Liberal Leadership Training Goes
Online
After two successful Liberal Leadership Training (LLT) seminars
on
local government
and
market economy,
the Friedrich Naumann Foundation (FNF)
broke new ground
by offering its latest LLT online from 05 March – 01 April
2007. The chosen topic was “Globalization” due to widespread
interest. Over 50 participants shared their views on the driving
forces of globalization, its impact on poverty and on whether it
was more beneficial than isolationism. Joining the Filipinos were
several
participants from Malaysia, Indonesia and Thailand.
The seminar was divided into three phases. In the first part,
participants were given materials to supplement their knowledge.
The participants then discussed their views and insights through
an online forum. Lastly, participants completed the seminar by
answering a short test and by submitting an essay.
“The topic evolved from the discussions of the last LLT
on market economy,” FNF Resident Representative Siegfried
Herzog pointed out. “It is a topic that raises
strong
emotions all over the globe, and you could see that in
our online forum. Having a detailed discussion with people from
the wider region has helped to deepen our understanding of the
character of the process, its risks and its opportunities,”
he added.
Based on their online contribution, FNF selected 12 participants
to continue discussions in Panglao Island, Bohol from 22-26 April
2007. Four regional participants joined the Filipinos for the
three day workshop that centered on the most debated online topics:
Globalization vis à vis poverty, human rights,
culture and international politics.
Participants analyzed the
Economic
Freedom Index and examined the data of the represented countries
in relation to poverty. They then debated on whether globalization
impinged on
human rights,
and mapped out its direct and indirect effects on
culture.
The workshop ended by discussing whether a
benevolent
super power, a concert of powers or strengthening the United Nations
(U.N.) would be the best system of governance in a globalized world.
Participants agreed that despite the failures of the multilateral
system of the U.N., it still offers the
most non-discriminatory
representation for all countries, while allowing globalization
to flourish with less political interference from big powers.
“I think that globalization is not the evil that it has
been normally portrayed as by the anti-globalization movement,”
said Christian Rivero, a participant and instructor at the University
of Manila. “It’s more on name calling;
it’s labeling it U.S. imperialism. During discussions you
have to distinguish between globalization and the agendas of the
other organizations. There are some kinks, but possibly [these
are brought about by] the failures of the local mechanisms
so it’s not globalization. In fact, globalization is good,"
he said
