APPRA CONFERENCE IN SIEM REAP-ANGKOR WAT

Asia-Pacific Peace Research Association (APPRA)

For all info please contact : Asia-Pacific Peace Research Association (APPRA)

13 President Osmeña, Industrial Valley, Marikina City, Philippines
Telefax (632) 913 9255, (632) 647 1661, info@appra.org, appra2003@yahoo.com
website: http:// www.appra.org

Theme: VISIONING ALTERNATIVES

Are you satisfied with the present world order?
How would you want it to be?
What would bring about PEACE to humankind?
How can this vision be realized?

Venue: Neak Pean Hotel (pronounced “nee you po an”)

53 Sivatha Road, Siem Reap, Cambodia

Dates: 27-29June 2003

Opening ritual: Sunrise at Angkor Wat

Closing ritual: Sunset at Angkor Wat

The Asia-Pacific Peace Research Association (APPRA) is an international, non-governmental organization of peace researchers, peace educators and peace advocates. APPRA, although an independent organization, functions as a regional branch of the International Peace Research Association (IPRA) which is in consultative staus with the UNESCO.

The distinctive orientation of APPRA is towards building societies of peace and justice. Basic to this mission is a comprehensive understanding of peace which means not only the absence of war and conflict but above all the presence of essential conditions for the well-being of humanity.

What is envisioned is a world where the peoples of Asia and the Pacific can enjoy the fullness of life with genuine peace and security. The APPRA mission is to contribute to the realization of this fullness of life through peace research, peace education, and peace advocacy.

The purpose of APPRA is to advance interdisciplinary research on the conditions of peace and the causes of war and violence in all their manifestations. To this end APPRA facilitates international collaboration designed to assist the advancement of peace research, education and action.

For this reason the APPRA conferences are organized to facilitate contacts among the multi-disciplinary group of peace builders so as to enhance their endeavors for obtaining and sustaining peace in their countries, the region and the world as well as to encourage the international dissemination of research results, information and documentation of significant developments of actions for peace.

Since its establishment on 5 December 1980, APPRA has had the following Secretary Generals at its helm: Yoshikazu Sakamoto (Japan), Kevin Clements (New Zealand), Katsuya Kodama (Japan) and Mary Soledad Perpiñan (Philippines). There have been conferences in Japan (Asian Peace Research in the Global Context, Yokohama, Japan); at the University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand: in Penang, Malaysia; and in Tagaytay City, Philippines (Reconstructing Peace Theories and Practices in Asia-Pacific).

The coming APPRA Conference in Siem Reap, 20-22 June 2003 is being organized in the midst of the unjust war against Iraq, a crucial period in world history when the call to a just and lasting peace is more relevant than ever. The insights and experiences, studies and analyses, skills and strategies of researchers, educators and advocates will be one positive step towards the realization of APPRA’s vision, mission and goals of building a world of justice and peace.

IV. Objectives

The conference objectives are:

· To have an interactive gathering of peace researchers, peace advocates and peace educators;

· To focus on how to realize the visions of peace in Asia and in the Pacific.

Specific objectives:

· To tackle the burning issue of war and security in the region;

· To pay particular attention to holistic healing in the aftermath of war and conflict to include both material reconstruction as well as the psychological aspect of trauma-healing, justice, forgiveness and reconciliation.

V. Program

The context of holding the conference in Siem Reap – Angkor will be highlighted by an opening ritual of sunrise in Angkor Wat and a reflection on the messages of the bas-reliefs of the Bayon temple regarding the human history and the bas-reliefs of the Angkor Wat temple regarding the history of deities. Going beyond the militarist events, we hope to visit Banteay Srey, the citadel of the women, and reflect on their role in bringing peace to daily living.

From Cambodian cultural and political history, we move to the global context of war and unrest. Experts will lead us in a discussion of the consequences of the Iraq war and other related matters.

Deconstruction would include among other things

· Tearing down the old structures of society that cause division, violence, oppression and death;
· Challenging accepted systems and ways that fuel war and conflict;
· Examining the traditional aspects of our culture and psyche that maintain a culture of war, militarization and fear;
· Challenging the traditional concept of National Security.

