Forum history 

The inauguration of East Asian Organic Forum held at National Chung Hsing University, Taichung, Taiwan on Monday 27 and Tuesday 28 November 2006.

This was the first time East Asian Organic leaders met from different countries including North Korea, South Korea, Japan, Hong Kong, Vietnam, the Philippines, South East Asia region, Oceania Pacific region and Taiwan. The opportunity to collaborate had been anticipated for the entire year.

“This long overdue initiative provides the first opportunity for international and East Asian leaders to converge and share best approaches to managing growth of Organics and other strategic issues.” said organiser Prof Chen Shih-shiung. “It is a significant step in the maturity of Organics in the East Asian region and we are proud to be hosting it. A meeting of this magnitude will enable us to collaborate across a host of issues and meet future demands more effectively.”

“Organic systems approaches offer real solutions to many of the worlds, environmental, social and economic problems including global warming, water quality, soil fertility and biodiversity.” continued Prof Chen. “Consumers are also demanding greater accountability on producers and traders for safer healthier foods and the Organic sector is offering genuine alternatives for concerned citizens.” added Prof Chen.

The initiative came about through visiting New Zealand lecturer and International Federation of Organic Agriculture Movements World Board member Brendan Hoare. “If we want the world Organic, then we have to believe that every part of the world is going Organic. We need strategies that focus on deep issues at the highest level and it is wonderful to see East Asia responding to the need to align visions.”

“The world is looking at East Asia, (the home of farmers of forty centuries) for some real solutions. It is exciting that leadership in the region is interested in sharing their problem-proofing and problem solving techniques from production and produce handling and marketing to policy issues and associated organisational and technological issues.” explained Brendan Hoare. “Achieving the collective goal of the worldwide adoption of ecological, socially and economically sound systems based on the Organic principles of ecology, health, fairness and care can only be achieved if we are united in our approach.” said Brendan Hoare.

The initiative has been fully supported by National Chung Hsing University, Taiwan Council of Agriculture, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Taiwan Foundation of Plant Protection, Taichung City Government, Shan Shuei Organic Rice Company, and AVRDC – the World Vegetable Centre

Contact:

Prof Chen Shih-shiung -  +886 (0)93 251 0899  sschen@nchu.edu.tw

Brendan Hoare - +886 (0) 91 2939026  bhoare@unitec.ac.nz