CALD 2019 Annual Report: Democracy Rising

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2 MESSAGES From the CALD Chairperson, Bi Khim Hsiao From the CALD Secretary General, Chih-Wei Chen, FRGS From the CALD Women’s Caucus Chairperson, Jayanthi Devi Balaguru From the CALD Youth Chairperson, Siripa Nan Intavichein 8 PROJECTS CALD Election Mission to Indonesia 39th CALD Executive Committee Meeting CALD Youth Political Academy 2019 CALD Smart City Blueprint 10th CALD Communications Workshop for CALD Women’s Caucus 4oth CALD Executive Committee Meeting 28 SPEECHES "Why You-th Matter" by Abhisit Vejjajiva "Pounding the Rock" by Jose Luis Martin ‘Chito’ Gascon "Surviving A Siege" by Isabelle ‘Beng’ Climaco-Salazar "Dreaming the Possible Dream" by Joko ‘Jokowi’ Widodo "Joining the CALD Family" by Emily Lau 44 IN FOCUS How To Make Cities Smart Hong Kong’s Months of Rage Democracy Struggles in Cambodia 60 RESOLUTIONS 61 STATEMENT & LETTERS 64 BULLETIN Singapore Democrats Prepare for Elections Asian, African and Arab Women Demand Equality Wanted: More Women Political Leaders Digital Change Makers innovate in Hong Kong CALD Opens International Fake News Conference Latin American Liberals Innovate for Freedom 70 PARTY MEMBER HIGHLIGHTS Cambodia’s Opposition Will Emerge Stronger than Ever Putting Money Where Its Mouth Is Still Seeing 20/20 on Rights and Freedoms Fines, Fake News, and False Starts 74 SPEAKERS AND SESSION CHAIRS 76 MEMBER PARTY PROFILES 85 ABOUT CALD

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Yes, Democracy Is Rising

by Bi-khim Hsiao

the population continued apace in 2019, representing a further constraint on individual freedoms.”

“DEMOCRACY RISING” as a theme for 2019 CALD Annual Report may come as a surprise to many.

After all, The Economist Intelligence Unit recently came up with a report describing 2019 as “a year of democratic setbacks”. While this may be true globally, Asia has notable developments in the past year that give us, liberals and democrats, enough reason to be hopeful about the future.

Drawing from the Chinese model, the Cambodian government continued the arbitrary arrest, detention, intimidation, and harassment of the members of the opposition party two years after the party’s dissolution. The attempt of Sam Rainsy and other opposition-party officials to return to Cambodia in late 2019 was met by harassment and detention of supporters, intimidation of airline companies, and deployment of massive troops at the border.

Probably the most of significant of these developments is the months-long popular protests in Hong Kong that continue to this day. The recent protests, which bring back memories of the Umbrella Movement a couple of years ago, had started as a response to an attempt to pass an amendment to the extradition bill, but have evolved into broader calls for civil liberty, government accountability, and universal suffrage. The extent to which these demands would be met remains uncertain, but the passion and resolve of the protesters, many of whom are young people, have become a source of inspiration for all of those yearning for freedom.

Singapore, another country presumably inspired by China, passed the widely criticized anti-fake news law last year: the Protection from Online Falsehood and Manipulation Act (POFMA). Critics suggest that the law may be used to target the political opposition, especially since the city-state is now gearing for general elections. In neighbouring Malaysia, its own version of anti-fake news law was repealed in 2018, and this could have contributed to the country’s better democracy ranking last year, despite the rise of religious extremism and persistence of gutter politics.

The freedom to choose political leaders through free and fair elections has always been a hallmark of democracy, and the year 2019 witnessed general elections in Indonesia and Thailand. The reelection of incumbent Indonesian President Joko ‘Jokowi’ Widodo has been widely considered as a victory for pluralistic and democratic values, especially after a gruelling campaign marked by fake news and religious extremism.

In Thailand, the holding of elections — the first since the military coup d’etat in 2014 — has been a welcome development, especially after numerous postponements.

While there were questions on the fairness of the process, the large number of parties and candidates that contested the elections provided credibility and helped restore public confidence in the political system.

China also loomed large in Taiwanese politics last year with general elections just around the corner. Fake news or influence operations had become the primary weapon against incumbent President Tsai Ing-wen, who survived a difficult primary election, and subsequently faced a formidable opponent backed by China.

By the time you read this message, you would have known that President Tsai won the election, and that our political party retained a parliamentary majority. In every battle, however, no side goes unscathed. But that is the beauty of democracy. Democracy provides all of us the opportunity to be a better version of ourselves, to learn from our mistakes, and to fight again another day.

Elections, however, are never enough.The Philippines and India held generally peaceful elections last year, but they failed to compensate for the erosion of civil liberties emanating from government actions. In India, the Muslim minority appears to be the biggest casualty of these actions, in the same way that the Rohingyas of Myanmar are also suffering immeasurably from seeming ethno-religious bigotry. Last year, the Rohingya issue again took the spotlight when a hearing was conducted by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) on a genocide case filed by Gambia against Myanmar.

It is for this reason that we should not lose sight of our goal as liberals and democrats – to make our respective countries more democratic, free, liberal, constitutional, competitive, accountable, inclusive, and participatory.

Democracy, after all, is a perennial work-in-progress. It rises and falls over time, across countries and regions.

Asia’s modest democratic gains in 2019 may be overwhelmed by a number of democratic setbacks. But for as long as we, as liberals and democrats, remain true and committed to the cause, we can be assured that democracy will rise again in the region and the rest of the world.

The persecution of religious minorities is also one of the major reasons why China further fell in the 2019 global democracy rankings. As noted in The Economist Intelligence Unit Report: “The widespread incarceration and detainment of Muslim minorities, coupled with other infringement of civil liberties, underpins the decline in China’s overall score. Digital surveillance of

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BI-KHIM HSIAO Democratic Progressive Party of Taiwan CALD Chair 2018 – Present

Bi-Khim Hsiao decided to abandon her citizenship of the United States when Taiwan was at its difficult time. She took part in the women’s movement and got involved in politics when she was an undergraduate student at Oberlin College.

She was involved in President Chen Shui-bian’s 2000 and 2004 presidential campaigns as a spokesperson and became his advisor after his first election in 2000. She was also the youngest director in the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) when she served as the chief of the Department of International Affairs. She has been known as one of the most talented politicians in the area of diplomacy.

She served as a legislator (member of the parliament in Taiwan) for three terms and was rated as a top legislator for many years. As a legislator, she upheld her decision to stand by the weak. While many politicians were seeking reelection and the media limelight, she was leading the movement for “Immigration Law”, seeking rights for victims of human trafficking and spouses with foreign nationalities.

She was elected, by the representatives of more than a total of eighty political parties in the world, as a vice president of Liberal International for three terms. She was also the CALD Secretary General from 2004 – 2005.

Until recently, she served as a Member of the Legislative Yuan of Taiwan, representing the scenic eastern coast county of Hualien. Bi-Khim Hsiao has placed great emphasis on human and civil rights issues including gender equality, immigrant rights, privacy rights, and gay rights.

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A Year of Innovation

by Chih-wei Chen, FRGS

THIS WAS a year of innovation for CALD. The Council and its member-parties explored novel ideas and tried new methods in 2019, and they appeared to pay off.

(Youth + Utopia) — envisions itself as a social enterprise with a variety of activities, political and non-political, catering to the mind, body, and soul of young people.

One of the best examples of this was the Indonesian general election held in April, which a CALD delegation was able to observe (Jakarta, Indonesia). Touted as the world’s biggest single-day election with almost 200 million registered voters, it was notable for its use of technology in campaigning and in countering fake news. Re-electionist President Joko ‘Jokowi’ Widodo, from CALD member Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle, was hailed for his use of life-sized hologram to reach voters in the far-flung areas of the world’s largest archipelago. While Jokowi was not the first one to use such technology in political campaigning, he is believed to be the first Indonesian politician to beam a hologram of himself in the campaign trail.

CALD was guided by the same innovative spirit when it held a CALD Women’s Caucus workshop in August (Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia). In partnership with a globally renowned training bureau, the Speech Republic, CALD tried to elevate the communication skills of current and upcoming female liberal leaders from CALD member-parties and partners by employing an unconventional communication workshop that drew heavily from introspection and self-reflection.

CALD appropriately capped the year with a joint activity that put innovation front and centre. In October (Taipei, Taiwan), it held seminars with the themes: 1) Democracy 4.0: Innovating Democracy through Technology; and 2) Defending Democracy Against Disinformation. The former had sessions on understanding the value of technology in politics, hacking solutions to governance issues and building political parties of the future, apart from a study tour where the participants had the chance to visit Taiwan’s Social Innovation Lab and NPO Hub Taipei, which incubates and accelerates Taiwan’s impact organizations and social innovation entrepreneurs. The latter gathered key stakeholders from the media, civil society and politics on the issue of curbing disinformation, misinformation, and hate speech in an effective and creative manner.

In terms of addressing fake news and voters education, 22 media companies in Indonesia — including all major national and regional news organizations — launched CekFakta (fact-check) in time for the general elections. It is a groundbreaking, collaborative fact-checking and verification project that was done in collaboration with Google, WhatsApp, and Facebook. CekFakta used a shared online worksheet throughout the process of factchecking, where each claim/statement of the presidential candidates was published, verified, and subsequently published by CekFakta’s media partners. Considering how fake news was weaponized in the elections, the work of CekFakta was considered innovative, even revolutionary.

The issue of fake news was not new to CALD, as it co-organized a session on the topic in the July (Bangkok, Thailand) international conference by Asia Centre — an innovative nonprofit organization seeking to create a social impact in the region. The other side-events attended by CALD, such as the Digital Change Makers in July (Hong Kong) and the RELIAL General Assembly in October (Buenos Aires, Argentina), also tackled the issue of innovation. The former was attended by digital activists, startup entrepreneurs and representatives of liberal organizations to discuss the challenge of creating innovative platforms for global liberalism, while the latter took on the theme “Innovating for Freedom” to highlight the need for innovation in a region reeling from authoritarianism, populism, and illiberalism.

CALD also became more innovative in the issues it tackled and the methods it employed in its activities. In June (Seoul, South Korea), it introduced the concept of ‘smart city’ to its membership as a possible way to thrive in an era marked by rapid advances in technology and communication.

Smart city — defined as a locality that uses information and communication technologies to increase operational efficiency, share information with the public, and improve both the quality of government services and citizen welfare —was presented to CALD members as primarily the use of technology to improve the quality of life of citizens. Guided by this shared understanding, a follow-up event was organized in August (Pingtung, Taiwan) to finalize an assessment tool that CALD members can use to evaluate the smart city status of the localities it govern.

Through this, CALD hopes to transform local governance in a way that is most directly felt by ordinary citizens.

Apple co-founder and social innovator Steve Jobs once said: “Innovation is the ability to see change as an opportunity – not a threat.” The year 2019 proved that CALD and its member-parties, like true liberals and democrats, not only welcomed change but also embraced it, and made the most out of it. Whether in terms of electoral victories or more effective ways of engaging the membership or the general public, 2019 showed that openness to new ideas and methods can yield positive results. May CALD carry this innovative spirit as it faces a new decade.

For its youth event in July (Bangkok, Thailand), CALD used an innovative method to approach a recurrent topic — how to strengthen youth participation in politics. Through the use of the hackathon/thinkathon method, CALD Youth came up with project proposals offering innovative solutions to the issues and problems confronting the Asian region and beyond. The winning project —Youthopia

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CHIH-WEI CHEN, FRGS Democratic Progressive Party of Taiwan CALD Secretary General 2018 – Present

Chih-Wei Chen is a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society (FRGS). He serves as a Visiting Professor and co-leads the research centre with the Faculty of Engineering Sciences at the University College London (UCL) in United Kingdom. He is also a Visiting Scholar at the National Graduate Institute for Policy Studies (GRIPS) in Japan.

From 2017 to 2018, Chih-Wei was the Chief Advisor to UN Sustainable Development Goals Advisory Committee of Parliament under the Legislative Yuan. In 2018, he began his political career as the youngest member in the National Council for Sustainable Development (NCSD) of Taiwan Government, followed by the immediate appointment as the Political Advisor to the Premier. Furthermore, Chih-Wei has been serving as the Deputy Director of International Affairs for the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) of Taiwan since 2019.

He received his bachelor’s degrees in Computer Science, Urban Planning and Spatial Information, followed by his degree on Master of Philosophy involving three fields upon completion of the course in Doctorate of Engineering Science at the University College London. Aside from that, Chih-Wei received his Professional Certification of Business Sustainability Management at the University of Cambridge.

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Empowering Women Helps Democracies Thrive

by Jayanthi Devi Balaguru

THREE YEARS have passed since I assumed the responsibilities and duties of the CALD Women’s Caucus chair. Looking back, we have made great efforts for the advancement of women in the region. We have been pushing for women’s rights, gender equality, and inclusivity. We have been creating avenues for people to discuss important women’s issues. We have been organizing gatherings for women to tell their stories and be listened to. But much more needs to be done.

of which I am currently the President as well, also launched a women-inclusiveness programme. On 8-9 March, I attended the “Empowering Women: starting in your political party” seminar during the Africa Liberal Network (ALN) & Arab Liberal Federation (ALF) General Assembly in Marrakech. Along with the other women participants, we discussed the continuing gender gap in Asia and best practices in promoting and enhancing women’s political participation and involvement.

Today gender bias continues to create huge barriers for many women. Although women make up about 50 percent of the population in many countries in Asia and the Pacific, their ability to participate in all aspects of society is often limited. There still seems to be a continuous struggle in leadership and equal economic opportunities, education, discrimination, and gender-based violence.

I was also given the opportunity to represent CALD and INLW in the Liberal International Human Rights Committee (LI HRC) expert forums in Marrakech and Sweden where we united global liberals to promote and advance gender-based inclusivity in political parties. Before the year ended, I was invited to be a panelist speaker in the 2nd LEAP Workshop on 28-30 November in Taipei, Taiwan. Women from different organizations shared the ways they promote women’s participation in public life and decision-making, as well as their actions to fight for freedom and democracy.

Let’s take Malaysia as an example: We don’t have many women frontrunners in the political arena. I believe that the biggest problem here is that we lack that empowerment. Women don’t have the confidence to say “I am qualified”, “I can do it”, or “I can speak”. Even though they are qualified, capable, and have much to say. As a woman, there are a lot of obstacles thrown in your way. You are not supposed to be perceived as being loud. You are not supposed to threaten men, you are not supposed to make men feel that you are stronger than they are. That’s the kind of stereotype that we, women leaders, should try to break.

We need these training programmes to ensure that women have a niche where they can interact and get the training on whichever they lack and give them support.

Only through these programmes, where we raise awareness and have continuous discussions, can we push for a society in which both men and women truly believe and live in equality. In 2020, I wish to have women say that “I can be the hope”, or “I can make the change” because the way forward for me is more women participation.

For democracy to thrive, we should empower women and include them in decision-making and leadership positions. That democracy is currently experiencing a crisis may be due to the fact that many so-called democratic countries still impose constraints on women political participation. Democracy and women empowerment are mutually reinforcing — you cannot have one without the other.

This 2019, aside from having a communication training for female liberal leaders, key persons from CALD Women’s Caucus and other organizations met to discuss another training programme slated for 2020, the Asian Women Education (AWE) for Leadership. AWE is envisioned to become an innovative and transformative training programme for promising women leaders in Southeast and East Asia who aspire to enter politics.

The International Network of Liberal Women (INLW),

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Remembering Where the Strength of Democracy Lies

by Siripa Nan Intavichien

In light of this endeavour, we must strive to convey the appeal of liberalism in a way that resonates with the modern world. As it was originally conceived, liberalism refers to the freedom to live one’s life unrestricted by feudalism or dogma. It refers to the removal of artificial constraints and the embrace of self-actualization. It is anti-tyranny, but not anarchistic. The ideals of liberalism remain as attractive today as they were during the Age of Enlightenment; in fact, it can be argued that the natural rights to life, liberty, and property are more prized than ever. But new challenges in geopolitics, cyber-security, environmental catastrophe, and political suppression threaten to erode our rights in ways that were previously unthinkable. We must remain ever vigilant in this rapidly evolving landscape.

THE YEAR 2019 has been a challenging one for Democracy, not just in Asia, but the world over. As waves of civil unrest rolled across the globe, we also experienced the upheaval first-hand – most notably in our homes of Indonesia, Philippines, and Cambodia, as well as regionally in Kashmir and Hong Kong. These demonstrations serve as a constant reminder that Democracy is an ongoing struggle, and that the freedom to self-determination is a fragile right that must be relentlessly defended. In these times of increasing populism and authoritarianism, it is worthwhile to remind ourselves why we stand behind Democracy.

“It has been said,” Winston Churchill once pointed out, “that democracy is the worst form of Government except for all those other forms that have been tried from time to time.” Undeniably, democracy can be slow, inefficient, inaccurate and fragile. Despite all this, Democracy remains our best safeguard against tyranny. Though the sway of benevolent dictatorship sings a sweet siren song, we must remember that it is impossible to know whether a dictator is benevolent until it is too late. Even if what an administration does aligns with our personal desires, it is the height of hubris to assume that one person or entity would know what is best for everyone, all the time, regardless of their nuanced circumstances. Dictatorship is a crapshoot, and our livelihoods too valuable to gamble with.

As we approach a new decade, let us renew our commitment to Democracy and Liberalism. These past ten years have been a mixed ensemble of victories and setbacks, so it is important that we do not lose hope. Though progress can seem too small, too slow, and often comes with the ultimate price, we pay it fearlessly. The heart of humanity yearns to be free. We fight for Liberalism and Democracy because freedom is its own just reward.

So how do we take a stand and fight back? Too often we yield our freedom for convenience, or unknowingly give up rights we didn’t even know we had. The strength of Democracy lies in its people, and an educated populace is its best defender. To that end, CALD Youth considers it our priority to spread awareness. We firmly believe that touching the hearts and minds of the young will enable them to internalize the value of self-determination and help them be ardent advocates of democracy long into the future.

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CALD ELECTION MISSION TO INDONESIA

39TH CALD EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING

CALD YOUTH POLITICAL ACADEMY 2019

One of the goals of CALD member-parties is to contest and win elections in order to represent and serve the people and impart liberal and democratic values in policies and decisions. With the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDIP) as host, CALD observed Indonesia’s Presidential and Legislative elections for the second time to learn best campaign practices and strategies that other member-parties could use for their respective elections. Indonesia has made remarkable strides in consolidating its democracy, making it a model for the rest of the region.

Focusing on the theme “Smart Cities: Towards a More Liveable Future”, CALD, in cooperation with the Friedrich Naumann Foundation Korea office, introduced Smart City, its concept and characteristics, and how it is perceived from a liberal perspective. In this event, CALD drafted a preliminary assessment tool that aims to provide an expert evaluation of the smart-city status of local government units (LGUs) governed by CALD member-parties.

With the support of the Democrat Party of Thailand, the third installment of CYPA challenged its delegates to come up with project proposals on how to strengthen youth participation in politics and civic education. CALD conducted the event in a hackathon and thinkathon format.

PROJECTS CALD SMART CITY BLUEPRINT WORKSHOP

10TH CALD COMMUNICATIONS WORKSHOP FOR CALD WOMEN’S CAUCUS

Hosted by the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) of Taiwan and with the support of the Pingtung City Government, this event had as focus “Towards a Smart City Blueprint in Asia: A Guide for Political Parties”. As a follow-up CALD event to the Seoul workshop, CALD convened its member-parties to discuss and finalize the CALD Smart City Assessment Tool, which will be used as reference for the next phase of the CALD Smart City project. This event also included a visit to the innovative programmes of Pingtung County.

For the first time in CALD’s communication series, the event focused on speech training and empowering women leaders from the CALD Women’s Caucus.

With the theme “Communication Training for Female Liberal Leaders”, the event also held a one-day preparatory meeting on the proposed Asian Women Education (AWE) slated for 2020, and a half-day public conference, in collaboration with the SEDAR Institute, a nonprofit organization that helps develop ideas and strategies in building a democratic, liberal, and progressive nation.

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40TH CALD EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING

The last event of the year, which marked the 40th CALD Executive Committee M e e t i ng , i n c l u d e d b a c k- to - b a c k forums on the themes “Democracy 4.0: Innovating Democracy through Technology” and “Defending Democracy Against Disinformation”. Delegates discussed and exchanged best practices on how technology can create opportunities for citizen empowerment and promote participation in governance in the era of disinformation and fake news.

With the support of the DPP and the National Democratic Institute (NDI) for International Affairs, the event also gathered the participation of the Arab Liberal Federation, Africa Liberal Network, and Red Liberal de America Latina to further strengthen the cooperation between and among regional networks.

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CALD ELECTION MISSION TO INDONESIA 14-18 April | Jakarta, Indonesia

IT WAS certainly going to be one for the books, and CALD was not going to miss it. Touted as the world’s biggest single-day elections, the Indonesian polls of 2019 also marked the first time that Indonesians were going to vote simultaneously for president, vice president, and national/local legislatures all over the country.

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The elections took place on 17 April with 192.8 million registered voters and 809,500 polling stations scattered across 18,000 islands – and CALD was there to take it all in. With a delegation coming from Cambodia, Hong Kong, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand, CALD met political party leaders, election watchdogs, businessmen, and civil – society activists, hoping to have a comprehensive overview of the Indonesian electoral process, as well as of the issues and problems specific to the 17 April polls.

CALD election missions are also meant as a show of solidarity and support to member-parties like the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDIP) and the Nation Awakening Party (PKB), along with liberals and democrats. In 2019, member parties in other countries

were scheduled to face similar electoral challenges, such as the Democrat Party in Thailand (general elections on 24 March), and Liberal Party in the Philippines (mid-term elections on 13 May). These crucial elections would not only change the course of the countries involved, but would also affect the dynamics and set the trajectory of Asia as a region influenced by the hegemony of China, dollar diplomacy, the rise of populism and authoritarianism, and prevalence of post-truth.

Indonesia’s general elections, by and large, went smoothly, with incumbent Indonesian president and PDIP standard bearer Joko Widodo eventually emerging the victor, with 55.5 percent of the votes, in the chief-executive race.

PDIP also remained the biggest party in the national parliament, clinching more than 19 percent of the votes, while PKB was able to get 9.69 percent.

