IID aims to provide one resolute link in the chain of solidarity among social movements, which are creating and shaping the civil society at a regional level.
IID’s South-South framework and call for international solidarity among peoples in the South help address the gap in international development intervention. IID’s relevance is shaped by the current weak intervention on the side of solidarity that address power relation and governance. Hence, the South-South framework.
IID’s niche is in South-South solidarity that harnesses the potential of other groups into actions to create changes in power relations and social arrangements within each country, within the South and between the North and South. While other solidarity efforts focus on changes on economic relations, IID focuses on the political economy of such relations.
Peace in Mindanao
IID believes that any peace must not only involve the armed combatants, but also other stakeholders especially the communities affected by the conflict. It seeks to strengthen participation of grassroots Moros, Lumads (indigenous peoples) and Christian settlers in the peace process. It also works towards ensuring the indigenous or traditional ways of peacemaking are recognized, sustained, institutionalized and popularized.
IID also helps build a peace constituency in Mindanao by gathering peace advocates from various sectors. In 2001, IID organized the Mindanao Peoples Caucus (MPC) a gathering of Moro, Lumad (indigenous peoples) and Christian grassroots leaders from communities in conflict areas. In 2003, IID co-organized a conference of the major peace networks in Mindanao and Manila resulting in the formation of the Mindanao Peaceweavers. (MPW)
Democratization in Burma
IID is lobbying governments, particularly in Southeast Asia, as well as the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to initiate and sustain the process for dialogue between the military junta, democratic forces and ethnic nationalities. It will pay special attention in ensuring that the substance of the demands of the ethnic nationalities is embedded in the dialogue process.
IID, along with other Philippine groups, organized the Free Burma Coalition – Philippines (FBC-Phils), a gathering of groups and individuals from various sectors campaigning for the democtratization of Burma. IID is also co-founder and member of the steering group of the Alternative ASEAN Network on Burma (Altsean-Burma).
Rebuilding East Timor
IID supports East Timorese civil society in seeking international sanctions against the masterminds behind the crimes in East Timor from 1975 to 1999. this includes leaders from other nations who encouraged, recognized or supported the Indonesian occupation of East Timor.
IID also helps in building the capacity of civil society organizations in East Timor, especially in areas such as issue advocacy, network-building, solidarity work and institutional development, among others. IID is currently accompanying Timor Leste Coalition with Asia and the Pacific (TILCAP), an East Timorese solidarity organization, which is an offshoot of the transformation of the Asia-Pacific Coalition for East Timor. (APCET).
Role of the Civil Society in the Prevention of Armed Conflict
The Global Partnership for the Prevention of Armed Conflict is a response to the UN Secretary-General’s recommendation in his Report on the Prevention of Armed Conflict, (June 2001) to “organize an international conference of local, national and international NGO’s on their role in conflict prevention and future interaction with the United Nations”.
The GPPAC process in Southeast Asia will explore venues for cooperation by civil society organizations in existing conflict prevention mechanism in ASEAN and the UN and, if necessary, develop new mechanisms. It will also attempt at consolidating efforts by civil society organizations working in conflict prevention, security, peace building and other crosscutting themes. IID is GPPAC’s Regional Initiator for Southeast Asia.
Asia-Pacific Solidarity Coalition (APSOC)
The Asia -Pacific Solidarity Coalition (APSOC) is a regional formation started in May 2004 to forge solidarity for peace, justice and human rights in the region. APSOC has founding organizations from eight Asia-Pacific countries, most of which are former affiliates of the Asia-Pacific Coalition for East Timor (APCET) convened by IID in 1994. IID is APSOC’s secretariat.
APSOC hopes to consolidate efforts of the various groups already working on national issues and amplify those efforts in the regional and international arena. APSOC’s bases of unity are advocacy for human rights of peoples in the region; support for the right to self-determination of peoples as enshrined in UN principles; and prevention or resolution of conflicts.
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