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Submitted by ctv_en_6 on Fri, 09/24/2010 - 12:43
The sixth ASEAN People’s Forum has provided an excellent opportunity for people’s organisations to share information and experiences, and discuss ways of increasing their operational efficiency and contributing to the building of an ASEAN community by 2015.

The sixth ASEAN People’s Forum on the theme “Solidarity and Action for a People-Centred ASEAN” is taking place in Hanoi from September 23-26, attracting nearly 1,000 delegates.

Our reporter interviewed Tran Dac Loi, Vice Chairman of the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organisations (VUFO) and Head of the Organising Board of the sixth ASEAN People’s Forum on the event.

Reporter: Could you please brief us on the forum?

Mr Loi:  The ASEAN People’s Forum was established after the 11th ASEAN Summit took place in 2005 in Malaysia. Since then, ASEAN People’s Forums are held along with ASEAN summits.

The forum aims to strengthen solidarity and cooperation between social movements and people’s organisations in ASEAN member countries.

This year’s forum is of great significance as it is taking place at a time when ASEAN is implementing the ASEAN Charter with the aim of building a people-centred ASEAN community by 2015.

Reporter: What methods has Vietnam suggested at this forum to liaise with social organisations during the process to build an ASEAN Community by 2015.

Mr Loi: The ASEAN Forum is a very important initiative. However, there remain limitations in its process as some people’s organisations have not played their role well. Therefore, one of the key objectives is to coordinate efforts of ASEAN people’s organisations to put forward ideas on the theme “Towards the ASEAN Community: from Vision to Action”.

Reporter: Could you tell us about Vietnam’s preparations for the forum?

Mr Loi:  Vietnam has held three preliminary conferences, set up an organising committee and proposed various initiatives to prepare for the event. In addition, the country also held two regional consultative meetings with the participation of representatives from ASEAN People’s Committee and non-governmental international and regional organisations to evaluate the forum’s activities.

The forum, with six plenary sessions and 16 seminars, focused on several issues concerning poverty reduction, social welfare, labour immigration, climate change, the environment and natural disasters. Vietnam hopes that this forum will reflect the aspirations of all people in the region.

A meeting to learn more about Vietnam will also be held at the forum, which will give Vietnam the chance to highlight its socio-economic development over the last few years and help regional countries to gain a better understanding of Vietnam, its land, people and culture.

Reporter: Thank you very much.

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