Philippine International Forum
cordially invites you to its
20th ANNUAL CONFERENCE

Our theme will be:
"Twenty years with the Filipino People:
Strengthening International Solidarity for Freedom and Empowerment"

On February 19-21, 2004

Venue: Titus Brandsma Retreat House
26 Acacia St., New Manila
Quezon City

"The sufferings of the Filipino people today, the poverty, the oppression, the militarization, the depletion of the country's natural resources, and the destruction of the very sources of life of the country are all part of a global problem. A root cause of these problems is in the policies of foreign governments which exploit the Philippines as a source of raw materials, as a market for their products, and as a host to their military bases...

"The common perspective of the cry of the oppressed calls all of us into solidarity with our Filipino brothers and sisters as we move from injustice, oppression and subjugation towards justice, freedom and self-determination."

(Excerpt from a statement of the founding conference of PIF, February 1985)

PROGRAM:

February 19
11 am- 12 noon             Arrival and registration
afternoon                       Session 1: Major trends and developments in the Philippine and the global context since PIF's founding 20 years ago.

Resource person: Antonio Tujan Jr., IBON Databank

February 20
morning                         Session 2: Workshops about our experiences with globalization's impact on church and development work.
afternoon                       Session 3: Panel discussion and open forum on different forms of solidarity work.

Resource persons have been invited from International League of People's Struggle (ILPS), Mennonite Central Committee, Calama, Migrante International, Cordillera People's Alliance, among others.

February 21
morning                         Session 4: Panel discussion and workshop on challenges and expectations of the basic sectors for international solidarity work.

Resource persons have been invited from peasants, workers and Moros.

afternoon                     Discussion of conference resolutions and statement.
evening                        Twentieth Conference celebration !

Conference Highlights:

• PIF's 20th annual conference focuses on the challenges and opportunities for international solidarity in the present context. How do we want to respond to these as an organization and as individuals?
• Mr. Antonio Tujan, Jr. of IBON Databank will help us identify the major political and economic developments in the Philippines and in the world since PIF's first conference 20 years ago. It is up to us to analyze how we were able to adjust to them and how international solidarity work was affected.
• Filipino and foreign solidarity workers from a range of organizations will testify about different forms of solidarity work. In the discussions we can weigh different options and pick up suggestions for our own work.
• The Filipino people, especially the poor, should provide the yardstick for our solidarity work. That is why we are inviting representatives from their ranks to challenge us and give us inspiration for our conference resolutions and plan of action.
• The conference closes with PIF's 20th conference celebration. Together with friends and representatives from different sectors and organizations we will celebrate our 20 years with the Filipino people.

• For PIF members, including those who join during the conference, a membership meeting will be held after the conference, on February 22, in the same venue.

• Those who want to become a member or renew membership can pay the membership fee during the conference. The annual membership fee is only PHP200.00
  
  
  

Conference Details :

Registration Fee: P1,700 (inclusive of food, lodging and handouts)
Please bring your own towels and toiletries. Information about your organization/s might be useful. Your artistic contributions to our anniversary celebration will be appreciated.

Venue Location: Titus Brandsma, Retreat House, is at 26 Acacia St. next to IFRS (Institute of Formation and Religious Studies). From Welcome Rotonda (Quezon City) take E.Rodriguez Avenue, and turn right at New York St.. At the corner of Immaculate Concepcion Parish Church, (one can also take a tricycle at P9.00 fare ) turn right again to Rosario St. At the 2nd corner turn left (this is Acacia Lane). The first building is IFRS (the Institute of Formation and Religious Studies) and the next is Titus Brandsma Center. One can also access the Retreat House from Aurora Blvd. through Arcegas St. a tricycle is also available, fare is P9.00
The phone number is 721-8677.

For more inquiries and registration,
please contact Sueji: (02) 928-8636 or 0916-7015436, Wim: (02) 410-1395, or
Mayang: (02) 913-9774
You can also email PIF at: [email protected] or [email protected]

Please confirm your participation on or before

** *January 20, 2004 -Tuesday***

WHAT IS THE ANNUAL PIF CONFERENCE?

The Annual Conference is the opportunity for PIF members (Philippine International Forum, an association of internationals committed to solidarity with the Filipino people), and other interested internationals to get together to focus on a specific current issues affecting the Filipino people. Relationships and networks are be strengthened and built.
It is also an opportunity to interact with other nationals, share experiences, insights, inspiration and creativity about work and life in and beyond the Philippines. Broad action plans are usually made by participants to guide the solidarity work of PIF with the Filipino people for the coming year.

We invite you to join us for these days of input, discussions, workshops, and planning - and to inform other internationals you might know to attend and work together for better service and mutual empowerment! ***

ABOUT PIF:

PIF is a network of internationals of various nationalities and backgrounds committed to solidarity with the Filipino people and their efforts for justice, peace and self-determination. Started in 1985, it provides a forum for its members to effectively translate their solidarity into actions in service of the Filipino people's movement for human rights, and economic, political and social transformation. PIF seeks to link the hopes and aspirations of the Filipino people with the people in our home countries and throughout the world.

GENERAL OBJECTIVES:

• To provide venues to discuss pertinent Philippine issues whose impacts are being felt in our work areas and groups;
• Build linkages among internationals in the Philippines and with the peoples of the world, and share information among network members and with other groups involved in international solidarity work.

To support members' needs for renewal of motivation and energy.

ACTIVITIES:
* Organizing the annual conference
* Organizing forum-workshops
* Producing research and publications
* International networking
* Facilitating exposure programs and exchanges
* Advocacy
*Updating through Regional sub-groups

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