September 2-5, 2009

Using the Web for Freedom and Democracy: CALD Workshop on Asian Democracies and Web 2.0

With the remarkable win of Barack Obama over Hilary Clinton for the Democratic Party nomination and again over John McCain for the U.S. presidency in November 2008, it has become clear that the political campaign landscape has changed dramatically. A large part of Obama’s success was due to the seamless utilization of traditional campaign methods and new media technology in communicating his message. Learning from this, the Council of Asian Liberals and Democrats (CALD) and the Democratic Party of Hong Kong organized their sixth communications workshop around the theme: “Strengthening Political Communication and Campaigns: Asian Democracies in the Age of Web 2.0.” Supported by the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Liberty, the seminar was held in Hong Kong from 02-05 September 2009.

It was designed to orient CALD member parties and partners on Web 2.0 and other new technologies shaping the political communication field and to assess their capacities in using these more effectively. Manuel Quezon III, a respected Filipino journalist and blogger, was the main resource speaker. He discussed the changing political landscape and the potential of Web 2.0 to help parties adjust to these shifts. He also provided a wealth of specific technical advice on how to do this effectively. Read more on the CALD communication workshop.

The first session focused on the development of the dynamics of political communication. It also explained how new media tools supplement traditional methods. The second session was more in depth. Participants evaluated the Internet penetration rate as well as the demographics of Web users in their localities. They also discussed how they could use Web 2.0 to either refine or further develop their parties’ messages. The third session had participants focus on the bigger picture of using new technologies in the promotion of freedom and democracy.

“Our mandate in CALD assures us that the struggle in any of our countries is a struggle for all of us. A triumph for one is a triumph for all,” said Neric Acosta, Ph.D., CALD secretary-general. “The cutting-edge innovations of Web 2.0 offer us boundless possibilities to strengthen our mandate to safeguard democracies in Asia.”