The Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organization (UNPO) will hold its IX General Assembly on 16 – 17 May 2008 in Brussels, Belgium.

The thematic issues of the convention will be: Nonviolent Civil Resistance and Regional Autonomies and Federalism in the Context of Internal Self-Determination.

UNPO’s General Assembly is the highest decision-making body of the organization, which convenes at least once every 18 months. UNPO Members will convene to decide policies and priorities of action of the organization.

The 2008 General Assembly will build on the resolve and commitments expressed at the VIII General Assembly in Taipei, Taiwan in 2006, and continue a programme of reforms aimed at enabling UNPO to proceed to adopt a new political preamble of its Covenant.

Furthermore, this General Assembly will maintain a focus on nonviolent civil resistance, with a hearing to be held which aims to explore the dynamics of active nonviolence. Understanding how nonviolent political opposition can be successfully expressed and organized is a central concern to most UNPO Members, amongst which are many of the world’s most prominent nonviolent activist.

By listening to both who have succeeded in the past and those who are struggling at present, it is hoped a dynamic and informative picture can be constructed of how such movements succeed, how such movements can be supported, and ultimately develop and understanding of how such movements can contribute to the wider goal of long-term stability through beginning the process of developing democratic institutions. 

For media enquiries regarding the IX General Assembly, please contact the UNPO Secretariat on +32 (0) 488 684 267