[asia-apec 351] PacRim Trade/Env request

[daga]

The Pacific Environment and Resources Center (PERC) is looking for
information from organizations working on Pacific Rim trade and environment
issues, especially regarding the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC).

PERC would like to learn what groups are currently involved in APEC issues,
what kinds of work are under way  and how environmentalists are organizing
around the APEC meetings due to take place in Vancouver this year.  We want
to hear your opinions on priority areas for environmental activism around
Asia-Pacific trade liberalization and your ideas on how to increase the
effectiveness of environmental NGOs working on APEC issues.

PERC plans to use its experience in outreach, education and policy analysis
to influence public  and political opinion on APEC.  We will engage our
international network of environmental partners in forecasting its
implications for natural areas and monitoring the corporations and agencies
taking advantage of APEC's liberalization.  They will increase awareness in
their own countries while encouraging greater NGO participation in APEC
activities.

PERC's expertise lies in education, advocacy and policy analysis.  Locally,
we educate and activate citizens of all ages about global environmental
problems and train teachers to do the same in their classrooms.
Internationally, PERC advocates protection of endangered resources and works
in partnerships with environmentalists in China, the Russian Far East,
Canada, Bolivia and the United States.  

PERC collaborates with environmental activists, professionals and
journalists to inform  consumers and policy-makers about ecological problems
to enforce environmental laws.  We monitor multinational corporations,
international financing agencies  and other government programs that
encourage the extraction of natural resources.  By providing information and
technical and financial support and training,  we help communities abroad to
strengthen law and policy that will protect natural resources.  Through
exchanges of environmental educators and resources specialists we provide
opportunities for people to learn about international environmental problems
and solutions and build networks.

PERC will be monitoring APEC activities over the next year and helping
environmental NGOs prepare and organize for the November 1997  APEC meeting
in Vancouver.  This meeting presents an opportunity to place environmental
issues in the Asia-Pacific Region - especially issues such as forest and
fisheries destruction in British Columbia and the Pacific Northwest - on the
agenda for APEC leaders.  To take advantage of this opportunity PERC would
like to start preparing now.  

To share your ideas and suggestions, please contact Paige Fischer at PERC:

1055 Fort Cronkhite
Sausalito, CA  94965
(ph) 415-332-8200
(fax) 415-332-8167
perc at igc.apc.org