[asia-apec 233] Interdoc/DAGA open public session on the information economy, November 17, 1996 in Manila, Philippines

[daga]

Dear Friends,

This is to invite those of you who will be attending the various initiatives
on APEC in Manila to a one-day public session on the information economy
this November 17, 1996 (Sunday) at the Horeb House of the Philippine
Episcopal Church, Quezon City, Philippines.  

Please confirm your attendance with Roberto "Obet"  Verzola not later than
15 November at <rverzola at phil.gn.apc.org>. Registration to the one-day open
session is free, but those who can contribute USD 10. towards lunch/snacks
and materials will be greatly appreciated.

Yours sincerely,

Mario Mapanao


            ARE WE READY FOR THE GLOBAL INFORMATION ECONOMY?
                          (The Emerging Global Information Economy 
                          And The Responses Of Social Movements)

                        A workshop sponsored by Interdoc and DAGA 
                        in Manila, Philippines - November 16-20, 1996


Background:

     Within the span of a few short years, the global information economy
has become a reality for most countries. With the Internet reaching into
practically every country in the world, and growing at a rate of up to 10% per 
month, the basic infrastructure for this economy is rapidly taking shape. Soon, 
as media, entertainment, communications, and data converge on the Internet, 
it will become THE infrastructure for producing, marketing, distributing,
and even paying for information goods and services.

     Social movements have so far shown different responses towards this
development. On the one hand, many welcome the Internet as an inexpensive,
empowering medium of communication and information exchange. On the other
hand, many consider its intrusion an integral part of the whole process of
globalization, which is wreaking havoc on the life, livelihood and culture of 
millions of underprivileged and the voiceless, not to mention the impact of
this process on the environment.

     Very little systematic analysis on the implications of the global
information economy on southern countries, peoples, and social movements 
has been done and many are unprepared to respond properly to its entry into
local economies.

     This workshop intends to tackle this issue head-on. What are the threats 
as well as the opportunities presented by the emerging information economy?
Which aspect predominates? Who will benefit from the global information 
economy? Who will lose? How should social movements respond to its impact?
These are among the questions we will try to answer in the course of our four 
days of deliberation.

     1996 also commemorates 10 years of Interdoc activity in Asia. The
workshop will be an opportune occasion to critically look back, evaluate the
state of our documentation and electronic networking activities, and
together move forward.

     You are most welcome to join us in this effort.


Objectives:

     1. To discuss the implications of the emerging information economy,
including the internet, on developing countries, peoples of the south 
and social movements.

     2. To identify factors within this emerging economy and its
infrastructures and institutions that are favorable as well as those
which are unfavorable to social movements and popular concerns.

     3. To discuss how social movements may respond to the favorable
as well as unfavorable factors, to further advance the interests of
countries and peoples of the south, particularly the poor.

     4. To strengthen networking among groups involved in this field,
particularly information and network providers who are working
amongst social movements.

     5. To consolidate Interdoc as an organization that can help
social movements respond to the challenges of the emerging global
information economy.


Target participants:

     1. NGO information providers such as databanks, documentation
         centers, alternative news agencies.

     2. NGO network providers such as email operators, internet
         service providers, etc.

     3. Leaders of social movements and non-government organizations.


Workshop dates:

     We will hold the Interdoc/DAGA workshop from Nov. 16-20, 1996 at about
the same time as various initiatives on APEC, which will be held in Manila
around these dates.

    This will enable us to interact with people's organizations and NGO
leaders who will be attending the alternative APEC meetings.


Nov. 17, Sunday - Open Public Session   
Horeb House, Philippine Episcopal Church National Office, Quezon City

(Note: This is the latest draft programme for the open public session,
subject to some changes.) 

am

 8:00- 9:00     Registration
 9:00- 9:30     Introductions
 9:30-10:00    Introductory Remarks      Roberto Verzola, Interdoc
                *** Break ***

               The Global Information Economy: Sectoral Views
(Issues,  concerns and sectors identified are tentative and names indicated
are either contact persons or prospective speakers. Alotted time includes
open forum.)
10:30-11:00    Women                         Karen Banks, APC Women's Program
11:00-11:30    Workers                        Rex Varona, APEC Labour Rights
Monitor                         (incl. Migrant Workers)    (ALARM)             
11:30-12:00    Farmers
12:00-12:30    Indigenous Peoples     
               *** Lunch Break ***

14:00-14:30    Urban Poor                    
14:30-15:00    Human Rights              Sanjeewa, Asian Human Rights
Council         
                *** Break ***

15:30-16:00    Environment                   
16:00-16:30    Alternative Media        Kunda Dixit, Inter Press Service
                                                                  (IPS)
16:30-17:00    Information Providers  Mario Mapanao, Documentation for
                                                                  Action
Groups in Asia (DAGA)
17:00-17:30    Network Providers       Leo Fernandez, AsiaLink/Indian
                                                                  Social
Institute (ISI)
17:30-18:30    Impact of the Global Information Economy:
                         Summing Up of Sectoral Views  
                                                               Jagdish
Parikh, Interdoc
                         Technical Sharing
                *** Dinner ***

20:00-21:00   Multi-cultural presentation, Asian Council for People's
Culture                           (ACPC)
21:00               Departure for Silang, Cavite     (2-hour trip)


Public session venue, 17 Nov:
Horeb House
Philippine Episcopal Church
275 E. Rodriguez Sr. Avenue
Quezon City
Phone: (63 2) 722 8492, 722 9469
Fax: (63 2) 721 1923
E-mail: ecp at phil.gn.apc.org