March 22, 2019 | Dario Azzelini

Concept Note

Two major challenges confront peoples and peace movements in contemporary times. One: All kinds of right wing populisms (RWP) and fundamentalisms (from religious, identity to market fundamentalisms). Two: The consequent rise of xenophobic nationalisms, centralized power, increased inequality, authoritarian governance. Country after country in Asia and Europe have elected right wing populist leaders, while xenophobic nationalist parties emerge stronger and more influential in the opposition. In most cases these RWPs have an under belly of vigilante groups that target different minorities and ‘others’. (Hungary, Italy, Turkey, South Asia, Philippines, US, Brazil, etc).

These ideologies and practices are based essentially on increasing inequality, opposing multiculturalism and see human rights, workers and civil society organizations as a threat.

They do not believe in climate change and are bent on increasing state power and authority over all institutions. These fundamentalisms and RWPs are a threat to the peace, security and social cohesion. They increase inter-state and intra-state conflicts; promote phobias about migrants or other religions. These damage democratization, universal progressive values and challenge social justice. It is important to understand the variations, and differences between these forces across Asia and Europe, so civil society, peoples and peace movements can effectively challenge them.

Peoples’ movements need to use the collective methodologies and experience to address concerns from these movements. They need to strategize how activism can challenge this dangerous discourse and practice.

Objectives of the Conference:

This conference will address concerns that include:

• The major political shifts that are a consequence of the inequality and joblessness on account of the neo liberal agenda. In some countries, the consequences are victories of populisms.
• Backlash against progressive agendas, against women, minorities.
• Anxiety about cultural invasion and disruption of traditional values.
• Resistances and challenges to fundamentalism and populisms.

Outputs

• Enabling strengthened links between movements/networks across Asia and Europe reinforcing the EU CSOs participation and and the participation of a growing number of movements, networks, forums and organisations in different formulating peace and security strategies.
• Generating ideas to promote the advocacy tasks of AEPF on through effective communications.

The Expected Results include:

AEPF Peace and Security Conference will enable an exchange of ideas and increase our networks in Nepal beyond. This will support in advocating the importance of peace and peoples security and its linkages with justice and democracy.

For any advocacy, we need clarity and vision. The issues of populism and fundamentalisms are linked to phobias and existential anxieties. This conference intends to produce and articulate the dangers of these issues to both civil society and to states.

We would develop an appeal to ASEM States to be vary of populism, authoritarianism and not to use religion in politics.

We would like to use communication methods to propagate the idea of secular and objective state institutions.

We would like to take the ideas of this conference further and request all participants to give us some form of written presentation (this can be sent to us after the discussion in the conference). We will advocate these on our website and social media.

The inputs of the conference will go into documents for parliamentarians, policy makers, students and all those interested.

Communications and Visibility

We will do brief 1-2 minutes video recordings of experts as part of ‘Peoples Voices’ and link these to our website and make them available widely including to policy makers and governments who wish to access them.

We will try and make a common document and statements that coincide with the AEPF goals on peace and security.

We will edit all written presentations and use these for advocacy on social media, website, etc.

Programme: Thursday, 4th, 5th 6th April

Day 1: COMMON PLENARY
Facilitators: Social Justice + Peace & Security

Opening Plenary and Joint session
Thursday, 4 April, 2-6 pm 1:30-2:00 pm: Registration
2:00 – 3:30 pm: The journey to peace, security and social justice: collective experiences, challenges, opportunities and way forward
Dr Sarba Khadka, IDS Nepal
Chief Guest/ High Representative, Nepal
Narayankaji Shrestha, Spokesperson of CPN and Former Deputy PM, Nepal (TBC) Xavier
Benito Ziluaga, MEP, GUE Podemos, Spain
Julie Ward, MEP, S & D Labour, U.K.
Pryanca Radhakrishnan, MP, Labour Party, New Zealand
Chairs/Facilitation: Dr Dinesh C. Devkota, Nepal and Dr Francine Mestrum, Belgium

Tea/Coffee Break

4:00 – 6:00 pm: ‘Universal and lasting peace can be established only if it is based upon social justice’ (ILO Constitution, Preamble)

Keynote speaker:
Dagmar Walter, ILO South Asia
Speakers:
Anuradha Chenoy (retired), Professor Jawaharlal Nehru University, India
Nimalka Fernando, Human Rights Activist, Sri Lanka
Daman Nath Dhungana, Former Speaker of House of Representatives, Nepal (TBC)
Dr. Rajan Bhattarai, Foreign Affairs Advisor to the PM of Nepal (TBC)
Chairs/Facilitation: Meena Menon, India and Dong Huy Cuong, Vietnam

DAY 2. April 5, PARALLEL SESSIONS

Morning
Session 1: 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM

Discussion on Populisms, Right Wing Populisms (RWP), impact on peace and Security:

Speakers:

• Lisa Clarke (IPB, Italy) : The rise of European xenophobic and racist sentiments
• Prof.Kamal Chenoy (India): The Challenge from Right wing populism
• Amaar Ali Jan (Pakistan) on The Danger of Violent Fundamentalisms

Facilitators: Dorothy Guererro and Milan Dharel

Afternoon
Session 2: 2:00 to 6:00 PM

Discussion on different fundamentalisms and Institutions:

• Jordi Calvo Rufanges (Barcelona): Militarisms and Defence Expenditures
• Seema Mustafa (India): Role of the Media in Fundamentalism and RWP
• Thomas Sommer-Houdevelle (France): Experiences and Practices from Europe
• Marc Batac (Philippines): RWP in South East Asia
• Advocate Hari Phuyal, Former Attorney General

Facilitators: Andy Rutherford and Tina Ebro

Afternoon
Session 4: 2:00 PM to 4:30 PM

Discussion on Future programmes, Discussion on advocacy and communications: Resolutions drafted and passed.

Corazon Fabros will facilitate;
Bui Lien Huong – Resolutions

4:30 to 6:00 PM

Closing Session Chaired/facilitated by Charles Santiago and Milan Dharel
Summary from Social Justice Cluster
Summary from Peace and Security Cluster

Press Release

Vote of thanks to organizers.

DAY 3. Saturday 6 April 2010

Morning
Session 3: 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM

Linkages and Impacts of RWP and fundamentalisms: Migration on peace and security

• Kalle Sysikaski “Refugees & Migrations in Europe: Implications & Impact
• Amabella Carumba: RWP and conflict Resolution
• Tur-Od Lkhagvajav (Mongolia): Peace Movement & Sustainable Development
• Hon. Sujita Shakya, Parliamentarian and Women Leader, Nepal
• Facilitators:Kris Vanslambrouk and Amaar Ali Jan