PARTIC IPA N TS CALD SECRETARIAT

Celito Arlegue Paolo Zamora CAMBODIA NATIONAL RESCUE PARTY

Mu Sochua DEMOCRATIC PARTY OF HONG KONG

Emily Lau DEMOCRAT PARTY OF THAILAND

Siripa Nan Intavichein

INDONESIAN DEMOCRATIC PARTY OF STRUGGLE

Hanjaya Setiawan Elvi Diana LIBERAL PARTY OF THE PHILIPPINES

Victor Gerardo “Gerry” Bulatao PARTI GERAKAN RAKYAT MALAYSIA

Goo Chuan Chiew Adrian Loh Kean Hau SINGAPORE DEMOCRATIC PARTY

John Tan

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“We are very impressed with the achievements of Indonesia in terms of consolidating its young democracy,” said former CALD Women’s Caucus Chairperson Mu Sochua, who is the current vice president of CALD member-party Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP). “Indonesia, and more recently, Malaysia, have become democratic models here in Southeast Asia, especially at a time when much older democracies such as Philippines and Thailand are currently enthralled with populism and illiberalism, and Cambodia, Hong Kong, and Singapore are becoming worse in terms of human rights.”

Indeed, during its visit, the CALD delegation saw a vibrant civil society hard at work on issues such as election monitoring, hoaxbusting, digital literacy, regional autonomy, among others, which, together with the media, provided

the necessary check-and-balance to government agencies and political parties. Also, despite the tense political environment, cases of election violence were relatively rare and isolated. CALD was also pleased to hear from the organizations it met about the independence and competence of the Komisi Pemilihan Umum (KPU), the general-elections commission.

The elections, however, did have its share of problems. Among these was the politicization of religion, which was recognized as one of the biggest issues during the campaign.

The ruling PDIP, for instance, was even portrayed as an “enemy of Islam”, according to PDIP Secretary General Hasto Kristiyanto. This was despite the party’s adherence to Pancasila, which prescribes “belief in one God in the context of Indonesian culture”. PKB also considered religious radicalization as a problem. Said PKB Secretary

General and Indonesian Minister of Labour Hanif Dhakiri: “We had to go back to the teachings of Nahdlatul Ulama to counter radicalization these elections.” (Nahdlatul Ulama is the largest Muslim organization in Indonesia.)

Fake news and the need for voters’ education were also among the factors complicating the elections.

Fortunately, Mafindo, an antihoax group, launched CekFacta. com together with media publishers, journalists, and other NGOs to fight the spread of misinformation in the run-up to the elections. Meanwhile, organizations like Perludem deemed it necessary to have a website where voters could learn more about the candidates running for elections.

This was important because the public was apparently focusing more on the presidential and vicepresidential posts, and a large number of voters were not familiar

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with the candidates running for national and local legislatures.

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Learned about the professional and systematic party operations of the PDIP.

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Forged and sustained renewed partnership with CALD party members PDIP and PKB.

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Expressed support and solidarity with PDIP and PKB.

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Learned about effective campaign methods and strategies such as handling of campaign issues like politicization of religion and using the issues to increase the profile of parties.

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Learned about the close coordination and monitoring of election promises between the government and the party in power.

PROJECTS

39 CALD EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING TH

10-14 June | Seoul, South Korea

WHAT WOULD it take for cities to thrive in the future?

PA RT I C I PA N TS CAMBODIA NATIONAL RESCUE PARTY

SINGAPORE DEMOCRATIC PARTY

Mu Sochua Mardi Seng Khean Vises

Jaslyn Go

DEMOCRATIC PARTY OF HONG KONG

Bi-khim Hsiao Ching-Yi Lin Chih-Wei Chen Hyeonseong Kim Jia-An Chou

Sin Chung-ka INDONESIAN DEMOCRATIC PARTY OF STRUGGLE

Elvi Diana NATION AWAKENING PARTY

Nur Kholim PARTI GERAKAN RAKYAT MALAYSIA

Jayanthi Devi Balaguru Hng Chee Wey CIVIL WILL GREEN PARTY

Bayarkhuu Amar Monsor Nyamdavaa LIBERAL PARTY OF THE PHILIPPINES

Francis Gerald Abaya Ronnie Dadivas

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DEMOCRATIC PROGRESSIVE PARTY

DEMOCRAT PARTY OF THAILAND

Siripa Nan Intavichein Monthip SriratanaTabucanon Kiat Sittheeamorn FRIEDRICH NAUMANN FOUNDATION FOR FREEDOM

Christian Taaks Sung-eun Lim Choyoung Son Mary Pimrapaat Dusadeeisariyakul Eunikkoh Castillo CALD SECRETARIAT

Celito Arlegue Paolo Zamora Audrie Frias Julienne Janolo

By 2050, it is estimated that more than 60 percent of the world’s population would be living in cities.

Yet even today many cities are already struggling to keep up with the demands of their ever-growing numbers of people.

Smart cities could be the most viable way to prosper in an era marked by rapid urbanization – as well as by the increasing impacts of climate change. A smart city, after all, uses information and communication technologies to increase operational efficiency, share information with the public, and improve both the quality of government services and citizen welfare. A smart city would thus also do well with climate-change adaptation, which calls in part for actions that are guided by the principles of sustainable urban development.

And so in early June, CALD gathered some two dozen delegates from 10 of its memberparties in Seoul, South Korea for a seminar-workshop that aimed to introduce the concept of “smart city”, its characteristics, and how it is perceived from a liberal perspective. The event also

presented cases of successful smart cities, as well as the preliminary steps needed for local governments to replicate these examples.

The seminar-workshop, which had as theme “Smart Cities: Towards a More Liveable Future” was actually part of CALD’s three-year climatechange project (2019-2021) that hopes to assist local governments under CALD’s member-parties to develop or improve their smart-city blueprint. In the medium to longterm, this project could help make the Asian region better prepared to face the challenges brought about by urbanization and climate change.

“It is at the level of cities that people feel most close to home,” said CALD Chairperson and Taiwanese Member of Parliament Bi-Khim Hsiao at the seminar-workshop’s opening session on 11 June. For

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this reason, she said, Liberals and Democrats should look at smart cities as a way to improve the quality of life of the citizens – from having a safe and clean environment to having stable and dignified jobs. Hsiao also noted, “As political parties seek to be democratic, the sharing and distribution of wealth, and closing the divide between urban and rural areas, are challenges that we should seek to address.”

Liberal International (LI) President Hakima El Haite meanwhile traced the evolution of the concept of smart city – from being a tool to generate business opportunities to being a mechanism to provide key services to citizens in an inclusive, sustainable and democratic way – in her opening keynote address.

She also said, “People need to be more smart so they can leverage smart technology.”

That point was emphasized as well by Dr. Christian Taaks, head of FNF Korea, in his opening remarks. Said Taaks: “To create smart cities, we also need ‘smart citizens’ – the citizens must be on board to make use of opportunities for participation and to achieve a better quality of life.”

The seminar-workshop proper had four major sessions. First was “Smart City: Salient Features and Characteristics” that was meant to familiarize participants with the concept. Session Two focused on “Smart City from a Liberal Perspective”, which aimed to have participants understand how the smart-city concept intersects with the liberal ideaology. The third session looked at “Smart City Best Practices”, with the examples coming from Thailand, South Korea, and Taiwan. Session Four was on “Transforming into a Smart City: Preliminary Steps”, which had the objective of providing a rough smart-city blueprint.

to set up. Former CALD Secretary General and LI Vice President Kiat Sittheeamorn pointed in his closing keynote address, “(In building a smart city), we need to prove ourselves to be smart enough to design a business model that requires the least funding from the public, but the most participation from the private sector.”

“We need to come up with better ideas to effect change with limited resources,” he added. “It is possible, and has been proven already in the past, and it can be done again when it comes to smart cities.”

The 39th CALD Executive Committee Meeting meantime took place on 12 June, with the agenda including discussions on administrative matters concerning CALD and the new direction under the chairmanship of the Democratic Progressive Party of Taiwan.

Because Seoul itself is a smart city, participants were able to see how one works firsthand, with visits to the Seoul Transport Operation and Information Service (TOPIS), Mapo Resource Recovery Facility, and Seoul Digital Foundation after the formal sessions.

For sure, though, no one came away thinking smart cities are a cinch

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R E S U LT S 1. Agreed that the liberal definition of a Smart City contains common elements, including citizen’s participation, inclusiveness, protection of privacy, proper checks and balance on government institutions that implement the technological tools, and the improvement of the quality of life.

2. Learned about the concept and elements of a Smart City.

3. Produced a Smart City assessment tool/guideline to assess local government units governed by CALD member-parties.

4. Approved CALD Statement No. 3 expressing CALD’s solidarity with the Hong Kong people in their continuing fight to preserve their freedom and the rule of law.

5. Approved CALD Resolution No. 1 condemning the continuing and intensifying violations of Freedom of Religion and Belief (FoRB) in Asia.

PROJECTS

CALD YOUTH POLITICAL ACADEMY 2019 25-29 July | Bangkok, Thailand

IN A world that seems to be increasingly inhospitable to liberal thoughts and values, pushing back can seem futile and efforts to reverse the trend useless.

But as Danish-American social reformer Jacob Riis once said, “When nothing seems to help, I go and look at a stonecutter hammering away at his rock perhaps a hundred times without as much as a crack showing in it. Yet at the hundred and first blow it will split in two, and I know it was not that blow that did it, but all that had gone before."

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This spirit of “pounding the rock” is indeed fit especially for the young, which had CALD, together with the Democrat Party of Thailand, assembling 18 youth leaders from eight Asian countries for the 3rd CALD Youth Political Academy (CYPA III) for a few days in late July. Taking the form of a ‘Liberal hackathon’, CYPA III challenged its delegates to come up with project proposals on strengthening youth participation in politics and civic education by communicating to the youth effectively and tapping technology to generate political awareness and interest.

“I have always had this belief that youth is an important force for change and progress in societies,” said former Thai Prime Minister and former CALD Chairperson Abhisit Vejjajiva on CYPA III’s Day 1 (26 July). This is because, he explained, young people have ambition and energy, fresh perspective, and are still uncorrupted – characteristics that, incidentally, also make them the ideal participants for a hackathon/thinkathon.

Other inputs for Day 1 came from Prinn Panitchpakdi (DP Thailand), who talked about P2P lending;

Since 2016, CALD Youth has been holding an annual Political Academy to provide youth leaders the space to imagine, inspire, and innovate so they can come up with alternative solutions to issues and problems in Asia and beyond. But this was the first time that CYPA used the hackathon, a sprint-like event popularized by the technology industry and which focuses on creating functioning products, using a specific tool, language, and system.

PART IC IPA N TS CAMBODIA NATIONAL RESCUE PARTY

Tom Senra Heang Sovannara DEMOCRATIC PARTY OF HONG KONG

DEMOCRATIC PROGRESSIVE PARTY

Lilly Min-Chen Lee DEMOCRAT PARTY OF THAILAND

Dan Shum

Rataphong Rahong Payu Nerngchamnong

INDONESIAN DEMOCRATIC PARTY OF STRUGGLE

FREEDOM EXPLORER WINNERS

Bernadetta Quinta Pradipta NATION AWAKENING PARTY

Trya Amanda Saifullah Misyar PARTI GERAKAN RAKYAT MALAYSIA

Chay Tong Seng LIBERAL PARTY OF THE PHILIPPINES

Sir Lawrence Agustin Eisenhower F. Carlos II SINGAPORE DEMOCRATIC PARTY

Alianda Camesi Paolo Nicomedes Samantha Jayapribadi CALD YOUTH

Siripa Nan Intavichein Leo Chu Jeremiah Tomas Mengbunrong Seng CALD SECRETARIAT

Celito Arlegue Audrie Frias Julienne Janolo

Jufri Salim Naresh Subramaniam

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Florian Rehm (Wildchain, Thailand) on conservation crowdfunding and gamification of giving; and overall facilitator Trisha Lord (Brave Heart Life, South Africa) on ‘Thinking Environment’ as the key design thinking process for the event.

On Day 2, the hackathon/thinkathon formally commenced with the CYPA III delegates divided into three groups. These groups later had the opportunity to consult with a set of mentors, among whom were Pimrapaat Dusadeeisariyakul of Friedrich Naumann Foundation, Thailand

Office; Therese ‘Gang’ BadoyCapati of RockEd Philippines; Jan Ramos Pandia (via Skype) of Qlue Indonesia; and Celito Arlegue, executive director of the CALD Secretariat.

By Day 3, the groups were ready to present their project proposals: 1) Coalisian (Coalition + Asian): Think Tank for Tomorrow’s Democracy, which hoped to help getting the youth in Asian countries to engage, come together, and share the political concerns in their respective countries by using Facebook as the main delivery system; 2) TILT (The Innovative Leadership Track), which aimed to tailor an effective regional internship programme with an accompanying performance tracking app called “Demo-Critique”; and 3) Youthopia

(Youth + Utopia), which envisioned itself as a social enterprise with a variety of activities, political and non-political, catering to the mind, body, and soul of young people.

After what appeared to be a difficult deliberation with the panel of judges, Thai Member of Parliament and former CALD Secretary General Kiat Sittheeamorn announced that Youthopia had been chosen as the hackathon/thinkathon’s winning project. Khun Kiat, however, requested the two other groups’ permission to incorporate elements of their proposals in Youthopia’s framework and line-up of activities. Hence, Youthopia, with aspects of Coalisian and TILT, would be guiding the planning for CYPA IV in 2020.

To reward the young delegates after three days of hard work, DP Thailand organized a Tuk Tuk Tour/ Culture Walk for them and hosted a sumptuous farewell dinner at Praya Palazzo Boutique Hotel.

In his moving closing keynote address, Philippine Commission on Human Rights Chairperson Jose Luis Martin ‘Chito’ Gascon highlighted the current existential challenge to the values of freedom, human rights, and democracy.

Addressing each delegate directly, he said: “Your generation had been presented this unique challenge of providing the necessary leadership to push back… You need to pound the rock, not knowing when you will succeed… Every single strike that each of you has done will make the difference.”

CALD Youth Chair Siripa Intavichein later expressed gratefulness that the 2019 youth leadership programme was held in her country. She also remarked, “This gathering for the CALD Youth Political Academy offered us a unique opportunity to discuss a range of matters that will inspire all of us here to come up with alternative innovative solutions to the issues and problem confronting the Asian region and beyond. If we work with the mutual inspiration and commitment with the aim to make our peoples live better and happier, the milestone to solve the issues for our region is not too far to reach.”

R E S U LT S

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1.

Held a Liberal Hackathon for the 3rd CALD Youth Political Academy.

2.

Produced “Youthopia”, a series of events targeting youth participation in politics and civil society – a CALD Youth event slated for 2020.

3.

Successfully introduced ‘The Thinking Environment’ as a design thinking process and as a tool for the participants in the Liberal Hackathon.

PROJECTS

CALD SMART CITY BLUEPRINT SEMINAR-WORKSHOP 23-27 August | Pingtung County, Taiwan

IN THE previous seminar-workshop on smart cities that was held in Seoul, South Korea in June, CALD was able to come up with a Smart City assessment tool for local governments. But there was an obvious need to refine this instrument, so CALD aimed to continue the conversation on smart cities and perhaps accurately capture the realities and constraints faced by localities governed by the Council’s member-parties.

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PA RT I C I PA N TS CAMBODIA NATIONAL RESCUE PARTY

PINGTUNG COUNTY GOVERNMENT

Mardi Seng Son Chhay

Lu Yin-En Chou Jia-An

PARTI GERAKAN RAKYAT MALAYSIA

DEMOCRAT PARTY OF THAILAND

Lee Ban Fatt Lim Soon Teng

Rataphong Rahong Sunutcha Losathapornpipit

CIVIL WILL GREEN PARTY

Bayarkhuu Amar Monsor Nyamdavaa

FRIEDRICH NAUMANN FOUNDATION FOR FREEDOM

LIBERAL PARTY OF THE PHILIPPINES

CALD SECRETARIAT

Aileen Basco Cynthia Macalla Buere SINGAPORE DEMOCRATIC PARTY

Sung-eun Lim Paolo Zamora Audrie Frias Julienne Janolo

Tan Kok Xuan

In late August thus, some 23 delegates from nine Asian countries, together with rich mix of experts and local government officials, converged in Pingtung County in southern Taiwan to do exactly that – and more. No doubt, that was in part due to the rich mix of experts and local government officials who shared their ideas and experiences with them.

There was, for instance, Audrey Tang, head of Taiwan’s Digital Ministry, who fittingly used an interactive online teleconference to interact with the workshop participants. Tang stressed that a smart city is really about smart citizens. But, she said, there should be “focus on narrowing the resource and technology gap in

order to integrate and empower the local sector”. Her key message: A smart city is about facilitating collective intelligence.

Chang Yu-hsuan, an independent researcher from Taiwan who has worked with Open Culture Foundation, also noted that public participation and information help promote smart citizenship. He presented disinformation maps that showed the situation of countries vis-a-vis self-censorship, cyber troops, legislation against fake news, and freedom of information, among others.

Elroy Redor of the Centre for Liberalism and Democracy in Philippines, for his part, talked about

the use of technology to reduce transaction costs. He emphasized, however, that non-technological technologies can also be used to reduce complexities and promote modern solutions and innovation.

Meanwhile, Supasith Limsakul, a member of the Committee on Policies and Strategies of the Democrat Party Thailand, focused on the smart developments in Phuket – from smart health that provides patient information accessible by doctors via Cloud technology, to smart environment that reduces energy consumption and promotes real-time environmental awareness.

According to Supasith, Phuket is the first smart city in Thailand that aims to be an economic corridor where all sectors can benefit.

The delegates also had a dialogue with the Pingtung City Government directors who highlighted the smart features of their city. These, they said, include smart governance that covers social welfare, culture and education, economy, and construction. One example is the city’s smart disaster-prevention app that “provides integrated information on geochemical meteorological services; disasterprevention warning, information. and open materials for various disaster prevention-related units;

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and customized disaster prevention action application platform”.

A study tour provided the delegates with first-hand experience of Pingtung’s smart-city initiatives.

This included a visit to the Pingtung Agricultural Biotechnology Park that develops biotech testing and environmental control facilities.

The delegates then went to the Yong-da Community, which has an inter-generational park for elders, children, and people with disabilities and uses GPS-enabled pendants that track elders with dementia. The last stop was a tour of the aqua solar farm, a first in Taiwan and which provides not only green energy, but also promotes groundwater conservation.

Seminar-workshop delegate Stanley Kok Xuan of the Singapore Democratic Party said that participating in the event “actually cleared a lot of thoughts and doubts I have about smart cities”. He said that his major concern had been “that smart cities actually exclude the public and the citizens from decision making because they

might not possess the right technical knowledge”. But after listening to the speakers at the event, he said, “I realized that democracy, liberalism, and smart cities are compatible. My biggest takeaway is learning how to consolidate democratic elements with smart cities.”

The event also witnessed the sister-cities signing between Chao Zhou Township, Pingtung, Taiwan represented by Pin Chuan Chou (Democratic Progressive Party Taiwan) and Roxas City, Philippines represented by Mayor Ronnie Dadivas (Liberal Party of the Philippines). This cooperation was initially discussed in Seoul during CALD’s first Smart City event. Pingtung Deputy Magistrate Li-Hsueh Wu and Dadivas had met there and had talked about the possibility of a formal sister-city signing ceremony to establish economic and cultural exchanges between the two cities.

The Pingtung City Government, in cooperation with the DPP hosted the seminar-workshop. Pingtung Magistrate Men-An Pan hosted the

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farewell dinner during which he thanked CALD and the delegates for visiting Pingtung and fostering partnerships and cooperation that would help improve their smart initiatives and promote their vibrant culture.

“Pingtung, although it is a semirural area, has many innovative, knowledge-based new technologies and new techniques to improve the livelihood of their people,” remarked CALD Chairperson and DPP Member of Parliament Bi-khim Hsiao. “I hope that the workshop and the various visits have been useful in further developing the liberal agenda in the region.”

R E S U LT S 1.

Finalized the CALD Smart City Assessment Tool to evaluate the smart-city status of local government units governed by CALD member-parties.

2.

Learned about the Smart City programmes and plans of Pingtung City.

3.

Organized and witnessed the sister cities signing between Chao Zhou Township, Pingtung, Taiwan represented by Pin Chuan Chou (DPP Taiwan) and Roxas City, Philippines represented by Mayor Ronnie Dadivas (LP Philippines).

PROJECTS

10 CALD COMMUNICATIONS WORKSHOP FOR CALD WOMEN’S CAUCUS TH

27 September – 1 October | Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

A YOUNG woman from South Africa told of how she recovered from a car accident that had left almost her entire body paralysed. A Filipino mayor recounted how she stood her ground after her city came under attack by rebels who continued their siege for two weeks. A Cambodian who migrated to the United States shared her story about being a professional pharmacist in her new country even as she remained politically active in efforts to restore democracy in her motherland.

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PARTIC IPA N TS CAMBODIA NATIONAL RESCUE PARTY

Kimhun Thit PARTI GERAKAN RAKYAT MALAYSIA

Jayanthi Devi Balaguru Ooi Pei Lin LIBERAL PARTY OF THE PHILIPPINES

Maria Isabelle Climaco-Salazar SINGAPORE DEMOCRATIC PARTY

Min Cheong ACCTON TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION

Chi-Ying Lee

TAINAN CITY COUNCIL

Lin Yi-Ying DEMOCRAT PARTY OF THAILAND

Chompoonute Nakornthap Siripa Nan Intavichein AFRICA LIBERAL NETWORK

Nangamso Kwinana FRIEDRICH NAUMANN FOUNDATION

Almut Besold CALD SECRETARIAT

Celito Arlegue Audrie Frias Julienne Janolo

These were just among the riveting and inspiring stories related at the 10th CALD Communications Workshop held in Kuala Lumpur in September. But there are a lot more stories from and about women that deserve to be heard and appreciated by a bigger audience – which is why CALD’s communication workshop for 2019 was aimed in the first place at helping female liberal leaders enhance their communication skills and expand their network of likeminded and talented women.

Organized by CALD in cooperation with its member-party Parti Gerakan Rakyat Malaysia (PGRM) and FNF, the three-day workshop had as participants 12 liberal women leaders from Asia, Africa, and Europe.

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The CALD Women’s Caucus also partnered with the globally renowned training bureau Speech Republic, to give the women leaders what turned out to be an unconventional communication training that drew heavily from introspection and self-reflection.

With the guidance of Speech Republic training coaches Natasha Jacobsz and Monique Renuka, the participants learned and practiced the need for empathy, facts, compliments, promise, and call to action in public speeches.

