With just more than a month to go before the much awaited 2nd Asian Global Justice School (AGJS), the IIRE-Manila is now on the final stage of the preparations on all aspects for the success of the activity. The following is the brief overview of the status of the coming school.

Participants and Resource Persons

Invitations were sent to comrades from 11 Asia-Pacific countries, including the Philippines. Also, the attendance to the school was open to all interested activists from all over the world. Initially, the IIRE-Manila targeted 20 participants and 10 foreign resource persons for the 2nd AGJS. Gender-balance consideration was also emphasized in the invitations.

As of this writing, nine (9) participants confirmed that they will attend the school, and have the means to travel to Manila. Also, another Six (6) participants confirmed, but expressed financial difficulties for their airfare. These participants are coming from Sri Lanka, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Malaysia, India and Bangladesh. Meanwhile, five (5) participants are yet to finalize their attendance. 

For the resource persons, majority of them have confirmed attendance. The rest need to finalize their schedules in relation to the duration of the school. Some Resource Persons will stay for the whole duration and will participate in the discussions, while some will just stay for a week. However, two (2) resource persons from Pakistan and one (1) from Europe still needs support for their international flight.

Resource Generation

A joint finance campaign was launched by the IIRE in Amsterdam and Manila.  The amount that will be raised by this campaign will be divided by the two institutes. Also, part of the financial campaign initiated by the IIRE-Manila was the Sponsor A Comrade Campaign which yielded few, yet very significant results so far. We are still waiting for the response of the Sponsor A Comrade Campaign from other organizations. The IIRE-Manila team also initiated local resource generation by tapping local sources from its networks in the Philippines, which could cover some parts of the expenses for the accommodation and logistical needs of the school. Individual colleagues in Europe are also making finance generation works with their individual contacts.

We are still calling for solidarity support for the participation of the six (6) activists from the third world, and the three (3) resource persons. 

Other Updates

With suggestions from colleagues, the IIRE-Manila team decided to have all sessions of the school in Manila. This means there will be no more sessions in Mindanao. This is in order to save cost given the difficult financial situation of the school and of the institute. A minor change in the program was also being made. Copies thereof will be sent soon through email.