cald 2013 annual report

CALD@20T O W A R D N E W H O R I Z O N S

CALD2013 ANNUAL REPORT

M E S S A G E SHon. Sam Rainsy, CALD Chair Dr. Neric Acosta, CALD Secretary General Hon. Mu Sochua, MP, CALD Women’s Caucus Chair Mr. Nant Thananan, CALD Youth Chair

P R O J E C T SCALD Conference on Fundamental Freedoms 2 March | Singapore

CALD Women’s Caucus Seminar 3 March | Singapore

CALD Youth Climate Change Seminar 18-23 April | Cebu City & Bantayan Island, Cebu, Philippines

CALD Youth Festival 19-23 June | Bangkok, Thailand

CALD Climate Change Conference 6-9 September | Kaohsiung and Pingtung, Taiwan

CALD Youth Seminar 8 November | Manila, Philippines

6th CALD-ALDE Meeting 8-9 November | Manila, Philippines

CALD Anniversary Conference 11 November | Manila, Philippines

I N F O C U S : C A L D @ 2 0CALD Anniversary Dinner

CALD Through The Years

S P E E C H E SSenate President Franklin Drilon Sir Graham Watson, MEP Hon. Sam Rainsy Secretary Florencio Abad

4 9 R E S O L U T I O N S

5 0 S TAT E M E N T S & L E T T E R S

5 2 B U L L E T I N

6 6 S P E A K E R S & S E S S I O N C H A I R S

7 0 M E M B E R S & PA R T N E R S

8 8 A B O U T C A L D

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Two Decades of Unwavering Commitment to Liberalism and Democracy in AsiaCALD WEATHERED numerous storms in 2013, literally and figuratively. That it was able to end the year as a better and stronger organization, in the same way that it was able to thrive in the past 20 years despite the obstacles it confronted, is a testament to its value as a political party network and to the resonance of liberalism and democracy in the Asian region.

In its two-decade existence, CALD has survived storms of repression and tyranny in Asia and beyond. At the time of its founding, Asia was still under the grip of many authoritarian and semi-authoritarian regimes that used economic growth as a justification to suppress fundamental political and civil rights. While some of these regimes persist, their survival no longer hinges on economic development alone, and many of them use the language of democracy, human rights, and the rule of law to cover up their oppressive ways.

That liberalism and democracy have now embedded themselves in the Asian political landscape is due in no small part to the work of organizations like CALD. In the past two decades, CALD has risen from its humble beginnings to a potent political force that it is today. Its annual conferences have become important venues for sharing of ideas, for networking with fellow Liberals and Democrats, and for forging collective positions or solutions to common regional problems. Its workshops on women and youth issues, as well as on political communication and party management, have helped its component parties to organize grassroots support and consequently, become stronger competitors in the political arena — in parliament, in elections, or in the streets.

The year 2013 was definitive proof that CALD could pursue its objectives in spite of the challenges that come its way. In November, CALD held a memorable commemoration of its 20th founding anniversary in Manila, Philippines. What would have otherwise been a joyous celebration was dampened by Supertyphoon Haiyan (local name: Yolanda), which flattened central Philippines on the same day the anniversary events commenced. CALD’s anniversary celebration pushed through with great success, even as we could not remove from our thoughts the plight of millions of Filipinos reeling from the impact of the supertyphoon.

Two of CALD’s major conferences were held under the auspices of the 20th anniversary events. The 6th CALD-

MESSAGE FROM THE

CALD Chair

Sam Rainsy

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ALDE Meeting brought together liberal politicians from Asia and Europe to discuss the increasing political and economic prominence of the Asian region in the world stage, and how this development affects relations between the two regions. This was followed by the 20th Anniversary Conference, in which CALD chose to return to a topic that goes to its very core as a political party network: how to make political parties truly representative of the people that they are supposed to serve.

Another CALD conference took place in March dealing with challenges to fundamental freedoms. The venue – Singapore – could not have been more appropriate. And true to form, the Singapore authorities harassed the conference organizers and the host party on grounds that a permit is necessary for all public events in the Southeast Asian city-state. Despite the covert threats, the event pushed through as planned, lending credence to the adage that the “secret to freedom is courage.”

The courage to fight for freedom was also shown by my fellow Cambodians when they defied government-perpetuated violence and intimidation as they cast their votes for the general elections in July. When it became clear that the results of the elections were rigged, they launched massive public demonstrations that called for an independent and impartial investigation of allegations of electoral fraud, or even for new elections. Our fight for freedom is continuing; but having witnessed myself the “audacity of hope” of my countrymen, I have no doubt in the end that we will succeed.

Freedom also took center stage in the Kaohsiung Climate Change Conference in September. By highlighting best practices in climate change adaptation and mitigation, the conference forwarded that it is the right of every individual to be free from the insecurities brought about by climate change. Those insecurities were seen most clearly when typhoon

Haiyan ravaged the School of the Seas in scenic Bantayan Island, Philippines – the venue of the CALD Youth Climate Change workshop in April. We sent our messages of support to the people of the Philippines in the same way that we extended our solidarity to the German Liberals, who experienced their own political storm in the polls last September.

Apart from climate change, CALD also held events on women and youth issues in 2013. In March, the CALD Women’s Caucus held a seminar in Singapore that addressed how international women’s networks could be tapped to advance women’s rights and issues. Toward the end of the year, CALD Women’s Caucus Chair Mu Sochua returned to Burma to conduct a workshop for the women and youth leaders of the National League for Democracy. For its part, CALD Youth spearheaded the well-received CALD Youth Festival in Bangkok, Thailand in June, the first joint event it co-hosted with the International Federation of Liberal Youth since it became a member of the global youth network in December 2012.

The year that was indeed showcased what CALD could achieve despite the storms, natural or man-made, that come its way. Without a doubt, CALD proved in 2013 that it stands on strong foundation to withstand the surges against democracy and liberalism in the Asian region and beyond.

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Making Democracy Work in an Imperfect WorldON 8 to 11 November 2013, the Council of Asian Liberals and Democrats, together with its partners—the Friedrich Naumann Foundation, Liberal International, the Alliance for Liberals & Democrats for Europe, and the National Democratic Institute for International Affairs —celebrated 20 years of liberal democracy in Asia.

CALD has come a long way since its inaugural conference on 10 December 1993 in Bangkok, Thailand, which eventually established the oldest, biggest, and most dynamic alliance of ideologically-based political parties in Asia. Ten years ago, Kim Dae Jung, the then President of South Korea, Nobel Laureate and CALD Co-founder, asserted that CALD had become an epicenter of democracy in Asia.

Dr. Jürgen Morlok, Chairman of the FNF Board of Trustees, shared during the CALD@20 celebration in Manila: “The CALD founders went against the tide with their political ideals. I am convinced that the cooperation within CALD has helped to strengthen freedom policies in your countries. CALD has doggedly promoted centrist, liberal-democratic policies, making it evident that there is no shame in being a liberal. Liberalism is now part of the political furniture in most Asian countries.”

Since CALD celebrated its 10th anniversary in 2003, CALD member parties have gone through their own decade of milestones and upheavals: for bigger parties, winning and losing in elections; for smaller parties, gaining significant headways in their struggle for freedom and democracy despite continued and even intensified persecution.

In 2004, former CALD Chairman and then Taiwan President Chen Shui Bian and Vice President Annette Lu of the Democratic Progressive Party, won their second term in office. In 2010, Benigno Simeon C. Aquino of the Liberal Party, a former CALD Secretary General himself, was sworn in as the 15th President of the Republic of the Philippines. The following year, Abhisit Vejjajiva became the 4th and youngest Prime Minister from the Democrat Party of Thailand.

Three pillars of CALD from the democratic opposition have been released from incarceration, allowed to return home from exile or allowed to travel outside his country. Nobel Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi, after 15

MESSAGE FROM THE

Secretary General

Neric Acosta

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cumulative years of house arrests spanning 21 years, was released in November 2010 to lead the National League for Democracy especially during the general elections of that year. Former CALD Chair, Dr. Chee Soon Juan of the Singapore Democratic Party, who has been repeatedly arrested, charged, incarcerated and after being declared bankrupt, barred from seeking public office and travelling abroad, has been finally able to leave the country. We celebrated Soon Juan’s presence during the CALD@20 celebrations in Manila after being unable to attend CALD events outside Singapore. Current CALD Chairman Sam Rainsy of the Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP), who is no stranger to political exile, returned home in July 2013 after being granted a royal pardon. Though Rainsy himself was disqualified from contesting elections as a result of politically motivated and trumped-up charges, the Cambodian opposition under his leadership has officially won 55 parliamentary seats -- an increase of 26 seats despite allegations of massive fraud, the use of government resources to campaign for the ruling Cambodian People’s Party, vote-buying and intimidation, and a biased elections commission as documented by international monitoring groups. CNRP continues to reject the results of the elections and boycott parliament until an impartial investigation of electoral fraud is conducted and new elections are held so that the true will of the Cambodian people will prevail.

When CALD was just starting out, the proponents of the Asian values debate were at the zenith of their power. Time and again, in various fora, CALD has argued against the notion that democracy is not applicable in Asia and can be subsumed for economic progress. We in CALD have always believed that democracy and development go hand in hand and one cannot exist without the other.

Yet the forces of authoritarianism, populism, dogmatism, and the notion of Asian values persist in various forms. Various political environments wherein CALD member parties gestate still lack in democratic reforms and stronger and more open and accountable institutions of governance.

Societies where political and economic power is monopolized by a minority invariably give rise to an elite democracy where majority of the electorate—though able to vote in elections—are disenfranchised from policy networks and decision-making processes. The intolerance for dissent remains a hallmark of authoritarian and semi-authoritarian regimes that, at best, can merely establish “a façade of democracy,” as Sam Rainsy so succinctly put it.

But we have also been witness to the people’s unwavering struggle for genuine freedom and democracy; to the sacrifices of selfless individuals; and to the indomitable human spirit in the face of repression and abuse of power.

Even in developing and underdeveloped countries, we have seen a wellspring of democratic successes especially among leaders like President Benigno Aquino III, Sam Rainsy, and Aung San Suu Kyi, who have put their faith in the people—majority of whom may be poor and lacking in formal education but have acted, protested, and voted intelligently.

The principle of one person-one vote is integral in a functioning democracy. The unrest in Cambodia stems from the widespread belief that Hun Sen and his cohorts have stolen the people’s mandate. It is such a fallacy to think that because people are poor and hungry, they will remain indifferent if their votes are stolen. Quite the contrary, because the poor may have very little in life, but their dignity and their right to be heard become even more precious and inalienable.

There have been instances where populist leaders are able to manipulate the electorate for their selfish ends. Those of us who are in a position to make a difference but choose to do nothing, though, commit the sins of omission. If we remain apathetic and complacent, we lose the moral high ground to castigate those who take advantage of the ignorance and poverty of the people; at the very least, we have failed to improve the lives of the majority especially through education.

Aung San Suu Kyi and Sam Rainsy may have the chance to be President of Burma and Prime Minister of Cambodia in the not so distant future. Yet what would make their victory more meaningful is not the end result as such but the means they chose and the price they paid in getting there. Their strict commitment to democratic principles was coupled with their innate belief, confidence, and trust in their own people, and this will define the kind of leadership they will show once in power.

“Democracy…chooses banality over excellence, shrewdness over nobility, empty promise over true competence,” the political activist Adam Michnik once declared, but it is “…only democracy – having the capacity to question itself –also has the capacity to correct its own mistakes.”

I congratulate and salute all our colleagues in CALD and our invaluable partners for 20 years of liberal democracy in Asia. May the next 20 years allow us with more opportunities to question ourselves and correct our mistakes to make democracy, still and all, work and flourish in an imperfect, less-than-ideal world.

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Women as Instruments of Freedom2013 HAS been a fulfilling year for the CALD Women’s Caucus. We actively participated in major CALD events and we were delighted to have witnessed and to have been part of CALD 20th anniversary celebration. It has been 20 years of not only empowering and inspiring the political players, but also opening the minds of ordinary citizens to the importance of liberalism and democracy in our daily lives.

We also had the chance to have our major seminar held in Singapore last March. In that event, we passionately tackled women’s political issues in Asia, dealing in particular with migration, religion, and political participation/legislation. We also extensively discussed the role and work of international women’s networks and how they could come up with more concrete response to current and emerging international women’s issues. Considering the political situation in Singapore, holding an event there was a huge step for CALD. This only shows that we would not let any circumstance prevent us from inspiring, sharing, and being instruments of freedom.

In that seminar, the CALD Women’s Caucus was honored to have Philippine Senator Pia Cayetano as one of the speakers. Senator Cayetano is one of the co-authors of the Philippine Reproductive Health Act, which was successfully passed during the latter part of 2012 after languishing for 14 years in the legislature. Democratic Party of Hong Kong Chair Emily Lau also graced the event and shared her own struggles and aspirations for greater political space in her country. These leaders are just two of the millions of women who have proven that politics is also rightfully a woman’s domain.

I am very proud to share that women all over the world have been aggressive in promoting and demanding genuine social and political change. It is with deep gratitude that I acknowledge my fellow Cambodian countrywomen who stood up against corruption by campaigning and attending rallies in the lead-up to the 2013 elections. Over six million voters—more than half of whom were women under 30—went to the polls on 28 July 2013 despite the intimidation, harassment, and threat to their lives. To this day, they are continuously fighting for their votes, and their passion has been inspiring.

Before 2013 ended, I was blessed with the opportunity to visit the Women’s Wing of the National League for

MESSAGE FROM THE

Women’s Caucus Chair

Mu Sochua

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Democracy, Burma’s largest political opposition party, for an intimate and unique discussion on the role of women in politics. This training served as a follow-up to the CALD Women Empowerment Workshop that CALD organized in November 2011. Here we boldly discussed and shared how women can directly contribute to their political party. We women cannot be left out of politics; we are part of development and progress.

On the other side of the world, in Syria, women are also making their voices heard. Describing the role of the Syrian women in the ongoing peace process, UN Women Executive Director Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka said: “The inclusion of women in peace talks is not just essential to building sustainable peace based on the needs and concerns of all Syrians. It is a basic democratic right and essential for lasting peace. By including the perspectives of half the population, the path is paved for a society built on the principles of inclusion and justice.” The active involvement of women in the political process of Syria, Cambodia, and Burma is a manifestation that women are a vital component to achieving change and progress.

For more than 25 years, I have also strongly committed to fight human trafficking, child abuse, domestic violence, worker exploitation, corruption and government oppression whenever and wherever they may happen. These battles are not only to make changes in our current system, but more for the safety and future of the next generation.

In the last six years since its formation, the CALD Women’s Caucus has been witness to women’s ability to inspire, contribute, strengthen, and lead toward freedom. As we begin another year, we are enthusiastically looking forward to having more opportunities to be instruments of freedom and democracy. We will be highlighting more on the role of social media and female youth as major key factors for change and transformation. We all have seen how

these serve as formidable instruments for spreading ideas around the globe. CALD Women will build on these invaluable opportunities to promote freedom and liberty.

We are important in changing the nation and the world. We are women.

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CALD Youth Recap 2013: Endings and BeginningsWARMEST greetings to all CALD Youth members. This past year marked an important milestone in the history of the Council of Asian Liberals and Democrats as our organization celebrated its 20th anniversary last November. For CALD Youth, the year was filled with many fruitful activities, workshops, conferences, and events that not only brought us members closer, but also introduced us to new friends who share the same values and ideals.

As we look back at 2013, we can say it has been a year of new beginnings for CALD Youth that promises to pave way for more growth. We took our first steps in tackling climate change issues and were deeply inspired by the works of the School of the SEA on Bantayan Island. We have paved the way for an inter-regional cooperation in promoting and preserving political freedom at our seminar with the International Federation of Liberal Youth (IFLRY) in Bangkok. We reached out to non-political youths as we jointly discussed the future of youth participation in politics and the democratic processes with other liberal youths at the University of Santo Tomas in Manila. We also had our first CALD Youth executive committee meeting since the turnover of the Chair and Secretary General positions in June 2013.

As we move forward to 2014, I see a year dedicated to turning the new beginnings we started in 2013 into something concrete and lasting. The second Climate Change Workshop is planned for the first quarter and we might be able to return to help restore the livelihood of the people of Bantayan Island who had inspired us so much. We will be working more closely with IFLRY and reach out to our counterparts in the Americas and Europe to further strengthen our inter-regional ties. Most definitely, we will continue to reach out to other youth groups within our respective countries to call on them to help spread liberal and democratic values. We will elevate our efforts to promote awareness and public participation in politics to ensure that we have a healthy democracy in Asia.

Lastly, we will not forget the losses and deaths brought on our Filipino brothers and sisters by Typhoon Yolanda. We hope you rise out of this tragedy even stronger.

MESSAGE FROM THE

Youth Chair

Nant Thananan

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In recognition of the continuing challenges to fundamental freedoms in Asia, CALD organized this conference to analyze how political, economic, and civil rights are at risk in many countries in Asia, and what could be done to address this. This event, hosted by the Singapore Democratic Party (SDP), concluded with a statement on the state of freedom in Asia that was adopted by all the participants.

With the theme “Asia and the World: Forging Ties Among Women Leaders,” the seminar brought together women political leaders across the globe to exchange information and strengthen their networks. They discussed the responses to current issues affecting women in Asia; the role of international women’s networks in addressing women’s issues globally; and what actions the CALD Women’s Caucus could take.

As yet another follow-up to previous CALD activities and initiatives on climate change, and being inspired by the concept of intergenerational justice and equity, CALD organized this event to spark a mind-shift and develop a sense of awareness among youth leaders on the central role they play in taking care of the environment. The program aimed also to impress upon the present generation their responsibility in taking collective action to address climate change -- in this case, through the use of legal measures. The workshop was hosted by renowned Philippine environmental lawyer Antonio “Tony” Oposa at the School of the Sea.

This five-day event focused on the best strategies in the promotion and protection of political freedom. Its main objectives were to stress the importance of international networks in promoting democracy and to strengthen relations between and amongst CALD Youth members and other international youth networks. Hosted by the Democrat Party of Thailand (DP), in cooperation with International Federation of Liberal Youth (IFLRY), the event centered on political freedom in all its aspects: freedom of speech, right to information, and right of suffrage.

CALD Conference on Fundamental Freedoms2 March | Singapore

CALD Women’s Caucus Seminar3 March | Singapore

CALD Youth Climate Change Seminar

18-23 April | Cebu City & Bantayan Island, Cebu, Philippines

CALD Youth Festival

19-23 June | Bangkok, Thailand

PROJECTSPROJECTS

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This event, which focused on “Party Reform and Renewal: Youth’s Role in Re-establishing Public Faith in Political Parties,” enabled CALD Youth members from Thailand, Cambodia, Burma, Singapore, Malaysia, and Indonesia to join Filipino students and youth leaders in discussing the importance of youth leadership, political parties, and youth participation in political and democratic processes. The program was in partnership with the University of Sto. Tomas – Faculty of Arts and Letters.

In conjunction with the CALD 20th anniversary celebration, this biennial gathering of Asian and European liberals was held once again in Manila, Philippines. Hosted by the Liberal Party of the Philippines (LP), the theme of the event focused on the increasing shift of global power to Asia and how countries in Asia and external actors are responding to this development. More specifically, the meeting examined how Asia’s political-security environment, economic clout, and regional integration affect strategic relations between Asia and Europe. The main objective was for CALD and the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE) to come up with a common understanding and response to the changing dynamics of global and regional power relations.

This is the final event in the series of activities that CALD organized to celebrate its 20th anniversary. With the theme “Towards Party Reform and Renewal: Bringing Political Parties Back to the People,” CALD went back to its raison d’être and discussed how political parties can be reconnected to the general public in an age defined by popular disenchantment with these political institutions. The conference was attended by CALD member parties, partners, representatives of international institutions, and civil society organizations from the Philippines.

With the theme “Adapting to Climate Change: Issues and Strategies,” the event provided a venue for international participants coming from political parties, research institutes, and civil society organizations to discuss initiatives that could foster sound environmental governance, particularly in terms of developing capacity to deal with climactic changes. The three-day event, hosted by the Democratic Progressive Party of Taiwan (DPP), also highlighted the “best practices” in climate change adaptation in the region.

CALD Climate Change Conference6-9 September | Kaohsiung and Pingtung, Taiwan

CALD Youth Seminar8 November | Manila, Philippines

6th CALD-ALDE Meeting8-9 November | Manila, Philippines

CALD Anniversary Conference

11 November | Manila, Philippines

CALD2013

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CALD Conference on Fundamental Freedoms2 March | Singapore

IN THE last five years or so, Asian countries have risen in prominence in the global arena. Yet while many Asian nations are now enjoying increasing economic development, fundamental freedoms remain under threat in several areas across the region, and even where democracy is in place.

CALD thus began the year with a conference that had the theme “Challenges to Fundamental Freedoms.” Held in Singapore, the one-day event’s general objective was to analyze how political, economic, and civil rights are at risk in many countries in Asia, and what could be done to address this.

CALD member party Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) hosted the conference, which was organized with the support of the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom (FNF). CALD Secretary General Neric Acosta chaired the opening session, while CALD Chair Sam Rainsy, SDP Chair Jufri Mahmood, and

FNF Regional Director Rainer Adam welcomed the participants on behalf of the organizers and partners. SDP Secretary General and former CALD Chair Dr. Chee Soon Juan then gave the keynote address, focusing on the importance of freedom in instigating social and political change.

“Without our fundamental freedoms, we cannot hope to bring about change,” Chee pointed out. “In the absence of debate, the dangers of misguided and ill-conceived policies are not exposed and corrected.”

The main part of the conference was divided into three sessions. The first was a panel discussion that looked at the threats to the exercise of political and economic freedoms. Chaired by Hanjaya Setiawan of Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle, the panel featured SDP Treasurer Vincent Wijeysingha, Wan Saiful Wan Jan of the Institute for Democracy and Economic Affairs (IDEAS) of Malaysia, Son Chhay of the Sam Rainsy

Civil Will GREEn PARTy (MOnGOliA) Luvsantseren DashradanCOunCil OF ASiAn libERAlS And dEMOCRATS Neric Acosta Celito Arlegue Rosanna Ocampo Jorgia SalongaCOunCil OF ASiAn libERAlS And dEMOCRATS WOMEn’S CAuCuS Mu Sochua

dEMOCRATiC PARTy OF HOnG KOnG Sin Chung-kai Emily LaudEMOCRATiC PROGRESSivE PARTy OF TAiWAn Huia-hui Hsieh Maysing Yang Chen YingdEMOCRAT PARTy OF THAilAnd Boontida Somachai

FRiEdRiCH nAuMAnn FOundATiOn Rainer AdamindOnESiAn dEMOCRATiC PARTy OF STRuGGlE (Pdi-P) Hanjaya Setiawan Dew ShintainSTiTuTE FOR dEMOCRACy And ECOnOMiC AFFAiRS (MAlAySiA) Wan Saiful Wan JaninSTiTuTE OF SOuTHEAST ASiAn STudiES Wolfgang Sachsenroeder

libERAl PARTy OF THE PHiliPPinES Jaime Fortunato “Jat” CaringallibERAl PARTy OF SRi lAnKA Selyna Peiris Savithri Galappatti Rajiva WijesinhaPARTi GERAKAn RAKyAT MAlAySiA Jayanthi Balaguru Ng Lip Yong

SAM RAinSy PARTy (CAMbOdiA) Sam Rainsy Yim Sovann Son ChhaySinGAPORE dEMOCRATiC PARTy Chee Soon Juan Jufri Mahmood Vincent WijeysinghaSiSTERS in iSlAM (MAlAySiA) Norani Othman

PA R T I C I PA N T S

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Party of Cambodia, and Boontida Somchai of the Democrat Party of Thailand.