“I am very thankful to CALD for this opportunity to gather women coming from different countries in Asia and beyond to find our

voice and become effective in our role and mission as leaders and servants,” said Isabelle ‘Beng’ Climaco-Salazar, mayor of Zamboanga City, Philippines. “This is an opportunity for us not only to appreciate culture but also to be one in the struggles of our sisters in different parts of the world where there is still a disparity in the rights of people. Because of this, it makes democracy and liberalism alive, and also gives us a challenge to appreciate what we have and what we can do in unity with our sisters.”

CALD also took the opportunity to hold a couple of other events alongside the workshop. On 27 September, for instance, key CALD Women’s Caucus

and CALD Secretariat officials, along with resource persons from other organizations attended a one-day preparatory meeting on the proposed Asian Women Education (AWE) for Leadership, with Women and Gender Institute’s (WAGI) Tesa de Vela as facilitator.

AWE is envisioned to become an innovative and transformative training programme for promising women leaders in Southeast and East Asia who aspire to enter politics.

The programme, which is slated to be launched in 2020, targets a combination of up-and-coming nonaffiliated female leaders and women members of CALD parties who are expected to contest a national or local election.

On 28 September, CALD in cooperation with SEDAR held a halfday conference on women and the future of leadership.

CA L D’s commitment to empowering women is not unfounded, considering that much of the potential in half the world’s population remains untapped. CALD Women’s Caucus Chairperson Jayanthi Devi Balaguru, in her closing remarks at the communications workshop, herself told the participants, “Let me tell you something: You are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think. Everything you need is already inside you. Don’t wait for others to light your fire. You have your own matches.”

R E S U LT S

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1.

Identified key points for the creation of the Asian Women Education Programme, a CALD Women’s Caucus training programme slated to launch in 2020.

2.

Held a Public Conference with the SEDAR Institute and PGRM with the theme: Future of Leadership: Women Leading for Inclusion & Diversity.

3.

Held the 10th CALD Communication Workshop with the Amsterdam-based training bureau Speech Republic.

PROJECTS

40 CALD EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING TH

18-23 October | Taipei, Taiwan

TINY TAIWAN has long been an IT giant and has enjoyed a vibrant democracy.

Yet its voice is being diminished in diplomatic circles as China looms ever larger over much of the world. When Tsai Ing-wen was elected as President of Taiwan in 2016, it had 22 formal diplomatic allies. Three years later, that number was down to 15.

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PART IC IPA N TS

CAMBODIA NATIONAL RESCUE PARTY

DEMOCRAT PARTY OF THAILAND

Mardi Seng Kanika Lim DEMOCRAT PARTY OF HONG KONG

Siripa Nan Intavichein Boonyod Sooktinthai Huwaidiyah Pitsuwan Useng

Sin Chung-kai Emily Lau

AFRICA LIBERAL NETWORK

INDONESIAN DEMOCRATIC PARTY OF STRUGGLE

Putri Ayu Anisa Tony Thamsir PARTI GERAKAN RAKYAT MALAYSIA

Jayanthi Devi Balaguru Hng Chee Wey Zhi Yi Ooi Tan Yong Herr CIVIL WILL GREEN PARTY

Bayarkhuu Amar Monsor Nyamdavaa LIBERAL PARTY OF THE PHILIPPINES

Francis Gerald Abaya Jason Rivera Gonzales Jeremiah Tomas SINGAPORE DEMOCRATIC PARTY

Jaslyn Go DEMOCRATIC PROGRESSIVE PARTY

Bi-khim Hsiao Ching-Yi Lin Chih-Wei Chen

Nangamso Kwinana ARAB LIBERAL FEDERATION

Mahmoud El Alaily Pierre Gearra Ahmed Elsayed Jamal Touissi Meriem Fatnassi Mirna Mneimneh Yara Asmar Dirk Kunze Gijs Houben Mustapha Allouch ASEAN PARLIAMENTARIANS FOR HUMAN RIGHTS

Tsu Quin RED LIBERAL DE AMERICA LATINA

Silvia Mercado FRIEDRICH NAUMANN FOUNDATION FOR FREEDOM

Minerva Salao Narwin Espiritu NATIONAL DEMOCRATIC INSTITUTE

Eunice Ha CALD SECRETARIAT

Celito Arlegue Paolo Zamora Audrie Frias Julienne Janolo

As Tsai prepared for the January 2020 presidential elections, China and its supporters on the ground were once again flexing their muscles. Apart from isolating Taiwan diplomatically, Beijing and company were apparently employing digital disinformation on a daily basis against President Tsai and the Democratic Progressive Party of Taiwan. China, after all, insists that Taiwan is but one of its provinces; it believes that Tsai and DPP are leaning towards independence.

Taiwan’s difficulties have seemed to multiply as a result of rising China.

Yet it has remained steadfast in its beliefs and has chosen to rely on the strength of its democracy. In a speech at Columbia University in New York in July, President Tsai had pointed out: “Our democratic

system makes us open to diverse and innovative ideas, giving us the flexibility to break the mould when the mould no longer fits.”

She also recognized, however, that the same system makes the people of Taiwan vulnerable to disinformation: “Authoritarian governments seek to exploit press freedoms unique to democratic societies to sow dissent among us.

They hope to make us question our political systems and lose faith in democracy.”

Taiwan was thus the perfect site for the 40th CALD Executive Committee Meeting, which focused on the potentials of technology to revive – and also damage – democracy.

Organized by CALD in cooperation with the DPP and with support from FNF and the National Democratic Institute for International Affairs (NDI), it was actually a series of events that was held in the Taiwanese capital for a few days in October.

First up was the forum called “Democracy 4.0: Innovating Democracy through Technology”, which was organized with the support of Taiwan’s Digital Ministry and conducted on 19-20 October.

Its keynote speaker was Taiwan’s Digital Minister Audrey Tang, who emphasized the need to open the space for citizen participation. “We

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must create a space for conversation between diverse values,” she said.

“Recreating space for diverse values has been the focus of the digital space in Taiwan, so that we can respond to new social developments without over-relying on the old hierarchical way.”

The forum also had sessions on understanding the value of technology in politics, hacking solutions to governance issues,

and building political parties of the future. Another important component of the event was a short study tour during which the delegates visited Taiwan’s Social Innovation Lab, where Minister Tang holds a weekly drop-in session, and NPO Hub Taipei, an unusual community centre that aims to help Taiwan’s impact organizations and social-innovation entrepreneurs by encouraging their activities and stimulating creative thinking.

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“Defending Democracy Against Disinformation” meanwhile was held on 21 October. The one-day seminar-workshop gathered key stakeholders from the media, civil society and politics for discussions on the issue of curbing disinformation, misinformation and hate speech. Session One took up the ecosystem of disinformation, using cases from Asia (Rosalind Liu of CoFacts, Taiwan and John Nery of the Philippine Daily Inquirer), Africa

(Nangamso Kwinana of the Africa Liberal Network) and Latin America (Silvia Mercado of Red Liberal de America Latina). Journalist Nery suggested a counter-disinformation checklist that included: clarifying the stakes; defining disinformation; with Asian perspectives; integrating science; and following the experts.

The second session zoomed in on the issue of disinformation and hate speech during elections,

looking specifically at the polls held earlier in the year in Indonesia (Bambang Harymurti of Tempo) and the Philippines (Sarah Elago, MP). Harymurti or BHM, former chief editor of Tempo, a weekly magazine in Indonesia, started by saying, “The first casualty of war is the truth.” That appeared to be the case in the April 2019 Indonesian presidential elections, he said, and then went on to discuss how the opposing sides employed disinformation, as well as the cyber attacks directed at journalists like him. BHM ended by highlighting the difficult search for the truth in the era of disinformation with a quote from the late U.S. President James Garfield: “The truth will set you free, but first it will make you miserable.”

In the last session, the highly controversial topic of legislation to combat disinformation was addressed with experts from Asia (Robin Ramcharan of Asia Centre in Thailand), the United States (Zachary Lampbell of the International Centre for Non-Profit Law) and Europe (Emil Kirjas, former State Secretary for Foreign Affairs of Macedonia). All of them warned against the dangers of disinformation legislation on fundamental freedoms, with Lampbell stating categorically, “Anti-fake news laws violate the freedom of expression.” He added that existing laws (tort, defamation/libel/slander, cyberbullying, fraud, copyright) can be used against digital disinformation.

The key, said Lampbell, is finding the gaps in those laws so that an appropriate legislative response can be formulated.

Following the spirited discussions on political innovation and disinformation was the 40th CALD Executive Committee Meeting, which was held on 22 October and saw the participation of representatives of the Arab Liberal Federation (ALF), Africa Liberal Network (ALN) and Red Liberal de America Latina (RELIAL). Together

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with CALD, the representatives of the regional liberal networks experienced a meeting of minds — a “Taiwan moment” of sorts — and vowed to continue their cooperation in the coming years.

Capping all these was a visit to Taiwan’s Presidential Office Building, where the delegation was warmly received by Taiwan’s Vice President Chen Chien-Jen. “ T h e top i c s s e l e c te d for these events – technology, democracy and also dealing with disinformation or influence operations — are very timely topics for all of us here,” CALD Chairperson Bi-Khim Hsiao had said at the 18 October welcome dinner. “I hope that we take this opportunity to not only learn from each other, but more importantly, to help those who are facing enormous challenges and difficulties in dealing with these issues, among others, in their respective countries.”

R E S U LT S 1.

Met H.E. Chen Chien-Jen, Vice President of Taiwan, at the Presidential Building.

2.

Identified three planof-action proposals for CALD to take to help the media, parliamentarians, and political activists in addressing disinformation and hate speech.

3.

Discussed and planned the 2020 CALD activities.

4.

Strengthened the liberal regional cooperation by convening and discussing the vision, plans, and best practices of CALD, RELIAL, ALN, and ALF.

5.

Passed CALD resolutions on Hong Kong and Cambodia.

Why YOU-th Matter TED-style talk given 26 July a t t h e C A L D Yo u t h A c a d e m y 2 0 1 9 / The Liberal Hackathon in Bangkok, Thailand

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SPEECHES

Abhisit Vejjajiva Former Thai Prime Minister and Former CALD Chairperson

AS YOU probably know, I resigned from Parliament last month. And since then, I have pretty much avoided engaging myself in any kind of political activity. But then I got a letter from CALD and I felt I had an obligation to this organization of which I have been a past chairperson. And of course, there was this opportunity to meet young people from the region who are active and open-minded.

massive protests, with a lot of people using new technologies to spread the word. Obviously, the whole sequence of events has not yet played out fully in that region, but at the time, clearly, the Arab Spring a huge impact globally, and we have since seen more youth involvement in various protests around the world.

Where are we now, Hong Kong? The latest protest there was brought about by an extradition bill. But even though the government has insisted that the bill is dead, the feeling of resentment, the feelings of disillusionment with the system have driven many youths like you into the streets. And now the protesters are facing all kinds of challenges, including violence.

I couldn’t really refuse. So here I am. I’ve been asked to tell you why you matter. I was also sent a little brief on this three-day conference, and the brief on the UNDP survey. It talked about youth involvement in politics, surveys, that young people show lower rates overall in their psychological involvement in politics. You’re not even saying you don’t agree. Is that right? There is not so much a connection with you and the whole process?

I have to say when I saw this, I was both surprised and not so surprised. The reason why I was a little bit surprised was because, if you think about it, there has been no better or easier time for young people to actually get involved in public matters. I say that because we live in an age where technological advancements are so rapid, they open up possibilities, especially in terms of exchange of information, which could be used for so many people.

I’m talking about all kinds of possibilities of using the Internet, using information, and using new technology for various forms of exchange. So in that sense, it still surprises me that while you have probably an unprecedented set of tools to get yourself involved with other people, somehow this idea of political process, political activity, seems to be more remote or not so much connected to the way we do things. Because of course, young people are likely to have social networks and those networks should translate into a more robust sense of political involvement.

“Yet I was even more surprised when, looking around the world, I see the number of young leaders that has emerged.”

We’ve also had protests on issues ranging from climate change to gender equality all over the world. So it surprises me to read that somehow young people feel less involvement in politics.

Yet I was even more surprised when, looking around the world, I see the number of young leaders that has emerged. You know, there are people who are 10 years older than you and they’re actually leading countries.

It’s interesting. I’ve noted that Liberal Democrats have not been so successful electorally. Yet look at the two places where we see liberal democratic leaders: Trudeau in Canada and Macron in France. Both capitalized on their youth and presented themselves as new alternatives. They managed to break through, while so much of the world is still being led by leaders who are populist, authoritarian, and, increasingly, nationalists.

There are also two other leaders I’d like to mention, not only because of their relatively young age. The Prime Minister of Ireland, I believe, is also the first openly gay political leader in a predominantly Catholic country. The Prime Minister of New Zealand gave birth while in office. These two leaders have put on the table issues and perspectives that the world can think about — in terms of gender, in terms of the role of motherhood, and balancing that with work. And I can’t imagine old

And then I thought a little more about why I’m still surprised by what’s been happening around the world. A few years ago, we had a phenomenon we called the ‘Arab Spring’ — that movement in a region that has probably been seen as the most conservative in the world. It had to go through

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leaders being able to bring these kinds of issues to the table.

you’re not constrained by what’s been drawn on that paper. There’s that fresh perspective.

If you look back in history, here in Thailand or in other countries, major changes that happen in society are often driven by young people. I can identify three reasons why I believe that the power of youth becomes the force for change and progress around the world. But first, I should also mention that not only in politics, but in business, in other areas, you now have people under 30 occupying significant ranks. I have always had this belief that youth is a very important force for change and progress in all societies. And why is that? First, I believe, because the youth have ambition and energy. You might take these things for granted. When you get older, like we have, you come to appreciate the speed — the dynamism inevitably slows down a little for some, a lot for others. Therefore, it’s not surprising that as you get older, that appetite for change, that appetite for progress sort of begins to fade. I’ve

Thirdly, the youth are uncorrupted. As you get older, for whatever reason, you become trapped by vested interests, self-interest in others. But the uncorrupted youth are more willing to try and push for what is good for the country or for the world.

This is why I say that for young people, I have no question that whatever feeling you have, you will inevitably try to change the course of things.

The question then arises: Why this feeling of less connection or involvement in politics? My take on this is that all societies at all times in history need at least the three factors that I mentioned to use that power of youth and force change.

Each generation grows up with different priorities about what it wants to get involved in. For me and my generation, especially right up to the fall of the

“ The challenge is how we can make use of the energy that youth continue to have while at the same time not to be too removed from the importance of ideology and principles. ” tried to fight against human nature. As we get older and older, you tend to be more comfortable the way things are. And you’re more suspicious of changes.

Berlin Wall, politics was something that people felt was very, very important. Liberal democracy was a goal that had not yet been reached by so many countries in the world.

You see this all the time, and you see it with just people’s attitude towards technology. Even today, we talked a lot about the need for people to become IT literate. You know, people worry about whether young people will be able to pick up the skills. I’m not worried about the kids. I’m worried about the teachers. They’re the ones who are going to be the slowest learners. I’m sure you’re teaching your parents and grandparents about all the gadgets and all those technological stuff. Young people always have that aspiration; they want to see things get better. They have a much more positive attitude that this will happen.

The basic concept of rights, anticipation, and so on, are factors that drive youth movements. With our generation, it was all about achieving prosperity and peace through this idea of liberalism, politics, and also allied forces. But I believe that since the fall of the Berlin Wall, we Liberal Democrats have taken for granted liberal democracy itself. What happened, I think, was that people became disillusioned with what they thought liberal democracy could achieve. We had a big global financial crisis 13 years ago. And in many regions, more often than not, people feel that politics is not working.

This problem of inequality, which is in developed economies and emerging economies alike, has made people feel distrustful of the political process and the establishment. It has led to frustration and anger, and consequently, to the rise of a lot of nationalist, populist, and authoritarian leaders.

Secondly, the youth offer fresh perspective. When you grow older, you tend to have some kind of bias built into the way things are done. Things that should be done. And you’re always reluctant or become more and more inactive to change the way things are done. But people who are fresh and young start up like a blank sheet of paper. So

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Maybe after the fall of the Berlin Wall, people felt that there was no longer this need for the ideological part, and perhaps younger generations have become more focused on issues, focused on results. In that sense, then, perhaps saying that young people may not feel that they are that involved with the political process is not entirely true. It’s just that the platform of participation now has different channels, different methods — and for different causes.

Take one of the issues that matter now: climate change, which almost the whole world, except for the United States, accepts as a crisis. There’s a science behind it. It’s very much a generational thing. Because the older generations clearly failed younger generations, and now we’re looking for generational climate justice. That’s an issue that I think is in the minds of all young people. Is it political? Of course it’s political. But maybe you don’t see it as political. Gender equality, again, is pretty much a generational thing, too. It is political? Yes, it’s very political. But maybe when you think about these issues, you don’t feel that they are political issues.

You talk about education reforms.

Despite all that work that successive governments have done here — I mean, real changes at the classroom level are being achieved by the projects run by social enterprises, run by foundations that teach young people to actually get involved in education, and become teachers for a couple of years. In three years, they get sent to schools. And they find that when they work in schools, they are able to actually affect change the way things are done at those schools, and they will see themselves as politicians. But they won’t see their work as actually doing political work in education reform. I’ve been to many summer schools, run by, again, social enterprises that try to bring up the standards for disadvantaged kids in communities so that they’re ready for secondary school.

These are the kinds of things that we look for – dedication, policy — in trying to transform the education process.

There’s also a lot to do in the agricultural sector, more possibilities and technologies opening up. We have these smart farmers programmes, again mostly initiated and run by the young. I believe that that’s the kind of thing you’re thinking about. It’s just making that further connection to see how these all relate to politics and the political process. And of course, if you have tools, you should have

channels by which you are trying to achieve these — traditional forms of political activity, barring those places where there is now tension in terms of protests and so on.

If I’m not mistaken, we have here someone from RockEd from the Philippines — you’re using music as a medium to try to get these kinds of issues, also arts, sports. Did anybody follow the Women’s World Cup? I thought I saw there one of the most eloquent and articulate political leaders speaking for gender equality, speaking against Donald Trump and fighting for equal pay for women in America. And I’m sure that she would have inspired so many people around the world. Gaming is also a very solid platform to use for politics and education.

I believe you are actually actively engaged in the process, with the new means and tools at your disposal. But I go back to the UNDP survey that says that you, the youth, value the outcomes of political systems slightly more than you do the underlying normative principles.

That is actually a bit of insight.

Because I still have the firm belief that in the long run, without underlying principles that are clearly respected or without shared values and beliefs that are held by people in society, you cannot get sustainable and lasting solutions to problems. At least not big ones. And too much focus on results has also been unhealthy, and can lead to authoritarianism, populism, and nationalism.

The challenge is how we can make use of the energy that youth continue to have while at the same time not to be too removed from the importance of ideology and principles. Because we are slipping. Democracy has now been in recession for over half a decade around the world. Since the fall of the Berlin Wall, we have taken too many things for granted.

I have spent most of my adult life in politics simply because when I was nine or 10, I was inspired by a student uprising. It was 1973. I really didn’t know much about what was going on.

But there were these young people who sparked something in me.

I’ve got so many more things that I wish to do. I’d still like to fight, although I also like to believe that I’ve already made some changes or so in this country. But the one thing that still pleases me is when kids — maybe as

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young as nine years old or even those already in their teens — every now and then write to me or come up to me and say they’re interested in politics and public matters because of me.

Just as those young activists inspired me as a child, I hope that I’ve inspired a younger generation to carry on with the good fight.

I am sure that you all of you here are in the position to act and affect change. I wish you the best in your endeavours.

And I hope that these two to three days of hackathon will see you use your fresh perspectives to open up new ones for others.

Good luck and keep up the good fight!

Pounding

the Rock Closing Keynote Address given on 28 July a t t h e C A L D Yo u t h P o l i t i c a l A c a d e m y 2 0 1 9 / The Liberal Hackathon in Bangkok, Thailand

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SPEECHES Jose Luis Martin Jose Luis‘Chito’ Gascon Chairperson, Philippine Commission on Human Rights

Martin ‘Chito’ Gascon

THERE'S NO such thing as a free lunch. Or in this case, your dinner. In your case, you earned your dinner by working for the last four days. In my case, since I arrived only last night, I’ve been asked to give you a keynote address just before dinner, so that I might be able to earn my dinner as well. So I promise to make my remarks short because I am very conscious that you’re all very tired now.

of its think tank before becoming the Director General of the Liberal Party for 25 years, from 1990 to 2015.

In 2015, the then Philippine president appointed me to this current office and I had to disengage from active liberal politics. Nonetheless, as liberals, we all know that human rights are an important pillar, not just of liberalism, but of democratic society. To guarantee freedom, we need human rights. So while I am not active in liberal politics, you could say that I push for liberal values as a champion of human rights in my country. And I want to extend a warm hand of welcome to each and every one of you if ever you come to the Philippines, while I’m still at the Commission of Human Rights.

I actually don’t know how long I will be able to stay because, you may not have heard of it, but the current President of my country doesn’t like me.

He’s trying and trying to make life difficult for human rights, but we are pushing back, and we must push back.

I am first grateful to the organizers of this very important third CALD Youth Political Academy, for the kind invitation to me to join you towards the end of your seminar.So I’d like to thank the Friedrich Naumann Stiftung. And of course, our mother parties in CALD — the Council of Asian Liberals and Democrats — and our gracious host, CALD Youth. And CALD Youth, congratulations, and thank you, all of you, for coming together this evening. Second of course, I think it’s about time to thank Trisha and all those who served as mentors.

“Nonetheless, as liberals, we all know that human rights are an important pillar, not just of liberalism, but of democratic society. To guarantee freedom, we need human rights.”

As I said I will keep my message short. First, I want to introduce myself. My name is Chito and I am the chair of the Commission on Human Rights of the Philippines. In Southeast Asia, there are similar organizations like ours, in some of your countries. In Indonesia, it’s Komnas HAM. In Malaysia, it’s Suhakam. In Thailand, it’s the National Human Rights Commission of Thailand. There are two others in the region, in Myanmar and in Timor-Leste. There are discussions now to have a similar organization like ours in Taiwan. So I just want to let you know that I’m very happy to meet all of you. Because before I became Chair of the Commission on Human Rights — which is, by the way, an independent nonpartisan constitutional office, and as a result, I had to disengage from my active participation in liberal politics — I was very active in liberal politics. I was a student leader fighting the dictatorship when I was your age many, many decades ago.

So that’s the message I want to share with all of you this evening: The importance of doing what you can, where you are, with what you have, in making a difference by pushing back. Where you see the values of freedom, democracy and human rights being challenged, it is important that we stand up and push back.

