PANEL DISCUSSIONS I

1. Press and Media Freedom in Southeast Asia - The Media for the  People: Building Trust, Understanding, and Partnership > This panel will address the following: state of the press and media freedom in Southeast Asia: a  political and security mapping of the journalists' world; challenges and threats faced by journalists and other media professionals - state censorship, antiquated libel and defamation laws, harassment, kidnappings and assassinations; the case to protect journalists: legal reform, legal defense fund, ASEAN?; enhancing media’s role in society: journalists capacity building, establishing mechanisms for dialogue, confidence building to ensure participation and partnership

Chair:

Ms. Yuli Ismartono, Tempo Magazine, Indonesia

Speakers:

Mr. Bambang Harymurti, Tempo Daily, Indonesia

Ms. Marites Vitug, Newsbreak Magazine, Philippines

Mr. Frans Winarta, Frans Winarta and Partners, Indonesia

Dr. Pirongrong Ramasoot-Rananand, Chulalongkorn University, Thailand

2. Peace and Social Conflicts in Southeast Asia > The envisioned ASEAN Security Community (ASC) should develop effective tools to address issues of peace and conflict in the region and be able to tackle intra-regional security concerns and complement the capacities of other multilateral organizations in preventing violent conflict Southeast Asia. This panel seeks to identify and understand some of the major non-traditional security threats and tensions within each ASEAN country and examine in greater depth the following questions: What is the nature, character and root causes of these tensions and conflicts? How are the people affected by these issues, and what are the national governments doing to address the root causes and pursue peace? Are the current policy responses by the national governments adequate in dealing with the issues? What alternative people-oriented policy responses and strategies may be adopted by national governments? Can ASEAN or ASEAN member states be drawn in to help address some of the issues? What lessons can be learned from the region and what possible regional mechanisms and instruments can be used to address the issues?

Chair:

Dr. Yeo Lay Hwee, Singapore Institute of International Affairs (SIIA)

Speakers:

Dr. Tin Maung Maung Than, Institute of Southeast Asian Studies (ISEAS), Singapore

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Mr. Sisowath Doung Chanto, Pannasastra University of Cambodia

Dr. Joon Nam Mak, Independent Consultant and Defence Analyst, Malaysia

Dr. Rizal Panggabean, University of Gadjah Mada, Indonesia

3. Human Rights Mechanism in Southeast Asia > The Regional Working Group for a Human Rights Mechanism has been working for the establishment of an intergovernmental human rights mechanism in Southeast Asia. This endeavor has been pursued through confidence building measures and a step-by-step process involving both governments and non-government groups.  To this end, the Working Group has always used the declared aspirations and intentions of ASEAN as a reference point for advancing human rights observance and protection in the different member countries of the association. In recent years, the clear inclusion of human rights in the Vientiane Action Program (VAP) paves the way for the closer involvement of the NGO community and the Working Group in establishing regional mechanisms that address human rights issues in the region. The prospect for a regional mechanism on the rights of women and, with the recent accession of Brunei to the Convention on the Rights of the Child, even one on the rights of children are now within the realm of the possible in ASEAN. The questions that need to be addressed, however, revolve around what other activities do the Working Group have to undertake to take advantage of these developments?  What kinds of mechanisms can be explored on the rights of women and the rights of children in the region? How can these mechanisms become part of the continuing process of development of ASEAN? How can the ASEAN states be convinced to accede to the inclusion of these mechanisms as part of ASEAN institution building?

Chair:

Prof. Herman Joseph Kraft, Institute for Strategic and Development Studies (ISDS), Philippines

Speakers:

Rashid Kang, FORUM-Asia

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Atty. Carlos Medina, Philippine Working Group for an ASEAN Human Rights Mechanism

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Ms. Asmin Fransiska, Catholic University of Atma Jaya, Indonesia

Discussant:

Dr. Keokam Kraisoraphong, Chulalongkorn University, Thailand

4. Ending the Culture of Impunity in Southeast Asia: Towards Effective Observance of the Rule of Law > Political assassinations, excessive use of force resulting in deaths of unarmed protesters, assassinations by death squads: these are commonly perpetrated in Southeast Asian countries such as the Philippines, Indonesia and Thailand. The deaths share a common motive of eliminating political opposition to the government. Victims are political activists, parties in a legal dispute, and ordinary civilians organizing themselves towards asserting their rights. Munir was an Indonesian human rights defender poisoned in an airplane en route to The Netherlands, unarmed protesters in the Southern Thai province of Tak Bai were piled horizontally eight feet high in a dump truck, crushing the lungs of those on the floor, political activists in the Philippines are literally approached by motorcycle-riding gunmen and shot in the face. These are stark reminders that the legacy of violent repression remains very much alive in the region. 
This panel has the following objectives: strengthening existing laws, broadening definitions of the crimes, or introducing new legislation will be discussed among experts from the three countries: Indonesia, Thailand, and the Philippines; to Explore constructive dialogues and generate a set of policy recommendations that may be implemented by governments, as well as identification of programs and projects by civil society groups and local communities that would complement policies of government (both national and local) in ending a culture of impunity, in particularly Extrajudicial Execution; and lastly, to focus on the role of the people (as part of the theme) in strengthening the rule of law in general and ending assassinations or extrajudicial killings. As a guideline, the presenters will state the problem/condition, provide the parameters for discussion and identify a set of recommendations that, after debate and open discussion in APA panels, may be presented to ASEAN leaders in the Summit. Guide questions for this panel include: Who are the important actors and sectors in each of the countries so named? Who "perpetrates" the extrajudicial killings and what is the basis for making such allegations? Who are the stakeholders? What roles do national and local governments, legislatures, civil society groups, mass media, and other stakeholders have in addressing the problem of unsolved killings? Are there challenges and obstacles or problems that these actors or sectors face to effectively perform their roles? What are these and how could constructive dialogue help in overcoming these?

Chair:  

Sister Crescencia Lucero, Task Force Detainees of the Philippines

Speakers:

Ms. Suciwati Munir, Committee of Action in Solidarity for Munir, Indonesia

Ms. Rungrawee Chalermsripinyorat, Associated Press (AP), Thailand

Mr. Max de Mesa, Philippine Alliance of Human Rights Advocates (PAHRA)

5. Conflict Prevention, Peacebuilding and the Responsibility to Protect > The panel will be a venue to discuss civil society's role in conflict prevention and peacebuilding and explore possibilities for institutionalization of mechanism within ASEAN that can address peace and security issues; thus preventing large scale violence, conflict situation and war on the national level and in the Southeast Asia region. The components of the panel discussion will be: Early warning and early response - what are the current practices in the region and how can this be strengthened?  Specific experiences in Southeast Asia on early warning and early response will be explored while recommendations shall be formulated as to how local communities can be supported in participating in early warning and conflict monitoring and response; and on how to ensure that affected communities directly benefit from conflict analysis and monitoring; Responsibility to protect – as an emerging international norm recognizing that sovereignty brings responsibility and that the international community bears a responsibility when a state fails to protect its population from large scale violence, including to act through regional organizations.  How can the responsibility to protect be concretized by ASEAN as a regional organization? How can civil society support and maximize such international norm to prevent and respond to violence and conflict?; Regional mechanism for civil society engagement – what are the existing mechanisms within ASEAN for conflict prevention and peacebuilding including the support for national peace processes and the role of women in peacebuilding? Explore appropriate venues for partnership with ASEAN on peace and security issues.  Generate commitment from ASEAN for continuing dialogue and institutionalized partnership with civil society

Chair:

Mr. Augusto N. Miclat, Jr., Initiatives for International Dialogue (IID), Philippines

Speakers:

Ms. Nicole Deller, World Federalist Movement-Institute for Global Policy, Responsibility to Protect-Engaging Civil Society Project

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Mr. Edgardo Legaspi, Forum-Asia

Discussants:

Dr. Pranee Thiparat, Chulalongkorn University, Thailand

Ms. Karen Tañada, Gaston Z. Ortigas Peace Institute

PANEL DISCUSSIONS II

6. Environment and Energy Security in Southeast Asia > The ASEAN Vision 2020 states that to realize the organization’s vision of “a community of caring societies”, there is a need to establish “a clean and green ASEAN with fully established mechanisms for sustainable development to ensure the protection of the region’s environment, the sustainability of its natural resources, and the high quality of life of its people”.  The sixth panel of the Fifth ASEAN People’s Assembly is devoted to examining the linkages between energy security and human security in Southeast Asia.  Recent headlines especially since the beginning of this year report of ASEAN countries in close pursuit of the global energy race with new, albeit controversial deals.  High oil prices and concerns over disruption in supplies have also led to plans for biofuel, hydropower, and nuclear energy.  Yet less is heard about the impact of such state-led initiatives on the ground.  Consultative forums in the public to discuss the environmental effects and security implications of state energy policies are also lacking.  Moreover, a more objective and thorough cost-benefit analysis of various alternatives have never been fully discussed. The environment panel brings together experts from different sectors to kick start discussions on the issue of energy security and the implications for the regional environment and the quality of life of the people of Southeast Asia.  The following key issues would be addressed in the panel: What is the impact of ASEAN’s energy cooperation and competition on the ground? How can the region’s energy policies be made more transparent and promote public awareness and consultation feedback process? How do we develop a more people-oriented energy security policy? What is the impact of the region’s nuclear energy race on its future socio-economic, political, and environmental outlook? How do we ensure that energy policies pursued by governments are fundamentally sound and not at the expense of the local environment and local livelihoods? Following the overall theme of APA 2006, the panel would also look into various examples within the region of the outcomes of harnessing more public participation in the discussion of and in deciding on plans and programs associated with energy infrastructure development policies.  This would highlight the importance of taking into account people’s concerns and involving them in all aspects of energy development programs. 

Chair: 

Ms. Leigh Pasqual, Singapore Institute of International Affairs (SIIA)

Speakers:

Mr. Vilaysone Sourigna, Ministry of Energy and Mines, Laos

Dr. Doracie Nantes, Department of Geography, University of the Philippines

 Mr. Howard Shaw, Singapore Environment Council

Ms. Asclepias Rachmi Soerjono, Indonesian Institute for Energy Economics

Mr. Chee Tong Yiew, Global Environment Center, Malaysia

7. ASEAN Parliamentarians > Parliamentarians are expected not just to make laws and check the executive branch; they are also supposed to represent the people. In the Southeast Asian region, parliamentarians are linking up with their counterparts in other countries formally or informally to address common concerns. For this panel, parliamentarians will assess their contributions as people’s representatives to building an ASEAN community of caring and sharing societies. The following specific questions will be addressed by the panelists: (1) How are parliamentarians performing their role as representatives of the people in their own countries? (2) At the level of the Southeast Asian region, what should be the role of ASEAN parliamentarians in building a community of caring and sharing societies? (3) At present, are parliamentarians contributing to the building of an ASEAN community of caring and sharing societies?     

Chair:

Ms. Clara Joewono, Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), Indonesia

Speakers:

Ms. Tristanti Mitayani, Member of Parliament, Indonesia

Dato' Dr. Zambry bin Abd. Kadir, Perak State Assemblyman and Perak State Executive Committee Member, Malaysia

8. Democratic Transitions in Southeast Asia > The recent coup d’ etat in Thailand highlights the fluctuations in the political situation of a number of countries in Southeast Asia. Since 1986, significant political transitions in these countries have been taking place that have salient implications on the changing nature of state-society relations. These transitions bring with them a list of political, security, economic and social challenges as states respond to a rapidly changing external environment characterized by widening economic and social inequities, unresolved political conflicts, growing ethnic and religious tensions, as well as weak institutions. The challenges of political transitions and their implications on domestic and regional stability are key issues that need to be examined. It may appear that more states are moving towards democratic systems of government but this trend has not necessarily eased the political and social tensions within and among states. Examining the nature of these transitions raises a number of questions which may have been asked before but need to be revisited in view of the nature of the political transformations taking place in the region. Among the most pertinent among these are: How resilient are these emerging democracies in the region? Can they be threatened by weak, failed or authoritarian leadership? How strong are the institutions that underlie these fledgling democratic regimes? To what extent does democratization help to manage conflicts within and between states in the region? Can democratization become the defining framework for regional stability in the region?

Chair:

Dr. Mely Caballero-Anthony, Institute of Defence and Security Studies (IDSS), Singapore

Speakers:

Dr. Thitinan Pongsudhirak, Institute of Security and International Studies (ISIS), Thailand

Dr. Rizal Sukma, Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), Indonesia

 Prof. Herman Kraft, Institute for Strategic and Development Studies (ISDS), Philippines.

