The forum will take place September 15 to 17,2006 Batam, Indonesia & Singapore
CONVENORS: INFID Indonesia, Jubilee South Asia/Pacific Movement on Debt and Development (JS APMDD), ARM - IFIS Indonesia, Freedom from Debt Coalition Philippines, KAU Indonesia, Africa Jubilee South, Jubilee South Americas, , Migrant Forum in Asia (MFA), Focus on the Global South, Forum Asia, GCAP Asia, South Asia Alliance for Poverty Eradication (SAAPE), LDC Watch, La Via Campesina, Solidarity Africa Network, Southern Africa Peoples Solidarity Network, African Forum on Debt and Development, 50 Years is Enough Network, Jubilee USA Network, European Network on Debt and Development (EURODAD), Bretton Woods Project (BWP), Bank Information Center (BIC), Committee for the Abolition of Third World Debt (CADTM), NGO Forum on the ADB, Social Watch International, Action Aid International, Friends of the Earth International, Greenpeace, International Gender and Trade Network International (IGTN), Oilwatch International, Oil Change International, Development GAP, Networkers South-North, Campagna per la Riforma della Banca Mondiale (CRBM), Si Ala Vida No Alas IFIs, Southern Peoples Ecological Debt Creditors Alliance (SPEDCA) , Gender Action, and others...
This September 2006, the IMF and the World Bank will be holding their Annual Meeting in Singapore on September 19-20. In the spirit of resistance to neoliberal policies and in keeping with the history of people’s struggles worldwide against economic domination, Asian movements together with an international group of networks, movements, campaigns and NGOs will be convening an International Peoples Forum vs the IMF and the World Bank on September 15 to 17. The Forum will be a convergence of activities and actions that articulate critiques, express protest and assert alternatives to the role, policies and operations of these institutions.
We invite you to take part in this process of exchanges, learning, networking, strategizing, and protest actions among activists and movements from various parts of the world.
VENUE of the IPF
The main site of the IPF is Batam, Indonesia, which is 30-40 minutes ferry ride from Singapore. Other activities may also be held in Singapore. About 600 to 900 people are expected to participate in the IPF. The Forum will include a variety of activities and events:
EVENTS and ACTIVITIES
Morning Plenaries There will be Plenary Sessions in the mornings (maximum of 2 taking place simultaneously) on various themes related to the role, policies and/or operations of the IMF and WB (ex. Illegitimate Debt and the IMF and WB). The Convenors of the Forum are organizing and coordinating these plenary sessions, which will involve presentations from international speakers and open discussions.
The time slots for the plenaries are:
8:45 to 10:45
11:00 to 1:00
Afternoon Seminars, Workshops, Meetings Organizations and movements are invited to hold seminars, workshops or strategy meetings in the afternoons. The IPF will provide venues and sound system that can accommodate 30 to 150 participants, interpretation services for at least 1 Asian language (Bahasa Indonesia), and help in information dissemination and publicity. Organizers are also working to expand interpretation services to include Thai and Korean.
The time slots for these activities are:
2:00 to 4:15
4:30 to 6:45
The afternoon of the first day (15th) will be devoted to seminars, workshops and meetings on Indonesian issues and concerns.
Organizers will try to keep a maximum of 4 simultaneous workshops/seminars/meetings at any given time.
Evening Cultural and Multi Media Events The IPF will organize a cultural event on the first evening (15 Sept). Participating organizations may also register and organize other cultural activities, such as concerts, dances, theatre, film showing etc).
The time slots for these activities are:
6:45 to 8:15
8:30 to 10:00
Protest Activities There will be an IPF march/rally on the 18th morning. Participating organizations may organize other protest actions at the main site of the IPF as well as in Singapore.
Special Events Whole day special events can also be integrated into the program, (i.e Asian People’s Tribunal on Poverty and Debt). We also invite organization to set up exhibits at the Forum site.
Booths and literature tables Organizations may also set up literature tables and booths.
Indonesia Day The Indonesian social movements and NGOs would like to reserve the first day of the Forum, after the Opening Session, for activities focusing on Indonesia
Activities can also be held in Singapore, in coordination with and with the assistance of convenors and partner groups based in Singapore.
VISA REQUIREMENTS
Please see the last pages of this document for detailed visa information. IPF organizers will issue official letters of invitation for those who require it. For those who want to travel back and forth between Batam and Singapore to participate in various events, please check visa requirements ahead of time.
AIR TRAVEL, ACCOMMODATIONS and MEALS
IPF participants are expected to cover the cost of their travel, accommodations and food.
The different options for ticketing and routes to Batam are:
Flying to Singapore, then ferry ride to Batam
Flying to Batam via Jakarta
The Singapore route is generally much cheaper, but will require entering Singapore at least twice (arrival, departure).