We listened to Khun Kiat this afternoon; in his speech, he said that democracy at the global level is under assault. And that is more so here in our region of Asia. We are in the frontlines of this direct assault on human rights, freedom, and democracy. We are living in what is sometimes referred to as a ‘post-truth world’ — although I read recently a very interesting column that after the election of the new prime minister of the United Kingdom, Boris Johnson, who is the leader of Conservative Party of the U.K., it’s now not just a ‘post-truth world’, but a ‘post-competent world’.

Today it’s not important that we elect and choose leaders who hold on to values. It’s not important anymore that we need to have leaders who are able to govern. All it takes is a brash and loud leader to try and convince the majority and impose their will on our society. That’s the moment that Khun Kiat described

None of you had been born yet in the 1980s. That’s when I got involved in this struggle against dictatorship and one of our core issues was human rights. I was active in liberal politics first as the head of the young liberals in the Philippines, and then as the head

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very clearly to us, but it is actually more than just that.

To recall, he also said these times are probably more dangerous than you could ever imagine. And that is true, because what I see happening today is an existential challenge to the values to which we all adhere.

This is such an important undertaking because you are making history. Perhaps your effort will make the difference in terms of the pushback that is necessary in our society to create a new generation of young people that will stand firm on this important values.

What you have done today is like a story I recall from when I was young. It’s a story about a little boy who was hungry and coming out of the woods. But he was not successful in finding food and all he had was an empty pot. Then he saw a village down the road. He said, “I know what I’ll do. I will make stone soup.” He picked up a stone, cleaned it, and put that in the pot.

And he started walking down the village’s only road, knocking on one door after another, saying each time someone opened the door, “I am going to make stone soup. Do you have something that you might want to contribute to this pot?”

Freedom, human rights, and democracy were achieved over time, as a result of so many atrocities over the last 150 years. The worst being, of course, the horrors of First and Second World Wars. With those horrors we established an edifice of freedom and democracy by guaranteeing human rights. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights was adopted 70 years ago, and we began to create institutions that would check on power.

But what is happening now, at the global level, as well as here in Asia, is this existential challenge that if we don’t push back then our children and our children’s children might not benefit from the freedom, human rights, and democracy that our forefathers and moth-

His first knock yielded him tomatoes, the next carrots.

The next house gave him cabbages, and soon the pot contained water, salt, and meat as well. By the end of

“The importance of doing what you can, where you are, with what you have, in making a difference by pushing back. Where you see the values of freedom, democracy and human rights being challenged, it is important that we stand up and push back.”

ers fought so long and so hard for. This is why the moment for the youth is so important: Because your generation has been presented this unique challenge of providing the necessary leadership to push back.

the road the pot was full and he was able to make a nourishing soup that fed not only him, but also the entire village.

That’s what you have been doing the last four days: stirring into a pot ideas using your imagination, using your insight, innovating, inspiring, and igniting hope.

That is what these efforts are about. Your efforts taken separately might not mean much, but taken together they create a totality far bigger than each of your own individual contribution. That’s what we want you to hold onto. Hold on to the idea that each of us can contribute whatever and make a difference. And we do so in the context of what’s happening around us. We remember our comrades in Hong Kong, who five years ago inspired the whole region with their umbrella revolution and now are constantly fighting, wearing their black shirts even as they are attacked in the subways by the agents of China. They are pushing back, but they cannot do it alone. They need us in Southeast Asia to provide solidarity. They need our friends in Taiwan to also give them the strength

My generation, Khun Kiat’s generation – our role now is merely to step aside, and to help as well. As I said, you’re welcome to come visit us at the Commission of Human Rights while I’m still there. We are trying to create a safe, enabling, and empowering space in the Philippines, despite all the challenges. It is important to do what we can, where we are, with what we have, and change the conditions. Just look at what you did in the last four days. It’s amazing because we came together, looked at the situation and problems, and developed ideas. I would like to congratulate the winner, Youthopia, but Khun Kiat also stressed that the other two projects are just as interesting. Probably CALD Youth can not only take into account the core of Youthopia, but also perhaps draw ideas from Coalisian and TILT.

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because if we falter and if we fail in Hong Kong, China and the authoritarian brand it represents will continue to sweep our region as it has already been doing in many parts of our societies, including in the Philippines.

I want to encourage you to do what you can. You must daily pound the rock. Have you heard that slogan, “Pounding the rock”? It is the informal motto one of the National Basketball Association teams in the U.S., the San Antonio Spurs. It tells the story of teamwork and also of individual dedication. Because as liberals we believe in the power of one, that each of us can contribute to the efforts.

That is what pounding the rock is about. It’s about the stonecutter, not the mason. The mason lays the stones and bricks to build walls and mansions. But those stones he lays come from the work of the lowly stonecutter, who on a daily basis goes to the mountain and pounds the rock.

He pounds it one time and not break the mountain. He will pound the rock two times, five times, 50 times, 100 times, not knowing just when the mountain will break. But break it will so long as he perseveres. Just as your persistence will make all the difference, despite all the difficulties, despite confronting China in Taiwan or in Hong Kong. You have to continue to pound the rock, whether it be in the Philippines fighting extrajudicial killings, whether it be in Thailand fighting once more for democracy against authoritarian ruling, whether it be in Cambodia fighting for the right to participate in elections. You need to pound the rock, despite not knowing when you will succeed. But you must continue to do so like our friends in Singapore, the brave hearts who do what they can against all odds. Because so long as you keep pounding, the stone will break. One strike and the stone will be cut, the mountain will give way.

The question we must ask: Was it the last strike that made the stone break? No, it was every

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single strike that each of us did that made and will make the difference. That’s what each of you in CALD Youth must do moving forward with this wonderful project. By the way, please consider the Commission on Human Rights as your partner. You’re talking about wonderful things and many ideas. I want to let you know that in two and a half years, in 2022, will be the 50th anniversary of the declaration of martial law in my country, which ushered the dictatorial rule. In1986, we removed the dictator. We had been trying for the last 30 years to build democracy, with little success, with some success, so we keep pounding the rock. But in 2022 if all goes well, if I’m still in office — I am supposed to hold office until 2022 — we will be building a freedom memorial.

Two days after I get back to Manila on Monday, we will have the board meeting to decide on the design for the freedom memorial. It will be an edifice, a testament to the struggle of the Filipino people for freedom, human rights, and democracy.

It’s dedicated to the human rights violations victims during our martial law era. I’m mentioning it because if Youthopia is successful in all its plans, together with the merger of ideas in Coalisian and TILT, please know that you will have a Freedom Memorial from which you can also organize your activities. In fact, our plan is that we will inaugurate it with a large international human-rights and freedom festival. And perhaps this could be one of the activities that Youthopia would want to partner with the Commission on Human Rights.

While we build our edifice of freedom, democracy, and human rights, remember it begins with the daily grind of pounding the rock. I wish you well. Mabuhay.

Long live CALD Youth!

Surviving

a Siege TED-style talk given on 28 September at the 1 0 th C A L D C o m m u n i c a t i o n s W o r k s h o p fo r t h e CALD Women’s Caucus in Kuala Lumpur

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SPEECHES

Isabelle ‘Beng’ Climaco-Salazar Mayor of Zamboanga City, Philippines

THE MORO National Liberation Front (MNLF) attacked our city, in the Philippines, in the wee hours of the morning of 9 September 2013 because they wanted to hoist their flag at City Hall and take over Zamboanga City.

Haiyan, which devastated much of the Visayas as well.

But before those two was the siege of our city.

There were six barangays that were attacked, mostly near the sea. About 123 individuals were taken hostage and made into human shields. As mayor and local chief executive, I told myself I would have to negotiate to protect those who are innocent. These hostages were hogtied and were paraded so that in case of exchange of gunfire, it would be the civilians that would be caught in the crossfire while the rebels would be protected. Thank God that an academic colleague of mine referred me to a Muslim family. This connection enabled me to talk to someone from the MNLF, and I asked if I could plead for the life of the innocent civilians. He referred me to the commander, Chairperson Nur Misuari of the MNLF, who I asked, “Please, please release the innocent civilians because their lives are at stake and they’re innocent.” I feared for the women who might be raped.

But he asked me for something that was impossible: I, Mayor of Zamboanga city, must make sure that I implement the peace process and the peace accord between the government and the Moro National Liberation Front. You see, this was something beyond me. I represented just a city, but this would require a national government policy for it to be done.

The peace talks between the Government of the Republic of the Philippines and the Moro National Liberation front had been put to a halt and were set aside since the Philippine government was focusing on a new group, the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF). What was my role? The first two things that I did as mayor was, number one, to cancel classes so that children would be protected because children are my very important persons in my administration. Second, I called off work to protect the mothers and the fathers.

I went to hear mass because I’m Catholic, and then I went to City Hall. The city administrator told me, “Ma’am, I don’t think it is safe for you to hold office here, because there was gunfire being heard.” The height of the siege was very near City Hall. And remember, the MNLF wanted to attack it. At eight in the morning I called for a crisis management committee meeting, in which were included the military, the security, education forces, as well as the legislators. We again did two things: first, evacuate the people. And second, impose a curfew in the evening.

“As mayor and local chief executive, I told myself I would have to negotiate to protect those who are innocent.”

But later they began releasing hostages. Yet when I received the hostages, they blamed me, the Mayor, because the rebels had brainwashed them, telling them that the mayor will abandon you and you will be left to die.

But I am a family counsellor; I have some background in family counselling. The psychiatrists, psychologists also helped me; we thought the matter through and we were able to reverse the thinking of the kidnap victims.

By noon, I received a call from the President of the Republic of the Philippines. And by afternoon, we had two cabinet ministers with us, the Minister of the Interior and the Minister of Defence.

Zamboanga City is a city in the southern Philippines that is highly urbanized and composed of more than 800,000 individuals. Nearby are the island provinces of Jolo and Basilan. Zamboanga City is the centre of trade, commerce, and education in that part of the Philippines.

We are the only city in the Philippines that has a ship route to Sandakan, Sabah, Malaysia because of barter trading. Zamboanga City is also the sardine capital of the Philippines.

Our city is diverse — 60 percent of our population are Christian, 34 percent Muslim, and six percent are indigenous peoples. One of the first victims of the siege was a Muslim policeman, Murphy Abbilani, a father of three.

After he was shot to death, Catholic communities in the United States collected donations to help support his family. We worked together with Muslim professional doctors to take care of those in the evacuation camps.

(The biggest of our evacuation centres was the Memorial Sports Stadium that had 60,000 people.) Our Catholic nuns prepared food to feed people.

Actually, the Philippines had three disasters in 2013, but only one caused by man. There was an earthquake somewhere in the Visayas region, and then Typhoon

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“To me, every member of society—even the youngest one— matters because we can build the community only if we are united.”

At one funeral parlour I visited was a two-year-old boy in a coffin. His name was Eithan Ando. When the fighting broke out, his father and mother had tried to flee with him and hid in a canal. But when they crawled out later and pulled their son out, they found that a bullet had pierced through their boy’s forehead.

They would later be rehoused in temporary shelters, along with other evacuees. But I wanted to make sure that Theresa’s family and the rest of the Badjao would be able to go back to Rio Hondo and have permanent housing. By the time they received their temporary houses, Theresa was married. Her new husband gave me a beautiful wooden fruit basket.

Eithan was the youngest victim of the Zamboanga siege.

When I saw what had happened to him, I told myself no innocent child must ever suffer because of the cruelty of men. It made me more determined to fight for my city as a Mayor. No flag other than that of the Republic of the Philippines should ever fly in our city. Then and now, I stand for the Muslims, the Christians, and the lumad of my city.

In 2017, Zamboanga City was recognized by the National Competitiveness Council or NCC as the “Most Improved City” in the Philippines, along with Tacloban, which had been among the areas hit hardest by Typhoon Haiyan.

How have we been able to do our inclusive leadership?

In Zamboanga, the Muslim religious leaders sit down at City Hall and we dialogue. A lot of talks, a lot of dialogues because there is still mistrust. People march to City Hall in protest, but we reach out to them. We make sure a member of the indigenous-peoples community is present whenever laws are crafted and that the lumad have a voice.

The United Nations declared us as a humanitarian crisis.

Some 120,000 individuals were affected, 10,000 homes burned; the damage was estimated at PhP50 billion. I told myself that since the President of the Republic of the Philippines was already there, let the military take care of the tactical operations; as the mother, as Mayor of Zamboanga City, I will take care of our children. But I’d like to thank the international community, the humanitarian organizations that came to our rescue to rehabilitate Zamboanga City.

Civil society organizations, out of school youth alliance — we give them training. Student Council presidents are given opportunities and even the LGBTQIA community now has an alliance. To me, every member of society – even the youngest one — matters because we can build the community only if we are united.

I will also tell you a story about a friend of mine, one of the children I met during one Eid al-Fitr. She was about eight years old at that time: Theresa, from the Sama Dilaut tribe or the Badjao, or sea gypsies. Badjao suffer from discrimination. In fact, they have been pushed out to sea, staying further away from the mainland, and into a community called Rio Hondo. The children were asking me if I could build them a bridge, for their community, and I eventually built them one, when I became a member of parliament.

In 2017, I received the most outstanding Jesse Robredo Mayor award given by Vice President Leni Robredo from the local council of women of the Philippines. In 2018 — to God be the glory — I was the only female mayor from Asia who received a commendation from the international City Mayors Foundation and included in the World Mayor Honours List.

In 2019, I ran for elections for a third term as mayor, and that is the bravest thing I did. To stand up and fight in a male-dominated society, and against a powerful, chauvinist bully. I serve with love and courage for our people.

In 2019, our city police were recognized as the best city police in the entire country. My secret is to find the most problematic situation in our city and to turn it around.

Anyway, Theresa, by the time she hit puberty, had entered into an arranged marriage. This was an eyeopener for me. But being a brave young girl, Theresa divorced her husband. I would often see her in public celebrations, during fiestas. In 2013, I found her and her family huddled in a small hut in an evacuation camp, during the President’s visit. Her grandmother gave me a handwoven mat of different colours as a gift. I hesitated in accepting the mat because I knew the family needed it more. But they insisted and I recalled that during the turnover of the then new bridge to the Rio Hondo community, Theresa had also been there and had given me a bottle of baby cologne. I really didn’t want to accept it because it was like receiving Chanel No. 5 or Gucci from a little girl.

But I accepted the gift mainly to honour the giver. It was the same with the mat, which had colours that I thought represented our city’s diversity, colours that continue to challenge me to ensure our city government is inclusive.

What are my core priorities? Security, health and education: S-H-E. If you remove the S, it becomes ‘HE.’ It is gender-fair and gender-balanced.

Gracias for this opportunity. The world is really a very dangerous place. At any given moment terrorists can attack us. I am the commander in chief of my city, but I am also blessed to be married to a major general of the Philippine Army. We balance it, however, and I thank God that my husband is not insecure. I am so touched when I do the zumba and I see the general also dancing. This is the kind of a blessed unity that we have. And of course a common love for the Muslims, the Christians, and the lumad.

Theresa’s family is Muslim, but they also believe in spirits.

The family would stay in that evacuation camp for three years, and every time I visited, I would see them. They would hug me and Theresa would always be ready to offer me pancakes.

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SPEECHES

DREAMING THE POSSIBLE DREAM Inaugural Address given in Jakarta, Indonesia on 20 October

Joko ‘Jokowi’ Widodo President of the Republic of Indonesia

Honourable leaders and members of the MPR (People’s Consultative Assembly); honourable Bapak Prof. Dr. KH Ma’ruf Amin, the Vice President of the Republic of Indonesia; honourable Ibu Megawati Soekarnoputri, the fifth president of the Republic of Indonesia; honourable Bapak Prof. Dr. Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono, the sixth president of the Republic of Indonesia; Bapak Hamzah Haz, the ninth vice president of the Republic of Indonesia; Bapak Prof. Dr. Boediono, the 11th vice president of the Republic of Indonesia; Bapak Muhammad Jusuf Kalla, the 10th and 12th vice president of the Republic of Indonesia.

country with an annual income of Rp 320 million per capita or a monthly income of Rp 27 million per capita.

That is our target; that is our common target.

Our dream is that by 2045, Indonesia’s gross domestic product will have reached USD 7 trillion. Indonesia will have become one of the top five world economies with a poverty rate nearing zero percent. That is what we must head towards.

We have counted, we have calculated, and that target is very reasonable and very possible for us to achieve. It must be coupled with hard work, and we have to work quickly; it must be coupled with productive work from our nation.

Your Excellencies, the heads of state and governments as well as special envoys of friendly nations, honourable heads of state institutions, and of course my good friends Bapak Prabowo Subianto and Bapak Sandiaga Uno, honourable guests.

Bapak, Ibu, brother and sister compatriots.

In a world that is full of risk, very dynamic, and very competitive, we have continued to develop new methods, new values. We should not get stuck in a monotone routine.

Our dream, our ambition is that by 2045, after one century of Indonesian independence, Indonesia should, Insya Allah (God willing), have escaped the middle-income trap. Indonesia will have become an advanced

Innovation should not just become knowledge.

Innovation should become a culture. Let me tell a story.

Five years ago, the first year I was in the (Presidential) Palace, I invited officials and the public for a halal bi

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halal (post-Idul Fitri gathering). The protocol officers asked me to stand at a certain spot, and that first year I complied. The second year, there was another halal bi halal, and the protocol officers asked me to stand at the same spot. I immediately whispered to State Secretary (Pratikno), “Pak, let’s move locations. If we don’t move, that spot will become the norm. After a while, it will be considered a rule, and later it might even be considered a law.” Continually just standing at that spot. This is what I mean by a monotone routine.

Second, we will continue infrastructure construction – infrastructure that connects production areas to distribution areas, that facilitates access to tourist areas, that boosts new employment, that accelerates the added value of the people’s economy.

Third, we must simplify, cut down on and trim all forms of obstructive regulation. The government will invite the House of Representatives to pass two big laws: first, a job creation law and, second, a small and medium enterprises empowerment law.

Once again, breaking the routine is one thing. Boosting productivity is another thing that is our priority. Our work should no longer be process-oriented, but rather oriented towards tangible results. I often remind the ministers, our work is not only creating and carrying out policies, but our work is ensuring that the public enjoy public services, enjoy development.

Both of these laws will be omnibus laws, namely a single law that revises several, even dozens of other laws. Dozens of laws that hamper job creation will be revised at the same time. Dozens of laws that hamper the development of small and medium enterprises will also be revised.

Oftentimes bureaucrats will report to me, saying that the programme has been carried out, that the budget has been spent, that the accountability report has been completed.

Fourth, we will continue to massively simplify the bureaucracy. Investment to create jobs must be prioritized. Long procedures must be cut down. Convoluted bureaucracy must be trimmed.

When asked, they reply, “The program has been carried out, Pak.” But when I check in the field, when I ask the people, it turns out that the public have not received the benefits (of the programme). It turns out that the people have not felt the results.

(Civil service) echelons must be simplified. Echelon I, echelon II, echelon III, echelon IV – isn’t that too many?

I ask that this be simplified to only two levels, replaced by functional positions that value skill and competence.

I also ask the ministers, officials, and bureaucrats to seriously guarantee the achievement of the goals of development programmes. I will not have any mercy for those who are not serious. I guarantee that I will remove (them).

Once again, the main thing is not the process, the main thing is the result.

Checking it is easy. When we send a message through SMS or WA (WhatsApp), there is “sent” and there is “delivered”. Our job is to guarantee (that the programme) is delivered, not just sent. I don’t want a bureaucracy that just keeps on sending things. I want and I will force a bureaucracy to deliver. The job of the bureaucracy is to guarantee that the public feels the benefits of (government) programmes.

Finally, fifth is economic transformation. We have to transform from a dependence on natural resources to a competitive and modern manufacturing and service-based economy that has high added value for the prosperity of the nation and social justice for all the Indonesian people.

Ladies and gentlemen and all the people of Indonesia that I glorify, at this historic opportunity, allow me on behalf of myself, Vice President KH Ma’ruf Amin, and all of the Indonesian people to express the highest gratitude and appreciation for Bapak Muhammad Jusuf Kalla, who has governed shoulder-to-shoulder (with me) during the past five years.

Ladies and gentlemen, and all the people of Indonesia that I am proud of, there is strong potential that we escape the middle-income trap. Right now, we are at the peak of the demographic bonus, where our productive-aged population far outnumbers those of the non-productive age. This is a big challenge and also a great opportunity. This could be a big problem if we cannot provide jobs, but it will be a big opportunity if we are able to develop superior human resources, supported by an advantageous political and economic ecosystem.

I also express my thanks to all state institutions, government officials, the TNI (Indonesian Military), and the National Police, and all components of the nation that helped oversee the government for the past five years so that it could run well.

Because of that, this is what we want to carry out in the next five years:

To end this speech, I invite bapak, ibu, and brother and sister compatriots together to make a commitment.

First, the development of human resources will be our main priority, building a workforce that is hard-working, dynamic, skilled, with a mastery in science and technology, (as well as) inviting global talents to work together with us.

“Pura babbara’ sompekku... Pura tangkisi’ golikku...”

“My sail is flying… my helm is mounted...”

Together we move towards an advanced Indonesia!

This cannot be achieved with old methods. New methods must be developed. We need a large endowment fund to manage our human resources. Cooperation with industry must also be optimized, as well as the use of technology to make it easier to reach all corners of the country.

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JOKO WIDODO RE-ELECTED 41

SPEECHES

JOINING THE CALD FAMILY Emailed acceptance letter upon being made CALD’s 4th Individual Member on 14 November

Emily Lau Former Democratic Party (Hong Kong) Chairperson

It is a great honour and privilege to be invited to join CALD as an Individual Member. In the past few years, I have taken part in many CALD functions and have met dedicated fighters for democracy and human rights from Asia and elsewhere. As the world faces increasingly turbulent and tumultuous developments, with protests and violent struggles spreading like wildfire, it is all the more important for liberal democrats to work together to defend and bolster the universal values that we all believe in and cherish.

I am particularly keen to work with young politicians and activists, to listen to their wishes and aspirations, to motivate and inspire them to stretch their imagination and ability in order to scale new heights. As a woman, I hope to work with female activists and politicians to inspire and encourage them to be outspoken, honest, courageous, and pro-active. The world needs more passionate, dedicated, and non-corrupt women and men in leadership positions to help to resolve the horrible and devastating conflicts that afflict the world and to bring about a better future for us all.