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Ms. Khin Ohmar, AltSEAN

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9. Human Development, Health, and Poverty in Southeast Asia > Human development and poverty are closely linked with each other such that in the promotion of human development, poverty reduction is necessary. Even with sustained economic growth, it was noted that this does not mean a reduction in poverty. In this view,   this year’s panel will focus on the state of human development and poverty in the region by looking at country cases. In addition, taking off from suggestions made in the previous APA, to also focus on regional initiatives aimed at narrowing gaps in human development and whether these initiatives have been translated into actual policies or programs at the national level ASEAN leading to improved human development and consequently greater access to what the Asian Development Bank calls as human (education, health), physical (roads, housing, sanitary water, etc) financial (income, credit, etc) and social (building of networks, etc) capitals.

Chair:

Dr. Hadi Soesastro, Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), Indonesia

Speakers:

Dr. Molly Cheah, Malaysian Council for Tobacco Control

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Dr. Amara Pongsapich, Institute of Security and International Studies (ISIS) Thailand

Mr. Simangkhala Souvannakhily, Institute of Foreign Affairs (IFA), Laos

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Ms. Dolores de Quiros-Castillo, National Anti-Poverty Commission, Philippines

10. Addressing Social and Labor Challenges of Economic Integration - The Role of ASEAN Workers > Trade unions continue to play an important role as an interest group in most societies, although this role is made more complicated by the challenges of globalization and regional economic integration. In this year’s APA, the focus of this panel will be on how national and regional/ASEAN labor groups and organizations contribute to addressing the social and labor challenges of regional economic integration. The following questions will guide the panelists: (1) What lessons can be learned from the experiences of the European Union, the North American Free Trade Area, and other regional trade initiatives on how to safeguard and strengthen labor and social rights in the process of regional integration? (2) How can such lessons be advanced in the ASEAN economic integration process in the light of social and economic realities in the region? (3) How are labor groups and organizations addressing the social and labor challenges of economic integration at the national and ASEAN levels?

Chair:

Mr. Democrito T. Mendoza, ASEAN Trade Union Council (ATUC)

Speakers:

Mr. Noriyuki Suzuki, International Confederation of Free Trade Unions - Asia Pacific Regional Office (ICFTU-APRO)

Mr. Christopher Ng, Union Network International (UNI)

Mr. Syed Shahir Syed bin Mohammad, ASEAN Trade Union Council (ATUC)

Mr. Wigberto Tanada, Fair Trade Alliance (FTA)

PANEL DISCUSSIONS III

11. Advocating Security Sector Reform: Challenges and Opportunities for the ASEAN Peoples > SSR has caught the attention not only of scholars and policymakers, but also the international community. In the ASEAN region, the interest in SSR arose out of three mutually related concerns – the ongoing process of democratization of a number of countries in the region, the promotion of good governance, and to a significant extent, the achievement of a lasting resolution to extant armed conflicts. In a sense, SSR could be seen as one of the ways to realize the vision of an ASEAN Security Community, where the security sector is governed and managed in accordance to democratic principles. As security is now viewed to be a public good, the role of the people has become ever more relevant. This panel will discuss the state of security sector governance in selected countries in the region to share experiences, lessons, and best practices. More importantly, it will serve as a venue where ideas and frameworks on how Track Three organizations (i.e., civil society and the people) might be mobilized behind SSR monitoring and advocacy at the domestic and regional levels.

Chair:

Dr. Suchit Bunbongkarn, Institute of Security and International Studies (ISIS), Thailand

Speakers:

Dr. Carolina G. Hernandez, Institute for Strategic and Development Studies (ISDS), Philippines

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Dr. Riefqi Muna, RIDEP Institute, Indonesia

Maj. Gen. Suraphong Suwana-Adth, Supreme Command Headquarters, Thailand

12. ASEAN Young Peoples > In the Third ASEAN Peoples Assembly in 2003, youth representatives from the region played an important role in drafting the ASEAN Peoples’ Declaration entitled An ASEAN Peoples’ Declaration: Towards a Community of Caring Societies.  In this declaration, the group identified the fundamental principles of an ASEAN caring society which includes inclusiveness, openness, tolerance, etc.  This panel provides the ASEAN young people  another opportunity to present their concerns as stakeholders of regional community building.  Since 2003, how have the ASEAN youth contributed in realizing a caring and sharing ASEAN community? Also, how could the ASEAN youth contribute in regional community-building?  Are the youth of ASEAN involved in regional community-building activities?  What are these activities and how could the youth be encouraged to do more for the region? 

