The concluding day of the AEPF that has been attended by over 400 participants from over 40 countries of Asia and Europe, several Members of Asian and European Parliaments; activists, academics, representatives of social movements, engaged in the democratic and collective process of making a Peoples Agenda that will be presented to the official ASEM on October 18, at Ghent.

This process of the Peoples Agenda as well as a ‘Road Map’, has been discussed for over a year by hundreds of activists in many meetings/ workshops organized by the AEPF, so as to make it truly representative voice from the people at the grass roots, especially the excluded, marginalized, and the many defenders of human rights, climate, trade economic and political and social justice. The final Peoples agenda, was passed in the last plenary session today, with many suggestions from participants.

This peoples’ agenda includes recommendations, suggestions, policy advice on the various intersecting themes of democratization, human rights, social justice, climate justice, fair trade, food sovereignty, peace and security. There are recommendations for the ASEM heads of state, parliamentarians, as also for civil society and organizations.

These recommendations are based on deep research, evidence based studies, comparative analysis, grass roots experience, historical research and impact analysis. They argue that regimes that practice deep and participatory democracy and are inclusive of all sections of society and citizens, and provide for economic, social and political equality and rights, and are based on providing social justice, are regimes that are not only successful in their governance, but are bound to last well, since they have popular support and legitimacy. Arguably, governments and states that do not abide by rule of law, procedural democracy, are authoritarian, deny rights, base themselves on militarism, force are brittle and witness everyday violence and a bitter end.

The Document on the Peoples Agenda, will be available on the AEPF website, once it is officially presented at the ASEM meeting.

Other important plenary documents are the ‘Statement by Parliamentarians Panel’. The parliamentarians who heard the thematic sessions, consulted together and have decided to create an ASEM for Human Rights Forum. They will be working with AEPF as ‘Friends of AEPF’ for putting pressure on key issues from human rights, democracy, just trade, climate justice. The Statement by Parliamentarians is attached.

Another important document released is “Global Charter for Universal Social Protection: Rights by all for all”. This again is the outcome of many consultations and democratic process and calls for a universal social protection floor, without which global inequality and injustice and ecological damage is bound to grow. AEPF accepts this Charter, as do the parliamentarians present at this meeting.

The AEPF concluded with a special thanks to the Belgian 11.11.11. Their hard work over months enabled a smooth functioning and complex arrangement, which was meticulously planned. The people behind this functioning Kris Vanslambrouk and Kathy Bernaets worked behind the scenes for moths to make this come alive.

There was also much appreciation for all members of the AEPF IOC, that planned and worked together for months on skype and other meetings to make this a truly democratic process.

AEPF as a whole is grateful to the European Commission and Devco, for their generosity and support. AEPF is extremely grateful to the experts who came and all the participants who attended. AEPF would be grateful if you continued this support by regularly visiting our website and following us on social media. From our part, we will through the year be putting up the valuable ideas that this AEPF generated, on our website.

Lastly, do not forget the volunteers and others who worked to make this AEPF12 a memorable experience.