Philippines solidarity conference
SYDNEY — a conference entitled "The Philippines: 100 Years of Struggle, 100 years of Solidarity" on October 17-18 drew more than 100 people.
A delegation of six prominent Filipino activists and leaders of progressive political organisations are visiting Australia to attend the Conference. These include Lidy Alejandro, secretary of the New Patriotic Alliance (BAYAN). BAYAN is a federation of mass organisations based in various social sectors, such as workers, peasants, women, students and youth.
Other members of the delegation include Sister Cres Lucero of the Task Force Detainees, one of the major organisations dealing with the plight of political prisoners and other forms of political harassment; Joel Rocamora from the Philippines Rural Reconstruction Movement; Petite Peredo and Tel Hijos from the women's coalition, Gabriela; and Yul Caringas from the Indigenous People's Alliance.
The conference program included sessions of the situation in the Philippines, but the main emphasis was on building solidarity with the Philippines in Australia. The conference was organised by the Sydney-based Centre for Philippines Concerns-Australia and Philippines Australia Solidarity Group.