Poverty Alleviation Initiatives in ASEAN

1. Poverty Alleviation Initiatives in ASEAN Prepared for the 2nd ASEAN Plus Three Seminar on Poverty Alleviation Beijing, 25 September 2006

2. Background • Prior to 1997: poverty alleviation work was ad-hoc • October 1997: Inaugural Meeting of ASEAN Ministers for Rural Development and Poverty Eradication (AMRDPE) was held in Malaysia. • AMRDPE adopted a Framework Plan of Action on Rural Development and Poverty Eradication (RDPE) and an ASEAN Action Plan on Social Safety Nets (SSN)

3. Regional Mandates Bali Concord I (1976) • “the elimination of poverty, hunger, disease and illiteracy is a primary concern of member states.” ASEAN 2020 (1997) • “We envision a socially cohesive and caring ASEAN where hunger, malnutrition, deprivation and poverty are no longer basic problems…” • “We commit ourselves to moving towards closer cohesion and economic integration, narrowing the gap in level of development among member countries…” Bali Concord II (2003) • “…foster cooperation in social development aimed at raising the standard of living of disadvantaged groups and the rural population....” • “The development and enhancement of human resources is a key strategy for employment generation, alleviating poverty and socio-economic disparities, and ensuring economic growth with equity”

4. Activities with Partners • With UNDP • Training of facilitators on rural development (2001) • Building/Enhancing capacity for research, assessment and monitoring of poverty (2001) • Regional Workshop on ASEAN Cooperation in Poverty Reduction and the MGDs (2005) • With AusAID • ASEAN-Australia Social Safety Nets project convened four policy workshops (2001-2002) to address targeting and rapid assessment mechanisms; the delivery of social services, the role of national and local governments; and partnerships in social policy.

5. Activities with Partners With the World Bank • “Mainstreaming Social Development in the National Development Agenda” • Video conferences on sustainable rural development, and on targeted social protection (2001) • ASEAN-WB joint activity on Local Participation in Rural Poverty Reduction (2003-2004) • ASEAN-WB Tokyo Development Learning Centre Initiative on Learning Programmes on Rural Poverty and Deevlopment (2005 to date – ongoing)

6. Activities with Partners (3) • With the EU • Regional Workshop on Strengthening Social Protection Systems in ASEAN (2006) • With Japan • Regional Workshop on Poverty Eradication – One Tambon One Product (2005)

7. Next Steps • A new Plan of Action for Rural Development and Poverty Reduction (2004-2010) was adopted by the 4th AMRDPE in October 2004.

8. ASEAN goals for poverty • In concert with the UN Millennium Development Goals, new Plan addresses: • Globalisation • Narrowing the Digital Divide • Social Protection • Employment and Income Generation • Partnerships, Decentralisation and Local Participation • Narrowing the Development Gap • Rural Volunteer Movements • Public Information

9. ASEAN goals for poverty • Emphasis on • capacity-building • enhanced information- and knowledge-sharing for inclusion • Recognition of the role of local communities and civil society in any initiative for rural poverty reduction.

10. Links with Civil Society Organisations • Affiliate Status of ASIAN Partnership for the Development of Human Resources in Rural Asia

11. Thank you! More information at www.aseansec.org