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Now in its 20th year, the ASEAN Civil Society Conference/ASEAN People’s Forum (ACSC/APF), the largest gathering of civil society organizations (CSOs) in Southeast Asia, has held a vital role as a platform for CSOs in voicing various concerns – from human rights, environmental advocacy, economic developments, and other social issues that best the region. It provides marginalized groups – such as trade unions, NGOs, social movements, and community organizations – a valuable opportunity to engage in dialogue with their governments to address the pressing issues and concerns of the region.
Despite the challenges and criticisms, ACSF/APF remains committed to its mission, continually strengthening their networks by including educational institutions, and private sectors, as well as advancing technology and digital platforms to strengthen people-to-people connectivity across geographic boundaries.
The ASEAN Civil Society Conference/ASEAN People’s Forum (ACSC/APF) 2024 will be held from September 19-21 in Dili, Timor-Leste. Established in 2004, the ACSC/APF has grown into the largest gathering of civil society organizations (CSOs) in Southeast Asia. It provides a crucial platform for regional civil society to voice concerns, advocate for change, and promote a more democratic and inclusive Southeast Asia. The forum has played a vital role in connecting diverse groups, such as NGOs, trade unions, social movements, and community organizations, to discuss pressing regional issues and collaborate on shared strategies.
The ACSC/APF continues to connect civil society and ASEAN governments. The forum creates a space for dialogue and solidarity across national borders, helps amplify grassroots voices and ensures that the concerns of ordinary citizens are considered in regional policymaking. This bottom-up approach not only strengthens the capacity of civil society but also enhances cooperation and mutual understanding within the ASEAN community, making the ACSC/APF an indispensable part of the region’s democratic process
My name is Teerachai Sanjaroenkijthaworn. I am an environmental activist. For the past nine years, I have been working with The Mekong Butterfly, an independent ecological group based in Thailand. We focus on protecting natural resources, environment, ecosystems in the Mekong River Basin, to encourage people living in the Mekong region — Yunnan, province of China, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam - to improve their natural resource management, to support equality and freedom of access to information and institutional decision-making mechanisms. Hence, our work aims to positively impact the Mekong River Basin’s ecosystems and ways of life in both in the short and long term.
Together with local the communities, we monitor impacts from Mekong dams, campaign and monitor Thai outbound investments in conflict areas, like Myanmar, and working closely with MPs and relevant authorities to raise awareness and do report on regulating these Thai outbound investments at the parliamentary level. The nature of our work requires constant exchange, dialogue and coordination with fellow CSOs in neighboring countries of ASEAN. Upon my appointment as alternative steering committee of ASEAN Civil Society Conference/ASEAN People Forum (ACSC/APF) 2024 this year, I took the opportunity to connect with fellow CSOs in ASEAN.
The ACSC/APF remains an important platform for promoting regional dialogue and collaboration within the ASEAN region, especially among CSOs, NGOs, and people. Despite challenges and criticisms, this annual gathering of civil society organizations continues to play a vital role in shaping the future of Southeast Asia, and highlighting its unique contributions and addressing potential areas for improvement.
Firstly, the ACSC/APF provides a much-needed space for civil society voices to be heard in the ASEAN decision-making process. While ASEAN has made strides in economic integration and political cooperation, it has often been criticized for its top-down approach and lack of meaningful public participation. The ACSC/APF serves as a counterbalance to this tendency, bringing together grassroots organizations, NGOs, and activists from across the region to discuss pressing issues and formulate recommendations for ASEAN leaders.
This bottom-up approach is essential for ensuring that the concerns and aspirations of ordinary citizens are represented in regional policy-making. By facilitating dialogue between civil society and governments, the ACSC/APF helps bridge the gap between official ASEAN rhetoric and the lived realities of people on the ground. This is particularly important in addressing cross-cutting issues such as human rights, environmental protection, and social justice, which often require coordinated regional responses.
Moreover, the ACSC/APF plays a crucial role in promoting people-to-people connectivity within ASEAN. By bringing together diverse groups from different countries, the forum fosters understanding and solidarity among civil society actors across national borders. This network-building function is invaluable in a region characterized by significant cultural, political, and economic diversity. Through shared experiences and collaborative efforts, participants can develop common strategies for addressing regional challenges and promoting a more inclusive vision of ASEAN integration.
