June 1, 2011
Saving Asian Democracy: Can the
Philippines Lead the Way?
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“The Philippines, since 1986, exhausts me,” said Ms.
Maria Ressa, a journalist and academic who has witnessed
every Southeast Asian nation’s transition to democracy.
As one of the panelists of the “Saving Asian Democracy:
Can the Philippines Lead the Way Forum?” Ressa’s response
to the question posed was simple: “It’s up to you.”
 Ms.
Maria Ressa |
Her presentation revolved around organizations that deliver and
the
use of technology to strengthen democracy.
Media for social change is not a fantasy and can bring about cataclysmic
change in a democracy that has often been characterized as feudal
and patronage-driven. After discussing the effects of social networks
and how they can be used to spread hope, Ressa ended her presentation
by encouraging the audience, mostly Facebook-age De La Salle University
students, to take action. “You are powerful. You will make
a difference.”
Dr. Neric Acosta, Secretary General of the
Council
of Asian Liberals and Democrats (CALD), pointed out in that
given how Philippine democracy has oftentimes been described as
elitist, populist and exuberant, countries like Thailand, Indonesia
and Malaysia, may have moved more democratically ahead of it.
“In Asia, democracy is not independent of discourses on
development,” he added. “The Philippines must keep
up to speed with those who have gone ahead of us in terms of stronger
democratic institutions, the rule of law and overall economic
performance.”
.jpg) Dr.
Neric Acosta |
“We can lead the way with the glorious examples of 1986,
which should not be diminished no matter how badly subsequent
administrations have governed,” Acosta ended on a hopeful
note.
But how is democracy, particularly in Asia, best measured? This
was the topic brought to the table by
Dr. Rainer Adam,
Regional Director for
Southeast
and East Asia of the Friedrich Naumann Foundation. He presented
the
Freedom
Barometer Asia, an index that tracks democracy particularly
in key areas like political freedom, rule of law and economic
freedom.
.jpg) Dr.
Rainer Adam |
The Philippines, particularly under the
Aquino administration,
is looked up to as the
beacon of democracy in
a region bereft of strong democratic credentials. And given the
discussion led by panelists in this forum, Asia’s first
democratic republic is up to the challenge.
This forum on Wednesday, 01-June 2011, was part of the “Road
to Manila Congress”, a series of discussions in preparation
for the
Liberal International
57th Congress on Human Rights and Trade, and was co-organized
by the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Liberty, Council of Asian
Liberals and Democrats and
De
La Salle University.
Source:
www.cald.org
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