Illusion of Development

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Speech delivered by Mary Ann Castillo during “Unpacking the Summit of the Future” discussion held on 27 September 2024. The discussion was geared towards an analysis of SDGs, UN’s Summit of the Future and development from the perspective of people from the ground. Ms. Castillo is the president of Nexperia Philippines Inc Workers Union, a […]

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APRN stands in solidarity with Nexperia Workers

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As global discussions on development and sustainable growth continue in multilateral institutions, workers remain trapped in cycles of exploitation and oppression across the globe. The dominant neoliberal framework prioritizes corporate profits over people, treating workers as disposable tools in the relentless pursuit of endless surplus. Progress toward decent work and economic growth in the Asia-Pacific […]

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Advancing People’s Research and Resistance: Communique of APRN General Council Meeting

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The Asia Pacific Research Network (APRN) held its first online General Council Meeting on 12 December 2024. It was attended by 39 APRN member organizations and 1 associate member. Ms. Julia Pauline Puno, General Secretary of APRN, formally opened the meeting with the agenda comprising of 7 points: (1) Roll Call and Quorum, (2) Acceptance […]

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Season’s Greetings from APRN!

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From all of us in APRN, we thank you for your continued support and solidarity with us in the fight for system change and advancing people’s rights in 2024. As we welcome 2025, let’s renew our commitment and increase our strength to face the challenges ahead and win the struggle for justice, development, and peace […]

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On International Migrants Day, APRN stands in solidarity with Mary Jane Veloso and all migrants across the world

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According to the World Migration Report 2024, there is approximately 281 million international migrants in the world which equates to 3.6% of the global population. But despite being essential contributors to the global economy, the prevailing neoliberal framework has rendered them among the most exploited and oppressed workers worldwide. Migrant workers endure low wages, denial […]

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Asia Pacific Research Network joined farmers, peoples organizations, and advocates in the commemoration of the 20th anniversary of the Hacienda Luisita massacre last November 16 in Tarlac

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Asia Pacific Research Network (APRN) joined farmers, peoples organizations, and advocates in marking the 20th anniversary of the bloody Hacienda Luisita massacre, which remains a stark reminder of the ongoing struggle for land, justice, and the rights of farmers and farmworkers.  On November 6, 2004, around 5,000 unionists from the United Luisita Workers Union (ULWU), […]

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Peasants and farmers are the backbone of economic development and civilization

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October is Peasant Month, a period to emphasize the struggles of one of the poorest and most ignored sectors of our societies—peasants and farmers, who have been the backbone of economic development and civilization throughout human history. In the Asia-Pacific region, land reform has often been the flagship platform of election promises and development policies […]

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Access to food is severely limited by profit-taking by the world’s elite

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World Hunger Day, or World Food Day according to the UN, is celebrated annually on 16 October to celebrate the founding of the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). With this year’s theme of “Right to foods for a better life and a better future”,  it is more proper to commemorate “World Hunger Day” to […]

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The Peace Day in the lens of the Filipino people

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September 21 is International Day of Peace. This is a commemorative date designated by the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in 1981 to signify their commitment to “strengthening the ideals of peace both within and among all nations and peoples.” Incidentally, September 21 for the Filipino people means something entirely different. This day in 1972 […]

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“Profiteers at work”: APRN hits US trade and investment team’s ‘leg work’ in Southeast Asia

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The US trade and investment mission led by the US Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo arrived on March 11 in Manila, Philippines. The delegation is composed of 21 corporate leaders including technocrats and business executives from energy, engineering, communications, infrastructure, logistics, investment, and supply chain companies. The Philippine government celebrates the delegation’s two-day visit as […]

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Fight for our future, advance people’s Development now

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Delivered speech by Ms. Julia Puno, general secretary of APRN for the Asia Pacific People’s Forum on Sustainable Development 2024 Good morning everyone! We are happy to see everyone all gathered in one space for this timely event. We thank everyone’s participation and contribution to The Peoples’ Forum. Indeed in its 11th year as shared […]

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[APRN Discussion Series] On imperialism and wars of aggression

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Imperialism and wars of aggression: A case of 4 countries[1] INTRODUCTION Since the advent of civilization, the pursuit of economic and political power has led to the imposition and enforcement of authority over people and territories. This phenomenon, with eternal recurrence in the history of humankind, brought ‘states’ to existence. States of colossal economic, political, […]

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Zooming in on the US Empire’s unconditional support to Israel