Session Two, with Ng Lip Yong of Parti Gerakan Rakyat Malaysia as chair, was another panel discussion tackling issues with regard to the exercise of civil liberties. Panelists included the Liberal Party of Sri Lanka’s Rajiva Wijesinha, Democratic Progressive Party of Taiwan’s Huai-hui Hsieh, Liberal Party of the Philippines’ Jat Caringal, and Democratic Party of Hong Kong’s Sin Chung-kai.

A working group session capped the workshop by synthesizing the discussions. Set up in a “world café” format, the last session also summarized the major issues that were taken up, as well as the recommendations offered. Dr. Wolfgang Sachsenroeder of Institute of Southeast Asian Studies (ISEAS), Singapore chaired the session, which also featured a presentation from Dr. Adam on FNF’s Freedom Barometer. After three rounds of world café, the CALD Statement on Challenges to Fundamental Freedoms was unanimously adopted. The conference was then brought to a close by the synthesis of CALD Secretary General Acosta and closing remarks from the organizers.

Freedom Advocates: Members of the CALD Women’s Caucus with the CALD Freedom Conference Delegates

Wolfgang Sachsenröder and Mu SochuaSession II: Challenges to the Exercise of Civil Liberties

CALD Secretary General Neric Acosta leads a working-group session

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CALD Women’s Caucus Seminar3 March | Singapore

WHEN THE going gets tough, it’s often the women who get going. Or as veteran Hong Kong politician Emily Lau observed in her opening keynote address at the CALD Women’s Caucus Seminar in Singapore: “They only allow women to take charge when things are getting difficult.”

Lau was actually recounting how more women are assuming leadership roles in political parties in Hong Kong. She shared her experiences as a woman leader in politics from the time she first decided to run for public office until she was recently elected chairperson of the Democratic Party of Hong Kong. It was in this context that she shared what can be described as a backhanded compliment regarding the women’s ability to perform under pressure. Obviously, however, women are able to do what is needed and shine in all kinds of circumstances.

With the theme “Asia and the World: Forging Ties Among Women Leaders,” the one-day seminar in early March brought together women political leaders to exchange information and strengthen their networks. They also had the opportunity to discuss responses to current issues affecting women in Asia; the role

of international women’s networks in addressing women’s issues globally; and what action the CALD Women’s Caucus can take.

The first session focused on the various issues that women in Asia face when it comes to migration, religion, and political participation. Lending their expertise on the themes were Dr. Sallie Yea, humanities and social studies education assistant professor at the National Institute of Education, Singapore; Dr. Norani Othman of the Malaysian women’s group Sisters in Islam; and Socorro Yap of the Liberal Party of the Philippines.

The role of international networks in addressing women’s issues was discussed during the second session. Cambodian opposition MP Mu Sochua talked about the accomplishments of the CALD Women’s Caucus since its inception in 2005. Longtime Taiwanese politician Maysing Yang spoke of the work of the International Network of Liberal Women (INLW), where she sits as Vice President for Asia. Swedish MP Abir Al-Sahlani, meanwhile, discussed how Liberal International – where she is vice president – functions in issuing resolutions on its priority areas in

COunCil OF ASiAn libERAlS And dEMOCRATS WOMEn’S CAuCuS Mu SochuaCivil Will GREEn PARTy (MOnGOliA) Naranzul BayasgalandEMOCRATiC PARTy OF HOnG KOnG Emily Lau

dEMOCRATiC PROGRESSivE PARTy OF TAiWAn Huai-Hui Hsieh Ying ChenindOnESiAn dEMOCRATiC PARTy OF STRuGGlE (Pdi-P) Dewi Shinta

inTERnATiOnAl nETWORK OF libERAl WOMEn Maysing YanglibERAl PARTy OF THE PHiliPPinES Socorro YaplibERAl PARTy SRi lAnKA Savithri Galappatti Selyna Peiris

libERAl inTERnATiOnAl Abir Al-SahlaninATiOnAl inSTiTuTE OF EduCATiOn (SinGAPORE) Sallie YeaPARTi GERAKAn RAKyAT MAlAySiA Jayanthi Devi Balaguru

SEnATE OF THE PHiliPPinES Pia CayetanoSinGAPORE dEMOCRATiC PARTy Chee Siok Chin Jaslyn GoSiSTERS in iSlAM (MAlAySiA) Norani Othman


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women’s issues, including female genital mutilation and maternal health.

The seminar, however, was not only a platform for speakers. Participants were also able to propose solutions of their own through working groups on program planning, international networking, and resolution writing. In addition, participants proposed themes for future capacity-building programs for the CALD Women’s Caucus and talked about how to sustain communication among each other and with other international networks.

Delivering the closing keynote address was Philippine Senator Pia Cayetano, who talked about the role of women in politics and the need to have structures in place to strengthen their involvement. She also highlighted her experiences in passing the landmark Reproductive Health Law in the Philippines. Cayetano also shared this observation with her fellow women leaders: “The best way to move forward, the best way to strengthen your position and to encourage more women to take on leadership roles, is not be ashamed of who you are.”

Neric Acosta, Mu Sochua, Saumura Tioulong, Emily Lau, Sam Rainsy, Chee Siok Chin

Philippine Senator Pia CayetanoSession I: Women’s Political Issues in Asia

CALD women leaders with CALD Chair Sam Rainsy

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CALD Youth Climate Change Workshop18-23 April | Cebu City & Bantayan Island, Cebu, Philippines

“THE THEORY of intergenerational equity…argues that we, the human species, hold the natural environment of our planet in common with all members of our species: past generations, the present generation, and future generations,” renowned U.S. legal expert Edith Brown Weiss once wrote. “As members of the present generation, we hold the Earth in trust for future generations.”

With this in mind – and following and recalling its past activities and initiatives on climate change -- CALD organized the CALD Youth Climate Change Workshop in April, choosing the picturesque Philippine central province of Cebu in which to hold the event. Renowned Philippine environmental lawyer Antonio ‘Tony’ Oposa Jr. acted as main facilitator of the workshop, which was sponsored by FNF.

The nearly weeklong workshop, which had as theme “Practical and Legal Strategies to Address Climate Change,” aimed to empower youth leaders to address the perils of climate change; be familiar with practical, legal, and paralegal strategies on responding to environmental challenges; conceptualize a climate-change adaptation project; and expose themselves to solutions for sustainable living. As Stephen Leonard,

president of Australia’s Climate Justice Program who was among the facilitators of workshop, stressed, “Involvement of the youth is of critical importance to addressing these issues for the purpose of ensuring our environmental treasures are protected for future generations.”

Fourteen young leaders from eight Asian countries joined the workshop that proved out of the ordinary. Indeed, the tone of the whole endeavor was set by the first official activity: a trip to the Eco House in Talamban, Cebu City that is actually the home of Engineer and Cebu City Councilor Nestor Archival. Completed in 2005, Archival’s “House Close to Nature” promotes “household-based environment living” that enables it, among other things, to do without commercial power. Archival himself conducted the tour of his unique home, which is an example of ideal, modern sustainable living. Archival and Oposa then hosted a welcome dinner for the workshop participants.

The next day saw the participants traveling to Bantayan Island, some 138 kms from Cebu City, for the workshop proper. This time the venue was the School of the SEA (Sea and Earth Advocates), where there was a welcome orientation and tour. The

Civil Will GREEn PARTy (MOnGOliA) Dariima Bazarsad Oyunbileg Gotovsuren COunCil OF ASiAn libERAlS And dEMOCRATS Neric Acosta Celito Arlegue

Rosanna Ocampo Paul RafaeldEMOCRATiC PARTy OF HOnG KOnG Teddy Hui Chi FungdEMOCRAT PARTy THAilAnd Narapat Kaewthong Nathrada Lekatanachol

yOunG dEMOCRATS OF AMERiCA Robert WeisslibERAl PARTy OF THE PHiliPPinES Alcariza Ramos Peregino Kimberly Teodoro

libERAl PARTy SRi lAnKA Selyna Peiris Upali SaddanandaPARTi GERAKAn RAKyAT MAlAySiA Vincent Ho Swee Peng

SAM RAinSy PARTy (CAMbOdiA) So Channtha Kim SopheaSinGAPORE dEMOCRATiC PARTy Jufri Salim Clarence Zeng


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morning was spent in a “playshop,” which introduced the participants to the “experiential activities” – i.e. edible urban gardening, making and deployment of fish condominiums, coral planting, delineation of protected area and biological survey, reef restoration and fish survey, and so on – that the School is famous for. Afterward, an informal session was facilitated by CALD Secretary General Neric Acosta, with expectation-building and goal-setting as the primary focus of the discussion.

Day Three had a team of volunteers helping the participants spend their morning appreciating earth and beautifying the workshop venue by planting fruit and flower-bearing plants and crops. True to its name, though, the School also enabled participants to engage in non-land activities, and they jumped into the Visayan Sea to observe conservation efforts in its marine sanctuary.

By that afternoon, the participants were busy in “writeshops.” Environmental issues were identified in each country in an attempt to tackle things in a more focused and in-depth approach to climate change. Practical, legal and paralegal strategies on how everyone can either individually or collectively work

together in responding to different environmental issues and challenges were offered through a two-part focus group discussion. Helping to facilitate the activity were Leonard; International Climate Litigation team head Brook Meakins; international environmental lawyer John Boyd; and Young Democrats of America international officer Robert Weiss.

One of the highlights of the workshop, however, was the participants’ show of concrete support for the Philippine Road-Sharing Movement on Earth Day. This movement calls on the Philippine Government to transform the road and transportation system from the present car-based system to one that is fairer and more people-friendly.

Helped by the international legal experts and local lawyers such as Oposa, Sigfrid Fortun, Golly Ramos, Gen Tadaba, Beryl Desabelle, and Rica de Guzman, the participants joined children of Bantayan Island in filing petitions to directly propose their local governments to pass an ordinance regarding a fairer road system. The highly publicized action was also done by children in over 20 villages around the country. In addition, the team of youth leaders and their lawyers sent out a Nationwide Notice to Sue to the Philippine

Philippine Road-Sharing Movement ordinance

Warm greetings to CALD Secretary General Neric Acosta Afternoon “writeshops”

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PROJECTS | CALD Youth Climate Change Workshop

Government addressed to the country’s Climate Change Commission (CCC). Since its establishment in 2009, the CCC has failed to pass any policies to reduce fossil fuel emissions especially from motor vehicles.

The workshop concluded with an international press conference that launched a “global call for legal action” to protect the environment. A short awarding ceremony also took place, recognizing the efforts of distinguished Bantayan islanders who had done commendable jobs in ensuring that the environment, particularly the seas, remains preserved and protected.

For sure, participants were inspired to take action in their own countries. Said CALD Youth Chair Selyna Peiris: “We learned that an integral part of respecting one another is respecting the environment that we all live in. There is a collective responsibility among

the leaders of Asia to preserve what has been handed over to us.”

“This has been a life-changing experience not only for myself but all my colleagues in CALD Youth,” she also said. “It showed us that change is only an initiative away, and that if there is dedication and perseverance, the youth of the Asian region can take the necessary steps to be that change.”

A municipal representative receives a copy of the proposed ordinance on the Philippine Road-Sharing Movement Goal-setting session lead by CALD Secretary General Neric Acosta

School of the SEA: Sea and Earth Advocates Welcome Orientation with Tony Oposa

International Press Conference on a “Global Call for Legal Action”

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Local children’s “playshops”

Brook Meakins and workshop participants during the Urban Edible Landscaping activity

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CALD Youth Festival19-23 June 2013 | Bangkok, Thailand

YOUTH is wasted on the young, they say, but that certainly wasn’t the case in Bangkok in mid-June, when delegates from CALD Youth and the International Federation of Liberal Youth (IFLRY) met for a festival on political freedom. Actually a series of political and cultural activities, the five-day event had as theme “Political Freedom and Democracy in Asia,” which the youthful delegates eagerly tackled.

The main objectives of the festival were to discuss the best strategies in the promotion and protection of political freedom; stress the importance of international networks in promoting democracy; further strengthen relations between and among CALD Youth members and other international youth

networks; and uphold CALD Youth’s leading role in forwarding the principles of liberalism and democracy amongst the youth in Asia.

A seminar that centered on political freedom in all its aspects -- freedom of speech, right to information, and right of suffrage – was among the festival’s highlights. Political freedom’s relationship with the promotion of transparency and accountability, the development of the economy, the holding of free and fair elections, and the growth of activism (or, for that matter, extremism) were also tackled, giving the participants a holistic understanding of the issues and complexities arising from the practice of political freedom.

Civil Will GREEn PARTy (MOnGOliA) Bulgan Bayasgalant Tsogzolma JamsrandorjdEMOCRATiC PARTy OF HOnG KOnG Sui Hong Ng Wan Wa ShumdEMOCRATiC PROGRESSivE PARTy OF TAiWAn Jacky Chen Alston Kang Mark Ho (Chi-Wei Ho)dEMOCRAT PARTy THAilAnd Nant Thananan Nathrada LekatanacholFiniSH CEnTRE yOuTH (FinlAnd) Topi Johannes Seppälä

FRiEdRiCH nAuMAnn FOundATiOn FOR FREEdOM Rainer Adam Wanwisa Intarakanchit Miklos RomandyFuTuRE yOuTH (lEbAnOn) Aya DimashkiehindOnESiAn dEMOCRATiC PARTy OF STRuGGlE (Pdi-P) Monang TambunaninTERnATiOnAl FEdERATiOn OF libERAl yOuTH Stanislav Anastassov Thomas Leys Mane Manukyanb Naomi Røkkum Christian Schmidt Ivo Thissen

JOnGE dEMOCRATEn (THE nETHERlAndS) Floris Jan Bonders Leonore Barbara Hofhuis Pauline KastermansJOvd (THE nETHERlAndS) Marjin de Pagter Jacobus VosJuliS inTERnATiOnAl (GERMAny) Sven Banjamin Bernd Wilhelm Paul Gers Sebastian Gratz Armin Reinhartz Stefan Schartner Benedikt YavuzlibERAl PARTy OF THE PHiliPPinES Melagne Dee Dianga Sam Nantes

libERAl PARTy OF SRi lAnKA Selyna Peiris Upali SaddandalibERAl yOuTH Guild (SRi lAnKA Berwalage Dhananath MlAdA libERAlnA dEMOKRACiJA (SlOvEniA) Sara KarbanATiOnAl lEAGuE FOR dEMOCRACy (buRMA) Ma Kyi PyarnORGES unGE vEnSTRE (nORWAy) Sunniva Rebekka SkjeggestadPARTi GERAKAn RAKyAn MAlAySiA Wan Su Keong Lee Hui Seng

SAM RAinSy PARTy (CAMbOdiA) Soksan Hing Kim SopheaSinGAPORE dEMOCRATiC PARTy Clarence Zeng Cheryl TaySWEdiSH inTERnATiOnAl libERAl CEnTRE Robert Hannah Johan PehrsonyOuTH iniTiATivE (nEPAl) Santosh AcharyayOuTH MRF (bulGARiA) Illhan Kyuchyuk


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Delegates showed solidarity in the promotion of freedom and liberal values. Resolutions on the state of political freedom in the region, LGBT rights, and a call for free and fair elections in Cambodia were adopted.

IFLRY Vice President Stanislav Anastassov ably facilitated the discussions. While the event was mostly participant-led, it also benefited immensely from the inputs of a number of resource persons including FNF Regional Director for Southeast and East Asia Rainer Adam; FNF Regional Coordinator Miklos Romandy; MP Johan Pehrson of the Liberal Party of Sweden; Punchada Sirivunnabood, lecturer at Thailand’s Mahidol University; Thai media practitioner and independent researcher Kavi Chongkittavorn; and CALD Secretary General Neric Acosta.

Democrat Party (Thailand) officials led by Party Leader and former Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva also graced the event. Among the other DP officials present were Kiat Sitheeamorn, Foreign Affairs Adviser to the Party Leader; Apirak Kosayodhin, Deputy Party Leader; and Nutt Bantadtan, a young Member of Parliament.

In his keynote speech, Abhisit highlighted the key challenges to liberal democracies and the need to

build a liberal democratic culture among the people. “It is important to instill values and create the right culture to support liberal democracy,” he said. “And my hope has always been that the younger generation would wake up to these new challenges… and demand that those in power respect the principles of liberal democracy -- the right of the people to participate, to think differently, to express themselves -- and that they should always encourage a deliberative process that makes liberal democracy function well.”

Newly-elected CALD Youth Secretary General Bulgan Bayasgalant

Newly-elected CALD Youth Chair Nant Thananan leads a working-group session Delegates from the International Federation of Liberal Youth (IFLRY)

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CALD Climate Change Conference6-9 September | Kaohsiung and Pingtung, Taiwan

THE ASIA-PACIFIC is one of the most vulnerable regions to climate change and its adverse impacts. Now more than ever, volatile weather extremes are hitting the region more often than any other in the world. And with the physical and economic damage of increased disasters likely to become more extreme in the future, communities and succeeding generations are all put at risk.

In the last few years, climate change has been a constant topic of discussions in many CALD seminars and workshops. This year was no different, with CALD devoting a conference on “Adapting to Climate Change: Issues and Strategies” that it held in early September in southern Taiwan. Focusing on “best practices” in climate change adaptation, the three-day conference tackled what political leaders, policy-makers, political parties, and civil-society organizations can do to foster sound environmental governance, particularly in terms of developing capacity to deal with climactic changes. As CALD Secretary General Neric Acosta pointed out, “When we combine leadership with best practices, these will become a driver for a more democratic and environmentally sustainable region.”

Some 27 participants from political parties, research institutes, and civil-society organizations across Asia gathered in the southern Taiwanese city of Kaohsiung for the conference that began on 6 September. At the welcome dinner hosted by the Kaohsiung City Government, Deputy Mayor Shyh-Fang Liu warmly received the delegates to her very innovative and green city. Taiwanese MP and former CALD Secretary General Bi-Khim Hsiao, Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Department of International Affairs Director Shih-Chung Liu, and American Institute in Taiwan Deputy Branch Chief John Hartman were among those who were at the dinner as well.

It was down to business the next day, with the conference opened formally by a bevy of speakers who included Taiwan Foundation for Democracy Vice President and member of the Democratic Progressive Party of Taiwan Maysing Yang, FNF Southeast and East Asia Regional Director Dr. Rainer Adam, and Philippine Presidential Adviser for Environmental Protection and CALD Secretary General Neric Acosta. Their opening remarks were followed by a briefing by Kaohsiung Environmental Protection Deputy Director

Civil Will GREEn PARTy (MOnGOliA) Erdenebat Purevsuren Ganbat TseepelCOunCil OF ASiAn libERAlS And dEMOCRATS Neric Acosta Celito Arlegue Paul Rafael Paolo Zamora

COunCil OF ASiAn libERAlS And dEMOCRATS yOuTH Dan ShumdEMOCRATiC PARTy OF HOnG KOnG Lam Ka KadEMOCRAT PARTy THAilAnd Prakob Chirakiti Monthip Sriratana

ECOlOGiCAl And AGRiCulTuRAl dEvElOPMEnT FOundATiOn (PHiliPPinES) Aladino MoracaFRiEdRiCH nAuMAnn FOundATiOn FOR FREEdOM Rainer Adam Muhammad Thamrin

libERAl PARTy OF THE PHiliPPinES Stephen Roy Cruz Marie Anne PernesMiniSTRy OF EnviROnMEnT And GREEn dEvElOPMEnT OF MOnGOliA Onon Bayasgalan

nATiOnAl lEAGuE FOR dEMOCRACy (buRMA) Tun Lwin Soe NyuntPARTi GERAKAn RAKyAT MAlAySiA Lim Keh Ho Ng Lip YongSinGAPORE dEMOCRATiC PARTy Jaslyn Go Corrina Liang


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Jennifer Chen on her city’s green initiatives. If it was still not apparent to the delegates why Kaohsiung was the conference’s venue, Chen’s talk made it clear. In fact, so impressed were the participants from the Singapore Democratic Party that they later marveled on the SDP website that Kaohsiung was a city in which legislation was in place “to reduce CHC emission by 30 percent, achieve low carbon-emission transportation, implement roof-water collection, construct more efficient green-building plantations, and develop solar-power fields.”

Session One, chaired by Parti Gerakan Rakyat Malaysia Head of International Relations and Affairs Ng Lip Yong, was on Best Practices in Climate Change Adaptation Governance and Legislation. The speakers were former Bangkok Deputy Governor Prakob Chirakiti and Senate and House of Representatives Commissions on Natural Resources and Environment Senior Adviser Dr. Monthip Sriratana (both of whom were from the Democrat Party, Thailand); UNDP Climate Change Adaptation Project National Consultant from the Mongolian Ministry of Green Development and Environment Onon Bayasgalan, who is also CALD climate change researcher; and lone District

Conference Delegates with Kaohsiung Environmental Protection Deputy Director Jennifer Chen

Jennifer Chen, Neric Acosta, Maysing Yang and Rainer Adam during the opening session

CALD, FNF, DPP Taiwan, and DP Thailand representatives at the closing session

Site visit to solar panel fields at Pingtung County

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PROJECTS | CALD Climate Change Conference

Representative of the Province of Siquijor Marie Anne Pernes of the Liberal Party of the Philippines.

Session Two meanwhile emphasized Best Practices in Political Party and Civil Society Initiatives on Climate Change Adaptation. Jaslyn Go, Women Democrats member from the Singapore Democratic Party, was session chair. Tun Lwin, Environmental Conservation Committee Advisor and National League for Democracy, Burma, and Aladino ‘Nonoy’ Moraca, Ecological, and Agricultural Development Foundation, Inc., Philippines executive director and CALD climate change researcher, were the panelists for the session.

In the afternoon, the conference broke up into Working Group Sessions in which CALD Secretary General Acosta served as the main resource person. The concurrent sessions, which had as topics governance and legislation, as well as political party and civil society initiatives, were meant to allow participants to share relevant experiences and then draw up a set of policy recommendations on what reforms/initiatives could be lobbied in each area to foster climate change adaptation and resilience.

