Manila to host Social Watch 2011 Global Assembly on July 12-15

MANILA, Philippines - Over 100 delegates from 60 countries around the world are expected to converge in Manila from July 12-15 to attend the global assembly of Social Watch, an international network of citizens’ organizations campaigning for social justice.

With the theme "Claiming democracy: accountability for social and economic justice", the Social Watch 2011 Global Assembly will gather representatives of women groups, human rights activists, unionists and other campaigners for social justice to discuss the new challenges brought about by the global crises and civil society responses.

Aside from Social Watch members, others expected to attend the summit are international observers, special guests and network funders.

The assembly will come up with a strategic plan covering advocacy and capacity-building programs for 2012-2014, and elect a new coordinating committee in charge of implementing that strategy until the next Global Assembly in 2013.

Vice President Jejomar Binay has been invited to deliver the keynote address when the assembly formally opens on Tuesday, July 12.

UP Prof. Leonor Briones, former National Treasurer and lead convenor of Social Watch Philippines, will speak about the summit’s main theme – that of “claiming democracy and social accountability” - in the morning of July 13.

Group and panel discussions, and thematic workshops will begin in the afternoon. The summit will feature workshops on at least 12 relevant and timely topics among them:

• Social Justice, Anti-poverty and Redistribution Strategies

• Gender and Social Movements

• Climate Justice

• Budget Issues and Budget Advocacy

• Future for the Millennium Development Goals after 2015

• Migrations, Convention on Migrations and Convention on Domestic Work

• Sustainable Development - The road to Rio 2012

• Justice, Democracy and Human Rights - New Strategies and Challenges after the "Arab Spring"

Created in 1995, Social Watch is an international group of citizens struggling to eradicate poverty and its causes, end all forms of discrimination and racism, ensure an equitable distribution of wealth and the realization of human rights.

Social Watch aims to achieve its objectives through a comprehensive strategy of advocacy, awareness-building, monitoring, organizational development and networking. It also promotes people-centered sustainable development.

Social Watch holds governments, the UN system and international organizations accountable for the fulfillment of national, regional and international commitments to eradicate poverty.