Chair: Ms. Puspa Delima Amri, Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), Indonesia

Speakers:

Ms. Bernise Ang, Singapore International Youth Council

Mr. Shahriman Lockman, Institute of Strategic and International Studies (ISIS),  Malaysia

Ms. Ilya Kristine Rivera Ravanera, Youth for Sustainable Development Assembly Pilpinas

13. Support for Peacebuilding in Mindanao > Mindanao is an area in Southeast Asia with a protacted conflict. The international community has expressed their committment to support  Mindanao and its people. It is in this context that Japan announced its firm commitment in assisting Mindanao when Foreign Minister Taro Aso made his visit to the Philippines in July 2006.  Since then Japan has moved swiftly to carry out some feasible activities directly benefitting people in the conflict-affected areas aside from the capacity-building projects in the ARMM.  Japan also decided to join the IMT to reinforce its socio-economic developmet aspect. This will be a challenge for Japan and the international community, especially their development agencies(donor community) to assist the area which is still in the middle peace negotiations. However, this committment linking peace building with development  from the view point of human security will be expected to help in maintaining peace and security in the region. In pursuing this human-centered approach, NGOs in Mindanao could play indispensable roles to make a difference. Can the partnership be drawn in to help address the issues?

Chair: Dr. Sotharith Chap, Cambodian Institute for Cooperation and Peace

Speaker:

Ms. Sachiko Ishikawa, Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA)

Dr. Steven Muncy, Community and Family Services International

Dr. Pendatun A. Pangadil, Alliance of Bangsamoro for Peace and Sustainable Development

14. Labor Migration, Human Trafficking, and Women > ASEAN includes both major labor importing countries like Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, and Brunei, and major exporting countries like the Philippines, Indonesia, Laos, Cambodia, Myanmar, and Vietnam. In accordance with the Vientiane Action Plan (VAP), the ASEAN Ministers will begin discussions on the elaboration of an ASEAN Instrument on the Protection and Promotion of the Rights of Migrant Workers. The Taskforce on ASEAN Migrant Workers' Panel presentation is focused on the VAP proposal to elaborate an instrument to promote and protect the rights of migrant workers. The Taskforce is proposing an ASEAN Framework on Migrant Workers which focuses on implementing Core Labor Rights, Terms of Employment, and specific rights related to migrant workers and their families. Migrant Forum in Asia views that migrant labor is not a commodity but concerns human beings and human activity. From this perspective, migrant workers are seen as human beings with rights and dignity. Migrant Forum in Asia calls on the ASEAN to uphold and implement the highest standards in labor rights including decent work and occupational health and safety standards, equal pay for equal work, freedom of association/right to form and join trade unions and associations, social security based on non-discrimination and gender equality principles. trafficking in human beings is increasing because of poverty, unemployment, the vulnerability of women and children, deteriorating social conditions in the countries of origin. ASEAN has identified the fight against trafficking in women and children as a priority area for action. ASEAN Declaration Against Trafficking in Persons aims to prevent and combat trafficking in persons, particularly women and children, in the ASEAN region.

Chair:

Mr. Do Van Bach, Institute of International Relations (IIR), Vietnam

Speakers:

Ms. Eunike Sri Tyas Suci, Atma Jaya Catholic University, Indonesia

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Mr. William Gois, Migrant Forum in Asia

Mr. Sinapan Samydorai, Taskforce on ASEAN Migrant Workers, ThinkCentre, Singapore

Datin Paduka Zaitoon Othman, Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (SUHAKAM)

15. Culture and the Arts in ASEAN: The Role of Artists in Building an ASEAN Social and Cultural Community > The panel will focus on sharing of experiences on how arts and culture are mobilized to raise awareness on social issues, to give voice to the marginalized, to help alleviate poverty and exclusion, to promote inter-cultural and inter-faith dialogue, etc. In addition, also discuss the state of artists themselves as agents of social change, who belong to the "informal sector." Are their communities helping to sustain them and their work? Are their rights acknowledged, articulated and protected?

Chair:

Ms Malayvieng Sakonhninhom, Institute of Foreign Affairs (IFA), Laos

Speakers:

Ms. Grace Nono, Tao Music Philippines

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Mr. Haresh P. Sharma, The Necessary Stage, Singapore

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Mr. Kaing Sothea, Khmer Cultural Association

Ms. Jittima Pholsawek, Empowering People for Strong Civil Society, Thailand