The next day, Acosta facilitated a world café that centered on common strategies and next steps. The discussions’ key questions were: What can we do to promote climate change adaptation and resilience in the Asian region? What are the major issues and problems we foresee and how do we intend to address them? How can we measure the success of our climate-change activities?

After those two long days of hard work, delegates took a trip down to Pingtung County to look at renewable-energy initiatives of private companies toward sustainable development and living. Among the main attractions were greenhouses that produce organic vegetables and solar-panel fields. The Pingtung visit put a nice end to a conference that would hopefully inspire leaders, groups, and organizations to craft policies and undertake projects that advance a climate change agenda.

“The environment is a political issue,” former CALD Secretary General Yao Chia-wen had observed at the closing ceremony of the formal part of the conference. In the speech delivered by DPP’s Representative to the United States Dr. Joseph Wu in his behalf, DPP Chaiperson Su Tseng-chang had also noted, “We need leaders to take charge in formulating climate change policy, and make the necessary investments toward sustainable development.”

Briefing on private sector initiatives in Pingtung County

Workshop delegates with the Pingtung County Mayor

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CALD2013

Open forum on private sector initiativesSolar farm greenhouse

Up close and personal with the solar panels

Session I: Best Practices in Climate Change Adaptation Governance and Legislation

Session II: Best Practices in Political Party and Civil Society Initiatives on Climate Change Adaptation

Conference delegates with former CALD Secretary General Yao Chia-wen

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CALD Youth Seminar8 November | Manila, Philippines

A SUPERTYPHOON was scheduled to hit the central part of the host country, but youth leaders from all over Southeast Asia nevertheless showed up and participated with vigor in a seminar focusing on the youth and political parties.

Organized by CALD in partnership with the Faculty of Arts and Letters of the University of Sto. Tomas (UST) – the oldest university in Asia – the seminar had as its theme “Party Reform and Renewal: Youth’s Role in Re-establishing Public Faith in Political Parties.” The event was held at the Tanghalang Teresita Quirino in the University of Sto. Tomas Graduate School on 8 November, and had as participants CALD Youth members from Thailand, Cambodia, Burma, Singapore, Malaysia, and Indonesia, as well as students from the University of Sto. Tomas, De La Salle University, members of the Association of Political Science Organization of the Philippines (APSOP), and

youth leaders from the Kabataang Liberal and Filipino Liberal Youth (FLY).

Prof. Josephine Placido, chairperson of the UST Department of Social Sciences, gave the participants a warm welcome and prepared them for a day of discussions on the youth’s importance in democracy building. Sometimes left adrift and unacquainted with political processes of a democratic society, the youth later in the seminar would be called upon to take upon a pro-active role in political and democratic processes.

First, though, CALD Youth Chairperson Nant Thananan, also a member of the Democratic Party of Thailand, introduced the work and goals of CALD Youth in promoting democratic values among Asian youth and creating regional solidarity among liberal youth on issues relating to the violation of liberty, democracy, and equality; and in increasing the participation of

CAld yOuTH / dP THAilAnd Nant ThanananCAld yOuTH / SRP CAMbOdiA Kim SopheaCAld yOuTH / nld buRMA Ma Kyi PyarCAld yOuTH / SdP SinGAPORE Jufri SalimCAld yOuTH / PGRM MAlAySiA Lee Hui Seng

CAld yOuTH / PdiP indOnESiA Irinie Yusiana Roba PutriniPS / lP PHiliPPinES Lambert RamirezCAld SECRETARiAT Kristina Gadaingan Lucy AdamKAbATAAnG libERAl Mary Shinn Ramos Alvin Dakis Joey Dela Cruz Alcariz Peregrino Irish Santiago

dE lA SAllE univERSiTy Alexa Co Ira Alvarez Renz Luigi DahiligunivERSiTy OF STO. TOMAS Josephine Placido Alyssa Faye Cabalang Ma. Kristel Capio Jocel Marie Castillo Carol Annge Alonzo Dave Alexander Maragay Lyle Ariane Regencia Medelyn Marasigan Joshua Manalo Jobelle Joan Domingo

Angelo Brian Castro Francis Enriquez Mary Abigail Cruz Mark Dominic Gloria Kate Abigail Viernes Jean Claudette Galvez Kristina Faye Guarin Rose Ann Doña Ma. Angela Emeterio

ASSOCiATiOn OF POliTiCAl SCiEnCE ORGAnizATiOnS OF THE PHiliPPinES Louella Ann Sedano Aldrin Dexter Fallarna Raffell Joy Palma Tristan Zapata Alexander Bulaong Justin de Castro Eros Cabuatan


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youth in mainstream politics. Sharing his insights on youth leadership and democracy, Nant also narrated the experiences of the Thai youth in mobilizing people to fight against undemocratic practices.

Ma Kyi Pyar of the National League for Democracy in Burma meanwhile highlighted the importance of political parties in Asian democracy, noting that “political parties serve as a bridge between the people and the government.” Country experiences were also shared by CALD Youth members Lee Hui Seng and Tan Ken Liang, both from Parti Gerakan Rakyat in Malaysia.

For the Philippines, Lambert Ramirez of the National Institute for Policy Studies (NIPS), a think tank of the Liberal Party of the Philippines, detailed the role of political parties in a democracy. He remarked that the weaknesses of the Philippine political party system have shaped the personality-oriented politics in the country. Strengthening the system first, he said, would pave the way to a more ideological and platform-based politics that truly represents the will of its people.

Kim Sophea of the Sam Rainsy Party in Cambodia, for his part, underscored on the responsibility of the youth in taking the front seat in leading democratic reforms. He also said that with the advent of social media, the youth now have a powerful tool in mobilizing and spreading correct and important information that can advance change.

Lambert Ramirez, Kim Sophea and Nant Thananan

Lee Hui SengMa Kyi Pyar

Tan Ken Liang

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6th CALD- ALDE Meeting

8-9 November | Manila, Philippines

THEY MAY be continents apart physically, but when it comes to matters that are important to them, CALD and the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE) usually find themselves on common ground. This is why they get together biennially, and for their sixth such meeting on 8-9 November, Manila played the host. Although it was the second time that the gathering had Manila as the meeting spot, the 2013 edition of the CALD-ALDE meeting was made special by the fact that it coincided with CALD’s 20th anniversary celebration.

Before they broke out the champagne, though, the Asian and European liberals had serious matters to discuss. Recognizing the increasing shift of global power to Asia, they had chosen to concentrate on “Global Power Shift: Implications for Asia-Europe Relations” for their meeting. More specifically, CALD and ALDE delegates were to discuss how Asia’s political-security environment, economic clout, and regional integration were affecting strategic relations between Asia and Europe. The meeting’s objective was for CALD and ALDE to come up with a common understanding and response to the changing dynamics of global and regional power relations.

ALDE hosted the ALDE-CALD Partnership Dinner on 8 November, marking the beginning of the meeting. In his welcome speech, ALDE Party President Sir Graham Watson recalled how the European liberals’ visits to Asia had given them “a taste of liberalism, Asian style.” CALD Chair Sam Rainsy, in his response, expressed his gratitude to Watson for spearheading the 1st CALD-ALDE Meeting in 2004 in Brussels, Belgium. He also thanked FNF for giving continued support to the inter-regional dialogue through the years. The delegates were then treated to a sumptuous dinner as they were serenaded by the award-winning, classically trained trio “The Sopranos.”

The main part of the 6th CALD-ALDE Meeting began early next morning with a distinguished set of keynote speakers. Philippine Senate President and former CALD Chair Franklin Drilon in his speech described the history of CALD as a journey in pursuit of common democratic aspirations. “Our core liberal values -- among them the protection of the rights of every individual, the rule of law, good governance –these are what define us,” he said. “In times of struggles, these are what keep us going. In times of victory, these become our moral compass.” Prof. Dr. Jürgen Morlok, chair of the FNF Board of Trustees, meanwhile said

Neric Acosta, Jürgen Morlok, Su Tseng-Chang, Antonyia Parvanova, Hans van Baalen, Kasit PiromyaMark Ho, Niccolo Rinaldi, Chee Soon Juan

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that he was “convinced that cooperation within CALD has helped strengthened liberal policies in many (Asian) countries.”

In the afternoon, three parallel sessions were held on the following: Asia’s Political and Security Environment: Avenues for Inter-Regional Cooperation; From BRICS to TIP: Implications for Trade and Investment Policies; and ASEAN Community by 2015: Impact on Asia-Europe Relations. Facilitating these sessions were Philippine Undersecretary for Political Affairs Chito Gascon, Cambodian MP-Elect Saumura Tioulong, and

Thai MP Buranaj Smutharaks, who then presented the results of the discussion to the plenary.

In his closing keynote address, ALDE Party President Watson chose to return to the value of liberalism. “Liberalism offers us…the chance to build and safeguard a free, fair and open society in which we seek to balance the fundamental values of liberty, community, and equality of opportunity, and in which nobody shall be enslaved by ignorance or poverty or pressure to conform,” he said “It is the formula which must be applied to the big challenges of our age.”

Isra Sunthornvut, Dina Abad, Jun Abaya, Franklin Drilon, Sam Rainsy, Graham Watson and Rainer Adam

AlliAnCE OF libERAl dEMOCRATS FOR EuROPE Willem Vanden Broucke Therese Murdock Antonyia Parvanova Koen Van Ramshorst Niccolo Rinaldi Sir Graham WatsonCivil Will GREEn PARTy (MOnGOliA) Monsor Nyamdavaa Demberel Sambuu Ganbat TseepelCOMMuniTy OF dEMOCRACiES Maria Leissner Magdalena GawronskadEMOCRATiC PARTy OF HOnG KOnG (individuAl MEMbER) Sin Chung-KaidEMOCRATiC PROGRESSivE PARTy OF TAiWAn Hsiao, Bi-Khim Chang, Chi-Chang

Chang, Li-Ke Chang, Tun-Han Chen, Chiech-Ju Chen, Chun-Liang Chiu, Chih-Wei Chiu, Shih-Yuan Chiu, Yi-Ying Ho, Chih-Wei Hsieh, Huai Hui Jang, Jen-Shiang Lee, Kun-Tse Liu, Chao-Hao Liu, Sheng Hung Liu, Shih-Chung Su Tseng-Chang Tsai, Huang-Liang Tsai, Pei-Hua Wang, Chung Hsin Wu, Hsin-Hsing Wu, Jau-Shieh Wu, Ping-Jui Wu, Yi-Chen Yang Huang, Maysing Yeh, Huai Hui Yu, Mei-Nu

dEMOCRAT PARTy OF THAilAnd Kasit Piromya Isra Sunthornvut Nant Thananan Buranaj SmutharakFRiEdRiCH nAuMAnn FOundATiOn Rainer Adam Katrin Bannach Pimrapaat Dusadeeisaryakul Siegfried Herzog Hans-Georg Jonek Olaf Kellerhof Moritz Kleine-Brockhoff Sungeuon Lim Jürgen Morlok Wimonpug Promsrimas Nur Rachmi Lars Andre Richter Felix Schilling Juliane Schmucker Khim Sophanna

indOnESiAn dEMOCRATiC PARTy OF STRuGGlE (Pdi-P) Monang Johannes Irine Yusiana Roba Putri Hanjaya SetiawaninSTiTuTE FOR SOuTHEAST ASiAn STudiES Wolfgang SachsenroderlibERAl FORuM PAKiSTAn Beena Qayyum KhanlibERAl inTERnATiOnAl Hans van Baalen Emil KirjasnATiOnAl dEMOCRATiC inSTiTuTE Ivan DohertynATiOnAl lEAGuE FOR dEMOCRACy (buRMA) Ma Kyi PyarPARTi GERAKAn RAKyAT MAlAySiA Jayanthi Balaguru Lee Hui Seng

Vincent Ho Swee Peng Tan Keng LiangSAM RAinSy PARTy (CAMbOdiA) Kem Monovithya Khean Vises Kim Sophea Mu Sochua Puth Saphea Pen Sam Rainsy Seng Mardi Tioulong SaumuraSinGAPORE dEMOCRATiC PARTy Chee Soon Juan Jaslyn Go Muhammad Jufri MinMohd Salim Poh Hong YeoSOuTH KOREA Jung Tae Ho


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CALD Anniversary Conference11 November | Manila, Philippines

CALD marked its 20th anniversary in 2013, and while it has experienced considerable success through the years, it acknowledges that much still needs to be done. That was evident in the theme carried by its anniversary conference held in Manila on 11 November, which was “Toward Party Reform and Renewal: Bringing Political Parties Back to the People.” In an age defined by popular disenchantment with political parties, CALD found it important to ponder on how such institutions could be reconnected to the general public. And so in the midst of celebrating its two decades of existence, CALD invited member parties, partners, representatives of international institutions, and civil society organizations from the Philippines to the Centennial Ballroom of the historic Manila Hotel for a day of discussions.

The conference opened with an engaging plenary session chaired by Cambodian MP-Elect Mu Sochua and CALD Secretary General Neric Acosta. Together with CALD Chair Sam Rainsy, FNF Philippines Country Director Jules Maaten, and Philippine Undersecretary for Political Affairs Chito Gascon, they discussed and debated over the factors causing the decline of political parties, as well as how these can be addressed. Gascon, drawing from the discussions surrounding the formation of Asia Democracy Network, put forward the core issue in the debate. “Civil society groups continue to view parties as suspects,” he said. “But how can you talk about democracy if there are no discussions about parties? There can be no genuine democracy without parties.”

AlliAnCE OF libERAlS And dEMOCRATS FOR EuROPE Willem Vanden Broucke Therese Murdock Antonyia Parvanova Koen Van Ramshorst Niccolo Rinaldi Sir Graham WatsonCivil Will GREEn PARTy (MOnGOliA) Monsor Nyamdavaa Demberel Sambuu Ganbat TseepilCOMMuniTy OF dEMOCRACiES Maria Leissner Magdalena GawronskadEMOCRATiC PARTy HOnG KOnG (individuAl MEMbER) Sin Chung-Kai

dEMOCRATiC PROGRESSivE PARTy OF TAiWAn Hsiao, Bi-Khim Chen, Hui-Chen Yang Huang, Maysing Liu, Shih-Chung Hsieh, Huai HuidEMOCRAT PARTy THAilAnd Nant ThanananFRiEdRiCH nAuMAnn FOundATiOn Rainer Adam Katrin Bannach Pimrapaat Dusadeeisaryakul Siegfried Herzog Hans-Georg Jonek Olaf Kellerhof Moritz Kleine-Brockhoff

Sungeuon Lim Jürgen Morlok Wimonpug Promsrimas Nur Rachmi Lars Andre Richter Felix Schilling Juliane Schmucker Khim SophannaindOnESiAn dEMOCRATiC PARTy OF STRuGGlE (Pdi-P) Monang Johannes Irine Yusiana Roba Putri Hanjaya SetiawaninSTiTuTE OF SOuTHEAST ASiAn STudiES (iSEAS) Wolfgang SachsenroderlibERAl FORuM PAKiSTAn Beena Qayyum Khan

libERAl inTERnATiOnAl Hans Vans Baalen Emil KirjasnATiOnAl dEMOCRATiC inSTiTuTE Ivan DohertynATiOnAl lEAGuE FOR dEMOCRACy (buRMA) Ma Kyi Pyar PARTi GERAKAn RAKyAT MAlAySiA Jayanthi Balaguru Lee Hui Seng Vincent Ho Swee Peng Tan Keng LiangSAM RAinSy PARTy (CAMbOdiA) Kem Monovithya Khean Vises Kim Sophea

Mu Sochua Puth Saphea Pen Sam Rainsy Seng Mardi Tioulong SaumuraSinGAPORE dEMOCRATiC PARTy Chee Soon Juan Jaslyn Go Muhammad Jufri MinMohd Salim Poh Hong YeoSOuTH KOREA Jung Tae Ho


31

The plenary was followed by a panel discussion with CALD founders and partners and in which Dr. Wolfgang Sachsenroeder was chair. Years ago, as then FNF’s regional director for Southeast and East Asia, Sachsenroeder had given his strongest support for the creation of CALD. The panelists included CALD founding member Maysing Yang of Taiwan, Acosta, FNF Regional Director for Southeast and East Asia Rainer Adam, Liberal International (LI) President Hans van Baalen, and Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe Vice President Antonyia Parvanova.

Ambassador Maria Leissner, Secretary General of the Community of Democracies, meanwhile gave the participants food for thought as they were having lunch. In her luncheon address, Leissner drew attention to challenges to democracies worldwide, and how cooperation among democratic countries can help address these issues and challenges.

In the afternoon, a world café session was chaired by FNF Regional Director for South Asia Siggi Herzog. With the help of table hosts Mary Pimrapaat Dusadeeisariyakul of FNF Thailand, Emil Kirjas of LI, and Ivan Doherty of National Democratic Institute (NDI), the participants discussed issues such as the

establishment of links between political parties and civil society, how to be responsive to the needs of the people without becoming populist, and how to use CALD to spearhead political party reform and renewal in Asia.

CALD Secretary General Acosta then brought the highly interactive conference to a close by synthesizing all that had been discussed that day. He also observed, “If democracy were a cell, the nucleus of that cell would be political parties. The nutrients of every cell, for the nucleus to thrive and for the cell to multiply, however, would be civil society and the engagement of sectors and people.”

CALD Secretariat 2013: Secretary General Neric Acosta, Executive Director Lito Arlegue, Senior Program Officer Paolo Zamora, Project Officer Paul Rafael, Administrative Officer Jorgia Salonga, Program Officer Kristina Gadaingan, and Intern Lucy Adam.

Emil Kirjas, Tioulong Saumura, Sam Rainsy, Mu Sochua, Mardi Seng Symbolic doves to carry CALD toward greater heights and new horizons in the new decade

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Anniversary Dinner9 November | Manila, Philippines

36

CALDTHROUGH THE YEARS

38

CALDTHROUGH THE YEARS

40

THE CALD JOURNEY: THE PURSUIT OF COMMON DEMOCRATIC ASPIRATIONS

Hon. Graham Watson, Hon. Sam Rainsy, Dr. Rainer Adam, Secretary Joseph Emilio “Jun” Abaya, distinguished guests, friends, ladies and gentlemen: Good morning.

Exactly ten years ago, I was in Bangkok, Thailand—the birthplace of Council of Asian Liberals and Democrats – to take part in the celebration of a decade of democratic activism among liberal political parties in Asia. Many of you in this audience were with us then.

Today as we celebrate CALD’s 20th anniversary, we extend our warm welcome to our friends from Europe and Asia. Literally, the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe and CALD meet in Manila in the eye of the storm — the strongest tropical cyclone to hit land in world history. Welcome to Manila!

I remember the engaging discussions in Bangkok ten years ago among key personalities from CALD and allied liberals worldwide. I was touched by the hospitality of our hosts led by former Thai Prime Minister Chuan Leekpai; our founding Chair, the former Thai Foreign Minister and ASEAN Secretary General, Dr. Surin Pitsuwan; and the CALD Chair during that time, Prince Sukhumbhand Paribatra, now the Governor of Bangkok.

At that time, I was on my third year as the President of the Philippine Senate. I was then a newly minted Chairman of the Philippine Liberal Party. Since

then, CALD and the Liberal Party have become important parts of my political and professional life, especially from 2005 to 2007 during my tenure as CALD Chair.

I can proudly say that through various political, economic, and social turmoil, through one crisis after another, CALD and the Philippine Liberal Party were there to tackle head on the most pressing and relevant issues and concerns of the day. We did it with clarity of vision and the determination to seek the best solutions that, in turn, can only be achieved through our willingness to do serious self-examination. Our only prejudice: our liberal ideology. Our only bias: our conviction to serve the people.

Today we open the sixth meeting between ALDE and CALD. This is the second time for the Liberal Party of the Philippines to be given the honor of hosting this most important event.

As many of you know, while CALD was born in Asia, it was conceived in Europe. For sure, many of us in Asia still have a long way to go to reach the level of democratic advancement, political maturity and stability, and, of course, economic development that you have in Europe. Indeed, despite the multifarious problems facing the European Union, so clearly outlined by Mr. Graham, it still remains for many of us a model of regional integration that the Association for Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), for example, can emulate.

But it has not been a one-way street. The cooperation and engagement

KEynOTE SPEECH OF THE PHiliPPinE SEnATE PRESidEnT

Franklin Drilon6th CALD-ALDE Meeting 9 November 2013 | Manila, Philippines

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between CALD and ALDE have led to a partnership in the truest sense of the word. A partnership characterized by mutual respect, transparency, and mutual accountability. A partnership that has resulted in mutual growth and development, and even synergy.

Today CALD remains relevant. We are now on our twentieth year, stronger than ever, ready once again to serve as a clearing house for the best ideas and practices that can aid us—whether as political parties, as parliamentarians, as government, or even as opposition leaders offering viable alternatives—in drafting political agendas, policies, and platforms of governance.

In a span of ten years, many CALD member parties gained, lost, or regained power. Parallel to the ups and downs of the political fortunes of bigger political parties within CALD is the continued persecution of our political allies. But even within authoritarian and semi-authoritarian regimes, CALD has had significant victories.

In Myanmar — also known as Burma — our beloved Aung San Suu Kyi has been released after spending more than 15 years in detention, and is actively campaigning in and outside Myanmar to lead her people to the path of freedom and democracy.

Aung San Suu Kyi once said, and I quote: “Throughout my years in detention, CALD has been a consistent voice in calling for the restoration of freedom and democracy. Much remains to be done….there still remain many oppressive regimes all over the world, and in our part of the world…CALD and its allies continue… to use (their) freedom to promote ours.”

In Cambodia, the united opposition, headed by our dear friend and incumbent CALD Chair, Sam Rainsy, has officially won 55 seats—an increase of 26 seats. Because of allegations of massive cheating, vote-buying, and a partisan electoral commission, Sam Rainsy and the National Rescue Party continue to reject the results of the national elections and have taken their case to another venue that we Filipinos are only too familiar with: the parliament of the streets.

In Singapore, Dr. Chee Soon Juan, after repeated prosecution and incarceration, can now travel freely, and is with us today after several years of forced absence.

In the Philippines, the Liberal Party rose to power with the election of President Benigno Simeon “Noynoy” C. Aquino III. The Aquino administration strongly pursues the twin goals of good governance and sustainable development.

But good governance and addressing the scourge of corruption by relentlessly pursuing transparency and accountability are not easy tasks. Today the Aquino government is getting intense public beating because of the alleged misuse of government resources earmarked in the national budget by some legislators, popularly known in the West as the pork barrel, to fund preferred projects and programs. We see this challenge, colossal as it is, as a cleansing process. The Aquino government will not spare anyone who will be proven guilty from accountability and punishment. This might be a painful politically cleansing process, but we

are confident that when the political and judicial process is completed, and the guilty are punished, the platform of good governance upon which the Aquino administration stands will have a stronger foundation.