The Jakarta route will not require entering Singapore, so Singapore visa is not needed. Unless you want to attend an event/activity in Singapore, in which case you will need a multiple entry visa to Indonesia, or get another visa-on-arrival to Indonesia (if you are eligible) which is possible to do when you return to Batam.
Participants are encouraged to stay in Batam as the costs of accommodations are much lower. There are accommodations available at the main site of the IPF — air-conditioned as well as non-air conditioned rooms, ranging from 2 - 8 beds per room with ensuite bathrooms. Prices are from US $ 3 - $ 8 per person, not including meals. There are also reasonably priced hotels near the site (from US$40 to 60 for double rooms).
IPF organizers can arrange for the accommodations at the IPF site on request at a first come first served basis. Those who prefer to stay at hotels will have to arrange their own bookings. IPF organizers will provide a list of recommended hotels with price listings and contact numbers.
There will be food shops/booths at the IPF main site. Organizers will ensure that meal costs will be very affordable, and that vegetarian and halal meals are available. Participants should have a budget of about US$ 12 - 15 a day for food.
LOCAL TRAVEL
The IPF site in Batam is located within walking distance to shops and to the pier (for the ferry rides to and from Singapore).
Round trip ferry ride to Singapore is around US$ 16, not including cost of Indonesian visa on arrival for those who require it.
From Singapore international airport (Changi), you can take a bus or taxi to the pier. We will post fare costs later.
REGISTRATION
Participating organizations and individuals
Please fill up the relevant forms included in this document and submit to IPFregister gmail.com. Deadline for registration is August 31, 2006. You will receive a confirmation of your registration via email.
Registration of activities
Please fill up the relevant forms included in this document and send to IPFregister gmail.com. Deadline of Registration is August 23, 2006, but we urge you to register as soon as possible. We will start notifying organizations of their final schedule and room assignments by August 20.
BOOKING FOR ACCOMMODATIONS
Please fill up the relevant form included in this document and send to IPFregister gmail.com
MEDICAL/HEALTH FACILITIES and other SERVICES
Forum participants will be provided with maps indicating the location and contact numbers of medical/health facilities and other services. Organizers will also arrange for a medical/health team on call for emergencies.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT: IPFsecretariat gmail.com
IPF REGISTRATION FOR ORGANIZATIONS & THEIR REPRESENTATIVES
Please submit to IPFregister gmail.com
Name of Organization
Description of the organization
Mailing Address:
Contact Person and Email Address:
Person(s)/Number(s) to Contact in case of Emergencies
PARTICIPANTS
Names
Position in the Organization
Male or Female
Email Address
PARTICIPANTS REQUIRING INVITATION LETTERS FOR VISA
Name in Passport
Passport Number and Issuing Authority
Date Issued and Date of Expiry
Fax Numbers
Email Address
PARTICIPANTS REQUIRING ACCOMMODATIONS at FORUM SITE
Cost range from US$ 3 to US$8 per person depending on room assignments. Participants must be willing to share rooms, from 2/room to 6/room (all w/ bathrooms ensuite). Reservations will be on a first-come first-serve basis. Cancellations should not be later than Sept 7, or the full cost will have to be paid.
Name
Female or Male
Date of Arrival
Date of Departure
IPF REGISTRATION FOR INDIVIDUALS
Please submit to IPFregister gmail.com
Name
Organizations associated with
Work or Profession
If student, name of university/College/School
Male/Female
Country of Citizenship
Email Address:
Mailing Address:
Person(s)/Number(s) to Contact in case of Emergencies
IF PARTICIPANT REQUIRES INVITATION LETTER FOR VISA
Name in Passport
Passport Number and Issuing Authority
Date Issued and Date of Expiry
Fax Numbers
Email Address
IF PARTICIPANT REQUIRES ACCOMMODATIONS at FORUM SITE
Cost range from US$ 3 to US$8 per person depending on room assignments. Participant must be willing to share rooms, from 2/room to 6/room (all w/ bathrooms ensuite). Reservations will be on a first-come first-served basis. Cancellations should not be later than Sept 7, or the full cost will have to be paid.
Date of Arrival
Date of Departure
Organizers will contact you for confirmation of reservations.
IPF REGISTRATION FOR ACTIVITIES and EVENTS
Please submit to IPFregister gmail.com
Name of Organization
Description of Organization
Mailing Address:
Contact Person and Email Address: ____________________________________________
ACTIVITIES and EVENTS TO BE REGISTERED
Activity/ Event # 1
NATURE of Event / Activity and
TITLE/THEME/TOPIC
Objectives
Target Number of Participants
Preferred Schedule (2 options in order of priority)
Further information/Description
_
Activity/ Event # 2
NATURE of Event / Activity and
TITLE/THEME/TOPIC
Objectives
Target Number of Participants
Preferred Schedule (2 options in order of priority)
Further information/Description
Please send additional information (speakers etc) to IPFsecretariat gmail.com as soon as available for purposes of publicity and program