APGN 5-year Strategic Plan 2010-2015

APGN 2010 Congress, Taipei, 30 April – 2 May 2010

This Plan aims to develop and strengthen the Asia Pacific Greens Network (APGN) over the next five years. With this plan, all Green parties and political movements can be more active and influential, playing a greater role in political affairs in the Asia-Pacific region.

1. THE WHAT: WHAT THE APGN PLANS TO DO

1.1. Background

The Asia Pacific Greens Network (APGN) brings the region’s Green parties and movements together. Our region will be critically important and influential for world affairs in this 21st century. Yet it is dominated by developing countries in which democracy is still young or not yet born. The challenge is to nourish democratic values and allow Green ideas to flourish. The world needs development in Asia and the Pacific to be built on solid foundations of democracy and sustainability.

Green movements have developed unevenly throughout the region. In some countries it is not possible to register a Green party. In others, significant numbers of Green politicians are already elected at all levels from local councils to national parliaments. 

In several countries Green parties have begun to contest elections, or will in the next few years. Some of these have had their candidates elected. Other members have become legal parties, but face huge obstacles to electoral success. They may form alliances with better-resourced, established parties in their countries that are sympathetic to Green ideas and in this way influence election outcomes. 

Certain of our members are social movements, Non Government Organisations (NGOs) or community groups that share our Green objectives, some of which intend to become political parties, but have not done so yet. Others do not intend to become political parties themselves. They may not stand their own candidates, but they advance Green ideas and may influence the election outcome by their campaigns, sometimes supporting other candidates or parties. 
The APGN strategy must acknowledge these differences and plan for them. 

1.2. Long Term Goal

To have an Asia-Pacific wide network of well established, viable political parties and movements exercising decisive political influence, cooperating to promote, implement and develop the goals of the Global Greens Charter, at national and international levels. 

1.3. Objectives

Within five years (i.e. by 2015) we will seek to ensure that:

1. The APGN has helped its member organizations maximise their political influence and is heard as a significant green political voice across the Asia Pacific region.
2. Green parties and political movements in the APGN have grown in strength and number and achieved increased representation in public office. Where elections are not possible, significant progress is made towards democratisation of governance and electoral systems.
3. Green parties and political movements in the region are comprehensively responding to climate change and other global and regional environmental issues. This will involve strong advocacy for climate justice.
4. There is an active Asia Pacific Young Greens Network (APGYN) campaigning in its own right and providing active members to Greens parties and movements in the region.
5. Within the APGN and its member organisations women are fully involved and play an equal role at all levels.
6. Within the APGN and its member organizations, the role of Indigenous peoples and other oppressed groups is strengthened.
7. Green parties and political movements in the region are campaigning strongly for “fair share” policies and practices aimed at reducing poverty and promoting social and environmental justice. This includes campaigns against discrimination based on gender, race, age, religion, class, ethnic or national origin, sexual orientation, disability, wealth or health.

1.4. Strategy

To succeed each member group - political party or movement - will need to carry out its own program. The APGN strategy calls for collaborative activities that involve all or several members.

Sharing information and experiences among members.

Such sharing may involve web resources and email discussion groups, study tours of one or more countries, collaborative research projects and campaign strategies. One research project might look at which electoral systems offer better opportunities for Green candidates.

Joint political campaigns

Let us seize opportunities for joint campaigns on global and regional issues, such as climate change, free trade agreements, human rights abuses and shortfalls of democracy. Campaigns could cover bioregional concerns that cross national borders. As opportunities arise the APGN can coordinate joint campaigns. Examples of possible campaigns are given in the Operational Plan. 

Assistance to emerging Green parties and movements 

A priority will be to support emerging Green organisations in developing countries. Developed and developing countries will need extra opportunities to learn from each other’s ideas and experiences, including through exchange programs. The APGN can offer them inspiration, resources and help to develop their organisations and gain exposure to regional and global Greens activities. 

A Network of Green Institutes

Green Institutes have been formed in some countries to strengthen Green politics. This work could be extended by collaborating regionally and globally with like-minded organisations and by helping to strengthen the APGN. APGN members are encouraged to explore the creation of Green Institutes in their countries where appropriate.

Financial resources

Funds for APGN activities will be sought from member groups, philanthropic organisations or individuals, government programs, etc. 

Most available support will be directed to develop the organisation of emerging Green parties and movements. APGN will not fund election campaign activities in any country nor coordinate such funding from its members.  

2.  THE HOW – HOW The APGN will implement the plan

(Formerly known as Part B: Operational Plan 2010)

The Operational Plan for 2010 and subsequent years will be finalised by the APGN Coordinating Committee.