Welcome to BASE21

by Christian/Media Activist
dvs-b@t-online.de

Over 200 activists from a variety of social movements in Asia gathered in Bangkok, Thailand from August 10 to 12. They discussed a number of issues affecting the region and the need to mobilize together for social change.

Amit Sen Gupta from the "People's Science Movement" in India pointed out during a press conference that twenty years of "neo-liberal politics" have increased poverty and unemployment, sharpening social conflicts throughout the Asian continent. Governments have reacted mostly with force and repression.

According to Gupta, modern capitalism, or "neo-liberalism," is facing a serious crisis and cannot resolve its problems without resorting to violent repression. Recognizing the close connection between economic globalization and militarism, forum participants demanded the withdrawal of the U.S. military not only from Afghanistan, but also from the former Soviet republics of Central Asia, the Philippines, Japan and South Korea.

International finance institutions like the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund and the Asian Development Bank were sharply criticized in Bangkok: "With their credit conditions, they have forced us to sell away public services, submitting us to the rule of the market," said Titi Seontoro from "Solidaritas Parempuan," an Indonesian women's network for human rights. "These institutions sign agreements with the same governments that oppress us. We are left only with debts and not enough money for development, education and healthcare."

Forum participants vowed to continue the struggle against the WTO. They also agreed to meet for another Asian Social forum in the Indian city of Hyderabad, which will be held right before the World Social Forum in Porto Algegre, Brazil next January.