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“…the US treats Israel as its most indispensable accomplice in ensuring its economic and political interests in West Asia and North Africa (WANA); even though it has numerous and formidable allies in the region. Likewise, Israel needs US’ support because of its notorious actions against Palestinians and the wars it launched against neighboring countries which […]

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Peasant sector continues to bear the brunt of neoliberalism

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As the Philippines peasant month commemoration concludes, the Filipino peasantry continues to bear the brunt of the food crisis, inflation, and neoliberal oppression under the current Marcos Jr. regime. Despite being at the forefront of the country’s agriculture sector, they continue to suffer from the worsening socio-economic crisis, and the intensifying state terrorism and fascism […]

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IMF and WB predatory solutions do not address global poverty and debt crisis

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The International Monetary Fund and World Bank Group (IMF-WBG) held its Annual Meeting in Marrakesh, Morocco last October 9 to 15 with the theme “Global Action, Global Impact”. Top central bankers, finance ministers, private executives, and other neoliberal stalwarts gathered together in this event to discuss “world economic outlook, global financial stability, poverty eradication, inclusive […]

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The Al-Aqsa flood signals Palestinians’ long-overdue right to return”—APRN

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The Palestinian struggle for national liberation and their right to return inspires people’s movements across the world as it reaches new heights. Since the advent of the Zionist occupation of their land, the Palestinians have been stripped of their rights, shelter, livelihood, and dignity. The adoption of the UN Resolution 181 in 1947 further worsened […]

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APRN Newsletter – Special Issue 2023

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What’s inside: and many more!

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[Leaders Dialogue 5] Unity and solidarity: Strengthening multilateral system for enhanced support, cooperation, follow up and review

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Statement by Ajay Kumar Jha of CECOEDECON/Asia Pacific regional CSOs Engagement (APRCEM) Excellencies and Colleagues I also represent Asia Pacific Regional CSOs Engagement Mechanism, a platform of more than 500 CSOs, where we describe the current state of the SDGs as “halfway there but nowhere near.” This is because of the simple fact that we […]

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[Communiqué] Defend the rural defenders: Developing a monitoring framework for rural movements and human rights defenders in conflict areas

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Date and time: May 30, 2023; 4:30-7:00 PM Manila Attendees: 30 people from the Philippines, West Papua, India, Pakistan, and Burma. Location: Zoom Meeting SUMMARY Defend the Rural Defenders was successful in initiating a dialogue between frontline rural human rights defenders and communities from Burma, the Philippines, Bangsamoro, West Papua, and Palestine. Observers and participants […]

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[Communiqué] Rising tensions, threats to peace: Back-to-back primers on militarism launch

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Date and time: June 9, 2023; 11:00AM (Manila time GMT +8) Attendees: 89 Location: Zoom Meeting  SUMMARY Rising Tensions, Threats to Peace: back-to-back primers on militarism launch was a huge success. Speakers from across the world – Philippines, US, Kurdistan, Cyprus, Japan, South Korea, India, and the Burmese diaspora – spoke on the value of […]

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Primers on militarism, a back-to-back launch

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Join us on June 9th for the launch of Primers on Militarism! We will be featuring the new publications of APRN and RESIST: 1. The Power Play: Unraveling US Military Agreements in the Asia Pacific 2. NATO: Imperialist War Machine In a world torn by crisis and war, the US continues to lead the West […]

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Stand in solidarity with the workers in forging the future

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APRN May Day Statement Recently, the world celebrated International Labor Day by recognizing the contributions and achievements of workers. It is a day to honor the hard work and dedication of workers who are the true drivers of growth and progress. The Asia Pacific Research Network (APRN) is in solidarity with the working people in […]

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Groups raise alarm over EDCA sites, rise of rights abuses in PH province 

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US bases to exacerbate already dire rights situation, land grabbing in Province of Cagayan says int’l, local groups On the 9th anniversary of the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA), international and Philippine organizations warn the public of a greater escalation of human rights abuses and land grabbing in the province of Cagayan amid hosting US […]

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The Agenda 2030 and the development delusion

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Keynote address delivered by APRN board of convenors member Ajay K Jha in the 2023 Asia Pacific Peoples Forum (APPFSD), Bangkok, 24th March. The last two years have been disastrous. The covid 19 pandemic coupled with climate crisis, debt crisis, energy and food crisis, war and conflict, increasing interest and cost of living crisis, and […]

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