9th Asia-Europe People's Forum kicks off in Vientiane

The 9th Asia-Europe People's Forum (AEPF-9) kicked off in Lao capital Vientiane Tuesday afternoon, with participation of representatives from civil society organizations in Asian and European countries.

The biennial forum will last till Oct. 19 under the title " People's Solidarity against Poverty and for Sustainable Development: Challenging Unjust and Unequal Development, Building States of Citizens for Citizens".

According to organizers, AEPF-9 will tackle four major themes, including universal social protection and access to essential services, food sovereignty and sustainable land and natural resource management, sustainable energy production and use, and just work and sustainable livelihoods.

Among these topics, gender issues will be playing an important role, and many of those making presentations will be women.

During the forum, presentations will be made by representatives of the European Association for the Education of Adults, and the Asia South Pacific Association for Basic and Adult Education, among many others.

The Lao participants include the Garment Skills Center, the Department of Non-formal Education, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, and Green Discovery.

Since its formation in 1996, the AEPF has become the only continuing civil society inter-regional network connecting people' s movements and advancing their voices in Asia-Europe Meeting ( ASEM).