia caravan that was agreed by the PGA Asian Regional and Gender Conference, held in Dhaka, in 2004. We request that movement contacts reply with suggestions and comments as soon as possible in order to initiate this process.
PGA ASIA Caravan 2007
Background
At the PGA Asian Regional and Gender Conference, held in Dhaka, 2004, movements decided to participate in a PGA Asia caravan in 2006. Given the time need to prepare such a process, it is suggested that the caravan take place in 2007. Given the recent lack of activity within the PGA network, we feel that the focus on this caravan project would help regenerate political energies of solidarity between grassroots movements in Asia.
Proposal
PGA Asia Caravan for Grassroots Democracy
This is a provisional title only, open for discussion.
In the current global situation of permanent war and neoliberal corporate exploitation, we believe that there is a need for Asian movements to work together for grassroots democracy, where this means communities rights to food, water, land and forest sovereignty, and to peace.
The PGA Asia caravan would enable activists from different struggles and countries to communicate with one another, exchange information, share experiences and tactics, participate in various solidarity demonstrations, rallies, and direct actions, and attempt to draw new movements into the PGA convergence. The emphasis would be on two-way communication regarding struggles, visions of society, and the construction of economic and political alternatives to neoliberalism. The caravan would also (i) enable collective strategies to be developed between movements; (ii) facilitate the development of movement-to-movement projects and initiatives; and (iii) enable deeper interpersonal ties to be established between different activists from different cultural spaces and struggles.
Logistics
There will be 2 caravans: one traveling in South Asia, and the other in Southeast Asia. The two caravans would culminate in Kathmandu for 2-3 days of events that will be organised by ANPA and ANWA (e.g. rallies; summing-up conference etc.). PGA activists from Europe, Latin America, and North America would also be invited.
There will be cross participation in the caravans: some SE Asian activists on the S. Asia caravan, and some S. Asian activists on the SE Asia caravan.
Each caravan will be one 40+ seater bus (approximately 40 participants in each)
Accommodation and food to be organised by host movements in each country visited.
In particular, we would appreciate information/comments regarding the following:
- which movements would want to participate in the caravan
- the possible route(s) of the caravan
- which movements would be able to host the caravan, and provide basic accomodation and food to caravan participants
- people who would be available as translators
- possible funders of the caravan
in solidarity,
Balram; Prem Dangal (ANPA)
Pablo Kala (support group)