Today in the Philippines government transparency and openness have been made possible, we must emphasize, because of the Aquino administration’s strong adherence to democratic principles and ideals.

Bad governance – the root of all economic ills – can be addressed squarely only in a democracy, because of the presence of institutions and legal environment that make governments and public officials accountable.

Democracy is a continuing struggle. For as long as we remain steadfast in our convictions and principles, we will prevail.

For some countries in Asia, the pursuit of democracy is long and arduous. Aside from the political persecution and oppression of those in the opposition, or even in exile, those of us who are in power, or who have been in power, also face serious challenges to the democratic gains we have made. Political patronage, populism, and dogmatism, continue to hound otherwise stable democracies such as the Philippines, Thailand, and Taiwan.

We must, however, remain optimistic. We must not lose hope. Certainly, we look forward to the day when Aung San Suu Kyi becomes the first democratically elected President of Myanmar after decades of military rule. And we will all be there cheering and proud when our CALD Chair, Sam Rainsy, is elected as Prime Minister of Cambodia. CALD will certainly be sending a delegation to your inaugurations, as it did when Noynoy Aquino became the 15th President of the Republic of the Philippines.

Today as we celebrate our victories, we recognize the sacrifices, and even the martyrdom, of those who made these possible. There are other things more important than becoming the party in power. Our core liberal values — among them the protection of the rights of every individual, the rule of law, good governance — are what defines us. In times of struggles, these are what keep us going. In times of victory, these become our moral compass.

Political parties are the heart and soul of a democracy. We liberals should be at the forefront of political party reform. We must reach out to our constituents. We must remain inclusive and consultative. A political party that does not practice internal democracy can never be expected to rule democratically.

To those who continue to remain with us, we say thank you. To those who will be joining us in our endeavors, we extend our warm welcome.

To those who are no longer with us—President Kim Dae Jung of South Korea, President Abdurrahman Wahid of Indonesia, Senator S. Vijayaratnam of Malaysia, and our very own President Corazon “Cory” Aquino—we humbly offer our eternal gratitude.

Thank you very much. Mabuhay!

CALD2013

“Our core liberal values—among them

the protection of the rights of every

individual, the rule of law, good

governance—are what defines us. “

42

Isra, Dina, Rainsy, thank you for a great welcome to this sixth CALD-ALDE meeting.

It’s great to be here among old friends and new. A privilege to be in country run by Liberals. And an honor to join you as you celebrate your first twenty years of cooperation.

I’ve had the pleasure to know many of you throughout those twenty years. And, if I may say so, you don’t look a day older. Okay, maybe my eyesight is no longer quite what it was. But I believe it’s the Liberal spirit that keeps us young.

Looking at our program today, I am impressed by the quality of those you have assembled to address us. I look forward to their perspectives, their insights, their Liberal wisdom. And I say that fully aware that all our knowledge serves primarily to make us more cognizant of our ignorance.

Our discussions will cover a broad range of issues of common concern to Liberals. We will study security issues, we will talk about trade, and we will look forward to ASEAN in 2015.

And since we will look forward to the shape of Southeast Asia in two years’ time, I hope you will allow me to say a few words about

the possible shape of Europe two years from now.

I do so not without hesitation. For, friends, it is not a pretty picture. When Europe’s annual portrait is painted, and the tubes are twisted and dried, I fear the oil on the canvas will show a sick man.

Europe is stuck in a crisis of sovereign debt and bank capitalization that engulfed us in 2008 and which ails us still. We cling to the hope that we are past the critical stage of our illness. Our doctors tell us we need at least five more years to recover. But the economic ills we’ve endured have been the worst we’ve known since the deep recession of the 1920s — and their side effects may not yet show fully.

Remember what happened in the 1920s, in the aftermath of the Wall Street crash. Democratic governments in Europe went down like ninepins as people looked for easy answers from populist politics. The fascist and communist parties elected into office then sowed hatred in society and wreaked havoc in our economy.

I say frankly: We are fortunate that in this crisis no EU democracy has been overturned by the ravages of recession and the hopelessness

OPEninG SPEECH by PRESidEnT OF THE AldE PARTy

Graham Watson6th CALD-ALDE Meeting 9 November 2013 | Manila, Philippines

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of high unemployment. And I hope I do not have to add the word “yet.”

In some countries, over half our young people aged 18 to 24 are out of work. Today’s youth are the first in four generations who cannot expect a better life than that of their parents.

Parties that pander to the baser elements of human nature are having a field day. In France the extreme right polls 24 percent. In Britain an anti-European and anti-immigrant party took 26 percent in local elections this year. In Italy a party led by a comedian took a quarter of all votes cast in national elections. Elsewhere the picture also looks bleak.

Only in Germany, where the horrors of the Nazis are so well taught, are the extremists still a minimal presence. But even in Germany, in elections last month, our Liberal friends were knocked right out of the national parliament.

As our friends in Asia know from their recent history, economic hardship hits Liberals.

And I fear the worst is yet to come. In elections to the European Parliament next year the populist extremes could win a quarter of all the seats. And if that happens, then in 2015, in some country of the European Union, the past might just manage to overlap the future.

Of course we Liberals are redoubling our efforts — and meeting some success. In Norway and in Austria we’ve had encouraging results in national elections this year. In Luxembourg we look likely to lead the next government, with our friend Xavier Bettel as prime minister of a three- party coalition.

With luck, universal unemployment and sickness insurance will continue to cushion the pain of those out of work. With luck, higher levels of education than in previous crises will prevent too many people voting for extremes. But many like me are holding their breath and hoping for the best.

We expect to have fewer Liberals in the European parliament next year than now. And we expect social unrest and the search for scapegoats to grow.

I do not seek to dampen the spirits of those here today. And as a Liberal I simply cannot be a pessimist. There are some hopeful signs for Europe. But I am not naive about the immediate reality of recession.

That is why we need your help. With little growth in the European economy we need more trade with those which are growing.

Our Free Trade Agreement with South Korea has been a huge success. We have initialed one

with Singapore. We are talking to Japan and Malaysia; just this week we initialed a partnership and cooperation agreement with Thailand. It is not easy everywhere: with India it is like wading through deep mud, for Gandhian philosophy is no friend to trade. But greater trade with Asia can help Europe, and help Asia, too.

Of course we are also looking elsewhere. We have agreed a new deal with Canada; we have ambitious aims with the United States.

Because, as Adam Smith observed, trade is the fastest way to pull people out of poverty. It helps spread human understanding. And it secures peace, for the market is

the only battlefield on which both sides win. But unless Europe can suppress its protectionists and trade its way back to health, the future is bleak.

For ASEAN, I hope, the prospects are brighter. Here, we see increasing regional cooperation. We see a number of established democracies. National leaders who are not democrats find their positions harder and harder to justify.

And so much of this is thanks to your work, to your struggle, to your sacrifices. To the Liberals who have worked day in, day out. The farsighted: those with community spirit. People who ask themselves not “what’s in it for me?” People who put long-term strengths and common concerns above immediate satisfaction and personal gain.

These are our Liberal heroes here. People like Ninoy Aquino, Kim Dae Jung, Martin Lee, Aung San Suu Kyi, and so many more.

They and their followers here today have labored with the bricks of effort and the mortar of persistence to make Asian liberalism what it is today.

Friends, we salute you. And we look forward to our conference with you.

“Because, as Adam Smith observed,

trade is the fastest way to pull people out of poverty. It

helps spread human understanding. And it secures peace, for

the market is the only battlefield on which

both sides win.”

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Good evening, everybody. Welcome to all of you. Tonight CALD is honored and very happy to host this dinner for all our friends, members, delegates, participants from many parts of the world. As chair of CALD, I can say how proud CALD is for having so many members, supporters, and friends, as your presence tonight shows very clearly.

CALD was founded twenty years ago. It is the reason why we are meeting in the Philippines. This is really a great occasion. I’m very moved to see among us some of the founding fathers and the founding mother – there is only one lady, Maysing Yang. So, twenty years ago the founding fathers and founding mother met in Portugal, then they went to Taiwan, and then they signed the birth of CALD in Bangkok. Today our friend from the Democratic Party of Thailand Khun Kasit is here and we all very much appreciate his presence. There is also the Friedrich Naumann Foundation, which was behind this creation, and which has always been supportive of CALD. Thank you very much to our German friends from the Friedrich Naumann Foundation.

In the last twenty years, CALD has come a long way. We have done many, many things. From a young baby, we are an adult – a young

adult, with a long and promising future. Only over the last few years, CALD has had many achievements. We have strengthened and extended our network in Asia, and also in Europe, with Liberal International. We have witnessed the growth of liberal forces in Asia – liberal political parties in this part of the world have risen to an unprecedented level. We were very proud to have Aung San Suu Kyi – the democratic icon in Burma — as an honorary member of CALD. And we are very happy to see the democratic progress of Burma over the last few years, or even months, under her leadership.

In Cambodia also, the democratic and liberal forces have made unprecedented gains, thanks largely to the support of our friends in CALD and in Liberal International. I am very grateful —and especially grateful to the Liberal Party of the Philippines, which is really a sister party to, first, the Sam Rainsy Party, and now to the Cambodia Rescue Party. Without the support of the Liberal Party of the Philippines, and without all the facilities that the Liberal Party of the Philippines has provided to my party, the democratic forces would not have been able to achieve such gains – very promising gains. I can tell you that Cambodia will have in the very, very near future a new

OPEninG SPEECH by THE CHAiRMAn OF CAld And lEAdER OF THE CAMbOdiAn OPPOSiTiOn

Sam RainsyCALD 20th Anniversary Dinner 9 November 2013 | Manila, Philippines

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government led by the Cambodia National Rescue Party.

What is very touching is that despite the fact that the Liberal Party of the Philippines has come to power – a great achievement that CALD can be proud of — our Liberal Party friends remain very accessible. When you are in power, you are very busy. I can understand all the problems the Aquino administration is facing now. Yet a key person in President Aquino’s administration – Butch Abad, a very dear friend — is among us, with us tonight, not to mention his wife Dina Abad. Franklin Drilon has been very present in CALD activities. Secretary Jun Abaya and other many prominent leaders and members of the Liberal Party of the Philippines, among them top leaders in the Aquino administration, have been with us, so we are very, very grateful. In spite of their busy schedule, their behavior toward their colleagues in CALD has not changed. They are still accessible, available, as kind as ever, and as generous as ever — you are very, very constant in your behavior. Thank you very much.

I promise you that when I become Prime Minister, I will remain as accessible to you as now. And we will pursue our journey even further. We will take democracy to places people now are only dreaming of. We will make democracy a reality in many parts of Asia and we will contribute to freedom and peace all over the world. Peace with justice.

I met with some Vietnamese friends, and previously I also met with some friends from Laos. They are in desperate situations, and they look up to Cambodia – with all its flaws — as a model of democracy. In both Vietnam and Laos, there is no freedom, no democracy. That’s why I feel that our responsibility is not only to fight for freedom and democracy in our respective countries, but also to help other people, friends, in other countries where the light of democracy is very absent. When we fight for democracy in our country,

we can contribute to democracy in neighboring Asian countries by inspiring a positive domino effect, leading to dictatorships falling one after another. We can also do that with concerted efforts, through which we can show as well how CALD is really solidarity in action.

At the same time, we are grateful and appreciate our collaboration and cooperation with our friends from Liberal International, members of the European Parliament from different organizations in Europe who have been very supportive of our fight here in Asia. We really look up to the European Union as a model of integration, in spite of some temporary problems. For all

its ups and downs, the European Union remains an irrefutable and unique success story in regional integration.

One lesson that we have learned from the European Union is that we have to identify, we have to uphold, we have to respect, and we have to commit ourselves to defending basic, fundamental human rights; basic, fundamental democratic principles; and what is necessary to bring about good governance. Meaning: the rule of law, transparency, and accountability, because the rule of law is the basic condition for any country – any society — to progress.

Liberal values are deep in our hearts, and they are universal. We don’t believe at all – not even one second — that there are some specific Asian values that would justify any limitation on legitimate freedom and human dignity. Human rights are for everybody; they are universal values. It is on the basis of these universal values that we in Asia have to rethink about our model of integration. I hope that ASEAN will transform itself from a group of very different countries and nations, with different aspiration and goals and values, into one entity, as the European Union has done. Human rights, democratic principles, and what is required for good governance will be the foundations of the new ASEAN that we commit ourselves to build and make a reality in the next few years, especially with liberal forces coming into power.

So thank you very much, ladies and gentlemen, friends from all countries, especially from those who made sacrifices, who took risks to come here with the typhoon. They are still with us, so we are very grateful. I mentioned Europe, but don’t forget the United States, we have a close partnership with NDI and Ivan is with us — I want to applaud your presence, so this is really a worldwide grouping of likeminded people.

It has really been my honor to serve as chair of CALD for the last two years. Next year there will be another Chair. I hope that Indonesia will accept to be the new Chair, otherwise there will be Mongolia. But whatever the party will be at the helm of CALD, I’m sure we will pursue the same objectives. We all promise to commit ourselves to support the new leadership in CALD into pushing for the cores of Liberal values to prevail in Asia and to help in all over the world in the next few years.

Thank you very much.

“Human rights, democratic principles, and what is required for good governance

will be the foundations of the new ASEAN that we commit ourselves to build and make a

reality in the next few years, especially with liberal forces coming

into power.”

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Ladies and gentlemen, especially to our Liberal partners from Asia, I’m happy to see some of them whom I have not seen in a long time. Soon Juan is finally out of Singapore — Dr. Chee Soon Juan has the distinction of having been chairman of CALD but to never preside over any of its meeting because of the fact that he was practically in jail that whole time. We are really elated to see Dr. Chee Soon Juan joining us this evening.

Let me also recognize our chairman — we are really happy with the developments in Cambodia, especially after the last parliamentary elections. You’re getting there, Rainsy, and don’t forget us. Don’t you forget us! Also our partners from Europe and the other countries like the United States and the Community of Democracies. Of course, Graham Watson’s here, certainly we welcome you all here in Manila; my colleagues from the Liberal Party, our former president for a long time, Congressman Raul Daza, and some of my colleagues in the cabinet are here. Secretary Manny Mamba is over there, and friends of the Liberal Party and the Council of Asian Liberals Democrats – magandang gabi po sa inyong lahat. Good evening.

Sometime in the early ‘90s a handful of Asian participants in a conference in Sintra, Portugal decided to come together and wind down over bottles of beer. You know, I can still distinctly remember that location of our meeting because it was a beautiful

castle right at the outskirts of Sintra. It was not even in the town center. There were Wolfgang and I and Maysing — the Thai MP who was there was Alongkorn Ponlaboot, and Maysing was with a young Taiwanese intern named Renata Chen, if I recall correctly. We made up a very small Asian contingent amid very noisy, South American and African groups. Reserved as we were as Asians, we were kind of overwhelmed by the very Eurocentric discussions that were happening there.

So one night we decided to walk about the long stretch of – I think we went over the hill, Wolfgang, to go to the pub at the center of Sintra, and talk about things other than what was being discussed by the South Americans and the Africans. We were asking Dr. Sachsenröder, you know, there has to be a forum where we Asians can also speak out and express our aspirations and dreams about liberalism and democracy in Asia. And I think that was really the whole point of that meeting over beer. In fact, I was the one who was trying to figure out a concept at the back of a paper napkin that we could sell to the Friedrich Naumann Foundation, which eventually, as was earlier mentioned, blossomed into what we are gathered here for tonight.

I remember how out of place we were in that conference. We could not relate to the very continental topics dominating the discussions there. We were disappointed that Asian

KEynOTE SPEECH OF THE PHiliPPinE SECRETARy OF budGET And MAnAGEMEnT

Florencio AbadCALD 20th Anniversary Dinner 9 November 2013 | Manila, Philippines

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issues were not being discussed, and after the alcohol had already liberated our thoughts and feelings, the idea to form CALD came into being.

Later on — I think in December of 1993, after an initial brainstorm in Taipei — CALD was officially inaugurated in Bangkok, Thailand. And today after twenty years CALD has become a crucial element in the global struggle for liberalism and democracy. I think for that we deserve a big round of applause.

CALD is close to my heart as its formation coincided with the critical junctures in my own personal political career. When I was in Lisbon, I was still licking my wounds from political defeat, stepping down as Secretary of Agrarian Reform under the administration of the late – our icon of democracy — former President Cory Aquino. After serving for a record of only three months. In 1990 I had accepted President Aquino’s offer to serve in her Cabinet, which I considered a great distinction even if I had to pay the price of giving up my congressional seat. I wholeheartedly accepted the challenge because I was to manage what the President then called the “centerpiece” of her economic recovery program. This was the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program, which I had the honor of sponsoring when I was a neophyte congressman, after the dismantling of the Marcos martial rule.

At the time, the first Aquino government, built after the People Power Revolution of 1986 that toppled the Marcos dictatorship, was deeply under threat of military adventurism, as well as the dominance of vested interest who were able to re-entrench themselves in our political life. In fact, I was asked to join the first Aquino Cabinet after the eighth coup attempt, which was the bloodiest and which almost brought our fledgling democracy down. It was also the coup attempt where our current President — the son of Ninoy and Cory Aquino, Noynoy Aquino — was almost killed when he was met by a hail of bullets as he was trying to join his mother in the besieged palace of Malacañang. To this day President Aquino still carries some of the bullet fragments in his neck, as his doctors

have been very reluctant to touch his nerves close to his heart.

I took on the Agrarian Reform portfolio, fully aware of the powerful landlord interests, which were against the success of the program. Such interests included my own former colleagues in Congress, who rejected my appointment a record seven times. After three months and seven rejections by the powerful Commission on Appointments, I decided to pack up and thought that Sintra was a better option.

And so I found myself in that conference, and the rest is really, as they say, “history.” I had learned as an activist during the years of martial rule to never back out of

great opportunities – to never give up even after falling so hard, to consider acts of stupidity in the eyes of traditionalists as acts of heroism. After having been rejuvenated by our sojourn in Portugal, I went back home to face another difficult yet important juncture in my political life. That was our first democratic presidential elections in 1992. I ran for the Senate — for some of those who have forgotten, because it was really a forgettable attempt — not as part of any major political coalition at that time, but as a candidate of the Liberal Party coalition. I supported the presidential campaign of then Senator Jovito Salonga, the candidate that activists like me had gravitated toward due to his integrity as a politician, his heroism during martial

law, and his leadership in rejecting the renewal of the U.S. military bases treaty in the Philippines and finally after about 400 years, dismantling foreign military bases in our country.

The Liberal Party at that time was considered a “Volkswagen Party” – the car, not the van, because people said that we were so few that we could all fit in a Volkswagen Beetle. Still, we pegged our hopes on the support given by the civil-society movement and other fellow activists in the anti-martial law struggle. But sadly, we did not have the “three G’s” of Philippine politics: guns, goons, and most especially, gold. And so, miserably, we lost that election. The Liberal Party could have just closed shop after that massive defeat. I could have quit mainstream politics and just remained in the sidelines. But I held firmly onto my advocacy for a new kind of politics and critical issues against corruption, inequity, and social conflict – problems that today we continue to face — and in my belief in the free and democratic way of life that we all aspire for.

Today I am here. I’m still here in perhaps the most important point in my political career, during yet another critical juncture in our country’s democratic history. All of us in this room, I believe, have faced gargantuan challenges in our fight for democracy, in our respective countries – numerous defeats in the face of those who stood for authoritarianism and who even questioned us on whether the liberal ideology is appropriate for Asia. Yet despite incarceration, humiliation, and our own, once in a while, self-doubts, we prevail, and we are still here, fighting for liberalism and democracy.

This is the beauty of the Council for Asian Liberals and Democrats. It is the tapestry of our collective struggles to establish democracy and to make it work in our respective countries. It is the hallmark of our belief that the free and democratic way of life is the Asian way of life. Last month, I was invited by the President of Myanmar or Burma, and you know what we did? We launched the open government partnership in Myanmar. A very remarkable occasion — I couldn’t believe that I

“I had learned as an activist during the

years of martial rule to never back out of

great opportunities – to never give up even after falling so hard, to consider acts of

stupidity in the eyes of traditionalists as acts

of heroism. “

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was addressing the hierarchy of the Myanmar government, talking about open government.

This story of CALD is our ongoing story of our defeat and victory; of incarceration and liberation; of oppression and empowerment. It is the story of our dear friend, Sam Rainsy — sometimes he keeps running around and running away, but I think now he will be there adding to the 55 seats they got in the parliament. Our current chairman who after being in self-exile from facing politically motivated charges has now been pardoned by the King and allowed to return to Cambodia. We’re happy for that, Rainsy.

It is the story of Dr. Chee Soon Juan, who was recently discharged from bankruptcy — when were you ever not in bankruptcy? — and now, able to contest the upcoming general elections in Singapore in 2016. Good luck!

Of course, it’s the story of Aung San Suu Kyi, who is now in the Burmese parliament after the military regime opened the doors for process of democratization. The story of CALD is likewise the ongoing story of the Liberal Party in Philippines, which has risen from relative obscurity as a “Volkswagen Party” to national prominence with the election of President Noynoy Aquino in 2010 due to his platform of anti-corruption and poverty-reduction. Ours is an ongoing struggle against vested interests, which have benefitted from the corruption and patronage that are deeply entrenched in our political life. It is our ongoing story of making democracy work and meaningful for our citizens. Before we came in three years ago, the Philippines was called “the sick man of Asia.” But since then, to the credit of President Aquino, we share with China the distinction of being fastest-growing economy in the region.

Today as we celebrate the twentieth anniversary of CALD and as we envision our next twenty years, let us recall our individual and collective stories and reflect upon the values that enable us to persevere in our struggle for democracy. Tonight I look forward to hearing your own stories of struggle and success in

your respective countries for it is something that will inform my own ongoing journey as a leader and as a Liberal.

As I end this speech, allow me to recall the most unfree period of my life: The two decades of the Marcos dictatorship. I was imprisoned twice, the first in 1978 after I took part in protests against electoral fraud and we campaigned for Ninoy Aquino, who was in jail and could not leave jail and campaign for himself. The second time was in 1980, when I was charged with “conspiring to assassinate President Ferdinand Marcos.”

I’m sorry we failed, but when we got wind of the news that I was to be captured, my wife Dina and I tried to elude arrest and for days and months, we were running away, moving from

one town to another, seeking refuge from relatives and friends. But finally the Marcos regime caught us. At that time Dina was pregnant with our first daughter, Julia. My greatest fear at that time was that she would be born behind bars, that she would be raised apart from us — or even without us, if ever we got killed by the regime. And that she would never know how it is to be free.

But with divine providence perhaps, we were spared from our fears. We are alive today. Julia, too, eventually grew up to become an independent and courageous woman, and is now sitting in the Cabinet with me, as head of the Presidential Management Staff. We were luckier than most other victims of martial rule who were tortured and raped, who were incarcerated in military camps or summarily executed. Among the victims of regime were liberals like

Evelio Javier, who was assassinated in broad daylight, and of course our President’s father, Ninoy Aquino, who after arriving from the United States was shot while coming down from the plane, on the tarmac of what is now the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.