As a Hong Kong politician, I am most happy to work with colleagues from Asia and around the globe to defend the system we support and to explain the complex Hong Kong situation to the rest of the world in order to gain people’s understanding and support. As an Individual Member, I look forward to working with CALD members and staffers to organize programmes, visits, and activities throughout the region for our friends and supporters, and to reach out to politicians and activists to invite them to join us in this never-ending struggle.

It is with pleasure and trepidation that I join the CALD family, and I look forward to working with you all.

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EMILY LAU, CALD'S NEW MEMBER 43

HOW TOM HOW AKE TO MAKE CIT CITIES IES SMART SMA IN FOCUS

MORE THAN half the world’s population currently live in urban areas, and this proportion will grow to as much as 70 percent by 2050. Without an actionable urban strategy, cities face the prospect of increasing congestion and pollution, inadequate and unreliable energy, lack of basic public services, and poor environmental management.

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Urbanization can be a powerful channel towards economic and human growth. Far too few cities, however, are equipped to adapt to technology and smart innovation that would convert operations, systems, and infrastructures into a more efficient and sustainable city management.

But while technology enables much of what makes a city “smart”, the future really isn’t about technology as an end itself. Rather, it is about serving the needs of the various stakeholders making up a community.

Using technology to solve social problems while improving quality of life is the true definition of a city turning “smart”.

Smart Cities are fully connected, sustainable, energy-efficient, and socially friendly communities that use their infrastructures, based on technology and data analyses, to improve the quality of life of those who live and visit them. They optimize city functions, thereby encouraging economic growth.

ASSESSMENT TOOL

ASSESSMENT PROCESS

STUDY VISITS

RECOMMENDATIONS

To this end, CALD has launched its three-year Smart City Project (2019-2021) that hopes to assist select local governments under CALD member-parties to develop or improve their smart-city blueprint.

First, CALD aims to come up with an assessment tool to evaluate the current smart-city status of target cities governed by CALD member parties.

Then, during the assessment process, CALD Smart City consultants will travel to the target city and interview the political leaders (mayors, magistrates, and the like) using the assessment-tool questionnaire. The objectives are to assess current smart-city initiatives (if any) and to identify the priority areas the target city wants to focus on and that would contribute to the development of its smart – city status. The data gathered will not be released in public and will remain confidential.

Based on the priority areas of the city, CALD will then help organize a study visit for its officials and other key individuals so that they can learn the best practices from other smart cities in the region.

After the study visit, CALD will convene the representatives of the target cities that were assessed to recommend the next steps forward.

At the end of the project, the target cities that will be assessed will be able to:

Receive an expert assessment of their current smart city status;

Have an opportunity to visit and learn from the best practices of established smart cities; and

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Participate in a regional conference to link them with the different stakeholders who can help realize their smart city vision and objectives.

Cities across the world are already positioning themselves to be more climate resilient, competitive, sustainable and, essentially, smarter. The CALD Smart City project, however, is a unique initiative by setting the smart-city concept within the liberal and democratic political agenda. CALD members, by implementing game-changing technologies with a human – centric mindset, are in the distinctive position to spearhead the development of next – generation cities. It is remarkable to witness at CALD’s smart-city workshops how transparency, technology justice, data privacy, and social equity are in the centre of every discussion – values often forgotten in the age of Big Tech and relentless pursuit of efficiencies. The Smart City project is a significant addition to CALD’s diverse portfolio of programmes.

Equipping political parties with smart-city tools adds momentum to making tangible advancements in the quality of life for urban populations and brings us closer to achieving the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.

Charles Kurowski Smart City Expert

It was our honour to have invited representatives and experts in different fields of CALD to Pingtung County, Taiwan in August. The Smart City Blueprint Workshop was a great platform for interactive experience exchanges on innovative and best practices in developing smart cities.

The team of the Pingtung County Government was able to share the policies and measures of a smart city and technology and to receive feedback from participants.

We will continue to work together and learn from each other crossing the limitation in nationality to build smart cities, and further on creating a global village — “we are the world”.

Pan Men-An County Magistrate, Pingtung County, Taiwan

I think that the CALD smart-city programme is a great initiative by CALD. Through this, local government units can easily assess where they are and what they need to do in order to become a smart city. CALD will be able to help with the first small steps for the LGUs before they start big. They will be able to carry out their plan to assist the local governments under CALD member-parties to develop or improve their smart-city blueprint. With the right guidance for the smart-city platform, Monthip Sriratana Tabucanon our citizens will be able to live in a better Director, society.

Climate Change Research Strategies Centre, National Research Council, Thailand 46

FNF Korea is working intensively on this topic.

Therefore we are very happy that CALD tries to draw the big picture, and compares and brings experiences and findings together. Worldwide we can see how rapidly urbanization proceeds. This produces new challenges and shows the urgent need to organize the practical transformation of traditional cities into smart cities. It is very important that CALD considers all the aspects involved from a liberal point of view.

CALD can play an important role in this process, having structures and lots of liberal engagement in many countries of Asia. Many cities are facing similar challenges, but every city has to find the best-fitting solution for its specific needs. They are all making their own experiences and there is a tremendous need for intense exchange and mutual inspiration, stimulation, and support.

Christian Taaks Head, FNF Korea Office

The whole world talks about Smart Cities, but there is only a very basic common understanding about what this really means. In our context it is decisive to define the liberal approach to planning and realizing smart-city concepts. To name just a few: How do we master the Big Data challenge and its inherent conflict with privacy, data protection, etc.? How must Smart Cities be set up to open opportunities for everybody? How can we provide great quality of life together with economic prosperity? How can the needs and the rights of the individual be safeguarded within a densely populated environment? In the end it will help the region, its countries, and its people very much if CALD takes care that all upcoming and necessary changes shape with liberal values.

Smart Cities are great catalysts for growth. It doesn’t always rely on technology, but with proper policy design, we can make cities more efficient and become more centred for the people, and deliver a more human-centered approach to city development.

Jed Elroy Rendor Centre for Liberalism and Democracy

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The CALD smart-city programme is a great way to network with other cities and to know from the network the best practices of other cities under the liberal and democratic approaches of the cities under the CALD network.

IN FOCUS

HONG HONG KONG' KONG’S MONTHS MONT OF RAGE OF RAG IN 1997, after a century and a half under British rule, Hong Kong was ceded back to China. During the handover, Hong Kong was assured it would be an autonomous special administrative region of China for at least the next 50 years, and that its relationship to China would be under the “one country, two systems” principle.

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G G'S TH AGE

Joshua Wong

Democracy campaigner, Hong Kong

Hong Kong is different to mainland China. We protect our freedoms. We ask for free elections to elect the leader of our city. It’s not the final battle, it’s not the endgame, because the Hong Kong government and Beijing have turned a whole generation of students from citizens to dissidents. I think President Xi might be really angry at how Carrie Lam generated more than a million dissidents that live in and love this place.

(From an interview with Time magazine, 17 June 2019)

In the second half of 2019, however, Hong Kong’s streets became full once more of protesters. It all started in June, when millions of Hong Kong citizens took to the streets to oppose a bill that would have allowed extraditions to China, effectively violating Hong Kong’s autonomy, and what critics would describe as “legalized kidnapping”. By most accounts, the protests started out peacefully. But the Hong Kong police retaliated with excessive force, pushing the city into chaos— and the protesters in rage.

In recent years, however, this autonomy has been under attack by China’s hardline policies against activism and harsh punishment towards what Beijing apparently interprets as “threats to national sovereignty and security”. China’s pushback against pro-democracy efforts was in full display in 2014, when the Umbrella Movement called for a more transparent and democratic elections for Hong Kong’s Chief Executive. The protests raged for almost three months until it finally dwindled, but with no substantial change from the Hong Kong government.

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Nathan Law Democracy campaigner Former MP (Demosisto) I protest because I believe that autonomy and democracy are fundamental values that Hong Kong people deserve...

A lot of Chinese propaganda wanted to depict Hong Kong citizens as riotists, but in fact, we are a bunch of people who are forced to resist…China’s presence and suppression in Hong Kong is phenomenal. I was elected as the youngest lawmaker in 2016, but under China’s intervention, I lost my seat. And also the 50,000 voters who voted for me lost their mandate. The five demands of the protesters are: full withdrawal of the extradition bill, stop identifying protesters as “rioters”, independent inquiry into police brutality, amnesty for arrested protesters, and universal suffrage.

Hong Kong is at the forefront of the clash between authoritarian and democratic values… If you care about democracy, if you care about freedom and human rights, you should join hands with us.

(From an interview with the Washington Post, 1 October 2019)

Martin Lee Founder, Democratic Party (Hong Kong) CALD Individual Member That’s why what’s happening here is so important. We’re proving that Beijing’s power is not invincible or inevitable.

We’re demonstrating that failure is not falling down but refusing to stand up… We’ve won the hearts of people, even though there’s violence. Citizens say that if we go back to the old peaceful ways, they’ll simply ignore us… The kids know it.

We all know it. We fear Hong Kong will become just another Chinese city.

(From an interview with Taiwan News, 6 October 2019)

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Emily Lau CALD Individual Member Former MP (Democratic Party, Hong Kong) I was told by the Chief Exec before to not talk too much, to take one or three steps backwards. But I said, “I’ve been elected to represent the people and you ask me not to talk too much?” But that’s the problem with Beijing, they don’t like people who say things they don’t want to hear.

Carrie Lam should resign having caused the biggest crisis in Hong Kong’s history. She should urge Beijing to listen to the wishes of the people. We are not asking for independence, don’t get me wrong.

Beijing has been smearing us, saying, “These are separatists, they just want to break away from the PRC.” There may be a small number who do, but the vast majority of the Hong Kong people just want Beijing to keep the promise from 1997, being that Hong Kong should be given a high degree of autonomy under their policy of “one country, two systems”. We just want to continue our free lifestyle, which the people in the mainland do not have. And the rule of law, and personal safety—these are things that Beijing promised. But now it seems that Beijing is interfering in our lifestyle left, right, and centre.

And especially, the extradition bill has made the people very scared.

(From an interview with Steve Paikin on “The Agenda”, 29 November)

Sin Chung Kai CALD Individual Member, District Councillor, S16 Wah Lai More than 2.9 million people turned out to vote on 24 Nov for the District Council elections, which had been framed as a de facto referendum on the almost six months of ongoing protests in our semi-autonomous Chinese city. Prodemocracy candidates won 388 out of the total 452 seats.

This landslide victory reinforces the pan-democratic camp’s determination to continue our fight for universal suffrage.

Our next milestone will be the Legislative Council elections, to be held in September 2020. But different factions within the pan-democratic camp have to work together to achieve better election results. We urge the international communities and our friends in CALD to continue to support our democratic movement.

The protests have yet to stop even as close to 1,500 people have already been arrested, with many more injured, including journalists, students, and medics. At least two people have been confirmed killed in connection with the protests. To date, the protests continue – as does the violence, in large part because of the Hong Kong police’s seeming disregard for international human-rights laws.

The extradition bill was eventually dropped, but by then it had become just one of the Hong Kong people’s five demands. The protest movement had grown wider in scale, calling for greater change in Hong Kong’s governance, as well as its position towards protest: to stop labeling protests as “riots”, to drop charges against protesters, and to independently investigate police behaviour.

In addition, the protesters demanded the right to vote for Hong Kong’s leaders – especially for those making up the Legislative Council as well as for Chief Executive — without intervention from China.

The voices of Hong Kong continue to speak of democracy and freedom. On 24 November, pro-democracy candidates won a clear majority with 390 seats of the 452 district council seats.

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DEMO CRACY STRU GGLES IN CAM IN FOCUS

DEMOCRACY STRUGGLES IN CAMBODIA At nearly 35 years in the position, Cambodia’s Hun Sen is the longestserving Prime Minister in the world. The strongman masks his authoritarian rule with lip-service democracy, frequently using words such as “rule of law” and “human rights”, even as his government increases its suppression of freedom of the press, shutters prodemocracy NGOs, and cracks down on the opposition.

On 16 November 2017, the Hun Sen government asked the Supreme Court to dissolve the Cambodia National Rescue Party, which was accused of plotting to take power with the help of the United States.

The court ruled as the government asked, while also ordering a five-year political ban for 118 members of the opposition party, which had posed a major election threat for Hun Sen.

By having CNRP dissolved, Hun Sen effectively transformed Cambodia into an authoritarian, one-party state.

Not surprisingly, the European Union and the United States responded to this blatant suppression of democracy by threatening to withdraw Cambodia’s trade privileges under the Everything But Arms trade scheme and the U.S. Generalized System of Preferences, respectively.

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O Y S

Earlier, in September 2017, then CNRP President Kem Sokha had been thrown into jail under politically motivated charges. He was released after the July 2018 polls, but then was put into house arrest. In late 2019, he was freed, but with restrictions on travelling internationally and engaging in political activity.

Meanwhile, the Cambodian government responded to the planned return to Cambodia of Sam Rainsy, Mu Sochua, and other CNRP officials and members in exile on 9 November – the country’s Independence Day – by labelling it as a coup attempt.

It also cracked down on activists belonging to the opposition, sent troops to secure the country’s borders, and with the cooperation of the Thai government barred Sam Rainsy from boarding a Thai Airways flight from Paris to Phnom Penh.

Mu Sochua was briefly detained in Kuala Lumpur, while the passports of around 27 CNRP members abroad were cancelled. CNRP officials, however, swear to never give up in their cause to return to Cambodia to fight for true democracy.

Sam Rainsy Acting President, Cambodia National Rescue Party

My most dedicated colleagues have been assassinated, arrested, or forced into exile. Hopefully, my fight to restore democracy will also restore Cambodia’s independence and neutrality and stop China’s attempt to colonize Cambodia. Cambodian dictator Hun Sen has no right to sell our country to the Chinese. We must respect the 1991 Paris peace agreements; this international treaty compels Cambodia to adopt a system of liberal and pluralist democracy. It also compels Cambodia to follow a foreign policy based on strict neutrality, which forbids the presence of any foreign military bases on Cambodia’s territory. I am prepared to sacrifice my freedom and even my life to give democracy a chance to help ensure freedom for my unfortunate people.

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Mu Sochua

DEM CRA STR GGL IN CA

Vice President, Cambodia National Rescue Party and former CALD Women’s Caucus Chairperson

Kimhun Thit

Chairperson, Women’s Affairs, Cambodia National Rescue Party America

Threats to democracy through severe crackdowns of peaceful protests, repression of freedoms of speech, of expression, freedom of the press, dissolution of political opponents, killings of human rights defenders, corruption have caused very worrisome erosion of democracy in the region.

There are, however, very significant and hopeful peoples’ movements, civil-society networks, coalitions that have been successful in defending democratic principles, liberal values and have also defended fundamental human rights. The case of Hong Kong tells us that unity is the best defence for democracy. The political coalition in Malaysia has changed the country’s political landscape.

In the case of Cambodia, despite the dissolution of the Cambodia National Rescue Party, the only opposition representing more than half of the country, the one-party system of Mr. Hun Sen is struggling to obtain legitimacy to govern. The spirit of the opposition remains present despite numerous arrests and detentions. Cambodians outside of Cambodia add their strong voice to the silence inside the country. The democracy flame may not shine as bright under a repressive regime, but it will never be totally out. We should not be fighting for just our own rights and values. We must embrace these fundamental democratic values to protect regional and global security.

From exile, Cambodia’s opposition leaders have maintained daily contact with our sisters and brothers inside who are hiding. Our planned return for democracy in Cambodia on 9 November was cause for the one-party regime to scramble for new strategies by deploying the state’s armed forces. It has done nothing but to show the world the reality of Cambodia’s today.

Do you know how many innocent Cambodian women are facing different violations of their rights? I want the world to know that millions of Cambodian women are suffering every day from land grabbing, corruption, poor salaries, no political empowerment, and from being single parents because their husbands were arrested by dictator.

I am a Cambodian woman and I am neither ignoring nor allowing Hun Sen to destroy women’s rights and the democracy in Cambodia. I urge the international community to show that you also care. Let us continue fighting peacefully, but strongly, to achieve true democracy for ourselves, as well as for the global community.

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MO ACY TRU LES N AM

Mengbunrong Seng CALD Youth Public Officer and CNRP Activist

Mardi Seng

Former senator, Cambodia National Rescue Party

The fight for democracy can feel like a long, treacherous, at times hopeless road. But remember, the sun always rises; the darker the night, the more beautiful the dawn. Hope lives, and the fight continues.

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I am Seng Mengbunrong. Despite my youth I have been part of the struggle for democracy in my mother country Cambodia. Like millions of other Cambodian youths, I have never despaired and will continue my commitment even though democracy in Cambodia has deteriorated. I will challenge the status quo in a peaceful and wise way to bring about real democracy and positive change to my beloved people and country.

Our struggle for a cause like democracy will not end within just a day or with just an event; it is endless. I call on Cambodian youths to be determined to continue their commitment to fight for democracy, human rights, and sustainable development. If you need a better future, better start today. A better future needs the youth to build it. The time to start change for Cambodia’s bright future is now.

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RE SO LU TI ON S

RESOLUTIONS Resolution No. 1 S. 2019

Recognizing that Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB) is an inalienable, non-derogable human right and underscoring that violations of FoRB continue worldwide, including in Asia, member-parties of CALD commit to protect and promote FoRB as set out in international treaties, regional instruments, and domestic constitutions, as well as to work towards its realization; maintain that FoRB should not be used to limit or restrict other rights unjustifiably; strongly condemn all forms of violence, persecution, discrimination, harassment, and marginalization committed in the name of religion; advocate for accountability and remedies for individuals and communities suffering from abuses because of their religion or beliefs; and affirm that religious freedom and tolerance are fundamental to open and multicultural societies that Liberals and Democrats aspire for. Adopted 12 June

Resolution No. 2 S. 2019 (Joint Resolution of the ASEAN Parliamentarians for Human Rights and CALD)

APHR and CALD, emphasizing the worsening state of democracy, human rights, and the rule of law in Asia and elsewhere, with one facet of this regression being the continuing and intensifying repression of democratically elected political opposition, request the ASEAN InterParliamentary Assembly to raise this issue and urge it to work through all diplomatic channels to call on Southeast Asian governments and in particular Phnom Penh and Manila to reverse their course vis-a-vis the political opposition by immediately releasing Kem Sokha in Cambodia and Leila de Lima in the Philippines, dropping all politically motivated charges against other opposition parliamentarians, rights advocates and activists, journalists, and others, and respecting people’s right to freedom of expression, peaceful assembly, and association; defend the right of all in ASEAN to have an alternative voice in government and an opposition free from fear of reprisal; uphold the importance of political opposition in the work of parliaments and in multi-party democracy; and continue to work together and support each other as defenders of democracy, human rights, and the rule of law. Adopted 23 August

Resolution No. 3 S. 2019

Commending the people of Hong Kong for the calm and peaceful conduct of District Council Elections on 24 November, where nearly three million cast their votes that resulted in a record-breaking turnout of 71.2 percent, CALD member-parties congratulate CALD Individual Member Chung-Kai Sin and his colleagues from the Democratic Party of Hong Kong and the broader pro-democracy camp for their landslide victory in the elections; continue to support and work with Hong Kong leaders who promote and stand for democracy, human rights, and rule of law; call on the Hong Kong government to find compromise in addressing the political conflict and to commit itself to sustainable and democratic political reforms; continue to fight for freedom of assembly, freedom of expression, and the conduct of free and fair elections based on universal suffrage; and strengthen liberal parties and networks in Asia and across regions to safeguard democracy, defend truth, and uphold liberal principles against authoritarian, illiberal, and populist incursions. Adopted 26 November

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STATEMENT & LETTERS The nearly simultaneous political turmoil in Hong Kong and Cambodia had CALD working overtime producing statements throughout 2019 – nine in all, with four on Hong Kong and five involving Cambodia. CALD’s first statement for the year, in fact, was prompted by the issuance of arrest warrants against the eight leaders of the Cambodia National Rescue Party, an active CALD member. Dated 19 March, the CALD statement noted that the warrants were released not long after it became known that Cambodian Premier Hun Sen in a leaked private message had told government officials that all members of the opposition must be “completely destroy(ed)...We cannot let them stay alive”. Calling the opposition members “traitors”, Hun Sen also said, “We cannot let them return to compete in the 2022 and 2023 elections. I will not compromise.”

an engagement in Indonesia, but was barred by immigration authorities at the international airport in Kuala Lumpur. Her party mates and family then lost contact with her. Three days earlier, two Cambodian activists bound for Thailand had also been detained

by Malaysian authorities.

In its statement penned the same day as Mu Sochua’s detention in Kuala Lumpur, CALD also urged ASEAN and its member-states “to respect and promote the principles of democracy and human rights, as embodied in the ASEAN Charter”.

“The persecution of the political opposition in Cambodia is, without a doubt, in contravention of these principles, and ASEAN’s deafening silence on this issue certainly diminishes its unity, credibility, and centrality in the region,” it added. “ASEAN’s leaders’ invocation of the principle of ‘noninterference’ should not be an excuse for inaction on what are clearly violations of the fundamental values it claims to uphold.”

In 2017, then CNRP President Kem Sokha had been arrested for allegedly conspiring with the United States to overthrow Hun Sen. The government then managed to get CNRP dissolved and at least 118 of its leaders banned from politics for five years. Kem Sokha was subsequently released after a year, but was placed under house arrest for another year before being finally released on bail.

Apparently, Malaysia, along with Indonesia, eventually realized this – a development recognized

by CALD in its last two statements involving Cambodia in 2019. Indeed, in its 13 November statement, CALD, while reiterating its call for the safe return of CNRP officials to Cambodia, expressed gratitude to the Malaysian government for its “open and fervent support to CALD full-member, the Cambodia National Rescue Party....”

CALD in its statement said that it was “deeply concerned about the systematic political intimidation being used by the Hun Sen government to eradicate all traces of the CNRP”. It thus called on “all democratic governments and signatories of the Paris Peace Accords to fulfil their obligations in ensuring the protection and promotion of human rights, democratic principles, and the holding of periodic free, fair, and just elections”.

Days earlier, Mu Sochua had been released after being detained for two hours at the Kuala Lumpur international airport. She would join other CNRP officials, including Sam Rainsy, in an 11 November meeting with Malaysian Foreign Minister Saifuddin Abdullah. The CNRP delegation would also be received in the Malaysian Parliament by Nurul Izzah Anwar of Permatang Pauh and other legislators.

Such actions by Malaysian officials, said CALD in its statement, “prove that democratic principles and values can forge relations that go beyond state interests and diplomatic protocols”.

