The first ASEAN Grassroots People’s Assembly (AGPA) was organized in 2012, where it successfully mobilized over 1,000 people, mostly from grassroots and community networks and groups, to assert their right to mobilize in public space, amplify voices, and make recommendations to Cambodian legislators, relevant ministries, and the ASEAN body. The AGPA was a historic event in Cambodia, with the entire process led and organized by Cambodian grassroots communities, networks, and groups, with the support of local organizations, human rights organizations, trusted allies, and ASEAN regional NGOs.
The AGPA was mobilized by grassroots activist groups, networks, and local organizations rather than through NGOs or platforms dominated by large NGOs, to raise community voices and problems directly. The AGPA program included cultural and artistic activities, thematic workshops, a public assembly, and a peaceful march to submit the joint statement of the peoples to parliamentarians.
The second AGPA was organized recently from November 1-4, 2022 in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, with the theme “People-Centered: Addressing ASEAN crises together, particularly human rights abuses, political tension, and violence”. The AGPA event went on for four days with a variety of activities ranging from cultural and art to traditional seed sharing and exchange, farmer-to-farmer sharing, thematic workshops and forums, and assembly, and others.
You can find below available video recording from the sessions at AGPA event. The AGPA 2022 joint statement from the assembly can also be found here.
Plenary Discussion: “ASEAN’s Cultural, Sociopolitical, and Economic Situation, and ASEAN’s Response to Regional Crises.”
Watch the video here.
Impacts of ASEAN Free Trade Agreements and Large-Scale Investment on Works, Natural Resources, Climate, and Local Food Systems
Watch the video here.
The Public Health Situation and the Covid-19 Pandemic
Watch the video here.
Food Sovereignty as an Alternative to the Food System Crisis and the Neoliberal Economic Paradigm (Part 1)
Watch the video here.
Food Sovereignty as an Alternative to the Food System Crisis and the Neoliberal Economic Paradigm (Part 2)
Watch the video here.
Work with Dignity and Justice for ASEAN’s Formal and Informal Workers
Watch the video here.
The Role of Culture and Art in Building the Movement for a Just Society in the Region
Watch the video here.
AGPA also showcased Asian arts and culture through various exhibitions and musical performances from local artists as well as from Bangladesh, India, Philippines and Thailand from the Asian Music for People’s’ Peace and Progress (AMP3), a collective of progressive musicians from Asia. AMP3 also organized as part of AGPA a special concert dubbed “Our Music, Our Struggles: A night of people’s music from Asia, at the Meta House on November 3, 2022 in Phnom Penh.
