Shadowing APEC: Nongovernmental Organizations Build Regional Alliances

In: Asian perspective, Band 22, Heft 2, S. 21-50

Abstract

Abstract: Nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) in the Asia-Pacific have become increasingly active and vocal in their criticism of Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC). Its free-trade agenda, its close ties with business in the region, and the high profile it has achieved since the beginning of leaders' meetings in 1993 caught the attention of NGOs. Since then, NGOs have organized counter-conferences parallel to the leaders meetings, conferences that are becoming larger and broader in scope every year. The 1997 People's Summit on APEC, held in Vancouver, Canada, was effective in many ways, but it also revealed that NGOs in the Asia-Pacific face significant challenges. Sectoral and political divisions, and the difficulties of maintaining ongoing linkages will require renewed efforts on the part of NGOs if they are to continue to develop an alternative agenda for sustainable human development in the Asia-Pacific.