On 31 October, CALD released another statement regarding Cambodia, this time calling for the safe return of opposition leader Sam Rainsy to his homeland. The CNRP head, along with other members of the opposition, was planning to return to Cambodia on 9 November, the country’s Independence Day. CALD noted, though, that Sam Rainsy would be returning to a country “pervaded with political oppression, deprived of human rights and rule of law, and denied of wellfunctioning democratic institutions”. It urged the Cambodian government to “recognize the will of the people, welcome peaceful dialogue and political compromise, and give democracy a chance to rebuild a beautiful nation comprised of a hopeful people and a vibrant culture and history”.

Then on 15 November, CALD issued a statement commending Indonesia for allowing the entry of Sam Rainsy and two other CNRP officials to Jakarta on 14 November. The CNRP leaders also met with members of the Indonesian Parliament and even the chairperson of the Indonesian National Commission on Human Rights. Said CALD: “As the informal leader of (ASEAN), Indonesia’s decision to receive Sam Rainsy and his colleagues sends a strong message to its neighbouring countries that ASEAN cannot continue to turn a blind eye to authoritarianism and human-rights violations that are happening at its doorstep.”

Just a week later, CALD was issuing a statement condemning the detention of CNRP Vice President Mu Sochua and two Cambodian youth activists in Malaysia and calling for their immediate release. On 7 November Mu Sochua had gone to Malaysia after

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STATEMENT & LETTERS Throughout 2019, CALD itself had been keeping an eye on another unfolding political crisis in the region. On 13 April, it had been moved to issue a statement expressing “extreme concern” on the conviction of nine pro-democracy activists associated with Hong Kong’s 2014 Umbrella Movement. The activists would be facing up to seven years in prison for what CALD described as “antiquated common law charges of ‘incitement to public nuisance’, ‘incitement to incite public nuisance, and ‘conspiracy to public nuisance’”.

ST TE EN &L TT RS

demonstrators’ reasonable demands, particularly the withdrawal of the extradition bill” and reiterated its call for a full and independent investigation of alleged police brutality against the protesters.

“The Hong Kong government,” the CALD statement continued, “should also take proactive steps to demonstrate to its people that it is committed to protect and preserve the city’s cherished autonomy. This should include the introduction of democratic elections in choosing the Chief Executive and all members of the Legislative Council – a long-standing promise to the Hong Kong people that remains unfulfilled to this day.”

CALD said that the convictions would have “negative repercussions on the exercise of freedom of expression and freedom of assembly, and manifests Hong Kong’s rapidly eroding support for fundamental human rights and the rule of law in general”. Moreover, it said, the conviction was yet another manifestation of the “weakening of Hong Kong’s autonomy in contravention of the ‘one country, two systems’ principle enshrined in the Sino-British Joint Declaration”.

Such pleas would be in vain. On 12 November, CALD had yet another statement regarding Hong Kong, which by then had been in experiencing months of protest that had resulted in the destruction of property and loss of business, as well as warrantless arrests. Scores of people had also been injured and some had even ended up dead.

But political conditions in Hong Kong would only take a turn for the worse. On 17 June, CALD released a statement expressing its “strong support to the Hong Kong people as they continue to fight against the extradition bill that would allow suspected criminals to be sent to mainland China for trial”. The bill had sent millions of people in the streets of Hong Kong in protest earlier that month. Said CALD in its statement: “At a time when liberal and democratic values are under siege everywhere, the Hong Kong people reminded us and the world that these values are still worth fighting for.”

CALD made another call for the setting up of an “independent, impartial, and effective Commission on Inquiry with a mandate to investigate clashes in the past few months, particularly the use of live ammunitions, beanbag rounds, rubber bullets, tear gas, batons, pepper spray, among others.” But it also said, “In the same vein, violence committed by the other side should be properly investigated, tried, and prosecuted as well.”

CALD said that the Hong Kong administration should ensure that the District Council election on 24 November would push through. It pointed out, “In democracies, the ballot box has been a mechanism to settle political differences and diffuse political tension.” CALD then made an appeal to the international community to urge the Chinese government and the Hong Kong administration “to take urgent actions to de-escalate the situation in Hong Kong and to open a sincere, direct, and honest discussion with all stakeholders”.

Still, it expressed concern over the Hong Kong authorities’ use of tear gas and rubber bullets against unarmed protesters particular on 12 June, and called for an “independent and impartial probe of the incident for possible excessive use of force”.

By 14 August, CALD would have another statement on Hong Kong in which it expressed its belief that the “escalating political conflict, which has turned more violent in recent weeks, is largely due to the Hong Kong government’s failure to earnestly listen and adequately respond to the demands of its people”. It said that the Hong Kong government should take responsibility for the “worsening political crisis by taking steps to accede to the

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Letters sent by CALD in 2019 fortunately had more cheerful content. The 22 April missive to Indonesian President Joko Widodo, for instance, was a congratulatory note on his apparent re-election as chief executive of the world’s third largest democracy. CALD wrote, “We are confident that under your leadership, Indonesia as a model of democracy will continue to inspire and encourage its neighbouring countries to strengthen regional cooperation and to stand firm against authoritarianism, illiberalism, populism, and extremism.”

of the event” would not have been possible “without your valuable input in the programme and the excellent ideas and experiences you have shared with the CALD delegates”.

A letter also dated 28 August had Pingtung County Magistrate Men-An Pan as recipient. CALD thanked Pan “for gracing the event despite the typhoon” as well as for the farewell dinner he hosted for the CALD contingent. CALD also thanked the Pingtung City Government and particularly its Department of International Affairs for making the event memorable. Wrote CALD: “We commend the team for their professionalism and efficient work ethic exemplified during our stay.”

A letter dated 25 May and sent to former Thai Prime Minister Chuan Leekpai also sought to congratulate Khun Chuan on his election as Speaker of Thailand’s House of Representatives.

Said CALD: “As a seasoned legislator and leader, we trust that you will help promote progressive legislation that strengthens democratic institutions and ensures effective public service and good governance.”

“(We) want to wish you all the best in your future endeavour,” CALD also said. “Please remember that you have a family in CALD that will continue to stand for democracy and good governance with you.”

“We, your liberal family in CALD, will always support the initiatives of the Democrat Party that institutionalize and consolidate democracy and people empowerment in Thailand,” CALD added.

“With you at the helm in the Lower House, we hope that the other political parties across the spectrum will follow the excellence and integrity that you have always shown as a true democrat.”

STATEMENT & LETTERS

Just 10 days earlier, CALD had sent a congratulatory letter to another Democrat Party stalwart, Jurin Laksanawisit, who had been elected as the party’s new leader. The 15 May letter to Khun Jurin read in part: “We are hoping that under your leadership, the good relations between the DP and other CALD member-parties would continue to improve and strengthen....

In these difficult times, we need each other’s support and cooperation to counter the forces that attempt to destroy our society’s social moral fabric, and the liberal democratic values we hold dear.”

CALD also had thank-you letters for the Taiwanese hosts of the Council’s Smart City Blueprint Seminar-Workshop that was held in Pingtung County, Taiwan in August. In its 28 August letter addressed to MP Ching-Yi Lin and CALD Secretary General Chih-Wei Chen, CALD expressed its great appreciation for “all the help and assistance you have extended to us”. It also said that the “success

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SDP AT THE READY member-parties, which have had their share of successes and defeats in the polls. Lau, though, has fought and won all the seven Legislative Council elections she contested. She said, “In order to win an election, we must know what the voters want and should never blame them for not choosing us.” Lau also noted that political parties should take time to talk to ordinary people to find out what they like and dislike about the parties and what the parties can do for them.

This, she hinted, is the very essence of democracy.

Will Singapore follow Malaysia’s lead in voting out a party that has been in power since independence?

The Singapore Democratic Party is sure that day will come– and it wants to be prepared once that does happen. So on 19-21 April, serious political and party matters mixed with fun and laughter at the SDP 2019 Family Retreat in scenic Desaru Coast, Malaysia.

Like any retreat, the event was geared primarily towards providing bonding moments for party members and their families through karaoke nights, barbeque dinners, and team sports competitions. But with general elections in Singapore scheduled sometime in 2020, SDP also took the opportunity to emerge from the retreat not only refreshed and energized, but also prepared and ready to do battle.

Arlegue, for his part, remarked, “Democratic transition may take years, even decades, and it is important for opposition parties and democracy activists not to waver in their campaign so that they would be ready when it finally happens. When you feel tired, rest and let others take the cause. When you feel reinvigorated, take the cudgels again so others can rest. We must prepare for the long haul by taking care of each other.”

CALD, which counts SDP as one of its full members, was on hand to help out, with Individual Member Emily Lau of Hong Kong’s Democrat Party, as well as CALD Executive Director Lito Arlegue representing it. Four workshop sessions tackled topics like Media Relations and Party Brand Building; Secrets to a Successful Campaign; How to Win Votes; and Whither the Singapore Opposition.

SDP, it appears, is prepared for the long haul. As a competent, constructive, and compassionate opposition, it pledges to be there when the dawn of true democracy finally breaks in Singapore.

Lau and Arlegue spoke on the secrets to a successful campaign, drawing from the experiences of CALD

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POLITICS AND WOMEN DO MIX facilitated the breakaway sessions and delivered the opening address at the two-day seminar that had participants from the ALN/ALF Women’s Leadership Programme.

Women make up about half the population in many countries in Asia, Africa, and the Middle East, but their ability to participate in all aspects of society is often limited due to discrimination and societal restrictions.

In politics, for instance, women have a scant presence.

According to UN Women, the average percentage of women parliamentarians in Asia as of February 2019 was 19.8 percent; in the Arab states 19 percent; and in sub-Saharan Africa 23.9 percent. The UN agency also said that as of January 2019, only 20.7 percent of government ministers worldwide were women. Too, it said that “in 103 countries and areas with relevant data, women’s representation in elected local deliberative bodies” had a median of 26 percent.

Balaguru discussed in particular the continuing gender gap in Asia and best practices in promoting and enhancing women’s political participation and involvement. Herself a member of the Parti Gerakan Rakyat Malaysia, Balaguru stressed, “Political parties, as we all know, are training grounds for future leaders. If these leaders, through their respective political parties, are oriented properly on gender equality and women empowerment, we can expect them to embody these same principles and values once they enter the corridors of power.”

And yet, politics apparently deliver better when women are involved. For example, UN Women observed, “Women’s representation in local governments can make a difference. Research on panchayats (local councils) in India discovered that the number of drinking water projects in areas with women-led councils was 62 percent higher than in those with men-led councils. In Norway, a direct causal relationship between the presence of women in municipal councils and childcare coverage was found.”

The CALD Women’s Caucus head was also a speaker during the first in a series of expert forums of the Liberal International Human Rights Committee (LI HRC), along with ALF’s Dr. Mayada Swar El-Dahab and ALN’s Rosemary Machua. They discussed the different existing challenges for politically active women in their respective regions and shared their own experiences from their respective political parties.

“It is not about how many women are put forward as candidates but [it is] about promoting more women in winnable seats,” Balaguru pointed out. “Women should be treated for their credibility — not for their gender — and in this sense, women politicians shouldn’t have to restrict [themselves] to just women’s rights issues.”

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet has also said, “When one woman is a leader, it changes her. When more women are leaders, it changes politics and policies.”

Fortunately, all these have not been lost on CALD friend Arab Liberal Federation (ALF). On 8 – 9 March, ALF, in cooperation with the Africa Liberal Network (ALN), VDD International, and FNF, organized the seminar “Empowering Women: starting in your political party” during the ALN & ALF General Assembly in Marrakech.

“When women’s rights cease to be an issue of women exclusively and become ingrained in society,” she said, “that is the time when we can say that gender equality is achieved.”

CALD Women’s Caucus Chair and International Network of Liberal Women President, Datuk Jayanthi Devi Balaguru

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TWO FOR THE (HAND) BOOKS CALD Women’s Caucus Chair and International Network of Liberal Women President Datuk Jayanthi Devi Balaguru talked about the best practices on political inclusivity and diversity in Asia. She also observed, “It was interesting to gather that though all the experts in their respective regions concurred that women have advanced and made inroads, there remains much to be done to increase the numbers substantially and on merits. Women all over the world still experience discrimination and worse, violence.”

After the successful meeting in Marrakech, Morocco in March, the Liberal International Human Rights Committee quickly followed it up with another LI HRC Expert Forum.

In fact, the second expert forum was conducted just a few weeks later in Stockholm, Sweden, with Centerpartiet as host. The objective of the one-day forum on 14 April was to facilitate another exchange of best practices among the participants on the topic of gender-based inclusivity in liberal political parties. LI HRC also announced later that it would be putting together a political party – gender inclusivity handbook based on the forums it had conducted.

No doubt then that the upcoming LI HRC handbook would be useful. At the very least, it can address the glaring gender gap in politics by helping inspire and even create more open political environments in which both men and women can actively participate.

The speakers for the second forum came from various parts of the globe. They shared their experiences, views, concerns and suggestions on how to effectively include women in political party structures, the structural obstacles to this, how to promote inclusivity, whether women wings and gender quota are working and the state’s role in the process.

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LIBERALS GO DIGITAL commitment. He stressed at the FNF Global Innovation Hub official opening: “We as a liberal party believe in the power of economic freedom. You need economic freedom to be innovative.”

Hong Kong these days has become synonymous with protests, but underneath the current unrest is a city built by innovators and savvy entrepreneurs. Home to Asia’s leading startup hubs, it was the perfect setting for “DigitalChangeMakers19: The Power of Startups” that was held there on 3-10 July.

Meantime, the importance of other freedoms was brought home to the delegates via a dialogue with Hong Kong democracy defenders and activists who recounted the challenges they were facing. Among them was Senia Ng, a barrister from the Democratic Party of Hong Kong, who presented the composition of the parties and alliances participating in the elections and showed how votes can favour China’s interests. She also shared stories about the Umbrella Movement and how crucial circumstances led to the 2019 massive protests.

Organized by the Global Innovation Hub and FNF’s International Academy for Leadership, DCM 2019 had 19 delegates from 15 countries exchanging for a week best practices, sharing creative ideas, and promoting innovative solutions to further strengthen liberal networks and digital communities.

As FNF explained in its concept note for the workshop: “Digital usages enable new types of innovation and creativity in a totally new dimension or way, rather than simply enhancing or supporting traditional methods. ... This transformation provides a tremendous wave of opportunity to individuals who desire to shape and reimagine the world that we live in today. FNF considers StartUpEntrepreneurs as change-makers and partners who share the liberal spirit and mindset and would like to explore how we can harness their knowledge and extend our cooperation in order to offer solutions that bring more freedom to the world around us.”

Wong Yik-Mo from the Civil Human Rights Front, meanwhile, said that Hong Kong parents are more supportive of their children’s participation in protests because they understand that the students are fighting for their future.

In addition to the stimulating DCM workshops and discussions, the participants also attended the RISE Conference 2019, the largest tech conference in Asia where leaders of premier companies, influential investors and thousands of attendees from across the globe gathered to redefine technology and foster potential synergies with an extensive network of startups.

Digital activists, startup entrepreneurs, and representatives of liberal organizations – CALD included – made up the workshop participants. By DCM 2019’s end, the digital changemakers had come up with proposals focusing on identifying the trends for the next big thing, creating and sustaining a network of innovators, and building a culture to support innovation. The proposals included resourceful processes and platforms aimed at strengthening startups and liberal organizations.

Reflecting on what he experienced at DCM 2019 as a participant, CALD Programme Manager Paolo Zamora said, “I realized that innovation can be in different forms. While it’s amazing how technology can help address and alleviate social problems, innovation can also be in the form of a creative process that could bring about opportunities for action and collaboration.”

German MP Christian Lindner of the Free Democratic Party helped set the tone at the event by explaining that economic and social freedom are indivisible and that the FNF Global Innovation Hub is a testament to that

“It was,” he added, “indeed an amazing experience learning new ideas from a diverse group of creative minds.”

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THE DIFFICULTIES OF DEALING WITH DISINFORMATION however, that this was countered by fact-checking done by media organizations, enabling people to “see from both sides and understand whether the news or information that they get before is valid or not”.

How do political parties and political leaders respond to the spread of disinformation in the Digital Age? This was the key question that CALD attempted to address in the panel it organized during the International Conference on Fake News and Elections that took place on 10-12 July in Bangkok, Thailand. Spearheaded by the Asia Centre, the conference featured 13 panels, 46 presentations, and over 80 participants who discussed the different facets of fake news, its impact, as well as the possible solutions to it.

Yet while disinformation has figured prominently in Thai and Indonesian politics, particularly in their recent elections, former Hong Kong MP Emily Lau said that fake news was not a big issue yet in Hong Kong. But then, she said, that was “primarily because we do not have general elections”. Added Lau: “Our more pressing problem is self-censorship induced by Beijing’s control of mainstream news media, particularly free-to-air television which commands the largest number of viewers.”

CALD opened the conference on 10 June with the panel on “Politics in the Age of Disinformation: Parties, Elections, and Social Mobilization”, and with incumbent and former parliamentarians from Thailand, Indonesia, and Hong Kong as speakers. In their presentations, they tackled how information and communication technologies have become instruments to create, distribute, and amplify fake news, and how these, in turn, undermine the very foundations of democratic society. The CALD speakers also discussed how liberal and democratic political parties and political leaders should respond to fake news, knowing fully well that they are the usual targets of disinformation campaigns, particularly during elections.

The CALD-organized panel discussion proved to be a great introduction to the rest of the conference’s activities. On 11-12 July, a dozen panels discussed how hate speech and violence could be traced to fundamental ethnic, religious and political differences, and how digital disinformation affected countries as diverse as Australia, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Estonia, Japan, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Pakistan, the Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, South Africa, Taiwan, Thailand, United Kingdom, and United States of America. One major bone of contention was whether new legislation is needed to counter fake news, or if existing libel, slander, and defamation (tort) laws are enough. Given the weakness of judicial institutions and the rule of law in many countries in Asia, the participants also expressed concerns that government authorities might just use fake-news laws to silence the political opposition and other critics.

“One possible response to fake news is legislation, particularly in terms of promoting explainable algorithms, creating Internet codes, and instituting oversight with teeth,” said Thai MP and former CALD Secretary General Kiat Sittheeamorn. But he cautioned, “Legislation should be based on good governance principles and on liberal and democratic values as we do not want the cure to be worse than the disease.”

Khun Kiat pointed out as well: “Disinformation affects not only politics but the society at large. Given the wide-ranging scope of the problem, the possible solutions should also mobilize all stakeholders – the international community, government institutions, civil society organizations, the media, tech and social-media companies, educational institutions, even the family. A consolidated, multisectoral response might be the only way to effectively address fake news, which plagues many countries in Asia and beyond.”

Indonesian MP Deddy Sitorus of the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle meanwhile drew from his party’s experience in the April 2019 elections, and recounted that the political opposition had employed a “firehose of falsehood” against President Joko Widodo. He explained the strategy as being “propaganda based on broadcasting message rapidly, repetitively, and continuously over multiple channels without regard for truth of consistency”. He said,

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CREATIVITY AND INNOVATION NEED FREEDOM TO THRIVE For sure, Tang made it clear all the more in her address why freedom is important. A part of the government led by the Democratic Progressive Party in Taiwan, she said that innovation can only take place in an environment where people have the liberty to make choices and are free to contribute to the shaping of public policies. Moreover, she noted that the process of innovation should be “inclusive” and should “leave no one behind”. Citing the experience of Taiwan, Tang said that digitalization there ensured that broadband is a human right; in the process, she said, this contributed to the advancement of the entire Taiwanese society.

Innovation has become one of the more popular mantras in our fast-paced world, but Taiwan’s Digital Minister Audrey Tang believes there are key factors that should first be present for change geared for the better to take place.

In her keynote speech at the 15th Anniversary Congress of Red Liberal de America Latina (RELIAL) held in Buenos Aires, Argentina on 3-5 October, Tang emphasized, “Without the freedom of thought, expression, and assembly, it’s impossible to frame the issue and create a place where people can contribute novel solutions.”

A network of more than 40 members spread across 17 countries, RELIAL is regional organization for Latin America.

That Tang was giving a speech at a Latin American liberal network’s celebration was no fluke. As CALD Executive Director Lito Arlegue, who was also at the RELIAL congress, pointed out, “Latin America and Asia have a number of political, economic and societal similarities, which is why being here has always been a great learning experience.”

Atlas Network International Programmes Vice President Tom Palmer meanwhile said that innovation without freedom and equal opportunity can be more “harmful that helpful”. He added, “Most innovations, when embraced by rulers and introduced by force, are catastrophes.”

The Argentines in the congress’s audience probably knew what he meant, having experienced firsthand the effects of ‘Peronism’, a movement based on the political ideology and legacy of former Argentine President Juan Domingo Peron and his wife Eva Peron. The Peronist movement’s goal to ‘innovate’ Argentine society had disastrously led to patronage-based politics, corruption, and economic crises – problems that continue to haunt Argentina to this day.

To be sure, just like in Asia these days, many countries of Latin America are reeling from authoritarianism, populism, and illiberalism. Indeed, of the 17 countries where there are RELIAL member-organizations, four (Bolivia, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, and Paraguay) were listed by U.S.-based Freedom House in its 2019 report as being only “partly free” while three others (Cuba, Nicaragua, and Venezuela) were “not free” at all. It also said that while the “Americas are second only to Western Europe in levels of freedom and respect for human rights....a rise in violent crime and in populist governments with authoritarian tendencies has led to backsliding in several countries”.

Then again, the Argentines are hardly the only ones who have gone through what Palmer had described. Observed CALD’s Arlegue: “The reality is in many Latin American, Asian, and even African societies, institutions are either weak or non-existent. The weakness of institutions makes these societies more susceptible to the appeal of populists and strongmen, and in the process, set aside, if not utterly disregard, democratic principles and processes.

The lack of democratic principles and processes, in turn, stunt creativity and innovation.”

“Among other serious human-rights issues,” Freedom House continued, “parts of the region suffer from threats to freedom of the press, including violence against journalists, and infringements on freedoms of association and assembly.”

RELIAL President Ricardo Gomes himself noted during the congress’s opening: “Freedom is not easily won or retained and that’s why RELIAL exists.”

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Cambodia’s Opposition Will Emerge Stronger than Ever

by Sam Rainsy

CA M BODI A

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the Paris Peace Agreements of 1991, and may threaten the security of the region. Hun Sen imagines that the exchange of letters with Trump was the prelude to a warmer relationship with the United States – as if an illegal, covert Chinese military presence in Cambodia is a matter that the U.S. administration is likely to forget.

