Union Aid Abroad–APHEDA team with Timorese partners at the People’s Forum 2024 in Timor-Leste.
Unionists and civil society groups across the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) came together last week in a powerful movement for democracy, human rights, freedom, justice, and climate action.
Union Aid Abroad – APHEDA was proud to participate in the ASEAN People’s Forum in Dili, Timor-Leste, where advocacy and networking on a broad range of issues were discussed and advanced. For Union Aid Abroad – APHEDA, this included working women’s rights, combatting conflict-related sexual violence, decent work and social protection, shrinking civic space in the region, LGBTQI+ rights, climate justice, the struggle for democracy in Myanmar, and our asbestos eradication campaign. This year’s forum, convened with great success by Elisabeth Lino de Araujo, Union Aid Abroad–APHEDA’s Country Manager in Timor-Leste, highlighted these critical areas.
The forum brought together over 500 activists from NGOs and trade unions across 11 countries to develop campaigns, build advocacy strategies, and form networks aimed at advancing human rights, protecting the environment, and fostering peace and justice in the region. Timor-Leste’s President, José Ramos-Horta, opened the forum. APHEDA partner organisations from Timor-Leste were active participants, and APHEDA also supported asbestos campaign partners from Indonesia, Surya Ferdian (LION), and Cambodia, CFSWF trade union President Ou Tepphallin. Together with Asbestos Campaign Coordinator Phillip Hazelton, they facilitated the workshop for the Asbestos. Not Here. Not Anywhere campaign, raising awareness about this hazardous substance for many attendees. A strong call for ASEAN leaders to take action and ban asbestos was included in the final communique from the conference. These recommendations will be reported to ASEAN leaders in October 2024.
With the ongoing support of unionists and activists in Australia, we will continue pushing for global freedom, justice, and climate solutions.
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The Asbestos. Not here. Not anywhere. campaign receives support from the Australian Government through the Australian NGO Cooperation Program (ANCP).
