Fifth Asian Development Forum

We have come in full circle. In the last five years, ten Asian countries have witnessed a series of national and regional forums under the aegis of the Asian Development Forum (ADF). These forums have involved nearly a thousand NGOs, gathered in a process of dialogue, reflection and planning at conducted in 1991 to 1996, the ADF process became more than just annual event; it is also served as venue for Asian NGOs to reassess their responses to rapidly shifting socio-political and economic environmental of the region. The choices of annual themes for the ADF thus reflect the concern for community realities and the emerging challenges of globalization.

The Fifth Asian Development Forum (28 February – 02 March 1996) synthesized the previous forums in building a people-centered, sustainable development agenda for Asian communities. Bonded by the theme of Food and Freedom, Jobs and Justice, Land and Labor, Peace and Prosperity this report “That We May Live” awakened NGOs to look beyond their small, isolated projects, and to search for new development paradigms towards a common, alternative vision.