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Asia Pacific Institute for Democratisation and Development

The Asia Pacific Institute for Democratisation and Development is a new initiative in the Asia Pacific region. During February to May 1997 a range of individuals involved in political movements, community organisations and universities consulted over the need for greater regional co-ordination and dialogue regarding the current struggles against authoritarianism, violations of the right to self-determination and the social and economic impacts of the world-wide neoliberal offensive.

An interim council was formed to establish the Institute. During the 1998 1st Asia Pacific Solidarity Conference, the interim council of the Asia Pacific Institute for Democratisation and Development met and confirmed its membership. The council met again immediately after the conference and resolved to quickly expand the institute's membership. Representatives from Thailand, India and Pakistan attended and will be invited to join the council.

The council also resolved to publish a selection of conference talks, to publish a brochure outlining its program of activities and to seek to expand the institute's home page, link it to the home pages of parties and movements in the region and help find resources for more parties and movements to have their own home page.

The council decided to meet again by December 1998.

The provisional aims of the institute were agreed as follows

1. To promote research and disseminate ideas on the issue of how to ensure a socially just and environmentally sustainable development as well as rounded democratisation.

2. To facilitate dialogue and co-operation between the academic community, the NGO community and the peoples' movements (parties, trade unions, campaign committees, etc.)