THE MOST important development in Cambodia’s politics in 2019 was the decision to put the leader of the opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party Kem Sokha on trial for “treason”, despite the lack of any evidence to support the charge.

The move is a miscalculation by Prime Minister Hun Sen on several levels. Firstly, he misunderstands the principled determination of Kem Sokha, who endured a year a prison before being placed under house arrest. Secondly, he misreads the intentions of the European Union, which has threatened to withdraw Cambodia’s free-trade access to EU markets under the Everything But Arms (EBA) programme.

This would be a devastating blow to Cambodia’s exportdriven economy and would cause the loss of hundreds of thousands of jobs. Any responsible leader would seek to avoid it. But the EU is united on the issue, and has enough experience with Hun Sen not to be deceived by his sleight of hand. Thirdly, Hun Sen fails to grasp the extent to which his decisions have led to his own isolation with the ruling Cambodian People’s Party (CPP). Many sober heads within the party now understand that Hun Sen’s plan to hold on to absolute power for as long as possible, before handing over to his son Hun Manet, does not represent a viable future for our country.

In the meantime, my own return for Cambodia to help restart the process of democracy has been delayed. I was scheduled to return by 9 November, our national day of independence. But on 1 November, Cambodia’s civil aviation authority issued a directive banning any airline from flying me into the country, and threatened “serious consequences” for any company that did so. My return would have compelled Hun Sen to arrest me — and then for him to face the international consequences.

My next plan was to enter Cambodia by land via Thailand.

I wanted to march across the border with Cambodian migrants in a shared, peaceful return from exile. A few hours before my departure from Paris planned for 7 November, the Thai Prime Minister, General Prayut Chan-o-cha, personally told the press in Bangkok that he would not be allowing me to enter his country. In doing so, he complied with Hun Sen’s request to block my route.

At Charles de Gaulle airport in Paris on 7 November, I was denied access to a Thai Airways flight to Bangkok despite having a valid ticket. I travelled instead for meetings in Malaysia, which has proved that democratic transition is possible even after decades of rule by a single party, and to Indonesia, which had played a key role in brokering the Paris Peace Agreements in 1991.

Kem Sokha’s arrest in September 2017 had been used as the pretext for the arbitrary dissolution of the CNRP. The party had succeeded in scoring 44 percent in both the national election of 2013 and the local elections of 2017. Given Hun Sen’s control over the National Election Committee at the time, these results should be taken as the level of CNRP support that he was supposed to have been publicly prepared to acknowledge.

With that international treaty and its prescription for a pluralist system of democracy in Cambodia in tatters, sustained international engagement is again needed if our country is to finally move forward. Bluster and brinkmanship have served Hun Sen well over the years, but these tactics have passed their sell-by date. The only viable path out of our political crisis is for Kem Sokha to be acquitted in court, or for the charges against him to be dropped.

Pressing ahead with this bogus trial is a misuse of our country’s judicial system, which remains under the orders of the executive. The trial, Hun Sen hopes, will allow the partnership between Kem Sokha and myself to be broken.

That partnership in 2012 led to the creation of the CNRP, Cambodia’s first united democratic opposition. The government’s aim is for a rubber-stamp fake conviction to be quickly followed by a royal “pardon” for the imaginary crime. Kem Sokha has filed an appeal against the decision to move to trial.

If this happens, it will lead automatically to the reinstatement of the CNRP. There are no other grounds for its continued dissolution. My mission to return to Cambodia and the reinstatement of democratic politics in the country have been delayed — but not for long.

International isolation is now a serious threat facing Cambodia. In November, U.S. President Donald Trump wrote to Hun Sen, saying that it was important for the future of the bilateral relationship to restore democratic governance, and that his decisions had placed the country’s sovereignty at risk. This was a clear reference to the decision by Hun Sen to allow China to use the Ream Naval Base on Cambodia’s southern coast. The move violates our constitution and

Sam Rainsy is co-founder with Kem Sokha of the Cambodia National Rescue Party and is its interim president.

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Putting Money Where Its Mouth Is DEMOCR AT

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THAILAND HAS always taken pride in its robust agricultural sector. But due to the global economic slowdown and the decline in the world’s market demand — combined with the oversupply of Thai farm products — relying solely upon the market price has not been enough for the Thai farmers to put food on the table.

The Democrat Party saw the need to introduce the Income-Guarantee Scheme as a necessary instrument to support Thai farmers’ well-being. The scheme is built on the successes of earlier guaranteed-income programme for rice farmers initiated by the Democrat Party government in 2008-2011.

With the Income Guarantee Scheme, Thai farmers will receive money from two streams of revenues: the sales income and the compensation or ‘price differences’ paid by the Thai government through the Bank of Agriculture and the Agricultural Cooperatives.

The scheme offers income guarantee for rice, tapioca, oil palm, rubber, and maize growers, the majority of the nation’s agricultural population.

It is vital to note the distinction between price guarantee and DP’s income-guarantee scheme. The price-guarantee policy is a market distortion as the government intervenes in the market and directly controls the crop prices. By contrast, the ongoing income-guarantee scheme is merely a compensation of the differences between the actual market price and the guaranteed income to eligible farmers. The scheme is therefore strictly in compliance with the principles of the World Trade Organization.

Currently, more than 1.2 million Thai farmers have benefited from the scheme with the total compensation worth THB 1.7 billion. It is expected to assist some 3.9 million families who are within the scope of the programme. DP, however, recognizes the need to increase domestic demand and expand export markets, and is currently putting all its efforts to promote local consumption and identify emerging foreign markets.

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Still Seeing 20/20 on Rights and Freedoms L I B ER A L

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PH I L I PPI N ES

ON 20 November, the Liberal Party of the Philippines condemned the 1,000th day of Senator Leila de Lima’s unjust detention. Sen. de Lima, whose sole “crime” was standing up against the Duterte administration’s bloody war on drugs, remains hard at work alongside the rest of the party’s leadership in fighting for freedom, rights, and dignity amidst an increasingly authoritarian regime.

Marcos’s many attempts at discrediting VP Robredo’s triumph in the 2016 presidential elections has succeeded thus far. LP has likewise been at the forefront of ensuring that moves to install a “Revolutionary Government” or to change the Constitution— widely seen as a pretext to extend term limits and undermine the electoral process— are thwarted.

LP has focused on:

Becoming a people’s party

Protecting human rights

During the May 2019 senatorial elections, LP led a coalition that put together a slate of eight candidates who were carefully selected for their integrity, competence, and commitment to upholding freedoms, rights, and democracy in the country. Despite running low on resources and fighting against the current administration’s well-oiled, well-funded political machinery, the coalition undertook a heroic electoral stand via a grassroots, volunteer-driven campaign. Across a hundred areas all over the country, tens of thousands of volunteers held more than a million conversations with fellow Filipinos in personal, face-to-face and door-to-door engagements.

Dubbed Project Makinig (from the Filipino word for “listen”) the effort provides the genesis for even deeper, more empathy-driven campaigns in the future.

In the three years of the current regime, the party has been among the most steadfast voices for the protection of human rights—most notably by challenging the proposals for a return of the death penalty and for the lowering the minimum age of criminal responsibility to nine years old, as well as calling for an end to murder as a primary instrument in the government’s anti-drug campaign.

Advocating for the welfare of workers and consumers In 2018, Philippine inflation rates soared to 6.7 percent – its highest since the ouster of the Marcos dictatorship.

Economists point to a variety of factors, including a stalled infrastructure programme, plummeting foreign investments, and ill-advised tax laws that have failed to take a more strategic, people-oriented view of the economy. LP leaders in the legislature have stood their ground against such policies, and continue to advocate for a fairer, more inclusive economic agenda.

The elections concluded with administration allies strengthening their stranglehold in the legislature and localities, but LP rides on Makinig’s momentum, forging onward with 62 newly-organized chapters that harness the energies of the party’s newfound and still-growing volunteer base.

The coming year shall see more of LP’s efforts at building on the promise of becoming a true people’s party, through keeping memberships open to sectors and the general, liberal-democratic public; organizing and mobilizing citizens in the grassroots; and declaring policy directions geared towards inclusiveness, dignity, and empowerment.

The country’s rice sector also hit rock bottom during the second half of 2019, when milled rice prices fell to a paltry PhP7.00 (USD 0.14) per kilo in certain parts of the primarily agricultural country—a problem worsened by the administration’s enactment of the Rice Tariffication Law, even as it failed to demonstrate the capacity to implement ample safety nets for the country’s agricultural sector. LP has insisted on a thorough review of the law, as well as on the installation of better support systems for rice farmers whose harvests have been displaced by the influx of cheaper imported rice.

Some would consider 2019 an unforgiving year: Liberals the world over bore witness to the tides of populism and authoritarianism that rose more often than they fell. But in spite of the seemingly endless stream of news about brazen corruption, rights abuses and violations, civic unrest, political persecution, and blatant disinformation, there remain bright spots of hope in the coming year, with the promise of small victories upon which bigger dreams can be anchored. After all, if numbers are anything to go by, 2020 will be a year of perfect vision – and the Liberal vision has never been clearer.

Defending democracy and the rule of law The party has also successfully held the fort against the administration and its allies’ many attempts at consolidating power. Party Chairperson and Philippine Vice President Leni Robredo’s victory in 2016 remains firm despite the bogus electoral protest filed against her by defeated candidate Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ Marcos Jr., son of the late dictator Ferdinand Marcos. Not one of Mr.

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Fines, Fake News, and False Starts SI NG A POR E

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Singapore’s new fake-news law or the Protection from Online Falsehoods and Manipulation Act (POFMA) also had as its first victim a member of an opposition party.

The law was passed on 8 May 2019 and came into effect nearly five months later, on 2 October. On 25 November, the finance minister ordered Brad Bowyer, a member of the Progress Singapore Party, to correct his Facebook post that in general questioned the independence of the country’s sovereign wealth fund and the state investment fund, Temasek. The finance minister did not show proof that Bower’s statement was false, but POFMA allows any minister to make such an order even without showing proof that a posting is fake.

FOR THE Singapore Democratic Party, the year 2019 started off with lots of anticipation for the General Elections (GE) but ended at an anticlimax as the GE did not materialize.

The People’s Action Party (PAP) government has a track record of calling for sudden elections. It is not uncommon for the GE to be called barely 14 days prior to the polling day. As such SDP took no chance and started its preparation in February as there were signs of an imminent election. But PAP apparently changed its mind.

PAP is the ruling party that weaponizes the law against its political opponents, activists, and anyone who is critical of the government. For example, SDP Vice Chairman John Tan and NGO activist Jolovan Wham were sentenced in April with a fine of SGD 5,000 (about USD 3,700) each and were also ordered to pay cost of about SGD 7,000 (about USD 5,000) for “scandalizing the judiciary”.

The POFMA has a further effect that had not been anticipated: that Google would ban political advertising in Singapore, which it did on 2 December. At least, that was the reason Google gave for the ban. In June, the SDP had visited Google’s local office at the latter’s invitation. Although SDP had assumed that the invite was part of Google’s marketing effort to get the party to place advertisements on Google’s platforms, it was unexpectedly and abruptly informed by Google that the tech giant was poised to review its policy pertaining to political advertising. The SDP is at the moment trying to get to the bottom of the matter.

The sentence made Tan ineligible to contest in the next election as the draconian law disallows anyone who is fined SGD 2,000 to run for polls for five years. Tan and Wham are presently appealing against the judgement.

Separately, Tan filed an original summon to have the court declare his eligibility to contest in the elections because “scandalizing the judiciary” is a form of contempt of court, which is quasi-criminal in nature and not a criminal offence. His case was dismissed by the judge in November.

Tan is currently appealing against the dismissal.

For sure, 2019 had been “interesting” for SDP. But although the GE did not happen this year, SDP is gratified that it had started it preparation early. It has updated and launched its manifesto, beefed up its number of volunteers, intensified its ground campaign, and run a preelection rally. Now it stands confident of running a strong campaign. The SDP is ready for GE, whenever and however they will be held.

In 2018, Wham had made a comment on Facebook about the independence of the Singapore judiciary. After Wham was charged by the Attorney General, Tan posted a comment on Facebook that said the Attorney General’s action merely confirmed that what Wham said was true. For that single-sentence comment, Tan was jointly charged with Wham.

Another blow dealt on the opposition by Singapore’s courts involved a seat vacated in a constituency that the SDP had contested. In 2017, former PAP MP HalimahYacob became the President of Singapore through a convoluted amendment to the constitution. But the Prime Minister had refused to call for a by-election to fill the seat she had vacated. SDP Assistant Treasurer Wong Souk Yee filed a suit for a by-election to be held. In January 2018, the court found for the government. Subsequently, in April 2019, the Court of Appeal dismissed Wong’s appeal against the first decision despite her assertion that Singapore citizens have a fundamental right to be represented by an MP who is elected by them.

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CALD ELECTION MISSION TO INDONESIA Khoirunnisa Nur Agustyati Deputy Director Program Perludem Hasto Kristiyanto Secretary General Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle Hanif Dhakiri Secretary General Nation Awakening Party Dewi S. Sari Operational Director MAFINDO Aribowo Sasmito Director MAFINDO Michael Umbas Director Jokowi Rumah Aspirasi Robert Endi Jaweng Executive Director Regional Autonomy Watch Taruna Merah Putih PDIP Youth Wing Anhar Jamal Senior Adviser International Foundation for Electoral System

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Sungeun Lim Program Manager, Korea Office Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom, South Korea

Bi-khim Hsiao, MP CALD Chairperson Member, Legislative Yuan, Taiwan Chih-Wei Chen CALD Secretary General Deputy Director for International Affairs, Democratic Progressive Party, Taiwan

Monthip Sriratana Tabucanon Director, Climate Change Research Strategies Centre, National Research Council, Thailand Ching-Yi Lin, MP Director, Department of International Affairs Democratic Progressive Party, Taiwan Pimrapaat Dusadeeisariyakul Program Manager, Thailand Office Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom, Thailand Francis Gerald Abaya, MP Member, House of Representatives, Philippines Kiat Sittheeamorn, MP Vice President, Liberal International Former CALD Secretary General, Thailand

Li-Hsueh Wu Deputy Magistrate Pingtung County Democratic Progressive Party, Taiwan Meng-Liang Hsieh Research and Evaluation Department Deputy Director, Pingtung County, Taiwan

Celito Arlegue CALD Executive Director, Philippines

John Jung-hoon Lee, PhD Professor of Technology & Innovation Management Graduate School of Information Yonsei University, South Korea

Jayanthi Devi Balaguru Chairperson, CALD Women’s Caucus President, International Network for Liberal Women Parti Gerakan Rakyat Malaysia, Malaysia

Ching-Yi Lin, MP Director, Department of International Affairs Democratic Progressive Party, Taiwan

Jeremiah Tomas Secretary-General, CALD Youth Vice President for International Affairs, Liberal Party – Youth, Philippines Prinn Panitchakdi Deputy Leader Democrat Party, Thailand Trisha Lord Lecturer, The South African College of Applied Psychology Founder, Brave Heart Life, South Africa Pimrapaat Dusadeeisariyakul Program Manager, Thailand Office Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom, Thailand

Therese “Gang” Badoy Capati Executive Director, Rock Ed Philippines

Charles Kurowski AcceliCITY 2018 Program Director Leading Cities, USA

Kent Chang Open Life Fashion Intelligence Ltd., Taiwan General Manager, Pingtung County, Taiwan

Siripa Nan Intavichein CALD Youth Chairperson Democrat Party, Thailand

Celito F. Arlegue Executive Director Council of Asian Liberals and Democrats

Karl Heinz Paque Chairman Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom, Germany

Christian Taaks Head of Korea Office, Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom, Germany

CALD SMART CITY BLUEPRINT

Moritz Kleine-Brockhoff Head, Regional Office Southeast and East Asia Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom, Thailand

Mardi Seng Former Senator Sam Rainsy Party, Cambodia

Hakima El Haité President, Liberal International (LI) Mouvement Populaire, Morocco

39TH CALDEXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING

CALD YOUTH POLITICAL ACADEMY 2019

Li-Hsueh Wu Deputy Magistrate, Pingtung County Democratic Progressive Party, Taiwan Chih-Wei Chen CALD Secretary General Deputy Director for International Affairs, Democratic Progressive Party, Taiwan Audrey Tang Digital Minister, Taiwan Sung-eun Lim Program Manager, South Korea Office Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom, South Korea Jed Elroy Rendor Policy and Research Staff Center for Liberalism and Democracy, Philippines Supasith Limsakul Member, Committee on Policies and Strategies Democrat Party, Thailand Chang Yu-hsuan Independent Researcher, Taiwan Open Culture Foundation Charles Kurowski Leading Cities Advisor, USA

Abhisit Vejjajiva Former Prime Minister, Thailand Former CALD Chairperson

Men-An Pan Magistrate, Pingtung, Taiwan

Jan Ramos Pandia Head of Business Development Qlue, Indonesia

Bi-khim Hsiao CALD Chairperson Member of Parliament, Taiwan

Kiat Sittheeamorn Member of Parliament, Democrat Party, Thailand Vice President, Liberal International

Pin Chuan Chou Mayor, Chao Zhou Township Pingtung, Taiwan

Chito Gascon Chairperson, Commission on Human Rights, Philippines Florian Rehm Founder, Wildchain, Thailand

Ronnie Dadivas Mayor, Roxas City, Philippines Jiang Guo-Feng Water Resource Department Director Pingtung County Government Yin Feng-Lan Research and Evaluation Department Director Pingtung County Government Yen Xing-Yuan Environment Protection Bureau Director-General Pingtung County Government

Sang-Baek “Chris” Kang, PhD Korea Local Information Research and Development Institute, South Korea

Liu Mei-Shu Social Welfare Department Director Pingtung County Government

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SPEAKERS & SESSION CHAIRS 10TH CALD COMMUNICATIONS WORKSHOP

40th CALD EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING

Hng Chee Wey Honorary Treasurer and Penang State Secretary Parti Gerakan Rakyat Malaysia (PGRM)

Ching-Yi Lin, MP Director, Department of International Affairs Democratic Progressive Party, Taiwan

Tesa de Vela Executive Director Women and Gender Institute (WAGI) Monique Renuka Badloe Coach, Speech Republic Natascha Jacobsz Coach, Speech Republic Almut Besold Head of Office, Friedrich Naumann Foundation, Indonesia & Malaysia Nangamso Kwinana Coordinator Africa Liberal Network Siripa Nan Intavichein Chairperson, CALD Youth Democrat Party (DP), Thailand Chompoonute Nakornthap Member, Foreign Affairs Committee Democrat Party (DP), Thailand Maria Isabelle Climaco-Salazar Mayor, Zamboanga City Liberal Party of the Philippines Jayanthi Devi Balaguru Chairperson, CALD Women’s Caucus, Malaysia Parti Gerakan Rakyat Malaysia (PGRM) Stefka Miteva Coordinator, Regional Dialogue Programmes & Project Management Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom Regional Office East and Southeast Europe, Bulgaria Zhi Yi Ooi Chief Executive Officer, SEDAR Institute, Malaysia

Bi-khim Hsiao CALD Chairperson Member, Legislative Yuan Democratic Progressive Party, Taiwan Jeremiah Tomas CALD Youth Secretary General Liberal Party Youth, Philippines Chih-Wei Chen CALD Secretary General Deputy Director for International Affairs Democratic Progressive Party, Taiwan Wen-Jia Luo Secretary General Democratic Progressive Party, Taiwan Pierre Gearra Arab Liberal Federation National Liberal Party, Lebanon Dirk Kunze Regional Director, Middle East and North Africa Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom, Germany Armin Reinartz Head of Office, Global Innovation Hub Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom, Hong Kong Siripa Nan Intavichein Chairperson, CALD Youth Democrat Party, Thailand Frank Van Dalens CEO, E-Canvasser Chaiperson, Political Academy, The Netherlands Max Chen Public Policy Manager Facebook, Taiwan

Chung-Kai Sin CALD Individual Member Former Member of Legislative Council (Information Technology Sector), Hong Kong

Jaslyn Go Singapore Democratic Party

Edwin Lacierda Co-Founder, PayMongo Former Presidential Spokesperson, President Benigno Simeon Aquino III (2010-2016), Philippines

John Nery Philippine Daily Inquirer, Philippines

Audrey Tang Digital Minister, Taiwan Jason Rivera Gonzales Member of the Provincial Board, 3rd district of Iloilo Province Director General, Liberal Party of the Philippines Shwu-Feng Tsay Director General, Department of Nursing and Health Care Ministry of Health and Welfare, Taiwan Heng-Hsin Tung National Yang-Ming University, Taiwan Emily Lau Chairperson, International Affairs Committee, Democratic Party Former Member of Legislative Council, Hong Kong Jonathan Moakes Vice-President of Campaigns, Greenberg Quinlan Rosner (GQR) Former Chief Executive & Chief Strategist, Democratic Alliance, South Africa Putri Ayu Anisya Member, Regional People’s Representative Council South Tangeran, Banten Province Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle, Indonesia Mahmoud El Alaily Party Leader, Free Egyptians Party Former President, Arab Liberal Federation

Janice Wong Oi Foon Wanita Chief Parti Gerakan Rakyat Malaysia (PGRM) Majidah Hashim Communications Manager Sisters In Islam, Malaysia Kajel Kaur Miss Earth Malaysia 2019, Malaysia Angelin Boo, Principle Lead Trainer LeadWorkz

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Rosalind Liu CoFacts, Taiwan

Nangamso Kwinana Coordinator Africa Liberal Network, South Africa Silvia Mercado Coordinator Red Liberal De America Latina, Bolivia Francis Gerald Abaya Member of House of Representatives Liberal Party, Philippines Bambang Harymurti Senior Journalist Former Chief Editor of Tempo, Indonesia Sarah Elago Member, ASEAN Parliamentarians for Human Rights Member of House of Representatives, Philippines Huwaidiyah Pitsuwan Useng Former Member of Parliament Democrat Party, Thailand Robin Ramcharan Executive Director Asia Centre, Thailand Zachary Lampell Legal Advisor International Centre for Non-Profit Law, United States Emil Kirjas Former Secretary General, Liberal International Former State Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Macedonia

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Democrat Party of Thailand

Contact Kiat Sittheamorn Former CALD Secretary General Chairperson of Foreign Affairs Committee Issara Sereewatthanawut Deputy Secretary General 67 Setsiri Road, Samsannai Phayathai, Bangkok 100400, Thailand T +66 2 828 1000 F +66 2 828 1001 public@democrat.or.th www.democrat.or.th F DemocratPartyTH

Introducing the People’s Agenda

The Democrat Party (DP), 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 70 years ago, the Democrat Party has held ideologies that oppose all forms of dictatorship, and is committed to the promotion of democracy for the people, and most importantly by the people. The survival and existence of the DP has not come easily. The Party had to go through political struggles throughout its history that has four periods:

Throughout its history, the DP has always stood firm on the principles of democracy, freedom, transparency, accountability and public participation.

