Finnish AEPF in English

Finnish AEPF (Asia-Europe People’s Forum) Network

The Idea behind

After the Sixth AEPF organized in Helsinki, Finland in September 2006 the NGOs hosting the National Organizing Committee decided to establish a permanent Finnish AEPF Network.

The dialogue between the official ASEM and the AEPF as well as with the ASEF took remakable steps forward in Helsinki meeting. Finland as holding the EU presidency then met with the representatives of the Internatonal AEPF Committee many times. Finland also received the AEPF Final declaration to be passed to the official final statement of the ASEM meeting. Finland also recommended the future presidents of EU to continue this dialogue and support the work of AEPF financially.

The Finnish NGOs have long had Asian-European cooperation, among others in the comprehensive democracy issues and together with activist groups criticizing International Financial Institutions. The AEPF 6 autumn 2006 further strenghtened this and promoted the cooperation also among many new actors who acknowledged the Asian-European dimension in their work.

The Finnish AEPF Network is steered by a committee with the most active NGOs and people in it:

The Finnish AEPF Committee
Chairperson: MEP Sirpa Pietikäinen, http://www.sirpapietikainen.net
Coordinator: Ko Ko Thett, koko.thett at aepf-suomi.net

Attac Finland (Ms Anita Kelles-Viitanen)
Committee of 100 (Mr Kalle Sysikaski, vice chariperson of Finnish AEPF Committee)
Democracy forum Vasudhaiva Kutumbakan (Mr Marko Ulvila)
Etnia Association (Mr Alpo Ratia)
Finnish Asiatic Society (Ms Tove Selin, vicechair of the committee, Mr Ko Ko Thett)
Finnish Cambodia Friendship Association (Mr Joona Pietarila)
Finnish Family Federation (Ms Maria Wetzer-Karlsson)
Finnish Peace Union (Ms Oili Alm)
Finnish Philippines Society (Mr Pekka Borg)
 Finnish NGDO Platform to the EU - Kehys ry (Rilli Lappalainen)
Finnish UN Association (Ms Helena Laukko)
Finnish Vietnamese Friendship Assocation (Ms Minna Hakkarainen, Mira Käkönen)
FinnWatch Information Bureau (Ms Päivi Pöyhönen)
Friends of the Earth Finland (Mr Olli-Pekka Haavisto)
Finnish NGO Foundation for Human Rights  KIOS (observer, Ms Kristiina Vainio)
Service Centre for Development Cooperation KEPA (Mr Masud Hossain)
Solidarity Centre of the Finnish Trade Unions (Mr Seppo Karppinen)

More information about the Finnish AEPF Network and committee please contact: info at aepf-suomi.net or coordinator Ko Ko Thett, koko.thett at aepf.suomi.net