Social Movements
The experiences and concerns of social movements struggling for economic, social and cultural rights featured prominently in the the Inagural Conference of ESCR-Net. Prior to the conference, the Assembly of the Poor, one of the largest social movements in Asia, hosted a solidarity exposure visits in three areas of Thailand for those from other countries to witness first hand local struggles for ESC Rights. Following the solidarity visits, the Assembly convened the People's Movement Forum for Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, which brought together local Thai social movements and social movements from around the world to share grassroots strategies to advance ESC rights. Participating groups drafted the Lanna Declaration on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (named after the traditional Thai name for the northern Thailand region). The Declaration demanded that all governments adhere to "the obligation to implement and protect ESCR…and to carry out development projects and multilateral agreements in conformity with these international human rights standards.Furthermore, it declared, international financial institutions (IFIs), international trade organizations and agreements, transnational corporations (TNCs) and donor agencies must comply with the requirements of economic, social and cultural rights.Social movements attending the forum called on the new Network to monitor and review these organizations as well as publish periodical reports on ESC rights violations. In addition a workshop was organized during the conference.
