August 17-21, 2010

CALD Reaffirms Youth Role in Politics:
CALD Youth Formed

The Role of Youth Wings in Political Parties was addressed in a workshop organized by the Council of Asian Liberals and Democrats (CALD) with the support of the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Liberty (FNF) on August 17-21, 2010 in Kaohsiung, Taiwan. This also marked another milestone in CALD’s history with the creation of CALD Youth when the young participants from CALD’s member parties saw the need to increase their influence, not only in their mother parties and CALD, but also in national, regional and international affairs. The delegates initiated the formation of CALD Youth to promote youth participation and empowerment in Asia and the rest of the world.

Several prominent members of CALD were present at the workshop. Present CALD Chair Dr. Rajiva Wijesinha, in his welcome remarks, emphasized the need to develop a “collective youth voice in politics,” and to achieve this, the youth can be guided by the “3Rs” – radicalism, reform and renewal. Former CALD Secretary General and Democratic Progressive Party of Taiwan (DPP) Director of International Affairs Ms. Bikhim Hsiao pointed out that the DPP has always been associated with the youth. She said that DPP’s victory in the elections a decade ago can be attributed to the youth’s powerful electoral bloc. “It is a challenge to govern and to make a difference – and the youth always plays a pivotal role in the process,” she added.

Ms. Maysing Yang of Democratic Progressive Party of Taiwan welcome the participants.

CALD Founding Member and DPP stalwart Ms. Maysing Yang shared her recollection of CALD’s beginnings. She noted that during that time, most of CALD member parties were poor and out of power. Ms. Yang proudly expressed that “it was indeed very fulfilling to witness CALD grew to what it is today – a force that shatters the walls of authoritarianism so Asian people can see clearly the rewards of liberalism and democracy.”

CALD Youth is another achievement of CALD. It will serve as the youth arm of CALD, with tight organizational set-up and clear political orientation. The founding members decided to adopt the CALD model in terms of structure and processes, and chose as chair Ms. Selyna Peiris from the Association of Young Liberals of Sri Lanka, the youth wing of the Liberal Party of Sri Lanka (LPSL is also currently the chair party of CALD). When asked about her assumption of the post, Ms. Peiris quipped, “I am very honored to be chosen as founding chair of CALD Youth. It is a huge responsibility, but it is comforting to know that my fellow delegates are really committed into making this work.”

CALD Youth is composed of youth wings/departments/desks of CALD member and observer parties namely: Democrat Party of Thailand (DP); Democratic Progressive Party of Taiwan (DPP); Liberal Party of the Philippines (LP); Parti Gerakan Rakyat Malaysia (PGRM); Singapore Democratic Party (SDP); Liberal Party of Sri Lanka (LPSL); Nation Awakening Party of Burma (NCUB); Sam Rainsy Party of Cambodia (SRP); Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDIP); Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ); Democratic Party of Hong Kong (DPHK); and Partai Kebangkitan Bangsa of Indonesia (PKB).

Mr. Srd Kisevic of the European Liberal Youth (LYMEC) said that international youth events should be encouraged, since they not only provide venues for pooling of resources, but also for building of relationships. Similarly, Ms. Mapa-Suplido, Executive Director of Youth Aid -Philippines and workshop facilitator, stressed that “Synergy is when two or more people work together to create a better solution than either could do alone. May the CALD Youth be an epitome of synergy in action.”