2nd ASEAN Civil Society Conference goes on despite postponement of ASEAN Summit
13 December 2006 12:00 am

Although the ASEAN Summit in Cebu City, the Philippines, was postponed to January next year, this did not deter civil society activists from going ahead with the 2nd ASEAN Civil Society Conference (ACSC) from 10-12 December. “It is important that civil society will proceed with the ACSC as it is a venue where issues pertaining to the ASEAN, and the impacts of regional integration are discussed,” said Corinna Lopa of the South East Asian Committee for Advocacy, a member of the ACSC regional steering committee.Although the ASEAN Summmit in Cebu City, the Philippines, was postponed to January next year, this did not deter civil society activists from going ahead with the 2nd ASEAN Civil Society Conference (ACSC) from 10-12 December.

“It is important that civil society will proceed with the ACSC as it is a venue where issues pertaining to the ASEAN, and the impacts of regional integration are discussed,” said Corinna Lopa of the South East Asian Committee for Advocacy, a member of the ACSC regional steering committee. “Immediate action plans for civil society engagement and direct action in January 2007 shall be discussed at the 2nd ACSC.”

ASEAN and the Philippine government, as host, had cited the typhoon expected to hit northern Cebu as the official reason. However, there are unofficial references to a political storm in Manila, where big rallies are expected to be held over moves to amend the Philippine Constitution. These may be the real reasons for the cancellation. Other sources refer to serious security gaps and threats coming from Jemaah Islamiya.

In addition to the conference, there were some other parallel activitiesoples of the Southeast Asia,” from 9-13 December at the University of the Philippines in Cebu City.

The 2nd ASEAN Civil Society Conference was held at the Montebello Villa Hotel, Banilad, Cebu City.