Perhaps it is the mysterious work of force greater than ourselves, the creator of our history, our greatest ally in the heavens who is opposed by the dictatorship of a man — of Man. The creator has something greater in store for me and our nation. Who am I to allow myself to be disempowered by hardships and defeat, to turn down great opportunities to serve and lead as a Liberal?

Indeed, I am fortunate to be addressing you this evening to be a key part of the growth of CALD, the Council of Asian Liberals and Democrats, and of our own Liberal Party; and to now serve under presidency of President Noynoy Aquino. And I believe I would not have been here in this moment today had I not met fellow Asian Liberals in Sintra, Portugal more than twenty years ago, that critical juncture in my personal history, which has irreversibly shaped my political career. For this I remain in deep solidarity with the struggles of Liberals and Democrats worldwide, especially here in our region in Asia. From those who are fighting to free their countries from authoritarian rule, to those whose democracies are under threat by corruption, populism, and patronage politics, rest assured, I and your fellow Filipino liberals are certainly on your side.

Perhaps this is the challenge to all of us in the Council of Asia Liberals and Democrats and the continuing Liberal struggle — the continuing but broadening Liberal struggle in Asia. To never give up on our efforts to make the process of democratization work in our respective countries. To never surrender to the supposed hegemony of strong-handed rule in our region. To never waver in our belief that the human being, that the Asian person, is born to be free.

Thank you very much, and good evening to everyone.

“This story of CALD is our ongoing story of

our defeat and victory; of incarceration and liberation; of oppression and empowerment.”

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Resolution No. 1 S. 2013

Adopted 14 March. Urges the government of President Ma Ying-jeou to go beyond partisan interests and immediately grant former President Chen Shui-bian a medical parole; appeals that adequate and intensive medical care be given immediately to the former president by independent medical experts; and trusts that the grant of medical parole to former President and former CALD Chair Chen would pave the way for genuine political reconciliation and maturation of Taiwanese democracy.


Adopted 8 August. Congratulates the Cambodian National Rescue Party for its gains in the last elections despite having electoral institutions and processes severely stacked against the political opposition; recognizes the significant role of Sam Rainsy for that strong showing and reiterates its appeal to allow the opposition leader to play a full role in the political process; welcomes the openness between the ruling and opposition parties for a dialogue, especially as regards the formation of an independent, joint commission that would investigate claims of electoral fraud and its impact on poll results; and believes that genuine national reconciliation and political consensus can only be realized once election results reflect the true will of the Cambodian people.


Adopted 8 November. Expresses CALD’s strong support to the Thai people’s rights to peacefully organize and express their opinion against the passage of the controversial Amnesty Act. Reiterates CALD’s resolve to uphold the key principles of Liberal Democracy: respect for human rights, accountability of governance, the rule of law, and freedom of expression; calls on the Government of Thailand, to act on the Truth and Reconciliations Commission of Thailand (TRTC)’s recommendations to take action on the serious and substantive findings backed by forensic evidence against all perpetrators to ensure accountability for human rights abuses; proudly joins the people of Thailand in their peaceful demonstrations to uphold the body and spirit of the rule of law as espoused by Thailand’s Constitution; and stands ready to provide recognition and support for peoples from all countries in their relentless pursuit of justice, freedom, and democracy.


Adopted 8 December. Urges Burmese President Thein Sein and the current government to fast-track the parliamentary constitutional review process and push for inclusive constitutional reforms that allow ethnic reconciliation and institutionalize free and fair elections; reiterates the call of the international community for constitutional reforms in Burma to further strengthen democratic gains and sustain economic development; and believes that genuine democracy can only be achieved when transparent and accountable institutions are in place and when the constitution is a reflection of the genuine consensus and aspirations of the people.

RESOLUTIONS

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WITH CALD turning 20 in 2013, it was quite fitting that its very first statement for the year would reiterate its commitment to uphold and respect fundamental freedoms of all human beings and recognize that political rights, economic freedom, and civil liberties are intertwined. Issued on 2 March at the end of the CALD Conference on Challenges to Fundamental Freedoms in Singapore, the statement could be the Council’s longest to date. Not surprisingly thus, it was divided into three sections, the first being on political rights, and where CALD recognized that “all people possess the right to participate, directly or indirectly, in the formation and operation of government at various levels.” The section also affirmed the importance of an “independent and sensitive judiciary in enforcing basic rights and the rule of law,” as well as that of an “independent and responsible media,” along with the critical role played by civil society in monitoring government actions and state institutions “that check on both public and private corruption.”

The second part of the statement had CALD reiterating its commitment to civil liberties, among them the right to own property; freedom of speech and expression, and of the press; freedom of information; freedom to organize and assembly; and religious freedom. The third, meanwhile, highlighted “the need for full implementation of laws and regulations relating to economic freedom,” which CALD said “should be characterized by inclusivity, independence from government, and autonomy in the organization of trade unions.”

Singapore–and the Fundamental Freedoms Conference—seemed to be fertile ground for statements from CALD, though. The conference spawned three more statements that were all adopted by the time it ended. One was a statement on the role of women in politics that urged political parties “to ensure parity in the participation and impact of women in political decision-making within parties and in governments” and encouraged parties to ensure “adequate attention to women’s needs,” particularly health care. In addition, it called on political parties to pay “special attention in their programs to the Rights of Women” and in the

implementation of women-related international conventions.

A broader CALD statement on women’s issues, meantime, had the Council, among other things, requesting governments of both source and host countries to “put in place advisory and protection procedures for migrant workers, and to institute mechanisms to eliminate exploitation and abuse.” It also urged governments to “introduce across the board parity for women with regard to ownership of property, inheritance, and access to financial instruments.” Too, CALD called on governments to “ensure sufficient high-quality public health services for women, with particular attention to reproductive health and maternal health care.”

Yet another statement issued by CALD at the Singapore conference focused on the Cambodian elections that were to be held on 28 July 2013. In its strongly worded Statement No. 4 for 2013, CALD said that the Cambodian government headed by Prime Minister Hun Sen should “change the composition of the National Election Committee in order to guarantee its full independence and neutrality in administering elections and adjudicating electoral cases” and to “secure and guarantee…the safe return” of opposition leader Sam Rainsy to Cambodia, “to drop all politically motivated charges against him, and to restore fully all his civil and political rights, including the right to contest elections.”

CALD then warned that should the Cambodian government not heed these demands, the election’s validity, as well as the government resulting from the polls, would be rendered “questionable.” The Council said that in such a scenario, it would call “on the international community not to recognize any such government.”

Nine days before Cambodian 2013 polls opened, CALD issued a statement on the royal pardon of CALD Chair Sam Rainsy in which it repeated its demands regarding Rainsy’s safe return and changing the make-up of the National Election Committee. It also demanded that the Cambodian government “foster a free political environment where people can fully exercise their rights and freedoms”

STATEMENTS & LETTERS

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CALD2013

and to “renounce illegal and irregular electoral practices” that put the political opposition “at a severe disadvantage.”

“Meeting these conditions,” the statement added, “would also pave the way for genuine transition to democracy and national reconciliation.”

The opposition Cambodian National Rescue Party led by Sam Rainsy – who was able to return safely to his homeland before the July elections – eventually won 55 out the 123 contested legislative seats. Because of massive poll irregularities, however, CNRP believed it probably won more slots. CNRP and the ruling Cambodian People’s Party were still having their on-and-off talks when CALD issued its last statement for 2013 – which also involved elections, albeit in another continent. Adopted on 26 September, CALD commiserated with one of its European allies, the Free Democratic Party of Germany, which had a devastating experience in the polls. (See Bulletin Section)

Earlier, another member of the CALD family had a similarly sad election experience: founding member Parti Gerakan Rakyat Malaysia, which saw its president, Dr. Ko Tsu Koon, resigning as a result. CALD addressed its 17 May letter to Ko, commending him for “the courageous leadership” he had shown PGRM in the last five years. CALD expressed its admiration as well for Ko’s “willingness to take responsibility and to make personal sacrifices for the interests of the party.”

“We are also confident that your party will take this temporary setback as an opportunity to strengthen itself so that it can again be of service to your countrymen,” wrote CALD.

Fortunately, CALD’s other letters in 2013 were triggered by better election news. On 7 March, CALD wrote to M.R. Sukhumbhand Paribatra of Thailand’s opposition Democrat Party, extending its warmest congratulations for his “overwhelming victory” in Bangkok’s gubernatorial race. In addition, it commended Sukhumband and the rest of DP’s members for their “hard work, commitment, and perseverance” throughout the campaign.

Four days later, CALD was sending another congratulatory letter. This time, it was to Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, who was reelected as chairperson of Burma’s opposition National League for Democracy. Also receiving felicitations in the letter from CALD were the other newly elected members of NLD’s Central Executive Committee and Executive Committee. CALD took the opportunity as well to thank Daw Suu Kyi and the rest of her NLD colleagues for giving CALD the privilege of joining them during their historic party congress.

The results of the May midterm elections in the Philippines kept CALD busy writing even more letters. In one dated 4 June and addressed to Philippine Transportation and Communication Secretary Joseph Emilio A. Abaya, CALD congratulated the Liberal Party for its success in the polls, which it said reflected “the Filipino people’s continuing support for the systemic reforms and institution-building that President Noynoy Aquino embraced since he vowed to serve the country in 2010.”

By 22 July, CALD was writing to former CALD Chair Franklin Drilon, who had been elected as Senate President of the 16th Philippine Congress. Taking note that Drilon had served as the administration’s campaign manager, CALD also commended him and the rest of the Team PNoy “for leading the senate campaign toward a 9-3 victory” in the May polls.

Two letters dated 25 July had CALD congratulating more LP members: Fourth District of Quezon City Rep. Feliciano ‘Sonny’ Belmonte Jr., who was elected Speaker of the House, and Batanes Representative Dina Abad, who was appointed Deputy Speaker of the House. Both Belmonte and Abad were commended by CALD “for being part of the breakthrough legislature performance during the last Congress.” Added the Council” “We trust that your stewardship of the 16th Congress will be a testament of a true liberal leadership that upholds the rule of law and promotes good governance.”

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WHAT better way to start 2013 than with an engaging talk from a veteran democrat?

On 5 January, as much of the Philippines was still trying to shake off the holiday hangover, Manila-based CALD hosted an engaging roundtable discussion with Thailand’s Shadow Deputy Prime Minister and Member of Parliament Kasit Piromya. Held on 5 January 2013 at the CALD-Friedrich Naumann Foundation Office, the event was attended by Philippine government officials, members of the Liberal Party of the Philippines, alumni of FNF’s International Academy of Leadership (IAF), and members of the academe. Philippine Presidential Adviser for Environmental Protection and CALD Secretary General Neric Acosta moderated the discussion.

Khun Kasit was actually in Manila as an official member of the delegation of Committee on Border Affairs of Thailand’s House of Representatives. The delegation had a briefing at the Asian Development Bank (ADB) on its role in promoting cooperation in Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) and in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), toward the realization of ASEAN Community by 2015. But Kasit was also gracious enough to make time to share some thoughts with his liberal colleagues at CALD.

His talk centered on “Thailand’s Continuing Political Crisis” and the lessons that could be learned from

recent political developments in that mainland Southeast Asian country. Among other things, the Thai opposition MP provided a historical background of the ongoing political crisis in his country. He also related the recent attempts of the government of Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra to push the opposition’s leadership, particularly former Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva and former Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban, to agree to government-backed constitutional changes in exchange for the dropping of court charges related to the then Democrat government’s response to the street protests of 2010-2011.

Noted Khun Kasit: “The nature of Thai politics (at present) changed from democratic competition for governmental power to conflict emanating from two competing ideologies… continuation of constitutional monarchy guided by the principle of separation of powers, or the institution of one-party absolute power based on majority rule in the parliament.”

Lessons from a neighbor

BULLETIN

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An invitation to a historic event

FOR the first time in 25 years, Burma’s National League for Democracy (NLD) was to hold a General Assembly – and CALD received an invitation to the historic occasion.

The invitation to CALD was communicated by the NLD Information Department during the visit of the CALD Secretariat to Burma on 18-22 February. CALD Executive Director Celito Arlegue and Senior Program Officer Paolo Zamora had traveled to Rangoon and Naypyitaw to explore possible avenues for cooperation between CALD and NLD and to invite NLD to take part in CALD’s 2013 activities. In return, CALD got a formal invitation to NLD’s General Assembly that was to take place 8-10 March and would have the NLD’s central executive committee members convening around 1,500 delegates to elect a new chairman, develop a new party structure, and formulate a policy framework that the party would adhere to as it moved toward the 2015 elections.

In Nyapyitaw, Burma’s new capital where the Parliament is located, Arlegue and Zamora met with NLD Members of Parliament led by U Win Htein, who participated in the ALDE-CALD Meeting in Brussels, Belgium and attended the CALD Conference on Pluralism and Development in Bali, Indonesia. Also present at the meeting were Dr. Myo Aung, MP, and U Naing Ngan Lin, MP, both delegates to the CALD Conference on Democratic Transitions in Bangkok, Thailand. The list of CALD programs for the year was

handed over to Win Htein who personally informed Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, MP and NLD Chairperson, about the upcoming events and how to further strengthen future communication and cooperation.

Arlegue and Zamora also met with NLD Vice Chairperson U Tin Oo at the party headquarters in Rangoon. They discussed the possible changes in the party structure after the General Assembly, the strategies NLD would hope to adopt vis-à-vis international and regional cooperation, and the possible workshops CALD could conduct together with NLD, with a focus on the area of training youth and women.

The visit also provided an opportunity to touch base with the FNF Office, which had set up an office earlier in the year in Rangoon.

Upon hearing about NLD’s General Assembly and the invitation extended to CALD, CALD Chair and Cambodian opposition leader Sam Rainsy later said, “I will happily attend this historical event, which is of great importance and significance not only for Burma, but for freedom fighters and democracy-loving people watching from all over the world.”

Rainsy also serves as the President of the Cambodia National Rescue Party, Cambodia’s united democratic opposition, which was then also gearing up for the July 2013 elections.

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BULLETIN

IT was certainly a historic day in more ways than one.

On 10 March, CALD Chair and Cambodian opposition leader Sam Rainsy met with his Burmese counterpart Daw Aung San Suu Kyi on the sidelines of the first ever national congress of the National League for Democracy in Rangoon, Burma.

The day was made more memorable when the two opposition leaders had lunch together and discussed issues from elections and constitutional amendments to democratic transitions and national unity. Inevitably, their talk centered on the experiences of Burma and Cambodia.

Sam Rainsy later recounted, “I told her that the situation in Cambodia is more complicated than in Burma. In Burma, all political leaders from all parties are arguably patriots and serve their country’s interest first. This is not the case for Cambodia where the ruling party was put in place by a foreign army, which indebted them to a neighboring country whose interest they have always to keep in mind.”

The contrast can also be seen in the stance of Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen and Burmese President Thein Sein on political power. Hun Sen, 61, has ruled Cambodia since 1985 and has vowed to stay in power until he is 90. President Thein Sein, by comparison, has said that he will step down if Daw Aung San Suu Kyi wins the presidential election in 2015. Recalled Sam Rainsy: “When I told her that Cambodia

is becoming the new pariah state of Southeast Asia, I saw in her smile the relief she must feel for Burma.”

The Cambodian opposition MP was in Rangoon to represent CALD in the NLD’s historic congress. Attended by around 894 delegates from around the country, the congress saw the reelection of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi as NLD chairperson. The gathering also expanded the party’s Central Executive Committee (CEC) from seven members to 15, in an effort to infuse into the NLD new faces, expertise, and diversity ahead of Burma’s 2015 general elections. The first meeting of the CEC was set after 8 April, where specific responsibilities of CEC members and the coming elections were to be discussed.

Commenting on what he would remember the most on the meeting, Sam Rainsy said that his encounter with the Nobel laureate reinforced his belief on non-violence and perseverance. He further remarked, “I was very impressed and touched by the generosity and the simplicity of my illustrious host. She didn’t know that it was my birthday. But I received from her a present that I value most, that no money can buy: inspiration.”

Sam Rainsy meets Aung San Suu Kyi

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Fresh faces at the CALD Secretariat

CALD2013

THREE’S supposedly a crowd, but in the case of the CALD Secretariat, the assertion of a Schoolhouse Rock series episode that “three is a magic number” seemed more appropriate.

First to infuse the CALD Secretariat with new blood was Paul Kristofer Rafael, who came onboard in March as Project Officer for Climate Change. A political science graduate of the University of Santo Tomas in Manila, Rafael had also attended the 2013 Programme on the United Nations and Global Challenges at the Institut de Hautes Etudes Internationales et du Développement (Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies) in Geneva, Switzerland.

“It is both an honor and a privilege to be working with CALD,” said Rafael, who was previously with the United Nations Information Center Manila, “more so to be afforded with the unique opportunity to work closely with its members, partners, and other like-minded individuals within the network in the collective pursuit of a more liberal and democratic Asian society.”

Six months later, the Manila-based CALD Secretariat was welcoming another new Program Officer: Kristina Uy Gadaingan. A social science graduate of the University of the Philippines, Manila, Gadaingan is currently pursuing a master’s degree in public administration at the National College of Public Administration at the University of the Philippines, Diliman. Before joining the Secretariat, she was with the Institute for Political and Electoral Reform (IPER). Remarked Gadaingan: “I am grateful for the opportunity to take an active role in working in an organization that binds together the agenda of a liberal, sustainable, and democratic Asian society.”

Third to arrive at the CALD Secretariat during the year as much needed help was intern Lucy Adam -- although her stay would be for a mere two months. The youngest among the team, Adam had just earned an International Baccalaureate diploma from the Bangkok Patana School in Thailand in June and was aiming for admission to the University of Melbourne in 2014 where she wanted to major in politics and international relations. Adam had been a participant at the CALD Youth Festival in Bangkok. Her having grown up in several Asian countries apparently led to an interest in Asian politics, which in turn had her winding up at CALD’s doorstep.

SHOULD the youth have their own rights? Are human rights a Western invention?

These and more were among the issues up for debate at the International Federation of Liberal Youth Rights4Youth Summit that was held in Strasbourg, France on 19-23 April. CALD Youth of course was in attendance, represented by Anne Chen, associate researcher at the Democratic Progressive Party of Taiwan. CALD Youth has been a regional member of the IFLRY since December 2012.

Chen was among the Summit’s 37 participants from 21 countries who debated on youth rights issues and discussed the human rights situation in their respective nations. The Summit actually commemorated the 60th anniversary of enactment of the European Convention on Human Rights. Strasbourg was chosen as the venue of the summit as it is where the Council of Europe (CoE) and the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) are located.

Working-group activities included answering a human rights quiz, analyzing case studies on judgments passed by the ECHR, and presenting country reports on access of youth to human rights in various regions. Among the current challenges facing the youth that were cited were access to education, mobility, housing, employment, welfare, and political participation. There was also an animated discussion as to whether or not the youth should have specific rights.

Summit participants attended a public hearing of the ECHR and listened to German President Joachim Gauck deliver a speech on human rights at the Parliamentary Assembly of the CoE. The young delegates also had the opportunity to interact with members of the Parliamentary Assembly during a joint event with the ALDE Group of the CoE Parliamentary Assembly.

The Summit concluded with a resolution proclaiming youth rights are human rights and identifying a widely felt need for recognition of youth and youth-specific policies. The resolution offered concrete recommendations calling upon member and partner organizations to take action. Participants also worked on a video and a booklet

More than the right to party

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BULLETIN

A Civil Society Forum was held in conjunction with the 7th Ministerial Conference of Community of Democracies in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia on 27-29 April, and it was only expected that CALD, together with FNF, would be front and center at the event.

Prominent personalities from CALD member parties such Mongolian Minister of Environment and Green Development Oyun Sanjaasuren (Civil Will Green Party) and Taiwan Foundation for Democracy Founder Michael Kau (Democratic Progressive Party) spoke during the forum, which aimed “to discuss issues and challenges Civil Society Organizations face worldwide and to actively and constructively participate in a dialogue with colleagues and government representatives from around the world on governance,

democracy education, assistance to emerging democracies and fight with corruption.” FNF East and Southeast Asia Regional Director Rainer Adam was also on hand at the forum, which was attended by close to a hundred civil society representatives and activists from across the globe.

Honorary CALD Individual Member Daw Aung San Suu Kyi meanwhile came to the ministerial conference at the invitation of the Mongolian President Tsakhiagiin Elbegdorj. The Nobel laureate was awarded by the Polish Geremek Foundation the Geremek Award for her lifetime struggle to bring democracy in Burma.

From the Liberal Party of the Philippines, Philippine Undersecretary for Political Affairs Chito Gascon, a CALD Executive Committee member, also attended to liaise on the role of CALD in the formation of the Asia Democracy Network (ADN) that was to be launched officially at the Korean Democracy Forum in October 2013.

President Tsakhiagiin Elbegdorj and Community of Democracies Secretary General Maria Leissner praised the formation of ADN as an unprecedented platform for regional cooperation for democracy. In the same vein, the Civil Society Forum resolution welcomed the creation of such a network, as well as encouraged the formation and strengthening of regional democracy networks in other parts of the world.

Networking in Mongolia

discussing various ways to publicize the Summit outcomes and improve awareness on youth rights issues.

“It was a great opportunity to learn about youth rights issues and from the unique ideas, enthusiasm, and energy of young liberals from other countries,” said

Chen. “Taking action on human rights and making individuals aware of human rights issues are very important. I am honored to have represented CALD Youth at the IFLRY Summit and hope that we can continue to work together on our common goals.”

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DPP Taiwan gets taste of Philippine-style campaigns

DPP Taiwan gets taste of Philippine-style campaignsNINE years after the Democratic Progressive Party Taiwan visited the Philippines to observe the elections, the CALD founding member returned to Manila to discuss effective campaign strategies with local experts and like-minded parties such as the Liberal Party of the Philippines.

The electoral mission conducted on 3-7 May aimed to assist the DPP as it prepared for the next major election in Taiwan in 2014. With the Philippines approaching its own midterm elections on 13 May 2013, the eight-member delegation met with representatives of key institutions and organizations that would be instrumental in making the Philippines’ 2013 polls as free and as fair as possible.

The visit commenced with a dinner hosted by CALD Secretary General Dr. Neric Acosta, who also shared his insights on the developments and issues leading to the May polls. The next day had the delegation meeting with Damaso G. Magbual, national council member of the National Citizens’ Movement for Free Elections (NAMFREL), who stressed the important role of non-partisan/civil-society groups in ensuring free, fair, and transparent elections. Then came a briefing with Commission on Elections (Comelec) Director and Spokesperson James Jimenez at the poll body’s office in Intramuros, Manila.