The ACSC/APF also serves as an important platform for knowledge-sharing and capacity-building among civil society organizations. The forum provides opportunities for participants to exchange best practices, learn from each other's experiences, and develop innovative approaches to advocacy and community engagement. This cross-pollination of ideas and strategies strengthens the overall capacity of civil society in the region, enabling more effective engagement with national governments and ASEAN institutions.
Furthermore, the ACSC/APF plays a critical role in holding ASEAN governments accountable to their commitments on human rights, democracy, and social development. By monitoring the implementation of ASEAN declarations and agreements, civil society organizations can highlight gaps between rhetoric and reality, pushing for more concrete action and meaningful reforms. This watchdog function is essential for ensuring that ASEAN's lofty goals translate into tangible benefits for the people of Southeast Asia.
In recent years, the ACSC/APF has also demonstrated its ability to adapt to changing circumstances and emerging challenges, online and onsite formats in the COVID and post-COVID era, maintaining its role as a key platform for regional dialogue even in the face of travel restrictions and social distancing measures. This adaptability underscores the forum's resilience and ongoing relevance in an ever-changing regional landscape.
Additionally, the ACSC/APF has increasingly focused on engaging young people and marginalized communities, recognizing the importance of intergenerational dialogue and inclusive participation. By amplifying the voices of youth, women, indigenous peoples, and other underrepresented groups, the forum helps ensure that ASEAN's development agenda reflects the diverse needs and aspirations of all segments of society.
However, it is important to acknowledge that the ACSC/APF faces several challenges that may limit its effectiveness. One persistent issue is the varying levels of government engagement and receptiveness to civil society input across ASEAN member states. While some countries have shown a willingness to incorporate civil society recommendations into their policy-making processes, others have been more resistant or even hostile to such engagement.
Another challenge is the need for more sustained follow-up and implementation of the recommendations generated at the ACSC/APF. While the forum provides a valuable platform for dialogue and agenda-setting, translating these discussions into concrete policy changes remains an ongoing struggle. Strengthening the linkages between the ACSC/APF and official ASEAN mechanisms could help address this issue and enhance the forum's impact on regional governance.
Despite these challenges, the ACSC/APF continues to evolve and adapt, demonstrating its ongoing relevance to regional dialogue in ASEAN. By providing a space for civil society voices, promoting people-to-people connectivity, facilitating knowledge-sharing, and holding governments accountable, the forum plays an indispensable role in shaping a more inclusive and equitable future for Southeast Asia.
There are several ways in which the ACSC/APF could further enhance its relevance and effectiveness. These include:
- Strengthening partnerships with other regional and global civil society networks to amplify its impact and leverage broader support for its advocacy efforts.
- Developing more robust mechanisms for monitoring and evaluating the implementation of its recommendations, including regular progress reports and follow-up meetings with ASEAN officials.
- Expanding its outreach and engagement efforts to include a wider range of stakeholders, such as private sector representatives and academic institutions, to foster more comprehensive and inclusive dialogues.
- Leveraging technology and digital platforms to enhance year-round collaboration and communication among civil society organizations between annual gatherings.
On behalf of the alternative steering committee, I think that the ACSC/APF remains a vital and relevant platform for regional dialogue in ASEAN. Its unique role in amplifying civil society voices, fostering cross-border collaboration, and promoting a more people-centered approach to regional integration is more important than ever in the face of complex global challenges. By adapting and innovating, the ACSC/APF can play an even more significant role in shaping a more inclusive, sustainable, and just future for Southeast Asia.
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Teerachai Sanjaroenkijthaworn is a researcher and coordinator for The Mekong Butterfly/ETO Watch Coalition. He has been working for nine year with focusing on social issues in the Mekong region, particularly those related to development projects and their impacts on local communities and ecosystems. His work also promotes the implementation of extraterritorial human rights obligations to ensure accountability in all sectors across the borders. He is the member of Alternative Steering Committee of The ASEAN Civil Society Conference/ASEAN People’s Forum (ACSC/APF) 2024 Dili, Timor-Leste.
Disclaimer: This published work was prepared with the support of the Heinrich Böll Stiftung. The views and analysis contained in the work are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of the foundation. The author is responsible for any liability claims against copyright breaches of graphics, photograph, images, audio, and text used.