Reconstruction on the other hand would address

· Developing new ways of seeing our world;

· Sharing one world as brothers and sisters in humanity;

· Replacing a world of fear and aggression with a world of love and non-violence;

· Aiming at holism and authenticity instead of dualism and duplicity;

· Working towards comprehensive – human and planetary – security.

Peace-building sessions will deal with the practical, the do-able, creative interventions, strategies and skills that could be pass on to others such as:

· Sharing of successful approaches for a peaceful society showing that peace is possible;
· Having workshops on trauma-healing and skills for transformation;
· Presenting modules on nonviolent methods of change;
· Using the power point and posters to explain how peace museums can be an effective tool for peace education.

The conference would like to engage all participants in the discussions and to have gender and sub-regional balance as much as possible. There is a general invitation for APPRA members to submit a paper written in journal style, not more than 10 pages, with a one page executive summary to be circulated electronically before the conference. If funds permit, we hope to publish the highlights of the proceedings and a selection of articles either in print or CD form.

Please confirm attendance by sending back by email or fax the form that follows.

Return to the APPRA Secretariat info@appra.org, <appra2003@yahoo.com>, fax (632) 913 9255, fax (632) 647 1661

REGISTRATION FORM

Please print.

Family Name: Given Name: Middle Initials:

Title: ___Mr. ___Ms. ___Dr. ___Prof. Other: (specify)

Gender: ___female ___male

Peace involvement:

___peace researcher ___peace educator ___peace advocate

___peace studies other (specify):

I volunteer (tick one or more):

___to submit a paper with an executive summary to be circulated electronically by 15 May 2003;

Topic:

___to be an active participant in group and plenary discussions;

___to serve as facilitator, moderator or resource person;

Session:

___to help with documenting the proceedings;

___to help with logistical arrangements;

___to see if I can tap funds to enable others to attend.

Other ways:

Organization/university/institute:

Office address:

Home address:

Telephone no. (country code + number): Fax no.:

E-mail address: Website:

Registration fee: (also for accompanying person)

US$ 200 (for lunch, two snacks, visit to Angkor Vat and other APPRA expenses); US$ 150 if paid before 15 May 2003.

___to be sent by Western Union addressed to APPRA Secretariat, 13 Pres. Osmeña, Industrial Valley, Marikina City, Philippines, Tel (632) 647 1661, c/o Mary Soledad
Perpiñan;

___by bank to bank telegraphic transmission addressed to BPI Family Bank, F. Castillo Branch, Anonas, Quezon City, Philippines, for credit to the APPRA US$ account no. 561
400 7305.

Lodging Reservation: (indicate preference, early reservation needed)

Neak Pean Hotel, breakfast included, with air-con, hot water, cable TV, use of swimming pool;

___ Standard room – discounted rate US$23;

___ matrimonial bed ___double bed

___ De luxe wooden house – discounted rate US$50 (good for 2)

___ Wooden suite – discounted rate US$70 (good for two or three)

Friendly Guest House (good for 19 persons only, first to reserve basis) – breakfast not included;

___ discounted rate US$ 5, with ceiling fan (good for two)

___matrimonial bed ___double bed

___ discounted rate US$ 6, with ceiling fan (good for three)

___ discounted rate US$10, with air-condition (good for two)

___matrimonial bed ___double bed

Other guest houses (still being canvassed), similar price range.

Name(s) of person(s) who will share your room:

Period of Stay:

Check-in date: Check-out date: No. of nights:

Date: Signature:

Visa: You may secure a tourist visa (US$20) at the Cambodian airport.

No visa required for Philippine nationals and diplomats.

Airfare: Would you like to avail of a discounted group fare leaving Bangkok for Siem Reap on 26 June 2003 and returning to Bangkok from Siem Reap on 30 June 2003? Or join a group
leaving Manila for Siem Reap on 26 June and returning 30 June at 6:30 pm?