Jimenez updated the Taiwanese group on the government’s preparations to make the elections successful and gave a short demonstration on how the Precinct Count Optical Scan (PCOS) machines are operated. Automated elections are relatively new in the Philippines as the procedure was only first implemented in the 2010 national elections. As Jimenez explained, automated counting is favored over the traditional practice of tallying and verifying votes because it is faster, more transparent, and more credible and acceptable in the eyes of the general public. The day concluded with the delegates attending the miting de avance of the Liberal Party candidates in Muntinlupa City, an event also attended by selected Team PNoy senatorial candidates. Senator Franklin Drilon, Team PNoy Campaign Manager and former CALD Chair, LP Congressman Rudolfo Biazon, and Bureau of Customs Commissioner Ruffy Biazon, were also present.

On Day Three, the DPP delegation went for a quick out-of-town trip to the province of Laguna where they joined incumbent San Pedro Mayor and re-electionist Calixto Cataquiz in his campaign activities that included a church visit and feeding program, aside from attending a town community assembly. The day of campaigning continued in Manila, where the delegates joined Mayor Alfredo Lim in his kalesa-cade (kalesa or calesa is a horse-drawn carriage used in the Philippines) through his city’s vote-rich areas.

On the last day of meetings, the DPP delegation participated in a roundtable discussion hosted by FNF on the Philippine May polls. Among the panelists were Undersecretary Chito Gascon deputy minister for political affairs in the Office of the President and former LP Director General; Ramon Casiple, executive director of the Institute for Political and Electoral Reform (IPER); Takihiro Kenjie Aman, head of the national secretariat of the Legal Network for Truthful Elections (LENTE); and Jules Maaten, FNF country director, Manila Office. CALD Executive Director Celito Arlegue facilitated the discussions. The highly esteemed speakers provided an in-depth critical analysis of the state of affairs of Philippine politics and discussed the possible trajectories politicians and political parties would take after the elections.

The Team PNoy Headquarters was the final stop of the delegates with Senator Drilon welcoming them. Undersecretary Henry Bacurnay, deputy minister from the Office of the President, provided a comprehensive presentation on Team PNoy’s strategies and operations. Team PNoy Media Group head Sam Santos meanwhile answered questions on the administration coalition’s senatorial campaign media strategies.

The meetings with civil society groups, government officials, candidates, the electorate, and experts from the academe provided the DPP delegates a holistic understanding of the dynamics of Philippine electoral politics. But as Director of the Taiwan Institute of Democracy Director and DPP delegation head Ho Po-Wen also said, “As a democracy, we care about the political development of our ally in the region, and we look for strengthening our ties with the common value of democracy.”

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CALD Youth has reached a new milestone in its history with the very first turnover of the CALD Youth Chair and CALD Youth Secretary General positions. In elections held on 23 June on the sidelines of CALD Youth Festival in Bangkok, the member-parties elected Nant Thananan (Democrat Party, Thailand) and Bulgan Bayasgalant (Civil Will Green Party, Mongolia) as new officials of CALD’s youth wing. Nant took over from founding CALD Youth Chair Selyna Peiris (Liberal Party, Sri Lanka), while Bulgan replaced Herminio Bagro III (Liberal Party, Philippines) as Secretary General. They will both serve a term of two years.

CALD Youth was founded in Kaohsiung, Taiwan in August 2010. It comprises youth wings or departments of 10 CALD member-parties. Observers include young members of the Democratic Party of Hong Kong and the National League for Democracy of Burma.

“We need to work more toward creating a stronger and wider network of youth groups within our respective countries, including those outside the political circle, in order to truly represent a wider spectrum of youth issues and concerns at CALD Youth Conferences,” Nant said after his election as CALD Youth’s new Chairperson. “This wider network will allow liberal and democratic values to spread among the youth of our countries and make CALD Youth not just a representative of our mother parties, but a true voice of the youth in Asia.”

Meanwhile, Bulgan, reflecting on her vision for CALD Youth, said, “Anyone who stops learning is old, whether at twenty or eighty. Anyone who keeps learning stays young. CALD Youth itself is a young organization that has a lot to achieve and many others to lead. As the guardians of this eternal young soul, we will make sure that CALD Youth will blossom, grow and prosper along with all the young liberals who are united under the creed.

CALD Youth marks a new era

BULLETIN CALD2013CALD2013

HE already has a sunny personality, but with an unprecedented win on 3 March putting him on his second term as Bangkok Governor, M.R. Sukhumbhand Paribatra was beaming all the more when he hosted a dinner on 18 June for members of the CALD Secretariat and FNF Regional Director for East and Southeast Asia Rainer Adam.

The CALD Secretariat was in Bangkok to organize the CALD Youth Festival in coordination with the Democrat Party of Thailand, one of the founding member-parties of CALD. The Secretariat members, led by CALD Executive Director Celito Arlegue, took the opportunity to personally invite the Governor to grace the CALD 20th Anniversary festivities in Manila, Philippines on 8-11 November. Gov. Sukhumbhand, who served as CALD Chair from 2003-2004, was delighted to be invited and expressed his willingness to attend and participate in this year’s momentous celebration. “I have to attend,” he said. “It’s

been years since I last joined fellow liberals. It will be exciting.”

The Governor also shared his campaign experience and the tough battle the Democrats had to go through to win the gubernatorial elections. He said that he learned that the people must not be underestimated because they have the capacity to shape policies, to push for reforms, and to make significant changes in society. He campaigned for the people, he said, and was now excited to continue to work with them for another term.

Among those present during the dinner were MPs Kiat Sittheeamorn, head of the DP Foreign Affairs Department, Dr. Rachada Dhnadirek, and Buranaj Smutharaks; CALD Youth Chairperson Selyna Peiris; Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) Spokesperson Threedow Aphaiwongs; BMA Foreign Relations Officer Rossucone Chartprasert; and CALD Program Officers Paolo Zamora and Rosanna Ocampo.

One Night in Bangkok with the Governor

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THEY may spend a lot time talking, but CALD Youth member organizations know when it is time for action. After participating in discussions on political freedom in mid-June in Bangkok, CALD Youth sent a petition to the Cambodian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, while its member and observer organizations -- youth wings of liberal and democratic parties from around Asia -- sent similar petitions to the Cambodian Embassies in their respective countries.

The action received global support even if the petition was for a CALD Youth member country. The International Federation of Liberal Youth (IFLRY), of which CALD Youth is regional member for Asia, for instance approved a resolution on the issue during its Executive Committee Meeting in Bangkok, Thailand on 23 June. IFLRY also sent the petition to the Cambodian Embassy in London. The European Liberal Youth (LYMEC), a fellow IFLRY regional member organization, meanwhile sent the petition to the Cambodian Embassy in Brussels.

Other national youth organizations from Europe and North America soon also showed support for the initiative, among them Jonge Democraten (The Netherlands), Radikal Ungdom (Denmark), Centre for the Analysis of Public Policies (Dominican Republic), JuLis (Germany), and Jeunes Radicaux de Gauche (France).

The petition was a way for youth in Asia and the world to show solidarity with the Cambodian youth and protect the political freedom of the people of Cambodia. It put forth that free and fair elections could only take place when there is a free political environment and the

people are able to exercise their rights and freedom. It also affirmed that the Government of Cambodia must ensure high standards in line with its international human rights obligations before, during, and after the casting of votes in order to hold a credible election, believing that Cambodia had come far enough to aspire to hold election that meets international standards.

The petition called upon the Cambodian government to ensure that the composition of the National Election Committee in Cambodia would be truly independent; guarantee that all political parties would have fair and equal access to the mass media particularly during the election campaign; and find a political solution to the case of opposition leader Sam Rainsy to enable him to play a full role in Cambodian politics.

“We would like to thank all our friends and partner organizations who keep in touch with us and monitor the general election process in Cambodia,” said Kim Sophea, Sam Rainsy Party representative to the CALD Youth Executive Committee and member of the Cambodia National Rescue Party’s youth wing. “Your petitions and other actions are meaningful in calling for free and fair elections in Cambodia.”

He added, “It shows that people around the globe are keeping an eye on Cambodia and pushing the current government to fulfill its commitments and reform its actions to ensure that standards are met in conducting the general election and that the results can be acceptable.”

A strong, youthful call for free and fair Cambodian polls

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IN electoral campaigns, as in everything else in politics, it’s never too early.

This must have been the mindset of the Civil Will Green Party (CWGP) of Mongolia as it embarked on a series of seminars on 18-20 September with experienced politician and campaign strategist Manfred Richter. Currently a treasurer of the Friedrich Naumann Foundation, Richter had previously served in various positions in the German government, encompassing the local, state, and federal levels. He has also handled numerous electoral campaigns of the German liberal party, Freie Demokratische Partei (FDP).

The seminar series was divided into three parts: party organization and management; coalition politics and coalition management; and electoral campaigns. Day One was devoted to the elements of party organization. CWGP staff members were asked what among these elements were lacking in their party, with the discussion revolving around deficiencies in structure, manpower, and finances. In the course of the discussion, Richter also tried to compare the proposed strategies with those formulated by the CWGP for the 2012 elections.

Day Two dealt with the complexities of being part of the governing coalition, which is currently the situation of CWGP. Drawing from FDP’s long experience in coalition politics, Richter shared with CWGP officials general rules and practical experiences regarding the opportunities and threats that emanate from being

a junior coalition partner. He pointed out, “You must always strike a balance between being a reliable coalition partner and being a distinct political party in the governing coalition.”

The last day had previous and potential candidates from CWGP spending the morning sharing specifics of the electoral campaign in Mongolia. The participants noted that while there are many similarities in how electoral campaigns are conducted in Mongolia and Germany, there are also significant differences such as the difficulties posed by Mongolia’s geography, the influence of money politics, and the resort to populist practices and policies. In the afternoon, members of the CWGP’s youth wing from across the country met with Richter, and a discussion ensued on how different liberalism is from other ideologies, and how it can be used as a political tool to attract young people to the party.

CALD Executive Director Lito Arlegue joined Richter in the three-day seminar. He commented, “CWGP, without a doubt, is becoming a significant political force in Mongolia and has the potential to become a strong political contender in the coming years. Through seminars like these, we hope that the party would be better prepared to contest the next parliamentary elections. And judging from the interest and fervor of party officials and members, I have no doubt in my mind that it would be a force to reckon with come 2016.”

Mongolian liberals gear up for 2016

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CALD expresses support for German liberalsTHE stars of the Free Democratic Party (FDP) of Germany seemed to be askew during Germany’s 22 September elections, but the party and its partners wholeheartedly accepted the results. CALD was also quick to offer its support and solidarity with its longtime German partner, issuing a statement that read in part: “The FDP and the German liberal foundation, the Friedrich Naumann Foundation (FNF), have always been steadfast supporters of Asian liberalism, even when the region was under the strong grip of authoritarianism. That Asia now has some of the world’s most vibrant democracies, as well as the most organized liberal political party network, is due in no small part to the resolute support and solidarity of the FDP and FNF. The German liberals have been with us during our darkest days; in the same spirit, we stand with them as they endeavor to regain the trust and confidence of the German people.”

“The Council strongly believes that the FDP will come out of this temporary setback as a better and

stronger political party,” the statement also said. “We are confident that with FDP’s proven track record in helping steer the German economy out of recession, together with its unwavering commitment to the promotion and protection of individual rights and liberties, the party will soon regain its rightful position in German politics even as it continues its crucial role in the promotion of liberalism in Germany, in Europe and in other parts of the world.”

Founded in December 1948, FDP has been a part of the German government for much of postwar years. The Deutsche Welle online quoted political scientist Ulrich von Alemann as saying sometime after the elections: “The FDP is tough. They have a deep history. They have representatives all over the country, including the municipalities. They’re deeply anchored in society, in the public – so it’s not yet the end of the FDP.”

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The Council of Asian Liberals and Democrats (CALD) attended the Inaugural Asia Democracy Network (ADN) Assembly and 3rd Seoul Democracy Forum (SDF III) in Seoul, South Korea last 21-25 October 2013. Under the joint theme of “Challenges of Inclusive Democratization to Civil Society in Asia; Linking Democracy to Peace and Development”, the back-to-back events were participated in by close to a hundred civil society representatives from over 20 countries.

CALD was represented by Neric Acosta, CALD Secretary General; Son Chhay, Member of Parliament from Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP); and Maysing Yang and Huai-huih Hsieh of the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) of Taiwan. Chito Gascon of the Liberal Party (LP) of the Philippines was also present as CALD representative in the ADN International Organizing Committee.

ADN aims to be a CSO-led multi-stakeholders’ platform among democracy advocates and human rights defenders who are dedicated to the strengthening of democracy and human rights in Asia; especially on issues related to defending civil society and democratic space, freedom of expression, association and assembly, democracy education, democratic and equitable development.

It was organized in accordance with the consensus reached among participants from Asia to create a base network of democracy advocates and human rights defenders in Asia at the consultation meeting in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia on 30 April 2013 during the 7th Ministerial Conference of the Community of Democracies (CoD), following a series of consultation meetings including the 7th World Movement for Democracy (WMD) in Lima, Peru in October 2012.

CALD Secretary General Acosta spoke at the network and constituency meeting of the political party and parliamentarian group on 21 October. “Political parties and civil society organizations should work together to strengthen democracy and human rights in Asia”, he said. “We should stop looking at each other as enemies. We should instead consider each other as joint partners in our quest for a more democratic, developed and peaceful region.”

The joint meeting concluded with the adoption of the Seoul Democracy Declaration and the ADN Charter of Principles. ADN participants also pledged to engage actively with the CoD, the United Nations Human Rights Council (UN HRC), Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), and South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) in their efforts to promote democracy in Asia.

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“It was CALD’s tour de force.”

This was how CALD Secretary General Neric Acosta described CALD’s 20th Anniversary Dinner held on 9 November at the Maynila Ballroom of the Manila Hotel in Manila, Philippines. Acosta, who also served as one of the event’s masters of ceremonies together with former CALD Secretary General Bi-khim Hsiao, also remarked that the gathering was “a testament to what CALD has achieved in the past twenty years and what more it can accomplish in the decades to come.”

CALD Chair Sam Rainsy welcomed the attendees to the dinner, commenting that he was moved to see CALD’s founding members in the audience. The highlight of the evening was the keynote address of CALD founding member and former CALD Chair Butch Abad. Currently the Philippine Budget Secretary, Abad -- who also authored the CALD Charter -- said that he was proud that throughout the years “CALD has become a crucial element in the global struggle for liberalism and democracy.”

“It is the tapestry of our collective struggles to establish democracy and to make it work in our respective countries,” he added. “It is the hallmark of our belief that the free and democratic way of life is the Asian way of life.”

This achievement of CALD was captured in the 20 exhibit panels that surrounded the dinner venue. An anniversary video was also shown, highlighting the achievement of CALD in five key areas: advancement of liberal ideas, principles, and solutions to common problems in the Asian region; formation of stronger ties between liberals from Asia and from other parts of the world; greater political space for democracy fighters and activists; forging stronger, more institutionalized and more accountable political parties; and increasing the chances for liberal political parties and politicians to enter government through free and fair elections.

Solidarity plaques were then presented to CALD founding members, the FNF, and all CALD member-parties in recognition of their contributions to CALD’s development and the advancement of freedom and liberalism in Asia.

Making the night more special were performances by the highly acclaimed Filipino shadow dance group El Gamma Penumbra.

For many of the attendees to the dinner, it was truly a night to remember. And they parted ways knowing that they would be meeting again in the future as CALD charts its new horizons.

A night to remember

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A helping hand from TaiwanPROVING once more that it is not just a fair-weathered friend of Filipinos, the Democratic Progressive Party of Taiwan quickly stepped up as soon as CALD began organizing its post-Haiyan (local name: Yolanda) relief and reconstruction efforts. A CALD founding member party, DPP made a substantial donation immediately after the super typhoon flattened many communities in the Visayas, central Philippines. DPP Chair Su Tseng-chang, who was in Manila for the 20th CALD Anniversary when Haiyan/Yolanda struck, also expressed the party’s deep concern for and solidarity with the victims of one of the strongest typhoons to make landfall.

DPP Department of International Affairs Director Liu Shih-chung, speaking on behalf of Chair Su, said, “I am proud to represent our chair and my party to help the people of the Philippines, and we hope that this can provide the assistance necessary for the typhoon-devastated victims to get back on their feet and to start their lives once again. With this donation, the DPP also wished to take the lead and encourage our government in power as well as the general Taiwanese public to show our compassionate spirit and understanding that Taiwan will always be responsive to ease human suffering.”

Apart from the DPP, CALD also received personal contributions from DPP legislator Bi-khim Hsiao, CALD Founding Member Maysing Yang, Wolfgang Sachsenroeder of Institute of Southeast Asian Studies, and Sam Rainsy/Mu Sochua of Cambodia National Rescue Party.

CALD’s relief and reconstruction efforts were coursed through the government offices of CALD Secretary General Neric Acosta – the Office of the Presidential Adviser for Environmental Protection (OPAEP) and the Laguna Lake Development Authority (LLDA). The initial donations collected by CALD and by other groups were transmitted by Acosta to the Philippine Medical Association (PMA). On 19 November, the first mission of the PMA’s floating hospital sailed to the affected communities in the Visayas with the much needed medicines and food items.

On 30 November – 1 December, Secretary Acosta personally went to Ormoc, Leyte to see the extent of the damage caused by the super typhoon which killed more than 6,000 people and displaced at least four million. Acosta and his team visited different municipalities in Leyte, among them La Paz, Sogod, TabonTabon, Palo, Tanauan, and Tacloban. He met with the mayors of each municipality that he visited to discuss what could be done to rehabilitate the devastated areas.

Acosta emphasized the need for everybody’s contribution and cooperation in order to rebuild the communities damaged by the super typhoon. “We will not stop here and we have more work to do in order to bring back the life of the people to its normal state,” he said. “I’m hoping for the cooperation of everyone for us to achieve this. As I always say, kung kaya nating isipin, kaya nating gawin (if we can think it, we can do it).”

He added, “We will rise again.”

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THE Burmese opposition party National League for Democracy had begun preparing for the country’s 2015 elections, and CALD was only too happy to help. And so on 5 December, CALD Women’s Caucus Chairperson and Cambodian opposition MP Mu Sochua conducted an intimate and unique discussion on the role of women in politics for NLD’s women members.

This initiative was a follow-up to the CALD Women Empowerment Workshop that CALD organized in November 2011. But what made the event more special was the fact that NLD happened to be headed by Nobel Peace laureate and CALD honorary member Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. Mu Sochua also pointed out, “We (women) cannot be left out of politics.”

Thus, for over three hours together on a Saturday morning, more than 50 women from the NLD brainstormed over strategies through which they could better contribute to their party. Mu Sochua was not about to let them off that easy, however, declaring, “We are not just about talking – we need action!” She then pushed for commitments from the female participants in promoting their party and furthering ways for active women involvement.

For sure, the interaction and the sharing of experiences empowered the female political leaders, which could only lead to a committed and active Women’s Wing, a stronger NLD party, and an effective movement toward sustainable reforms in the country. Mu Sochua also reminded the participants, “Development is not progress till it is equally shared and not till women can be safe from violence and exploitation.”

One participant, reflecting on the training, remarked later, “I took a bus for three hours to come here on a Saturday morning. I am honored Mrs. Mu came to us. I have learned so much about my role as a woman in my party, and how I can help support.” Another participant said, “Mrs. Mu helped me understand that I can do more than simply help with food and secretarial work for my party, but that I can contribute to ideas for its future campaign. Thanks to Mrs. Mu, I know that we women have a stronger role to play in politics.”

The visit to Burma of the CALD Women’s Caucus head visit had a bonus as well: it opened the opportunity to present to NLD Vice Chairman U Tin Oo the official invitation of CALD for NLD to join as full member.

Woman empowering women

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CALD Conference on Fundamental Freedoms

Acosta, Neric Secretary General, Council of Asian Liberals and Democrats Philippine Presidential Adviser for Environmental Protection

Adam, Rainer Regional Director for Southeast and East Asia Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom

Boontida, Somchai Member of Parliament Democrat Party of Thailand

Caringal, Jaime Fortunato Deputy Director General, Liberal Party of the Philippines

Chee, Soon Juan Secretary General, Singapore Democratic Party Former Chairperson, Council of Asian Liberals and Democrats

Mahmood, Jufri Chairperson, Singapore Democratic Party

Ng, Lip Yong Chairman Central Unit on International Relations and Affairs Parti Gerakan Rakyat Malaysia

Sachsenroeder, Wolfgang Institute of Southeast Asian Studies, Singapore Former Regional Director, Southeast and East Asia Office Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom

Sam, Rainsy Chairperson, Council of Asian Liberals and Democrats President, Cambodia National Rescue Party Leader of the national opposition, Cambodia

Setiawan, Hanjaya Department Head for International Affairs, Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle

Sin, Chung-kai CALD Individual Member Democratic Party of Hong Kong

Son Chhay Member of Parliament Sam Rainsy Party, Cambodia

Wan Jan, Wan Saiful Founding Chief Executive, Institute for Democracy and Economic Affairs, Malaysia

Wijesinha, Rajiva Leader, Liberal Party of Sri Lanka Former Chairperson, Council of Asian Liberals and Democrats

CALD Women’s Caucus Seminar

Al-Sahlani, Abir Vice President and Human Rights Committee Chairperson, Liberal International

Balaguru, Jayanthi Devi Vice Chairperson CALD Women’s Caucus

Bayasgalan, Naranzul Advisor to Oyun Sanjaasuren, Minister of Environment and Green Development, Civil Will Green Party, Mongolia

Cayetano, Pia Senator of the Republic of the Philippines Chair, Senate Committee on Youth, Women and Family Relations

Chee, Siok Chin Member, Central Executive Committee Founding Member, Women Democrats

Lau, Emily Member of the Legislative Council Chairperson, Democratic Party of Hong Kong

Othman, Norani Board Member Sisters in Islam, Malaysia

Peiris, Selyna Chairperson, CALD Youth Liberal Party of Sri Lanka

Yang, Maysing Vice President for Asia, International Network of Liberal Women Vice President, Taiwan Foundation for Democracy Democratic Progressive Party

Yap, Socorro Sectoral Representative from the Women’s Sector, National Executive Committee Liberal Party of the Philippines

Yea, Sallie Assistant Professor, Humanities and Social Science Education National Institute of Education, Singapore

Ying, Chen Director, Department of Women’s Development Democratic Progressive Party of Taiwan

SPEAKERS & SESSION CHAIRS

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CALD2013SPEAKERS & SESSION CHAIRS

CALD Youth Climate Change Workshop


Boyd, John International environmental lawyer

Leonard, Stephen President, Climate Justice Program

Meakins, Brook Head of the International Climate Litigation team

Oposa Jr. Antonio, Philippine environmental lawyer President, The Law of Nature Foundation

Weiss, Robert International Officer Young Democrats of America

CALD Youth Festival


Adam, Rainer Regional Director, Southeast and East Asia Office, Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom

Anastassov, Stanislav Vice President, International Federation of Liberal Youth

Chongkittavorn, Kavi Freelance Writer and Independent Researcher, Thailand

Ho, Chih-Wei Democratic Progressive Party of Taiwan

Keothong, Narapat Director of Democrat Party Youth Center

Kosayodhin, Apirak Deputy Leader Democrat Party of Thailand

Nantes, Samuel Vice Governor-elect Liberal Party of the Philippines

Pehrson, Johan Member of Parliament Liberal Party of Sweden

Peiris, Selyna Chairperson, CALD Youth Liberal Party of Sri Lanka

Pyar, Ma Kyi National League for Democracy, Burma

Rokkum, Naomi Ichihara Secretary General International Federation of Liberal Youth

Romandy, Miklos Regional Project Coordinator, Impact Assessment, Evaluation and Analysis Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom

Seng, Lee Hui Parti Gerakan Rakyat Malaysia

Shum, Wan Wah Democratic Party of Hong Kong

Sirivunnabood, Punchada Lecturer, Mahidol University, Thailand

Sitheeamorn, Kiat Foreign Affairs Advisor to the Democrat Party leader, Democrat Party of Thailand

Soksan, Hing Sam Rainsy Party

Tambunan, Monang Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle

Tay, Cheryl Singapore Democratic Party

Thananan, Nant Democrat Party of Thailand

Vejjajiva, Abhisit Former Prime Minister of Thailand Leader of the Opposition of the House of Representatives Leader of the Democrat Party of Thailand

CALD Climate Change Conference


Adam, Rainer Regional Director for East and Southeast Asia, Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom

Bayasgalan, Onon National Consultant to Climate Change Adaptation Project of UNDP Green Development and Environment of Mongolia

Chen, Jennifer Deputy Director Environmental Protection Bureau of Kaohsiung City, Taiwan

Yao, Chia-wen Former Chairperson Democratic Progressive Party of Taiwan Former Secretary General, Council of Asian Liberal and Democrats

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SPEAKERS & SESSION CHAIRS CALD2013

Chirakiti, Prakob Former Deputy Governor of Bangkok Democrat Party of Thailand

Go, Jaslyn Member of Women Democrats, Singapore Democratic Party

Lwin, Tun Advisor, Environmental Conservation Committee National League for Democracy

Moraca, Aladino “Nonoy” C. Executive Director Ecological and Agricultural Development Foundation, Inc.

