Forum Annual Meeting 2008

NGO Forum elects new IC

27 March, Antipolo - The ADB watchdog has elected the new members of its International Committee (IC). After a long, fruitful discussion among the different regional working groups, the new IC was formally presented to the FAM in the evening.

Wilfred D' Costa has succeeded Ana Maria R. Nemenzo as International Convenor. While Fabby Tumiwa, a second-timer to the IC, has been elected as Treasurer. To see the complete list of the new members of the IC, click here

NGO Forum holds FAM 2008

25 March, Antipolo - The NGO Forum on ADB formally opened its Forum Annual Meeting in Cloud 9 Hotel & Leisure in Antipolo City, Philippines.

Eighty-four participants attended the three-day event coming from the different regions of Asia, specifically East, Southeast, South and Central Asia. There were also participants from Europe and the United States.

During the first day, there was a discussion on the different campaign techniques used by Forum members in handling their respective advocacies. The ADB's Public Communication Policy and making International Financial Institutions (IFIs), such as the ADB, were also hot topics for discussion.

The second half of the day was devoted to press release-writing. This provided participants not only the opportunity to have a hands-on exercise but to share their knowledge and experiences in dealing with media.

The second day will be devoted to the discussion of key issues of the NGO Forum, such as the ADB's Safeguard Policies, Long-term Strategic Framework, Accountability Mechanism, Gender, Energy Policy Review, water and Core Labor Standards. Specific ADB projects such as Phulbari Coal Project in Bangladesh and the Lafarge Cement project in Indonesia will also be tackled.

Business session will begin on the third day which will also include the election of the new members of the International Committee.


Jessica Rosien of Oxfam Australia talks about proposal writing and fund raising. Phulbari! Shefali Sharma of BIC with Philip Gain of SEHD May Rodriguez of the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines shares her knowledge on press release-writing.
Mishka Zaman of Bank Information Center sharing her experience on the ADB's Public Communication Policy. Who's the next IC? The Philippine working group. Jonna Levitt of International Accountability Project talks about ADB's policy on involuntary resettlement
Ongoing NGO Forum Executive Director Hemantha Withanage chats with Beckie Malay of FDC. MM Mahbub Hasan of CDP presents Forum's token to Ana Maria R. Nemenzo for her invaluable contribution to the NGO Forum as its International Convenor. The three hardworking "Marias."
Passionate and patriotic Bangladeshis. Ana Maria R. Nemenzo congratulates the newly elected members of the International Committee. Indonesians strike a pose!
A nice smile to brigthen our day. Second-timer IC member, Suranjan odithuwakku Hemantha Withanage with Kay Leak, Karen Avetisyan, Alex Shwe,MM Mahbub Hasan, Pen Raingsey and Xiaojuan Wang. Manila sunset. Far from the hustling and bustling of the city.

Previous Forum Annual Meetings

FAM 2007 Markina, Philippines
FAM 2006 Hydarabad, India
FAM 2005 Manila, Philippines
FAM 2004 Manila, Philippines
FAM 2003 Manila, Philippines
FAM 2002 Manila, Philippines
FAM 2001 Subic, Philippines