ASEM5 People's Forum

Background to the PEACE AND SECURITY
CLUSTER, Sept. 7

One decade and a half has elapsed since the end of the cold war, and yet the world has not become more secure and peaceful. On the contrary, three wars have been waged. A global "war against terror" has been launched and a US-led coalition has invaded Afghanistan and Iraq. Unilateralism, the disregard of international law and treaties, and the weakening of the United Nations have greatly increased instability and insecurity. In attempting to legitimise aggression, the concept of pre-emptive attacks has spurred the arms race and intensified militarisation. In many countries, the escalation of conflicts rooted in economic, political, ethnic and religious tensions has led to the severe curtailment of civil liberties and human rights, further undermining and hindering people's efforts towards people's security and social justice.

Attacks on innocent civilians have also increased in various corners of the world. The US-led "war against terrorism" has been used as a convenient pretext for military intervention. For all the instability and repression that it has wrought, such "war against terrorism" does not address the root causes of violence but rather, creates the anger and discontent that breed resistance.

At the same time, in face of such dangerous situations, a global movement for peace and social justice has also been emerging and consolidating. The historically unprecedented mobilizations against the war on Iraq last February 15, 2003 attest to the power and potential of this rising movement. But in view of the complexity and fluidity of the challenges to peace and security, there is a need to ensure that Asian and European peace activists become active in building and sustaining this global movement. Happening on the eve of the third anniversary of the 9-11 attacks, the AEPF provides an opportunity for people in Asia and Europe to work together for a better understanding of the current conjuncture in order to strengthen solidarity, identify priorities, and develop more effective strategies towards peace and social justice.

The conference will be followed by the following workshops:

1. Conflict and resolutions from below: How do different ethnic and religious groups work together to solve armed conflicts?
2. Terrorism, anti-terrorism and people's response
3. Dialogue of civilizations, cultures and religions in Europe and Asia (racism a challenge to multicultural societies in Asia and Europe fundamentalism and threats to security

)

4. Peace movements in Asia and Europe: the way ahead
5. Weapon of mass destruction: implications on Asia and Europe (depleted uranium; nuclear armaments; arms race and trading; atomic bombing; Agent Orange/Dioxin)
6. People's response to the rise of militarism

Speakers from Asia and Europe