Ng, Lip Yong Head, International Relations and Affairs Parti Gerakan Rakyat Malaysia

Pernes, Marie Anne Member of Parliament Liberal Party of the Philippines

Sriratana, Monthip Senior Adviser to the Senate and House of Representatives Commissions on Natural Resources and Environment Office of the Parliament of Thailand

Wu, Joseph Representative to the United States Democratic Progressive Party of Taiwan

Yang, Maysing Vice President for Asia, International Network of Liberal Women Vice President, Taiwan Foundation for Democracy Democratic Progressive Party of Taiwan

CALD Youth Seminar

Ma, Kyi Pyar National League for Democracy, Burma

Ramirez, Lambert Executive Director National Institute for Policy Studies

Seng, Lee Hui Parti Gerakan Rakyat Malaysia

Sophea, Kim Execom Member, CALD Youth Sam Rainsy Party, Cambodia

Thananan, Nant Democrat Party of Thailand

Vasco, Michael Anthony Dean, Faculty of Arts and Letters University of Sto. Tomas, Manila

6th CALD-ALDE Meeting

Abad, Butch Secretary (Minister) of Budget and Management, Philippines Former President, Liberal Party of the Philippines Former Chairperson, Council of Asian Liberals and Democrats

Abad, Dina Deputy Speaker, Philippine House of Representatives Vice President for Policy, Programs and Advocacy Liberal Party of the Philippines Former Chairperson, CALD Women’s Caucus

Abad, Jun Jr. Chair of the Board of Directors Institute for Strategic and Development Studies, Philippines

Abaya, Jun Secretary (Minister) of Transportation and Communication, Philippines Executive Vice President and Acting President Liberal Party of the Philippines

Acosta, Neric Presidential Adviser for Environmental Protection, Philippines Vice President for International Affairs, Liberal Party of the Philippines Secretary General, Council of Asian Liberals and Democrats

Adam, Rainer Regional Director, Southeast and East Asia Office Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom

Broucke, Willem Vanden Head of Unit, Inter-institutional Relations and Networking Alliance of Liberals and Democrats Group

Chee, Soon Juan Secretary General, Singapore Democratic Party Former Chairperson, Council of Asian Liberals and Democrats

Drilon, Franklin Senate President, Senate of the Philippines Vice Chairperson, Liberal Party of the Philippines Former Chairperson, Council of Asian Liberals and Democrats

Gascon, Chito Undersecretary (Deputy Minister) for Political Affairs Office of the President, Philippines

Hsiao, Bi-khim Member of Legislative Yuan, Taiwan Former Secretary General, Council of Asian Liberals and Democrats Democratic Progressive Party of Taiwan

Liu, Shih-chung Director, Department of International Affairs Democratic Progressive Party of Taiwan

Su, Tseng-chang Chairperson, Democratic Progressive Party of Taiwan Former Premier, Executive Yuan, Taiwan

Tioulong, Saumura Member of Parliament - Elect, Cambodia Sam Rainsy Party of Cambodia / Cambodia National Rescue Party

Trenas, Jerry Member of Parliament Liberal Party of the Philippines

van Baalen, Hans Member of European Parliament, the Netherlands President, Liberal International

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Villacorta, Wilfrido Former Permanent Representative of the Philippines to ASEAN Former Deputy Secretary General, ASEAN Former Chair of the National Institute for Policy Studies, Philippines

Watson, Graham Member of European Parliament, UK President, Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe Party

Wijesinha, Rajiva Leader, Liberal Party of Sri Lanka Former Chairperson, Council of Asian Liberals and Democrats

CALD 20th Anniversary Conference

Acosta, Neric Presidential Adviser for Environmental Protection, Philippines Vice President for International Affairs, Liberal Party of the Philippines Secretary General, Council of Asian Liberals and Democrats

Adam, Rainer Regional Director, Southeast and East Asia Office Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom

Doherty, Ivan National Democratic Institute for International Affairs

Dusadeeisariyakul, Pimrapaat Programme Manager, Thailand Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom

Kirjas, Emil Secretary General Liberal International

Leissner, Maria Secretary General, Community of Democracies Former Ambassador at large for Democracy, Sweden

Luz, Juan Miguel Associate Dean, Centre for Development Management Asian Institute of Management, Philippines

Maaten, Jules Country Director, Philippine Office Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom

Parvanova, Antonyia Member of European Parliament, Bulgaria Vice-President, Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe Group

Sachsenroeder, Wolfgang Institute of Southeast Asian Studies, Singapore Former Regional Director, Southeast and East Asia Office Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom, Thailand

Sam, Rainsy Chairperson, Council of Asian Liberals and Democrats President, Cambodia National Rescue Party Leader of the national opposition, Cambodia

Tioulong, Saumura Member of Parliament - Elect, Cambodia Sam Rainsy Party of Cambodia/ Cambodia National Rescue Party

van Baalen, Hans Member of European Parliament, the Netherlands President, Liberal International

Yang, Maysing Vice President for Asia, International Network of Liberal Women Vice President, Taiwan Foundation for Democracy Democratic Progressive Party

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F u l l M E M b E R P A R T y

Civil Will Green Party of MongoliaThe Civil Will Party (CWP) the precursor of the current Civil Will Green Party (CWGP) was established on March 9, 2000 where Sanjaasuren Oyun was elected as the Chairman and Z.Narmandakh as the Secre-tary General. The party won their first seat in the parliamentary elec-tion that same year. In 2005, the CWP strengthened its activities by establishing the Civil Will Youth Wing and soon after this the CWP also structured the party to have their own senior, women, youth and stu-dent organizations. In January 2006, the special session of the Fourth National Convention was held and the CWP officially announced that it would work as the opposition in the Parliament. In 2009, the party formed a coalition with the Democratic Party for the presidential elec-tion which resulted in victory. Elbegdorj Tsakhia was elected and be-came the first democratic president of Mongolia.

The CWP consists of the following organizations: the National Conven-tion which is gathered once in every four year; the National Committee which consists of 200 members gathered annually; the Political Coun-cil with 36 members gathered on monthly; and the Monitoring Council consisting of 5 members. The main executive organization of the party is the Secretariat under the direct management of the Secretary Gen-eral.

The municipal branches of the party operate at the grassroots level. There are 6 policy committees within the party that operate in the field of Budget and Finance, Education, Science and Culture, Legal activi-ties, Foreign Relations, and Security.

After the 2012 election, the party obtained two seats in parliament and is now one of the partners in “Government For Reform”. The long time standing leader and party chairwoman Dr. Oyun Sanjaasuren is cur-rently serving as Minister for Green Development and Environment. Mr.Tumenjargal, Head of the youth organization is Deputy Minister for Culture, Sports and Tourism. In addition, the party obtained its first ever seat in Capital City Representative’s Council.

lEAdERS

Oyun Sanjaasuren Co-Chair Minister of Environment and Green Development of Mongolia, MP E: [email protected] T: +97611323645

Demberel Sambuu Co-Chair Member of Parliament, Chairman of Mongolian Chamber of Commerce E: [email protected]

Enkbat Dangaasuren Co-Chair

Ganbat Tseepil Secretary General of CWGP E: [email protected] T: +97611319006

Gan-Ochir Zunduisuren International Officer Secretary of Foreign Relations E: [email protected] T: +97699110973

Purevgardi Yadamragchaa Head of Secretariat E: [email protected] T: +97611319006 +97691914467

COnTACT

Civil Will Green Party Of Mongolia Freedom Square, Orange Plaza – 606 Chingeltei District 15141, P.O Box – 90 Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia

T: +97611319006 F: +97611319006 E: [email protected] W: www.civilgreen.mn

MEMBERS & PARTNERS

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Democrat Party of ThailandThe Democrat Party, founded in 1946, is the oldest political party in Thailand, and is one of the oldest in Southeast Asia as well. Since its inception over 60 years ago, the Democrat Party has held ideologies that are opposed to all forms of dictatorship and which are instead committed to the promotion of democracy for the people, and most importantly, by the people. The survival and existence of the Democrat Party has not come easily. The Party has had to go through many political struggles throughout its history, which can be divided into four periods:

• 1st Period (1946-1967) Party Building, Pro-Democracy, and Anti-Dictatorship

• 2nd Period (1968-1979) Party Rehabilitation and Democracy Promotion

• 3rd Period (1979-1990) Policy Improvement and Participation in National Administration

• 4th Period (1991-Present) Leading Party of Opposition and of Coalition Government

Introducing People’s Agenda

Throughout its history, the Democrat Party has always stood firm on the principles of democracy, freedom, transparency, accountability, and public participation. These principles, stipulated in the Party Guidelines, have guided the Party in the last six decades, and will continue to guide it for many years and generations to come.

Under the leadership and guidance of Mr. Abhisit Vejjajiva and the Executive Committee, the Democrat Party aims to provide the Thai public with a viable, responsible political alternative to the populist political environment that has been permeating the Thai atmosphere since 2001. Through various schemes and measures implemented since 2008, especially the People’s Agenda, the Party has been able to steer national development toward a new direction. It uses the idea of “policy for the people by the people,” which highlights the point that “People must come first.” The Party has assured the inclusiveness of its socio-economic policy and measures. Programs such as 15 years of free education, income-guarantee initiative for farming population, debt relief and access to micro-credits, and social and health security scheme have been launched.

lEAdERS

Abhisit Vejjajiva Leader

Chalermchai Sri-on Secretary General

Kiat Sittheamorn Chairperson, Foreign Affairs Committee

Chavanond Intarakomalyasut Spokesperson

COnTACT

Democrat Party of Thailand 67 Setsiri Road, Samsannai Phayathai, Bangkok 100400, Thailand

T: +66 0 2270 0036 F: +66 0 2279 6086 E: [email protected] W: www.democrat.or.th

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Democratic Progressive Party of TaiwanThe DPP was founded on 28 September 1986 as the first Taiwanese-born political party in Taiwan and as the first opposition party created during the Martial Law period. At the time of the DPP’s founding, Tai-wan existed under the authoritarian control of the Chinese Nationalist Party (Kuomintang - KMT), which colonized Taiwan after losing the civil war against the Chinese Communist Party of China in 1949.

Founded mainly by family members and defense lawyers of politi-cal prisoners held by the KMT, the DPP consisted of political activ-ists who risked their freedom and lives to transform Taiwan’s political landscape. With the arrival of the DPP, a new era of rapid democratic change began in Taiwan, transforming a nation previously forced to endure decades of one-party authoritarian rule.

The DPP has since evolved into a party dedicated to ensure social and political justice within Taiwan. The DPP has championed social wel-fare policies involving the rights of women, senior citizens, children, labors, indigenous peoples, farmers, and other disadvantaged sectors of society. On the political front, the DPP has won many battles for free speech, free press, the freedom of association and respect for human rights. In 2000, Taiwan entered a new period of democracy when the DPP became the first ruling party in Taiwan other than the KMT.

Under two administrations with eight years in government, the DPP earned valuable experience as a young party. Currently, as Taiwan’s major opposition party, the DPP continues striving to preserve democ-racy and to ensure a balanced and fair system of government that rep-resents the will of the Taiwanese people.

For 2011, the DPP aligned itself with the current trend changes in Tai-wan, listening to the voices of the public and issuing the 10-Year Policy Platform, a policy package that includes major policy recommenda-tions for Taiwan in the aspects of international and cross strait affairs, gender equality, social fairness, and economic development.

In 2012, the DPP entered the presidential election race under the lead-ership of Dr. Tsai Ing-wen as the party chair and the first female presi-dential candidate in Taiwan. Although defeated by the incumbent KMT president, the DPP was able to garner a support rate of 45.6%, an in-crease of 4.08% from the 2008 presidential election. Additionally, the DPP also won 40 legislative seats, an increase of 13 seats from the last legislative election. The Party is now headed by Su Tseng-chang

Internationally, the DPP continues to adhere by the principles of de-mocracy, human rights, and good governance through close alliances with democratic countries around the world. The DPP is a member of Liberal International and a founding member of the Council of Asian Liberals and Democrats.

lEAdERS

Su Tseng-chang Chair

Lin Hsi-yao Secretary General

COnTACT

Shih-chung Liu Director Department of International Affairs

Democratic Progressive Party of Taiwan 10F, No 30, Pei-ping East Road, Taipei, Taiwan

T: +886 2 23929989 F: +886 2 23930342 E: [email protected] W: www.dpp.org.tw

MEMBERS & PARTNERS CALD2013

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Indonesian Democratic Party of StruggleThe ideology of PDI Perjuangan (Partai Demokrasi Indonesia Perjuan-gan – Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle) is based on 1st June 1945 Pancasila (Five Principle), which in turn is derived from the old indigenous Indonesian philosophy and way of life. Pancasila reflects Indonesian nationalism, humanity and internationalism, democracy, social justice, and belief in one God. PDI Perjuangan faces a constant challenge to become the uniting power of Indonesia and is always in the forefront of supporting social diversity in Indonesia. Equality among citizens is the basic foundation of its unity in diversity.

In the current Indonesian democracy, PDI Perjuangan plays its role to fulfil people and state sovereignty by strengthening democratic insti-tutions, mechanisms, and political practices. It also aims for a self-sufficient economy in the globalized era to bring prosperity and social welfare to the people. A nationalist party, PDI Perjuangan maintains a political stand for pluralism, social welfare, and the sovereignty of the people.

In April 2010, PDI Perjuangan held its third party congress in Bali, in which Hon. Megawati Soekarnoputri was re-elected as party chair-woman. The congress also solidified the party’s decision to become a major opposition to the government. In addition, the party restructured the organization in 33 provinces, over 500 districts, and more than 6,000 sub districts, down to the village level.

PDI Perjuangan marked another glorious step towards the 2014 gen-eral elections when its candidate Joko Widodo, defeated the incum-bent in the Jakarta gubernatorial election last 2012. This was achieved due to the magic of open-hearted and sincere door-to-door campaign backed by the party’s solid structures and social media activism. At present, PDI Perjuangan has around 42% of local/regional government officials in the entire country. This serves as a good political ground for the Party as it prepares for the 2014 campaign.

lEAdERS

Megawati Soekarnoputri General Chairperson

Tjahjo Kumolo Secretary General

COnTACT

Andreas Pareira Chairperson for Defence, Security and International Affairs

Hanjaya Setiawan Department Head for International Affairs

Partai Demokrasi Indonesia Perjuangan Jl. Raya Lenteng Agung No. 99, Jakarta Selatan, Indonesia

T: +62 21 7806028 T: +62 21 7806032 F: +62 21 7814472 W: www.pdiperjuangan.or.id

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Liberal Party of the PhilippinesThe Liberal Party (LP) was founded on 19 January 1946 by Manuel Roxas, the first President of the Third Philippine Republic. It was formed by President Roxas from what was once the “Liberal Wing” of the old Nacionalista Party. Two more Presidents of the Philippines elected into office came from the LP: Elpidio Quirino and Diosdado Macapagal. Two other Presidents came from the ranks of the LP, being former members of the Party that choose to follow a different path and joined the Na-cionalistas: Ramon Magsaysay and Ferdinand Marcos.

During the days leading to Martial Rule, Marcos would find his old Party as a potent roadblock to his quest for one-man rule. Led by Ni-noy Aquino, Gerry Roxas and Jovito Salonga, the LP would time and again hound the would-be dictator on issues like human rights and the curtailment of freedom. Not even the declaration of Martial Law silenced the LP, and it continued to fight the dictatorship despite the costs. Many of its leaders and members were prosecuted and even killed during this time.

In recent times, the LP was instrumental in ending more than half-a-century of US Military presence in the Philippines with its campaign in the Senate of 1991 to reject a new RP-US Bases Treaty. This ironi-cally cost the Party dearly, losing for it the Elections of 1992. In 2000, it showed its mettle by standing against the corruption of the Estrada Administration, actively supporting the Resign-Impeach-Oust initia-tives that led to People Power II. In 2004, it again stood its ground as the Party withdrew its support from Pres. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo fol-lowing controversies of her election into office.

In 2009, the Party mounted a historic campaign for the 2010 elections with Senators Noynoy Aquino and Mar Roxas as frontrunners following the death of former President Corazon Aquino and widespread calls for genuine change in the country.

The LP has successfully reclaimed the national ruling party status with the momentous victory of President Noynoy Aquino in the last May 2010 national elections, together with majority of its allies in the House of Representatives and local government units.

lEAdERS

Benigno Aquino III Chairperson President of the Republic of the Philippines

Franklin Drilon Vice Chairperson Senate President of the Philippines

Feliciano Belmonte Jr. Vice Chairperson Speaker, Philippine House of Representatives

Joseph Emilio Abaya Executive President and Acting President Philippine Secretary of Transportation and Communication

COnTACT

Mel Senen Sarmiento, MP Secretary General and Concurrent Director General

Stephen Roy Cruz Deputy Director General for Admin & Finance E: [email protected] E: [email protected] M: +639175421883

Marjorie Martin Deputy Director General For Legal E: [email protected] E: [email protected] T: +639178740300

Liberal Party of the Philippines T: +63 2 709 3826 T: +63 2 709 3817 M: +63 917 533 8452 M: +63 999 888 9482 F: +63 2 709 3829 W: www.liberalparty.org.ph


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Liberal Party of Sri LankaThe Liberal Party began as a think tank called the ‘Council for Liberal Democracy,’ the first institution to criticize the all-embracing statism of the colonial and immediate post-colonial periods. In espousing free economic policies together with wide-ranging political freedoms, the Council, and then the Liberal Party, opposed both the authoritar-ian crony capitalism of the United National Party and the socialism of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party. Both major parties are now in theory in favor of wide freedoms, but to ensure that these are understood and entrenched there is still need of coherent liberal activism.

2010 was a year of major elections for Sri Lanka. At the Presidential elections held in January, all parties rallied around either of the two main contenders. The Liberal Party continued to support the incum-bent President Mahinda Rajapakse. After the victory at the parliamen-tary elections that followed in April, the party garnered a slot in the national list of the winning United Peoples Freedom Alliance Coalition and Prof. Rajiva Wijesinha was nominated as an MP from the national list after the election.

Since March 2010 the party has chaired the Council of Asian Liber-als and Democrats, and the party has led delegations to meet with Aung San Suu Kyi in Burma, as well as to meetings of Liberal Inter-national, the Italian Alliance of Democrats and the Liberal Democrat Conference in Britain.In Sri Lanka the Council for Liberal Democrats continued discussions with all parties on reconciliation, and in 2011 Prof Wijesinha was appointed Advisor on Reconciliation to the Presi-dent, who also put him on the government team to negotiate with the Tamil National Alliance. Liberal volunteers contribute to the Reconcilia-tion website – www.peaceinsrilanka.org – and the Youth Forum blog – www.reconciliationyouthforum.com. The United Kingdom member-ship tweets as UKLPSL and has a remarkable number of followers including the Australian Prime Minister. It helps to maintain Prof Wijes-inha’s personal log, www.rajivawijesinha.wordpress.com. The party contested a few local elections on its own in 2011, and was able to return two members to the Ridigama Pradeshiya Sabha in Kurunagala District.

Liberal Party of Sri Lanka held its annual congress on the the 17th of December 2013 and following members were elected as office bearers in the national committee.

lEAdERS

Rajiva Wijesinha Leader

Swarna Amaratunga President

J.Cassim Patron

Kamal Nissanka Secretary General

Sarath Buddadasa Nimal Ranjan Vice Presidents

Ananda Stephen Deputy Secretary General

Newton Peiris National Organizer

COnTACT

Liberal Party of Sri Lanka No. 88/1, Rosmead Place, Colombo 7

T: +94 0112 691589 F: +94 0112 691589 M: +94 0777 733347 E: [email protected] W: www.liberalparty-srilanka.org

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National Council of the Union of BurmaThe National Council of the Union of Burma (NCUB) works on demo-cratic principles to achieve a democratic federal system in Burma. It believes equality for all can be achieved only through transparent and inclusive participation.

NCUB was formed on 22 September 1992 in Marnerplaw. Originally aimed to perform both the responsibilities of the united front as well as Burma’s Parliament in exile, NCUB was initially made up of four major organizations: NDF, DAB, NLD(LA), and NCGUB.

NCUB is at the forefront of the resistance movement against the mil-itary junta even as it endeavors to gather Burma’s peoples together to build mutual trust and understanding. NCUB marches toward the elimination of military dictatorship in Burma and the establishment of peace, democracy, and a genuine Federal Union.

