September 15 to 17,2006 Batam, Indonesia &
Singapore
CONVENORS: INFID Indonesia, Freedom from Debt
Coalition Philippines, Jubilee South Asia/Pacific Movement on Debt and
Development (JS APMDD), Africa Jubilee South, Jubilee South Americas, KAU
Indonesia, Migrant Forum in Asia (MFA), Focus on the Global South, Forum Asia,
GCAP Asia, South Asia Alliance for Poverty Eradication (SAAPE), LDC Watch, La
Via Campesina, Solidarity Africa Network, Southern Africa Peoples Solidarity
Network, African Forum on Debt and Development, 50 Years is Enough Network,
Jubilee USA Network, European Network on Debt and Development (EURODAD),
Bretton Woods Project (BWP), Bank Information Center (BIC), Committee for the
Abolition of Third World Debt (CADTM), NGO Forum on the ADB, Social Watch
International, Action Aid International, Friends of the Earth International,
Greenpeace, International Gender and Trade Network International (IGTN), Oilwatch
International, Oil Change International, Development GAP, Networkers
South-North, Campagna per la Riforma della B
This September 2006, the IMF and the World Bank will be holding their Annual
Meeting in Singapore on September 19-20. In the spirit of resistance to
neoliberal policies and in keeping with the history of people's struggles
worldwide against economic domination, Asian movements together with an
international group of networks, movements, campaigns and NGOs will be
convening an International Peoples Forum vs the IMF and the World Bank on
September 15 to 17. The Forum will be a convergence of activities and actions
that articulate critiques, express protest and assert alternatives to the role,
policies and operations of these institutions.
We invite you to take part in this process of exchanges, learning, networking,
strategizing, and protest actions among activists and movements from various
parts of the world.
VENUE of the IPF:
The main site of the IPF is Batam, Indonesia, which is 30-40 minutes ferry ride
from Singapore. Other activities may also be held in Singapore. About 600 to
900 people are expected to participate in the IPF. The Forum will include a
variety of activities and events:
EVENTS and ACTIVITIES:
Morning Plenaries- There will be Plenary Sessions in the mornings (maximum of 2
taking place simultaneously) on various themes related to the role, policies
and/or operations of the IMF and WB (ex. Illegitimate Debt and the IMF and WB).
The Convenors of the Forum are organizing and coordinating these plenary
sessions, which will involve presentations from international speakers and open
discussions.
The time slots for the plenaries are: 8:45 to 10:45 & 11:00 to 1:00
Afternoon Seminars, Workshops, Meetings Organizations and movements are invited
to hold seminars, workshops or strategy meetings in the afternoons. The IPF
will provide venues and sound system that can accommodate 30 to 150
participants, interpretation services for at least 1 Asian language (Bahasa
Indonesia), and help in information dissemination and publicity. Organizers are
also working to expand interpretation services to include Thai and Korean.
The time slots for these activities are: 2:00 to 4:15 & 4:30 to 6:45
The afternoon of the first day (15th) will be devoted to seminars, workshops
and meetings on Indonesian issues and concerns.
Organizers will try to keep a maximum of 4 simultaneous workshops/ seminars/
meetings at any given time.
Evening Cultural and Multi Media Events- The IPF will organize a cultural event
on the first evening (15 Sept). Participating organizations may also register
and organize other cultural activities, such as concerts, dances, theatre, film
showing etc).
The time slots for these activities are: 6:45 to 8:15 & 8:30 to 10:00
Protest Activities- There will be an IPF march/rally on the 18th morning.
Participating organizations may organize other protest actions at the main site
of the IPF as well as in Singapore.
Special Events- Whole day special events can also be integrated into the
program, (i.e Asian People's Tribunal on Poverty and Debt). We also invite
organization to set up exhibits at the Forum site.
Booths and literature tables- Organizations may also set up literature tables
and booths.
Activities can also be held in Singapore, in coordination with and with the
assistance of convenors and partner groups based in Singapore.
VISA REQUIREMENTS:
Please see the last pages of this document for detailed visa information. IPF
organizers will issue official letters of invitation for those who require it.
For those who want to travel back and forth between Batam and Singapore to
participate in various events, please check visa requirements ahead of time.
AIR TRAVEL, ACCOMMODATIONS and MEALS:
IPF participants are expected to cover the cost of their travel, accommodations
and food.
The different options for ticketing and routes to Batam are:
- Flying to Singapore, then ferry ride to Batam
- Flying to Batam via Jakarta
The Singapore route is generally much cheaper, but will require entering
Singapore at least twice (arrival, departure).
The Jakarta route will not require entering Singapore, so Singapore visa is not
needed. Unless you want to attend an event/activity in Singapore, in which case
you will need a multiple entry visa to Indonesia, or get another
visa-on-arrival to Indonesia (if you are eligible) which is possible to do when
you return to Batam.
Participants are encouraged to stay in Batam as the costs of accommodations are
much lower. There are accommodations available at the main site of the IPF --
air-conditioned as well as non-air conditioned rooms, ranging from 2 - 8 beds
per room with ensuite bathrooms. Prices are from US $ 3 - $ 8 per person, not
including meals. There are also reasonably priced hotels near the site (from
US$40 to 60 for double rooms).
IPF organizers can arrange for the accommodations at the IPF site on request at
a first come first served basis. Those who prefer to stay at hotels will have
to arrange their own bookings. IPF organizers will provide a list of
recommended hotels with price listings and contact numbers.
There will be food shops/booths at the IPF main site. Organizers will ensure
that meal costs will be very affordable, and that vegetarian and halal meals
are available. Participants should have a budget of about US$ 12 - 15 a day for
food.
LOCAL TRAVEL:
The IPF site in Batam is located within walking distance to shops and to the
pier (for the ferry rides to and from Singapore).
Round trip ferry ride to Singapore is around US$ 16, not including cost of
Indonesian visa on arrival for those who require it. From Singapore
international airport (Changi), you can take a bus or taxi to the pier. We will
post fare costs later.
REGISTRATION:
Participating organizations and individuals
Please fill up the relevant forms included in this document and submit to
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. You will receive
a confirmation of your registration via email.
Registration of activities
Please fill up the relevant forms included in this document and send to
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. We will notify
you of the final schedule and room assignments by mid August.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
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