3. A-BAN Personnel 

As the ethos of the organization will be collaborative, the personnel steering this new body will be chosen from several Asian countries. A-BAN has co-chairperson, a coordinator and vice-coordinators. 

• Co-chairs

Prof. Domyung Paek, Seoul University, Korea and Ban Asbestos Network Korea (BANKO)
Prof. Takehiko Muramaya, Waseda University, Japan
Mr. Apo Leong, Asia Monitor Resource Centre (AMRC), Hong Kong
Mr. Jagdish Patel, Peoples Training and Research Centre (PTRC), India and Asian Network for the Rights of Occupational Accident Victims (ANROAV)
Mr. Apolinar Tolentino, Building and Wood Workers' International Asia Pacific, Malaysia

• Coordinator

Mr. Sugio Furuya, Ban Asbestos Network Japan (BANJAN), Japan and ANROAV

• Vice Coordinators

Mr. Yeyong Choi, BANKO, Korea
Mr. Sanjiv Pandita, AMRC, Hong Kong and ANROAV
Ms. Madhumitta Dutta, Corporate Accountability Desk - The Other Media, India

• Advisors

Mrs. Laurie Kazan-Allen,, International Ban Asbestos Secretariat (IBAS), UK
Dr. Barry Castleman, Environmental Consultant, USA
Ms. Fiona Murie, BWI,  Switzerland

• Contact Address

E-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

URL: available soon 

4. Objectives 

The clue to A-BAN's overall purpose is in the name; specific objectives include: 

• facilitate a total asbestos ban  in Asia as soon as possible;
• take steps to reveal the hidden epidemic of asbestos-related diseases in Asia;
• reveal the widespread asbestos contamination of Asian infrastructures;
• stop the international transfer of the asbestos industry;
• obtain justice for all asbestos victims, family members and affected communities;
• achieve an asbestos-free society in Asia and globally.

5. Activities 

In collaboration with elected officials, A-BAN members will engage in the following activities: 

• share information and national experiences on asbestos-related topics;
• coordinate regional and multinational campaigns and research;
• forge ongoing relationships with stakeholders in order to develop joint initiatives;
• generate and support grassroots initiatives on asbestos;
• reach out to international partners in the labor movement, medical profession, academic community etc.

6. Strategy 

6.1  Sharing information  and experiences 

• set up an A-BAN email distribution list and website;
• having researched available asbestos information, develop written and other material to fill the information gaps;
• periodic/occasional (skype) meetings to discuss strategies and developments;
• hold meetings (virtual and real)/ conference

   Campaigns: 

• against major polluters such as Nichias;
• against misinformation spread by industry;
• against transfer of hazardous waste (including ships).

   Research: 

• mapping current/past asbestos polluting operations such as mines and factories;
• multinational, interdisciplinary research such as the project undertaken in August 2008 by a team from Korea, Japan and Indonesia at the asbestos textile plant in Indonesia.

6.3   Joint Initiatives:  

• facilitate projects between asbestos victims groups, trade unions, environmental and occupational safety and health campaigners, medical professionals;
• define a feasible structure with a relation to Asian Network for the Rights Of Occupational Accident Victims (ANROAV), Building and Woodworkers International (BWI) regional networks, etc.

• having identified available human and financial resources, establish outreach programs which could include running workshops and training, awareness programs, diagnosis and identification of victims, legal support to the victims for sical justicein Indonesia, China, India  and other countries..
• building on established international links, define a role and lobbying position for A-BAN with international agencies such as the WHO, the ILO, etc.