Date: 29 September - 1 October 2018

Location: Ghent, Belgium

Event Type: Summit

The 12th Asia-Europe People's Forum (AEPF12) on "Building New Solidarities: Working for Inclusive, Just and Equal Alternatives in Asia & Europe" will be held on the sideline of the 12th ASEM Summit (ASEM12) where heads of State and Government from across Asia and Europe will meet to discuss their future priorities and plans. Similar to ASEM12, the Asia-Europe People's Forum (AEPF) will hold its 12th biennial People's Forum on 29 September to 1 October 2018.

The overall aim of this forum is to understand and learn from struggles and resistances over the past two decades in Asia and Europe that have confronted and challenged neoliberalism, corporate led globalisation and global capitalism in its various phases. Therefore, AEPF12 will tackle strategies on major themes which represent AEPF's hopes for citizens of Europe and Asia:

Progress towards the realisation of these People’s Visions, or Alternatives, is at the heart of a way out of the multiple crises confronting people, states and institutions. The multiple crises, which have been caused by the policies of many governments have generated increasing social polarization between states and peoples. These crises are exacerbating poverty, inequality, joblessness, intolerance and the raise of populism. We are increasingly experiencing corporations structuring and determining our lives and livelihoods. Many citizens are responding by developing local initiatives. AEPF is looking to encourage and strengthen cooperation and solidarity of these people-centred networks and activities.

AEPF12 will be an exciting series of interlinked dialogues, workshops, actions, policy debates and open spaces.