Democratisation and People's Rights Cluster, 9 Sept. 2004 Asia-Europe People's Forum.

Democratisation and People's Rights Cluster, 9 Sept. 2004 Asia-Europe People's Forum.

DEMOCRATISATION AND REGIONAL INTEGRATION

Background

Calls for an alternative system of global governance are on the rise. While mainstream voices call for a minimum framework of rules necessary to tackle global problems, guaranteed by a set of institutions including both international organizations and national governments, the proponents of 'Globalization from Below' demand a pluralistic system of global governance.

Such a conception of global governance would mean the de-concentration and decentralization of current institutional power and the creation of a pluralistic system of institutions and organizations interacting with one another, guided by broad and flexible agreements and understandings.

From the perspective of a pluralistic system of global governance, regional governance frameworks can be considered as essential players for the strengthening of global governance, democratization and development. From a social and economic point of view, it has long been recognized that the grouping of countries into larger economic units is an important basis for effective and sustainable development.

Regional cooperation is seen as a way to address imbalances created both within and between the economies of the region. Further, regional agreements can contributed to facing the challenges posed by the liberalized global economy by using regional frameworks to create and interim "breathing space" within which to develop and diversify national economies, improve local productivity and export capacities. At the same time, a united region could provide a stronger collective political base from which to engage in joint strategizing for mor effective political engagement in multilateral institutions such as the WTO.

Topics

The aim of this workshops is to analyze the current paradigm of regional integration in Asia and Europe in the light of such developments as the G20 and the G 90 in the run up to the WTO Ministerial in Cancún and to identify proposals and strategies emerging around a 'regionalism from below.'
Starting point for discussion include the following:

1. What current geo-economic and geo-political trends are now shaping Asia and Europe?(ASEAN/ AFTA and the proposed China-ASEAN and SAARC; EU and enlargement; ASEM)
2. How are these likely to be affected by the emergence of other formations - the G20 and the G90?
3. Is democratization of these regional frameworks possible?
4. What proposals and strategies are emerging to shape an alternative regionalism?

Presenters

Walden Bello (Focus on the Global South, Thailand)

Eeva Simola (Finnwatch, Finland)

Commentators

America Eva-Zavala (ATTAC Sweden)

Gigi Francisco (DAWN, Fiji)

Charles Santiago (MSN, Malaysia)

Moderators

Fiona Dove (Transnational Institute, The Netherlands)

Synthesizer

Ricardo Reyes (Akbayan Citizens' Action party, Philippines)