Background
Realizing the fact that the Official SAARC has not been able to keep the promises to develop regional solidarity, regional support system and regional integrity, a large number of people committed to justice, peace and democracy based on a common minimum principle with a shared perspective and understanding have initiated People’s SAARC.

The overarching themes of People’s SAARC are around the issues of Exclusion, the Denial of Human rights and the curtailing of democratic constitutional and of judicial processes.

Contrary to expectations, the Official SAARC failed to fulfill the promised goals of a better South Asia. On the other hand, economic policies pursued by ruling classes and parties of the region created a condition of exclusion and marginalization, denial of rights, justice and democratic freedom. As a result, South Asia and its people are bound to stand at testing and critical crossroads in the history of the region.

There is a realization that the rulers within these countries have kept the people of our region apart through the creation of walls of suspicion, hostility, intolerance, misinformation and the prevention of interaction amongst the people in order to maintain their control over their societies. This system also creates ideal conditions for the advancement of paranoia, war hysteria, militarization, proliferation of nuclear weapons and dominance of armed security forces along an ultra-nationalist ideology, with self-righteously curbs, democratic debate and dissent on many vital issues.

People's solidarity in South Asia must legitimately cherish the vision and perspective of an alternative political, social, economic and cultural system in the region that will eliminate all distinctions and discriminations of gender, caste, religion, language and ethnicity; lead to a situation free from exploitation and oppression, inaugurate a climate in which each individual will have the opportunity, in concern with the collectivity, to realize the full development of her or his human potential, restore the balance and harmony with nature, liquidate the artificial and human barriers that divide lands, collectivities and minds, and transcend all boundaries. Such a South Asia must be the goal of the people of this region and of their solidarity.

The People’s SAARC is a focal point and platform for sharing, forging and strengthening solidarity linkages along like-minded action groups, resources agencies, progressive individuals, among other with the common aim of promoting movement for democracy, justice and build peoples’ resistance against the forces of globalization across nations.

People’s SAARC event took place in Nepal from 23-25 March, 2007. A number of activists, politicians, parliamentarians, journalists, lawyers, representing their respective constituencies from across the South Asia region participated in the conference. A huge people's rally was organized on the last day of the conference, and People’s SAARC declaration was formally announced. (Website : www.saape.org.np/news_events/peoples_saarc07/declaration.htm)

Asian People's Alliance for Combating HIV&AIDS (APACHA) in coordination with Nepal APACHA chapter also conducted different sensitization programs during the conference. At a time when most of the HIV&AIDS related programs are taking place within conventional HIV&AIDS programs and seminar, it is extremely important to create political space for the discussion of HIV&AIDS within such political platform. Thus on this ground, APACHA initiated the process and it was a new experience as well. At the end of conference APACHA also came up with the charter of demand. APACHA’s Charter of Demands have been included in the main document of People SAARC Declaration

(Source: People’s SAARC Doc.)