COnTACT

Maung Maung Secretary General National Council of the Union of Burma E: [email protected] [email protected]

P.O Box (40), Mae Sot, Tak, 63110, Thailand

T: +66 55 542 089 E: [email protected] W: www.ncub.org


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Parti Gerakan Rakyat MalaysiaSince its founding in 1968, the Parti Gerakan Rakyat Malaysia (PGRM) has seen growth and strength despite external constraintsand internal problems. Through sincere leadership, pragmatic strategies, and non-communal approaches, PGRM obtained mass support to strive for an egalitarian united Malaysia characterized by racial harmony, social justice, economic equality, political democracy, and cultural liberalism. PGRM’s receptivity to people’s criticisms and advices and its sensitiv-ity to their needs and aspirations are two major factors that contribute in making it a dynamicand resilient political force in Malaysia.

As Gerakan expands its organizational base, it will continue to strive to harness greater influence at both the grassroots and governmental levels. The Party will continue to seek the partnership with the people based on the principle that MALAYSIAN NATIONALISM is the most ef-fective weapon to combat the root causes of communalism, extrem-ism, religious fanaticism, and cultural chauvinism.

The International Relations and Affairs Bureau under the leadership of Mr. Ong Khang Woon is to reflect the party’s commitment to playing a greater and more meaningful role in the international and regional political arena. Besides council meetings, members of the Bureau and leaders of Gerakan regularly participate in CALD conferences, work-shops, and other programs.

lEAdERS

Mah Siew Keong National President

Cheah Soon Hai Deputy President

Liang Teck Meng Secretary General

COnTACT

Ong Khang Woon Chairman for Interanational Relations and Affairs

Ivanpal Signh Grewal Deputy Chief Administrator

Level 5, PGRM, No. 8 Jalan Pudu, Cheras, 56100 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

T: +60 3 9287 6868 F: +60 3 9287 8866 E: [email protected] W: www.gerakan.org.my

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Sam Rainsy PartyCambodia’s main opposition party is a political organization with a vi-sion and commitment dedicated toward genuine reform: quality of life and justice for all. The Sam Rainsy Party (SRP) is fully committed to building roads for a peaceful transition toward a liberalized democracy in the Kingdom of Cambodia through its motto of “Integrity, Truth, Jus-tice.”

SRP’s struggle towards this goal has never been easy. In January 2010, Sam Rainsy, MP and leader of the Cambodian opposition, was sen-tenced in absentia to two years in prison. This was in addition to a 10-year sentence handed down in 2009, after he was convicted of ra-cial incitement and the destruction of public-property. Sam Rainsy has been in self-imposed exile in Europe but continues his work with the party through online conferences and international meetings.

On 21 October 2010, the European Parliament adopted a resolution on Cambodia that strongly denounced “all politically motivated sentenc-es against representatives of the opposition and NGOs,” particularly against those against Sam Rainsy. It called upon Cambodian authori-ties to engage in political and institutional reforms to build a demo-cratic state and “guarantee free and fair political expression without intimidation and harassment.”

On 19 of October 2011, Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) Governing Council adopted unanimously a resolution that started that the IPU reaffirmed Sam Rainsy’s gesture, and that, consequently, the courts should never have been seized to resolve a political matter, which rath-er should have given rise to a debate within parliament. In the reso-lution, the IPU said it deeply regretted that the Prime Minister’s clear statement on the question of border post #185 had not as yet led to any initiatives with a view to settling this case, which indisputably may impair, the democratic process in Cambodia.

The IPU then called once again on the authorities, including Parliament, “to take action with a view to Mr. Sam Rainsy’s rehabilitation so as to enable him to resume his rightful place as a member of the National Assembly and to stand as a candidate in the next parliamentary elec-tions.”

The SRP continues to struggle to strengthen democratic institutions and instill democratic reforms in the country. In his New Year message for 2011, Sam Rainsy stated that “Cambodianeeds true progress, mo-dernity, sustainable and equitable economic development, social jus-tice, decent employment for the large number of young people entering the job market, increased well-being for the entire population, and an intelligent and strong defense on the vital interests of the nation.

In 2012, SRP merged with Human Rights Party (HRP) to form the Cam-bodia National Rescue Party (CNRP). CNRP officially won 56 seats in the 2013 parliamentary elections amidst allegations of cheating and harassment of the ruling party.

lEAdER

Sam Rainsy President

COnTACT

Yim Sovann Spokesperson

Sam Rainsy Party No. 576, National Road No.2, Sangkat Chak Angre Leu, Khan Meanchey, Phnom Penh, Cambodia

T: +855 23 696 0414 T: +855 23 425 248 F: +855 23 425 249 E: [email protected] W: www.samrainsyparty.org


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Singapore Democratic PartyThe Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) was constituted in 1980. It believes in, and is working toward restoring human, civil, and political rights in Singapore; fostering a vibrant and dynamic society based on pluralism and diversity; cultivating a transparent and accountable po-litical system; establishing an economic system based on free compe-tition and equal opportunity for all; removing all policies and practices that discriminate against the less fortunate, women, and minorities; and cooperating with democratic parties and organizations in Asia to achieve peace and sustainable development in the region.

It is the first opposition party in Singapore to have a youth wing (Young Democrats) and to deploy Internet as alternative media. It uses blog-ging, political videos, and online forums to reach out to the people. The Central Executive Committee (CEC) governs the party with Mr. Jeffrey George as its chairman and Dr. Chee Soon Juan its secretary-general.

Party leaders and members have had to endure a series of govern-ment-orchestrated court cases, and even imprisonment, for exercising their fundamental rights to freedom of expression and assembly in the recent past.

During the 2011 general elections, the Party garnered 36.8% of the val-id votes in the constituencies it contested. The SDP was touted to be the most “improved” opposition party, making the largest gain in share.

lEAdER

Jeffrey George Chairman

Chee Soon Juan Secretary General

COnTACT

John Tan Vice Chairman

Jaslyn Go International Liaison

12A Jalan Gelenggang, Singapore 578192

T: +65 6456 4532 F: +65 6453 4532 E: [email protected] W: www.yoursdp.org

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A S S O C i A T E M E M b E R P A R T y

Liberal Forum PakistanLFP (Liberal Forum Pakistan) is promoting liberal values in Pakistan’s polity by creating awareness about the positive features of democracy, freedom, and secularism. It works toward these objectives by publishing and disseminating literature about liberalism throughout the country; and by holding consultations on the related issues. It also takes out a bi-monthly magazine in Urdu that is the only regular publication covering liberal issues in South Asia.

LFP regularly organizes functions in all major urban centers and in places where it has active chapters. The membership of the organization is open to all, subject to approval by LFP’s Membership Committee; a chapter can be formed once it has 20 members. The overall supervision of the organization is in the hands of a Board of Directors that is headed by a Chairperson who is also the Chief Executive of the organization. The four provinces are headed by provincial presidents.

LFP also has a youth wing by the name of FYG (Future Youth Group), which holds activities similar to LFP amongst the younger segments of the population. LFP has a website that gives up to date information about liberal developments.

In 2010, LFP continued its movement to promote liberalism in Pakistan and expanded its membership to approximately 2,000 members who pay an annual fee and receive a bi-monthly magazine, Liberal Pakistan. Thirty-six chapters are currently functional throughout the country. During the year, LFP held seminars on topics ranging from opposing corruption to promoting liberal values, including good governance, secularism, and the right to information. These activities garnered publicity in the local media. LFP also spread its advocacy through publications on corruption and individual liberty.

lEAdERS

Faiz Kaker Chairman of the Executive Committee

COnTACT

Liberal Forum Pakistan No S1, Second Floor, Rawal Arcade, F-8 Markaz, Islamabad, Pakistan

T: +92 51 225 6458 T: +92 51 225 6459 F: +92 51 225 6459 E: [email protected] W: www.lfp.org.pk


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i n d i v i d u A l M E M b E R

Sin Chung-kaiSin Chung-kai has served as a Vice Chairman of the Democratic Party of Hong Kong since 2006, and once served as a Member of Legisla-tive Council representing the IT Functional Constituency from 1995 to 2008. He is well-known as a strong advocate for transforming Hong Kong into a leading digital city that enjoys human rights, rule of law, fair competition, free flow of information, democracy and economic prosperity.


Martin LeeMartin C.M. Lee (Lee Chu Ming) is the founding chairman (1994 - 2002) of the Democratic Party, which is one of the largest and most popular political parties in Hong Kong. Prior to the founding of the Democratic Party in October 1994, Lee was chairman of the United Democrats of Hong Kong -- Hong Kong’s first political party that won the first-ever democratic elections to the territory’s Legislative Council in 1991. Since establishment, the Democratic Party has committed efforts to advancing democracy and safeguarding human rights and the rule of law in Hong Kong. In 2008, the Democratic Party merged with another pan-democratic party The Frontier, and further strengthened its politi-cal influence in Hong Kong. Lee was also a popular elected Legislative Councillor from 1985 to 2008.

COnTACT

704A, Admiralty Centre, Tower I, 18 Harcourt Road, Central, Hong Kong

T: +852 2529 0864 F: +852 2861 2829 E: [email protected] W: www.martinlee.org.hk

COnTACT

4/F, Hanley House, 778 Nathan Road, Mongkok, Kowloon, Hong Kong

T: +852 2397 7033 F: +852 2397 8998 E: [email protected] W: www.sinchungkai.org.hk

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Abdurrahman WahidThe late Abdurrahman Wahid served as the fourth president of the world’s most populous Muslim nation from 1999-2001. He was an im-portant figure among religious groups and political movements during the restoration of freedom and democratic rights after 32 years of the Suharto dictatorship.

More popularly known as “Gus Dur,” he showed fellow Indonesians his lifetime commitment to public service and the promotion of liberal de-mocracy and staunchly defended human rights, ethnic minorities, and Indonesia’s secular tradition.

Wahid headed the Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), Indonesia’s largest Muslim organization. His position as a moral leader was transformed, howev-er, when he and his supporters formed the National Awakening Party (PKB) following the dramatic fall of President Soeharto. He became the Chairman of its Advisory Council and its official presidential candidate in 1999. Though dominated by NU members, Wahid promoted PKB as a party that is non-sectarian and open to all members of society.

H O n O R A R y M E M b E R

Daw Aung San Suu KyiDaw Aung San Suu Kyi is a Nobel Peace Laureate, Burma’s leader of the opposition, and one of Asia’s most revered icons of democracy. She is also founding General Secretary of the National League for De-mocracy.

Daw Suu has spent most of her life committed to the people of Burma’s struggle for justice, freedom, and democracy. Much of the last two dec-ades had seen her locked up, but in 2010, she was released from house arrest. In 2012, she contested a by-election and won a seat in parlia-ment.


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O b S E R v E R

Democratic Party of JapanThe Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) was created in 1998, when re-form-minded politicians from a number of opposition parties came together with the aim of establishing a genuine opposition force ca-pable of taking power from the long-ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP). Former Prime Ministers Tsutomu Hata and former party presi-dents Yukio Hatoyama and Naoto Kan, who both later served as Prime Minister, were among those instrumental in establishing the new party. The DPJ has since grown in size at successive elections. It was further strengthened by a merger with the Liberal Party, led by Ichiro Ozawa, in 2003. In 2009, the party won a landslide election victory, bringing about an historic change of government. At present, the DPJ serves as an op-position party in the LDP-led government of Shinzo Abe.

lEAdERS

Yoshihiko Noda Katsuya Okada Takahiro Yokomichi Satsuki Eda Supreme Advisers

Banri Kaieda President

Yoshiaki Takaki Acting President

Toshimi Kitazawa Takeshi Maeda Naoki Tanaka Kazuhiro Haraguchi Mieko Kamimoto Teruhiko Mashiko Vice Presidents

Akihiro Ohata Secretary General

Masaharu Nakagawa Acting Secretary General

Yuji Fujimoto Director General of International Department

Contact

DPJ International Department 1-11-1 Nagata-cho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100-0014 Japan

T: +81 3 3595 9988 F: +81 3 3595 7318 W: www.dpj.or.jp

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Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for EuropeThe Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE) in the Eu-ropean Parliament brings together MEPs from liberal and democratic parties across the European Union. We share the common values and promote an open-minded and forward-looking approach to European Union politics. We stand for individual liberty, a free and dynamic busi-ness culture, economic and social solidarity, sustainability in taking actions, protection of the environment and respect, and tolerance for cultural, religious and linguistic diversity.

European Parliament, Rue Wiertz, B- 1047 Brussels, Belgium

T: +32 2 284 2111 F: +32 2 230 2485 E: [email protected] W: www.alde.eu

29 BBC Tower, 25th Floor, Sukhumvit 63 Road, Bangkok 10110 Thailand

T: +662 365 0570 T: +662 365 0567 F: +662 714 8384 E: [email protected] W: http://www.fnfasia.org

P A R T n E R

Friedrich Naumann FoundationThe Friedrich-Naumann-Stiftung für die Freiheit (FNF) is an independ-ent, nonprofit, nongovernmental foundation committed to promoting the value of freedom in dignity worldwide. FNF seeks to promote this core liberal value by working to strengthen: human rights and the rule of law, liberal participatory democracy, and a free market economy.

Funded by the German parliament, the Foundation supports a wide range of activities in 65 different countries. Its partners include parlia-ments, political parties, universities, think tanks, research institutions, NGOs, the media, business associations, and community organiza-tions. Its key tasks are civic education, policy dialogue, and consultan-cy to help find liberal solutions for the problems facing our societies.

The Friedrich-Naumann-Stiftung für die Freiheit has worked in partner-ship with CALD since 1993. They have collaborated to organize confer-ences, meetings, networking opportunities, and publications designed to further policy dialogue and cooperation among like-minded Asian political parties.

Alliance of


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P A R T n E R

Taiwan Foundation for DemocracyTaiwan’s peaceful transition to democracy is not only a historical ac-complishment for its 23 million people, but a landmark in the world-wide spread of democracy. Only after years of struggle and effort could this transformation take place. We must never forget this history, for it shapes the cornerstone of our continued commitment to the principles of democracy and human rights.

The Foundation was established with an inter-related, two-tracked mission in mind. Domestically, the TFD strives to play a positive role in consolidating Taiwan’s democracy and fortifying its commitment to human rights; internationally, the Foundation hopes to become a strong link in the global democratic network, joining forces with re-lated organizations around the world. Through the years, Taiwan has received valuable long-term assistance and stalwart support from the international community, and it is now time to repay that community for all of its efforts.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs initiated the Taiwan Foundation for De-mocracy project in 2002. After much research and careful evaluation, the Ministry integrated the required resources from many sectors of society. In January 2003, the Ministry obtained the support of all politi-cal parties to pass the budget for the Foundation in the legislature. The TFD formally came into being on 17 June 2003, with its first meeting of the Board of Trustees and Supervisory Board. At that meeting, Leg-islative Yuan President Wang Jin-pyng was elected its first chairman. According to its by-laws, the TFD is governed by a total of 15 trustees and five supervisors, representing political parties, the government, academia, nongovernmental organizations, and the business sector.

P A R T n E R

Liberal InternationalLiberal International is the world federation of liberal political parties. Founded in 1947, it has become the pre-eminent network for promot-ing liberalism, strengthening liberal parties, and for the promotion of liberal democracy around the world. There are a number of common principles that unite all liberal parties from Africa, the Americas, Asia, and Europe: human rights, free and fair elections, multiparty democ-racy, social justice, tolerance, social market economy, free trade, envi-ronmental sustainability, and a strong sense of international solidarity. Although there is diversity among liberal parties owing to the applica-tion of these principles in different national circumstances, all LI mem-bers adhere to the organization’s manifesto.

1 Whitehall Place, London, SW1A 2HD

T: +44 20 7839 5905 F: +44 20 7925 2685 E: [email protected] W: www.liberal-international.org

No.4, Alley 17, Lane 147, Section 3, Sinyi Road, Taipei 106, Taiwan

T: +886 2 2708 0100 F: +886 2 2708 1148 W: www.tfd.org.tw

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Liberal Network for Latin America RELIAL (Red Liberal de América Latina), the Liberal Network of Latin America, is a Latin America-wide network of currently 52 civil society organizations, political parties, think tanks, and research-institutes. RE-LIAL is forming the institutional frame for leaders and opinion makers, academics, intellectuals, business people, and personalities from the region who share and profess the ideas of individual freedom, limited government, the market economy, the rule of law, and a free demo-cratic system in the continent

P A R T n E R

Alliance of DemocratsIn an interdependent world faced by challenges, global responses are vital. This is the reason why the Alliance of Democrats, an international network of liberal democratic, centrist, and progressive political parties from all five continents, was initiated by various leaders from the Euro-pean Democratic Party and the U.S. Democratic Party in 2005.

From 2005 to 2008 the Alliance of Democrats, which now includes over 60 political parties, organized several meetings and internation-al conferences for strengthening the political dialogue between like-minded democratic political parties with the ambition to build a com-mon “Global Agenda.”

P A R T n E R

National Democratic Institute for International AffairsThe National Democratic Institute for International Affairs (NDI) is a nonprofit organization working to strengthen and expand democracy worldwide. Calling on a global network of volunteer experts, NDI pro-vides practical assistance to civic and political leaders advancing dem-ocratic values, practices, and institutions. NDI works with democrats in every region of the world to build political and civic organizations, safeguard elections, and to promote citizen participation, openness, and accountability in government.

455 Massachusetts Ave., NW, 8th Floor Washington, DC 20001

T: +1 202 728 5500 F: +1 202 728 5520 W: www.ndi.org

Red Liberal de América Latina Cerrada de la Cerca Nº 82 Col. San Angel Inn México DF 01060

T: +5255 5550 1039 F: +5255 5550 6223 E: [email protected] W: www.relial.org


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The founding event was the meeting with the theme “Rebuilding Trans-atlantic Relations: a dialogue between US and EU Democrats” held in Rome on 24-25 February 2005 with the attendance of the Chair of the New Democrat Coalition of the U.S. Democratic Party at the U.S. Con-gress, Rep. Ellen Tauscher, François Bayrou, Francesco Rutelli, Bron-islaw Geremek, and Graham Watson. Romano Prodi, former President of the European Commission and EDP Honorary President, delivered the closing remarks.

The conference participants agreed on the need for a stronger and more structured relationship between the EU democratic parties and the U.S. Democratic Party, in order to strengthen the transatlantic po-litical and economic relations. With this, the Chairperson of the New Democrat Coalition, Rep. Ellen Tauscher, and the Co-Presidents of the European Democratic Party, Francesco Rutelli and François Bayrou, a Manifesto on EU-US Relations calling for closer links between demo-cratic parties on the two sides of the Atlantic, and agreed to establish the Alliance of Democrats.

Following its engagement to continue building closer relationships with other like-minded parties and organizations around the world, and especially to establish sound links with Asian democrats, the Alliance of Democrats promoted a conference with the theme “A New Europe/Asia strategic partnership: the future is now: A dialogue between Asian and European Democrats” on 1-2 December 2005.

The Conference took place in Rome, with the participation of many Asian political leaders representing major political parties such as the Indian Congress Party and members and observer-parties from CALD.

In a closed-door seminar, politicians and experts focused on issues such as economic integration between the two continents, internation-al security, energy, multilateral cooperation, and global democracy. The seminar helped set up a common political agenda and a permanent network between Asia and European Democrats. Promoting sustaina-ble development, increasing international security while fighting terror-ism, and promoting human rights and democracy were the core issues of the discussions. Participants committed themselves to strengthen-ing political dialogue, increasing cooperation and integration between Europe and Asia, and acting in favor of a closer partnership and inte-gration between the European and Asian economies.

The Board of Directors consists of Francois Bayrou, Francesco Rutelli, and Ellen Tauscher as Co-Chairs. Gianni Vernetti, Italian MP and former Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, was appointed Coordinator of the Alliance of Democrats.

Via di Sant’Andrea delle Fratte, 16 Rome Italy 00187

T: +39 06 6953 2367 F: +39 06 6953 2206 E: [email protected] W: www.allianceofdemocrats.org

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The Council for Asian Liberals and Democrats (CALD) was inaugurated in Bangkok in 1993, with the support of then Thai Prime Minister Chuan Leek-pai and South Korea’s Kim Dae-Jung. CALD, which offers a unique platform for dialogue and cooperation, is the only regional alliance of liberal and democratic political parties in Asia.

CALD was formed out of the recognition of leaders of like-minded political parties in Asia of the need for a dynamic forum promoting discussion and exchange of ideas regarding trends and challenges affecting democracy, human rights and the rule of law in the region. The chair parties of CALD since its inception to the present have been the Democrat Party of Thai-land or DP (1993- 1995; 2002-2004), the Democratic Progressive Party of Taiwan or DPP (1995-1997, 2004-2005), the Liberal Party of the Philippines or LP (1997-1999, 2005-2007), the Liberal Party of Sri Lanka or LPSL (1999-2000, 2010-2012), the Sam Rainsy Party of Cambodia or SRP (2000-2002, 2012-2014), and the Singapore Democratic Party or SDP (2007-2010).

The other members of CALD are the Parti Gerakan Rakyat Malaysia (PGRM), the National Council of the Union of Burma (NCUB), the Indone-sian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P), and the Civil Will Green Party (CWGP) of Mongolia. The Liberal Forum Pakistan (LFP) is an associate member while the Hong Kong legislators Martin Lee and Sin Chung-kai are individual members. In 2010, CALD bestowed honorary individual mem-bership to Daw Aung San Suu Kyi.

Through CALD, political parties, groups, and individuals have a continuing discussion on the developments occurring in the various countries of the region. The aim is to assess the possibilities for liberal solutions to prob-lems facing Asian democracies.

Accordingly, CALD organizes network meetings including those with its partners (Friedrich Naumann Foundation, Liberal International, Alliance for Liberals and Democrats for Europe, Alliance of Democrats, Taiwan Founda-tion for Democracy, and the National Democratic Institute for International Affairs), international conferences on vital issues affecting the region, and regular workshops on communication, political management, and women in politics. It also sends missions for various advocacies, sponsors intern-ship programs in its secretariat and in the European Parliament, as well as maintains a website, a social network group account and a weekly elec-tronic newsletter.

ABOUT CALD

Hon. Sam Rainsy Chair

Dr. Neric Acosta Secretary General

CALD Secretariat Unit 410, 4/F La Fuerza Plaza 2 2241 Don Chino Roces Avenue 1231 Makati City, Philippines

Telephone +63 2 819 6071

Facsimile +63 2 8101431

[email protected] www.cald.org

facebook.com/asianliberals

twitter.com/asianliberals

CALD@20T O W A R D N E W H O R I Z O N S

CALD2013 ANNUAL REPORTCOORdinATORS

Celito F. Arlegue Paolo Antonio A. Zamora

EdiTOR C.C. Balgos

PROJECT ASSiSTAnTS Jorgia E. Salonga

Paul M. Rafael Francis R. Banico

lAy-OuT & ART diRECTiOn Michael A. Gadi

cald 2013 annual report

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