Euro-Burma Network Meeting in Berli

[Nwe_Aung@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx]

Subject: Euro-Burma Network Meeting in Berlin



Betreff:Euro-Burma Network Meeting in Berlin


Dear friends,

we are delighted to invite you to the coming Euro-Burma-Network meeting in
Berlin on Friday, March 26th 99. 

The meeting coincides with the NGO-conference "Financial Crisis in Asia - A
Chance for Human Rights and Democracy?" from March 26th to 28th 99 and
precedes the ASEM- and EU-ASEAN-ministerial conferences in Berlin on March
29th and 30th respectively.

WHERE to go for the Euro-Burma-Network meeting:

Humboldt University (main building, room 3085A), Unter den Linden 6,
Berlin-Mitte. 
Humboldt University is situated in the centre of Berlin and can easily be
reached by public transport. The nearest suburban rail station (S-Bahn) is
"Friedrichstrasse", the nearest underground station (U-Bahn) "Berlin-Mitte".

WHEN to go there:

	Friday, March 26th 99, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

WHAT to expect:

	Our suggestions for the agenda: 
	10.00-12.30 h: Recap of the last six months
Developments in Burma policy on the national level
Lobby on the national level
Concerted actions on the European level: 
	12.30-14.00 h: Lunch break
	14.00-17.00 h: Strategies for future cooperation
Germany as a key country in determining future EU policy on Burma: ways of
lobbying from national and international level

We are looking forward to your comments, additions, alterations ... to the
agenda.

WHAT about food and accommodation?

Unfortunately, the Burma Bureau cannot provide accommodation in Berlin. We
will however assist you in finding somewhere to stay in any way we can.
Please contact our office to obtain a list of hotels and guesthouses in
Berlin or to find out about private accommodation in the city.
Lunch can be obtained at the university's canteen; prices range from 5 to
20 marks (roughly 2.5 to 10 Euro).


NGO-conference "Financial Crisis in Asia - A Chance for Human Rights and
Democracy?"

The conference is organised by numerous German NGOs - including the Burma
Bureau - on occasion of the ASEM- and EU-ASEAN ministerial meetings in
Berlin on March 29th and 30th. 


AGENDA

Friday, March 26th: 	Opening discussion "Economic Interests versus Human
Rights"
			Guest Speakers: Ramos Horta, Heinrich von Pierer, N.N., N.N.
			(Time: 19.00 h., Place: Humboldt University, Reuter-Saal, Bauhofstr. 6)
Saturday, March 27th: 
9.00 h: 		Welcome and Opening (Place: Haus am Köllnischen Park, Berlin-Mitte)
10.00 h  to 18.00 h: 	Workshops
I. 	Freedom of Speech and Press as Key Factors for Democratic Transition in
Burma and Laos
	10.00 h - 11.00 h : Introduction to Burma and Laos
		11.15 h - 13.00 h: Freedom of Speech and Press in Burma 
	and Laos
	13.00 h - 14.00 h: Lunch break
		14.00h - to 18.00 h: How can ASEM support freedom of 
	speech and press in Burma and Laos?

	Guest Speakers: U Aung Saw Oo (NLD-LA), Kat Dithavong 
	(former Lao ambassador to Thailand), Dr. Peter Traub (Asia-
	expert with the Friedrich-Naumann-Foundation) , Dr. 
	Klaus Röber (Asia-expert with the Protestant church in 
	Germany) , Sven Hansen (journalist, TAZ), Jochanan 
	Shelliem (journalist)
	
II. 	Impact of the Financial Crisis on social Rights in Asia
	Forum 1 (10.00 h - 13.00 h):
	Trade Union rights and social security systems in South Korea
	Forum 2 (14.00 h - 18.00 h):
Social and legal consequences of the crisis for women's rights in the
Philippines 
III. 	Impact of the Financial Crisis on Ethnic Minorities
	Forum 1(10.00 h - 13.00 h):
	Tibet and the Chinese minority in Indonesia
	Forum 2 (14.00 h to 18.00 h): 
	Impact on migration within Asia and from Asia to Europe
Sunday, March 28th: 
9.30 h: 	Panel discussion "Financial Crisis in Asia - A Chance for Democracy 
and Human Rights?"
Guest Speakers: Wilfried Telkämper (European Parliament), N.N., N.N., N.N.
(Place: Haus am Köllnischen Park, Berlin Mitte)

The conference will end with a demonstration on Sunday afternoon or Monday
morning. In the course of the demonstration, a resolution will be handed
over to German foreign minister Joschka Fischer.
PLEASE NOTE that a fee of 50 marks (25 Euro) per person is charged for
participating in the NGO-conference. We are currently trying to find ways
around the fee for you, but do not yet know whether we will be successful.
We'll keep you informed. 


An invitation to the conference (including registration forms) will go out
to you a.s.a.p., but you can of course register with us at once. Please
also tell us - if possible before March 5th - whether or not you will be
able to attend the Euro-Burma Network meeting.


We are looking forward to your reply - and to seeing you in Berlin!!!

Thank you again

Regards

George Khan
Chairman of the Burma Bureau, Germany