Ensure the stepping-up of efforts for the establishment of a full-blown
federation concerned on disappearances in Asia in cooperation with the
rest of the similar federation/s and/or organizations in the rest of the
world concerned on the same issue in the common fight against impunity
and in the prevention of disappearances. Respond concretely to national
needs of member organizations and the regional concern of the whole
federation in the context of the general international phenomena of
involuntary disappearances. Take an active part in the process of
concretizing the international movement against involuntary
disappearances through sustained cooperation with FEDEFAM in Latin
America and the rest of the organizations from other continents. All
these efforts are geared towards forging unity with our Asian brothers
and sisters and the peoples of other countries in our collective
struggle for common interests.
AFAD’s STRATEGIC PLAN WITHIN A THREE-YEAR PERIOD (YEAR 2000 – 2003)
A. ON LEADERSHIP AND ADMINISTRATION
To implement all congress resolutions and acts.
Ensure that formal and on-the-job trainings at all levels of leadership
be given according to the appropriate needs of the federation;
2.1 Leadership training
2.2 Writers’ and documentalists’ training (second level, because first
level was already taken)
2.3 Diplomacy training (second level, because the first level was
already taken)
2.4 Organizers’ training
2.5 Training on rehabilitation work
Explore the possibility of reaching out to similar organizations which
are not necessarily based in Asia, but, because of security reasons, are
based in other countries in order to give more strength to the
federation;
Concrete activities:
3.1 Country visits
3.2 Networking with international NGOs for referral
Maximize opportunities for comprehensive organizational development.
Learn from the victories of other countries, effectively address
possible threats that may hinder smooth operation of the federation.
Ensure that the different lines of work are implemented and continuously
developed.
4.1 Internship to Latin America
4.2 Exchange program within Asia
Have a regular scanning of the socio-economic and political environment
to ensure that the federation contextualizes itself to the changing
situation in the region in order to be more effectively linked to the
Asian peoples’ struggles.
5.1 Intensive Research on the Situation in Asia vis-à-vis disappearances
5.2 Regular updating among AFAD members through the e-mail
Deepen and widen the federation’s alliance work and networking
nationally, regionally and internationally.
6.1 Establishment of linkage by AFAD members to local human rights
organizations and other NGOs
6.2 Establishment of linkage with other Asia-wide human rights
organizations
6.3 Establishment of an international directory of groups and
individuals which are linked to AFAD and with levels of relationship
6.4 Maximization of regional and international meetings by conscious
expansion of network.
By the year 2003, sum-up the experiences within three years through the
Second Congress. The results will serve as an integral part of the bases
for a new strategic plan for the ensuring three years.
Concrete activities:
7.1 Country hopping for internal research
7.2 Publication of the results of the internal research
Hold the Second Congress which aims to facilitate the significant
development of AFAD towards the next phase of its life as a federation.
On Administrative Work and Human Resources Development
Establish a small secretariat which ensures that regional as well as
national and regional needs be responded to by the federation and to
take charge of the day-to-day administrative work.
-recruitment of staff members ( 3 members of the secretariat )
Ensure access to information and communications technology, i.e.,
development and maintenance of a website, e-mail, electronic bulletin
boards, telephone lines and access of these to each member organization,
etc.
Encourage the establishment of national museums dedicated to the
disappeared and which contain their memorabilias.
Establish and implement appropriate organizational, administrative and
financial policies.
On Finance Management and Generation
Establish the credibility of the federation by ensuring its effectivity
in doing its work, thereby encouraging donors to financially support the
federation;
Draw up project proposals that support the federation’s diversified
needs and growing organizational tasks;
Based on collectively agreed financial policies, efficiently and
effectively manage AFAD’s resources through a clear system of control
and balance and ensure the federation’s financial sustainability by
encouraging local counterpart from member organizations; promotion of a
system of thrift and saving mechanism, practical investments of
available funds, if any.
Practice the system of transparency vis-à-vis AFAD member organizations
and funding partners.
B. COMPONENTS OF WORK
B.1 International Solidarity
Consolidate existing AFAD constituency through yearly council meetings,
trainings and joint activities, regular country visits on important
events, etc.
Conduct a yearly joint AFAD commemoration of the International Week of
the Disappeared in Asian countries where AFAD has members:
Year 2000- Philippines (during the Founding Congress)
Promote international solidarity through a system of exchange of
personnel or interns to different organizations within Asia and between
Asia and Latin America and other continents.
Hold AFAD meetings, alternately, in all Asian countries where AFAD has
members in order to be integrated well with the constituency (families
of the disappeared) of each organization.
Set up a mechanism of exchange of letters and solidarity messages among
families of the disappeared.
Assist in the formation of organizations of families of the disappeared
in other countries where these are not yet established and include them
in the constituency of the federation.
Share in various ways, AFAD’s own experience of forming the federation
in other continents which are planning to establish regional formations.
- Video Production on the experience of AFAD
- Slides Production on the experience of AFAD
Study deeply the experiences of countries from other continents and
learn lessons from them in the struggle against impunity and for
justice.
- Program exposure for two months to Latin American countries
Establish linkages with solidarity groups for Asian countries in many
parts of the world.
- Conscious visits to solidarity groups which may facilitate speaking
tours for AFAD members in countries which they are based.
- Formation of support groups in countries which are ready for this.
B.2 INTERNATIONAL LOBBY
Conduct self-initiated AFAD-FEDEFAM joint activities for the continued
lobbying for the ratification of the United Nations Draft Convention on
the Protection of All Persons from Enforced or Involuntary
Disappearances.
- Yearly Participation in the Regular Session of the UN Commission on
Human Rights
- Yearly joint intervention with the UNWGEID with visits to Foreign
Governments
Achieve an ECOSOC consultative status with the United Nations.
- application of national organizations which are AFAD members
- application of AFAD members
- application of AFAD
Establish sustained working relations with governments supportive to
AFAD and conduct national, regional and international activities
vis-à-vis forging relationship with the diplomatic community.
Conduct appropriate activities for lobbying regional interests vis-à-vis
disappearances to government bodies in the national, regional and
international levels.
Lobby for visits by the United Nations Working Group on Enforced
Disappearances to countries in Asia that necessitate international
attention .
B.3 INTERNATIONAL CAMPAIGNS
Conduct a timely and periodic regional campaigns on particular
countries, especially in Asian countries where AFAD has members.
- Periodic country campaign
Raise national campaigns of specific countries to the regional and
international level through different forms of campaign activities, e.g.
joint statements; letter-writing; speaking tour; regional press
conferences, etc.
Produce a bi-yearly AFAD newsletter that serves as the voice of the
organizations for the disappeared in Asia.
Explore possibilities of supporting the filing of cases both in the
national and international tribunals.
Come up with a breakthrough in the projection of the phenomena of
involuntary disappearances in Asia by conducting regionally-coordinated
activities, e.g. synchronized pickets in embassies,
regionally-coordinated media liaison work, public information campaign
activities such as coordinated symposia and for a, etc.
Send urgent action cases for international support and respond to
requests for urgent actions.
