Jannie (AIPP)
Greetings everyone, on behalf of organizer, AIPP was happy to host the workshop. Hope to achieve the objectives. My name is Jannie, acting as a local host. This morning we might not have introduction. We put you sitting on 1 table together. We are hoping about at least more than 60 people.
Background of this workshop, the first started when there was ICCO partners meeting in Chiang Mai in November last year. The brainstorming section was organized in Cambodia. The contents of the workshop were realized. Participants were concerned of NR have been speedily extracted and exploited. Other concerns include the stability of the country and also social and environmental impacts.
Some of the companies shared the concerns in Mekong Region, involved businesses in the neighboring areas. The workshop is about sharing information in relation to EI – AI – HP development projects, their causes and impacts to IPs. Strengthen regional strengths, capacity building for IPs. By the end of workshop, we have aimed at developing Actions Plans for more formal meetings in the Mekong Communities’ Networking workshop.
On September 14th, UN adopted the rights of IPs. Declaration was welcomed by all countries: stating the IPs’ rights to land and resources. IPs has the rights to use and control land, water, resources. Article 2 states IPs have the rights to control and own the resources. State should protect IPs in terms of providing free, prior, informed, consent. There are adverse social and environmental impacts being caused to IPs in the region.
There are tools and strategies for IPs to be used as instruments to campaign and lobby. The article about in the 20 years process, which does imply the topics we discuss in this workshop are serious ones. International Conventions such as ILO Convention 169, CBD (social and cultural and environmental impacts) have been made available.
There are growing concerns in international communities on issues and impacts from EI – AI – HP development projects. Growing demands on bio-fuels, exploitation of plantations, carbon sinks which are also affecting the Mekong Communities’ Networking. Many of the current bio-fuel sources have been driven from oil palm, corn, etc. The US and EU seek to reduce GHG emissions. It is hard to believe that tree plantations have been used as carbon sinks. The CO2 sinks in plantations have been used as carbon offset. Companies have been used plantations to do such thing.
I would like to thank you all for the presentation papers. Thanks to ICCO staff for providing funds! Wiki is the database for spreading public information. Personally think that Wiki is a useful tool. There might be some concerns over security in terms of posting information in the Wiki. We think Wiki can be used as follow up of the workshop. You might have seen the paper from ICCO staff (have been made uses of Wiki tools).
Many thanks to the Steer Committee members and hoping that we achieve the outcomes. Thanks to Muan a lot for logistics preparation! We thank ICCO and Oxfam America for providing supports. Warwick was a very active, involve a lot of information but unfortunately unable to come.
There would be 30 minutes per presentation. Group work would be a best way for country to talk to each other (a) listing key concerns, (b) list of major companies, (c) list of key activists, and (d) strategic concerns. You can use paper to be post, using graphic exposures. Hope to finish by 6 p.m. and have dinner; postpone the cultural evening until tomorrow. This evening people will be free to have meetings for the need of linkages, talking, dialogues, and networking. IPs from the Region are invited to speak during presentations. Jill will facilitate the last session within 2 hours of work to define objectives and strategies. Wishing very much for a successful workshop after 2 days.
Muan (AIPP)
Nice to see you all here! Sorry that some Thai participants will not be able to come due to other commitments. Some logistics (a) no personal introduction, so please put the name tag, and etc. There is a request that not to publish the report from Burma due to security reason. Final reports will be in the CD format, being distributed to all participants. I would like to wish that the workshop is fruitful.
