Connecting Civil Society of Asia and Europe

16-18 June 2004, Barcelona Spain

Civil Society Organisations can make a unique contribution to the political, socio-economic and cultural development in Asia and Europe. The efforts of Civil Society actors, such as NGOs, Trade Unions, Universities, Research institutes, Think Tanks, Foundations, and Resource Organisations are indispensable to the building of a sense of community in the two regions. Connecting civil societies should therefore be a key strategy for a greater and more fruitful cooperation between Asia and Europe.

This two-day conference comprised plenary sessions, thematic workshops and sectoral working groups, where participants were invited to exchange ideas on possibilities for strengthening the relationship between Asia and Europe and to describe their vision of future links between the regions.

The Asia-Europe Foundation, with the aid of co-organisers Casa Asia (Spain), IIAS (The Netherlands) and JCIE (Japan), then complied the comments and viewpoints that surfaced during the meeting into a set of concrete recommendations known as The Barcelona Report. This report has since been transmitted to the ASEM governments in anticipation of the ASEM 5 summit of heads of state of Asia and Europe to be held in November 2004.

Participants and Co-organisers in front of La Pedrera	Co-organisers at the Press Conference	Distinguished speakers and participants at the Opening Session
H.E. Surin Pitsuwan delivering his Keynote address	Workshop 1 discusses Governance, H.R, Gender and Labour Issues	Workshop 3 on Education, Academic Cooperation, Science & Technology
Participants at a reception at the office of the Mayor	Working Group 1 in the beautiful Auditorio Tagore	Participants of Working Group 3 on Trade Unions
Working Group 5 on the Media	ASEF's Publications booth at Casa Asia draws a crowd	Connecting Civil Society of Asia and Europe