These principles, as stipulated in the Party Guidelines, have guided the Party in the last seven decades, and will continue to guide it for many years and generations to come.

DP 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, and by the people”, which highlights the point that “People must come first”.

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 Coalition Government

population, debt relief and access to micro-credits, and social and health security scheme had been launched when they were in government.

Leaders Jurin Laksanawisit Party Leader Chalermchai Sri-on Secretary General

The Party has assured the inclusiveness of its socio-economic policy and measures. Programs such as 15 years of free education, incomeguarantee initiative for farming

Democratic Progressive Party The Democratic Progressive Party of Taiwan (DPP) was founded on 28 September 1986 by political, social, and human-rights activists, along with defence lawyers of political prisoners.

It was then Martial Law, and Taiwan was under the authoritarian regime of Chinese Nationalist Party (KMT), which had lost the Chinese Civil War.

Contact Chih-wei Chen Deputy Director, Department of International Affairs 10F, No.30 Beiping E.Rd., Taipei, Taiwan T +866 2 23929989 F +866 2 23930342 www.dpp.org.tw F dpptaiwan

percent of Taiwan’s population reside in a DPP-governing city or county.

The year 2016 actually marked the 30th anniversary of the party’s founding. Coincidentally, in January 2016, under the leadership of its Chairperson Dr. Tsai Ing-wen, the party won a majority in the Legislative Yuan, clinching 68 of the 113 seats. This was the first time in Taiwan’s political history that the legislature experienced a political transition. Dr. Tsai, DPP’s standard bearer in the elections, and her running mate Dr. Chen Chien-jen meanwhile garnered 6.89 million votes or 56.1 percent of the total.

This meant Dr. Tsai would become Taiwan’s first female president.

Through social and political movements, and participation in elections, the founders of DPP risked their freedom and their lives to champion a democratic Taiwan. Indeed, DPP played an important role in the consolidation of Taiwan’s democracy.

In 2000, DPP captured the presidency. From 2000 to 2008, DPP continued to push for freedom of expression, gender equality, social and transitional justice, judicial impartiality, and democracy. DPP also gained valuable experience and lessons as a young party during its eight years of governance.

In 2017 DPP pushed through many reforms and progressive laws, including pension reform, a forward-looking infrastructure plan, transitional justice acts, and other important policies geared towards a better Taiwan.

In 2018, Taiwan held its nationwide nine-in-one local elections. President Tsai Ing-wen stepped down as DPP chairperson after the party’s landslide defeat. Tsai was temporarily replaced

by Keelung mayor Lin Yu-chang.

In 2014, DPP won Taiwan’s ninein-one elections – the largest local polls in Taiwan’s democratic political history – by a landslide. DPP took 13 out of the 22 cities and counties, including four out of six special municipalities. The election was DPP’s best poll showing yet since its founding. At that time, more than 70

Former Executive Yuan Secretary General Cho Jung-tai assumed

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his tenure as DPP chairman on 9 January 2019. The party will continue to uphold the ideology and spirit it was built on, progressively reform, and take new political developments into account, to ensure the prosperity, peace, and happiness of citizens of Taiwan.

DPP plans to further deepen Taiwan’s democracy and safeguard for the Taiwanese people. Internationally, DPP continues to promote and strengthen the principles of democracy, and advocate for human rights and good governance through close alliances with democratic countries around the world.

DPP is a founding member of CALD and member of Liberal International.

Leaders Cho Jung-tai Chairperson Luo Wen-jia Secretary General

Liberal Party of the Philippines The Liberal Party of the Philippines is a founding member of the Council of Asian Liberals and Democrats. It is a full member of Liberal International.

Since its founding in 1946, the LP has championed freedom, justice, and the dignity and rights of the individual. At great cost to its stalwarts and members, it stood among the few voices of dissent during the dark days of the Marcos dictatorship.

Contact Jason Gonzales Acting Director General Liberal Party of the Philippines Lower Ground Floor, AGS Building, EDSA, Guadalupe Nuevo, Southbound, Makati City, Philippines M +63 917 857 4858 T +63 2 709 3826 T +63 2 709 3817 F +63 2 709 3829 www.liberal.ph F LiberalPartyPhilippines

• D efending democracy and the rule of law, advocating for the integrity of the electoral process, and standing its ground against attempts to undermine democratic institutions to consolidate power.

The LP forges onward by harnessing the energy of a massive volunteer base that was at the heart of its unconventional election campaign in the midterm elections of 2019. It builds on the promise of becoming a true people’s party through opening memberships to the general, liberal democratic public and key sectors of society; organizing and mobilizing citizens in the grassroots; and declaring policy directions geared towards inclusiveness, dignity, and empowerment.

To this day, the LP upholds its legacy as the only major political party standing its ground against an increasingly authoritarian, populist regime. Its leaders and members have consistently adhered to the Party’s thrusts: • Protecting human rights, as it did in challenging the return of the death penalty and lowering the minimum age of criminal responsibility, and in calling for an end to murder as the primary instrument of the government’s anti-drug campaign;

Leaders Benigno Aquino III Chairman Emeritus Leni Robredo Chairperson Franklin Drilon Vice Chairperson Francis “Kiko” Pangilinan President Teddy Baguilat Vice President for Internal Affairs Lorenzo Tanada III Vice President for External Affairs Christopher Belmonte Secretary-General Josephine Ramirez-Sato Treasurer

• Advocating for the welfare of workers and consumers, anti-consumer and antipoor economic policies, and burdensome tax laws; and

Parti Gerakan Rakyat Malaysia Parti Gerakan Rakyat Malaysia (PGRM) was founded on 24 March 1968 as an independent party. It won the general election the following year and ruled the Penang State for the next 40 years (1969 – 2008).

Contact Hng Chee Wey International Relation and Affairs Bureau Chairman Parti Gerakan Rakyat Malaysia Level 5, PGRM, No. 8 Jalan Pudu Ulu, Cheras, 56100, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia T +60 3 9287 6868 F +60 3 9287 8866 www.gerakan.org.my F partigerakan T partigerakanrakyatmalaysia

In its 50 years of being in the Barisan Nasional, Gerakan was known as the conscience, or rather the opposition within the coalition. When Gerakan, led by Datuk Seri Mah Sew Keong, Gerakan, left the coalition in 2018, it did so because it could no longer the hegemony and arrogance of some members of the coalition who made unilateral decisions and disregarded the spirit of consensus and the need to abide by the constitution of Barisan Nasional.

After successfully forming a state government in 1969 general elections, Gerakan was invited by Tun Abdul Razak, the second prime minister of Malaysia, to join the national ruling coalition, the Alliance Party, which formed the federal government.

Gerakan with its new generation of leadership led by Datuk Dr. Dominic Hoe Chai proceeded to carve a new identity and path to be the third political choice for the Malaysians — thus initiating a new third force in Malaysia’s political landscape.

In 1972, Gerakan joined the Alliance and inspired the formation of Barisan Nasional. On 23 June 2018, Gerakan left the coalition and became an independent political party.

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Leaders Dominic Lau National President Oh Tong Keong Deputy President Mah Kah Keong Secretary General

Singapore Democratic Party

Contact Jufri Salim International Liaison to CALD, and Organising Secretary M +65 9674 8633 jufri.salim@yoursdp.org Singapore Democratic Party 3 Ang Mo Kio Street 62, #02-30, Link@AMK, Singapore T +65 6456 4531 sdp@yoursdp.org www.yoursdp.org FIYT yoursdp

The Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) was constituted in 1980. It believes in and is working towards restoring human, civil, and political rights in Singapore; cultivating a transparent and accountable political system based on free competition 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.

The Central Executive Committee (CEC) governs the party with Prof. Paul Tambyah as Chairman and Dr. Chee Soon Juan as its secretary general.

Leaders

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

Chee Soon Juan Secretary General

Paul Tambyah Chairman

In the past two general elections, the party was seen to be the most “improved” opposition party, in terms of making the largest gain in the share of votes among opposition parties.

The SDP is widely recognized as the party in Singapore that is most adept in using the Internet to bypass the state-controlled media in the city state. It uses blogging, political videos, and social media to reach out to the people. It is the first opposition in Singapore to have a youth wing (Young Democrats).

The party is in the process of crafting a policy pertaining to the protection of the environment, its latest in a series of policy papers it has drew up in the last several years.

Cambodia National Rescue Party Cambodian National Rescue Party is an electoral alliance between the two main democratic opposition parties, the Sam Rainsy Party and the Human Rights Party. It was founded in mid-2012 for the purpose of running together in the 2013 elections.

Contact Mardi Seng International Liaison to CALD Cambodia National Rescue Party House #576, National Road N2, Sangkat Chakangres Leu, Khan Mean Chey, Phnom Penh, Cambodia T +855 012 90 5775 T +855 012 92 5171 info@cnrp7.org www.cnrp7.org F CNRParty

As CNRP’s electoral momentum threatened the ruling party ahead of the 2018 parliamentary elections, court cases, widely perceived as politically motivated, were filed against its leaders, resulting in the continuing exile of Sam Rainsy and the imprisonment of Kem Sokha.

The party principles and values: are the rule of law and democracy, with social merit and harmonization, as well as mutual respect of interest. The party believes in the strengthening of freedom and human rights, institution of free and fair elections, and “rescue, serve, protect.”

In November 2017, the CNRP was dissolved by Cambodia’s high court with its 118 leaders banned from politics for 5 years. Despite this major setback, these former CNRP leaders are still exerting all their efforts, particularly by appealing to the international community, to bring Cambodia back to the democratic path.

After the 2013 elections, it became the second largest party in Cambodia, accounting to 55 seats out of the 123 seats in parliament.

In the June 2017 commune elections, CNRP received 43.83 percent of the votes cast versus 50.76 percent of the ruling Cambodian People’s Party.

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Leaders Sam Rainsy Acting President Kem Sokha President

Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle

Contact Hanjaya Setiawan Secretary of Government Affairs Department International Liaison to CALD PDI Perjuangan Jl. P. Diponegoro No. 58, Menteng, Jakarta Pusat 10310, Indonesia T +62 21 3909925 T +62 21 3900715 hanjaya@pdiperjuangan.id www.pdiperjuangan.id F DPP.PDI.Perjuangan T pdi_perjuangan

The Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI Perjuangan) came into existence as a result of the people’s struggle against the efforts of the New Order regime to hold onto power.

The year 1999 was a milestone for the party, which emerged as the winner of the general election and thus put an end to Suharto’s regime.

The sudden victory initiated a long and hard work of consolidation in the organization, from national level down to the community level.

at the forefront in supporting social diversity, pluralism, and human rights in Indonesia. We believe that equality among citizens is the basic foundation of unity in diversity.

In the current Indonesian democracy, PDI Perjuangan plays its role to fulfill people and state sovereignty by strengthening democratic institutions, mechanisms, and political practices.

PDI Perjuangan also aims for a selfsufficient economy in the globalized era to bring prosperity and social welfare to the people. A nationalist party, PDI Perjuangan maintains a political stance of pluralism, humanity, democracy, and social welfare.

The party’s ideology is based on Pancasila (Five Principles) that was first articulated by Indonesian nationalist leader Sukarno in a speech he gave on 1 June 1945. It 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.

After 10 years as an opposition party, PDI Perjuangan had its political comeback in 2014. It was during 2014 that PDI Perjuangan won around 19 percent of the votes in the parliamentary elections held that April, making it the biggest party in the legislature. Three months later, PDI Perjuangan’s Joko Widodo won the presidential polls, clinching more than 53 percent of the votes; his rival Prabowo Subianto, by comparison, garnered just less than 47 percent.

Our founding father, Ir. Sukarno, once said, “Indonesian nationalism is a nationalism that grows and flourishes in the garden of internationalism.” It is impossible to separate nationalism and internationalism; one needs the other. PDI Perjuangan thus understands the importance of international relations. We will continue to develop and strengthen mutually beneficial cooperation among countries.

In April 2015, PDI Perjuangan held its 4th Party Congress in Bali. Her Excellency Madame Megawati Soekarnoputri was re-elected as party General Chairperson.

The congress also solidified the party’s decision to become a major supporter and partner to the current government. In addition, the party restructured the organization in

As the vanguard force that raises Pancasila’s banners high, PDI Perjuangan faces constant challenges on becoming the uniting power of Indonesia. PDI Perjuangan is always

34 provinces, over 550 regencies/ cities, more than 6,000 subdistricts, and down to tens of thousands at the village/community level.

In April 2019, incumbent President Joko Widodo was the party's presidential candidate running for a second term, with Ma'ruf Amin as his running mate. Widodo was re-elected with 55.50% of the vote. PDI-P remains the largest party in the People’s Representative Council, with 128 seats, and 418 in the Provincial People's Regional Representative Council.

PDI Perjuangan is not merely an electoral party, it is an ideological party. The biggest challenge that the party faces is to make Pancasila our living and working ideology, or something we practice in our daily life. For us victory is only a stepping stone towards our ultimate goal: a just and prosperous society, in a united yet diverse Indonesia.

Leaders Megawati Soekarnoputri General Chairperson Hasto Kristiyanto Secretary General

Civil Will Green Party of Mongolia

Contact Monsor Nyamdavaa International Liaison to CALD Civil Will Green Party of Mongolia Freedom Square Orange Plaza – 606 P.O Box – 90 Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia T +97611319006 F +97611319006 nyamdavaa.monsor@gmail.com

The Civil Will Party (CWP) the precursor of the current Civil Will Green Party (CWGP) was established on March 9, 2000 when Oyun Sanjaasuren was elected as the Chairman and Z. Narmandakh as the Secretary General. The party won their first seat in the parliamentary election 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 student organizations. In January 2006, the special session of the Fourth National Convention 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 election which resulted in victory. Elbegdorj Tsakhia was elected president of Mongolia.

The CWGP consists of the following organizations: the National Convention which is gathered once in every four years; the National Committee which consists of 200 members gathered annually; the Political Council 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 General.

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

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Leaders Gankhuyag Chairman

Indonesia’s Nation Awakening Party

Contact Partai Kebangkitan Bangsa (PKB) Jl. Raden Saleh No. 9, Central Jakarta, Indonesia T +62 21 314 5238 F +62 21 314 5329 dpp@pkb.or.id www.pkb.or.id F DPP PKB T DPP_PKB

The Nation Awakening Party or Partai Kebangkitan Bangsa (PKB) was founded on 23 July 1998 in the Ciganjur, South Jakarta at the residence of KH. Abdurrahman Wahid, Indonesia’s first democratically elected president. Wahid was also the head of the Council of Scholars, Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), Indonesia’s largest Muslim organization, in which its members, the nahdliyyin, formed the party’s base support. The five key leaders who were instrumental during the party inception were KH. Munasir Ali, KH Ilyas Ruchiyat, KH. Abdurrahman Wahid, KH. A. Musthofa Bisri and KH. Muhith Muzadi.

while others including the United Development Party (PPP) and Party of the Fuctional Groups (Golkar).

Legal Affairs: To establish and develop a civilized state law that is able to protect all its citizens; To affirm human rights and social justice;

The coalition has 388 seats in Parliament, with 128 seats from PDI P, 85 seats from Golkar, 58 seats from PKB, 39 seats from PPP, 59 seats from Nasdem and 19 seats from PPP.

Social and Cultural Affairs: To endeavor in building an advanced culture and modernity while maintaining the nation’s identity for the sake of elevating the dignity of the nation; Educational Sector: To strive to improve the quality of the human resources to be of noble character, independent, skilled, professional, and critical towards the surrounding social environment ; To seek the establishment of a national education system that is welfare-oriented, affordable, and sustainable; and

PKB’s vision are: 1) to realize the desired ideals of independence of the Republic of Indonesia as stated in the Preamble of the 1945 Constitution; 2) to realize a just and prosperous society; and 3) to establish democratic, clean and honourable national politics.

Defense: To build awareness of the obligation of every citizen to participate in the national defense effort; To encourage the establishment of community of self-defense against treatment that creates a feeling of insecurity, from either individuals or certain institutions in society.

The mission of party includes: Religious Sector: To increase piety to the Almighty God by serving the society, nation and state; Political Affairs: To maintain the Unitary of the Republic of Indonesia; To uphold the sovereignty of the people; To realize a clean, reliable, democratic government; To implement national development for the prosperity of the people; To carry out an independent and active foreign policy and develop foreign cooperation to create a world of lasting peace that is also equitable, and prosperous;

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Economic Sector: To uphold and to develop the economic life of people fairly and democratically;

Three PKB leaders have been appointed ministers in the Jokowi government. Ida Fauziyah is serving in the Ministry of Manpower, Agus Suparmanto in the Ministry of Trade, and Abdul Halim Iskandar in the Ministry of Villages, Disadvantaged regions and Transmigration.

Leaders A. Muhaimin Iskandar General Chairman M. Hanif Dhakiri General Secretary

The PKB is part of the Coalition Indonesia Superb (KIH), a group of political parties that supported the Joko Widodo-Jusuf Kalla election campaign in 2014 and the Jokowi Widodo-Ma’ruf Amin in 2019. Aside from PKB, the other members the coalition were the Indonesian Democratic Party (PDI-P), Nation Democratic Party (Nasdem),

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National League for Democracy

Contact 97B West Shwegondaing Road, Bahan Township, Yangon, Myanmar T +95 1 555 156 info.nldburma@gmail.com

The National League for Democracy (NLD) is a Burmese political party founded on 27 September 1988. The NLD was formed in the aftermath of the 8888 Uprising, a series of protests in favour of democracy which took place in In August 8, 1998 and was ended when the military took control of the country through a coup.

junta after refusing to register for the elections in November 2010. The following year, NLD announced its intention to be a political party in order to contend future elections and on December 2011, Burma’s Union Election Commission approved their application for registration. In the 2012 by-elections, NLD won 43 seats out of the 44 seats it contested.

The party won a substantial parliamentary majority in the 1990 Burmese general election. However, the ruling military junta refused to recognize the result. On May 2010, the party was declared illegal by the

The party advocates a non-violent movement towards multi-party democracy in Burma, which had been under military rule from 1962 to 2011. Furthermore, the party supports

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human rights (including broad-based freedom of speech), the rule of law, and national reconciliation.

In 2015, NLD won overwhelmingly in landmark general elections that saw a clear transfer of power from the military government to a civilian government. It is now the ruling party in Myanmar, with its leader, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi serving as State Counsellor.

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

commitment to public service and the promotion of liberal democracy and staunchly defended human rights, ethnic minorities, and Indonesia’s secular tradition. Wahid headed the Nahdlatul Ulama (NU), Indonesia’s largest Muslim organisation.

His position as a moral leader was transformed, however, when he and his supporters formed the National Awakening Party (PKB) following the

More popularly known as “Gus Dur,” he showed fellow Indonesians his lifetime

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.

Wahid passed away in 2009.

Martin C. M. Lee Martin 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 firstever democratic elections to the territory’s Legislative Council in 1991.

Since its 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 pandemocratic party The Frontier, and further strengthened its political influence in Hong Kong. Lee was also a popularly elected Legislative Councillor from 1985 to 2008.

Contact

Administration degree from the Chinese University of Hong Kong in 1997.

Chung Kai is a life and fellow member of the Hong Kong Computer Society.

Sin Chung Kai is a member of the 1200 members of Election Committee for Electing the Chief Executive Of HKSAR.

Council from 1995 - 1997 representing New Territories South and 1998 to 2008 representing the Information Technology Sector. Sin has a long public service record. Sin served as a member of the Housing Authority from 2001 to 2009 and a board of director Hong Kong Mortgage Corporation Limited from 1999 to 2009. He served as an elected representative at all three tiers of the Government - Legislative Council, Regional Council (abolished by the HKSAR Government in 1999) from 1988 to 1994 and the Kwai Tsing District Council from 1985 to 2003.

He was an elected Legislative Councillor of Hong Kong serving a term of 4 years from Oct 2012 to Sep 2016. Sin also served as a Member of Legislative

Born and educated in Hong Kong, Sin obtained his Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Hong Kong in 1982 and his Master in Business

T +852 2397 7033 F +852 2397 8998 cksin@dphk.org F HonSinChungkai

704A, Admiralty Centre, Tower I, 18 Harcourt Road, Central, Hong Kong T +852 2529 0864 F +852 2864 2829 oml@martinlee.org.hk www.martinlee.org.hk

Chung-Kai Sin Chung-Kai Sin is the Treasurer of and previously the Deputy Chairman of the Democratic Party. He has served as a member of the Central Committee of Democratic Party of Hong Kong since the party was founded in 1994.

Sin Chung Kai was elected as Kwai Tsing District Councillor for a term of 4 years in November 2019 for a term of 4 years (2020-2023).

Mr. Chung-Kai Sin is married to Yvonne Ying Yee Chan. They have two sons Clement and Ryan. _______

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

Emily Lau Emily Wai-hing Lau was a member of the Hong Kong Legislative Council from 1991 to 1997 and 1998 to 2016 and was the first woman directly elected to Legco. She was Chairperson of the Democratic Party from 2012 to 2016. Lau is a member of the Board of Directors, China Human Rights Lawyers Concern Group and an individual member of Council of Asian Liberals and Democrats. She received her B.A. degree in Broadcast Journalism from the University of Southern California in 1976 and her M. Sc. degree in International Relations

from the London School of Economics and Political Science in 1982. She worked as a print and television journalist and university lecturer from 1976 to 1991. She was chairperson of the Hong Kong Journalists Association from 1989 to 1991. Throughout her political career, Lau is dedicated to fighting for democracy, human rights and the rule of law. Her ambition is for a democratically elected government in Hong Kong and in China. Because of her pro-democracy work and her outspokenness, she has not been allowed to travel to Mainland China for

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over 20 years. Lau received Honorary Doctorate from the London School of Economics and Political Science on 23 July 2019, the Bruno Kreisky Human Rights Award from the Bruno Kreisky Foundation in Vienna in 1998, the Monismanien Prize on Freedom of Speech from the University of Uppsala in Sweden in 2003, and the Political Leader Award from The Hong Kong Women’s Foundation in 2009.

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Aung San Suu Kyi Aung San Suu Kyi is the State Counsellor of Myanmar in charge of the Foreign Ministry, Energy Ministry, and the Ministry of Education.

She is currently serving as the Chairperson of the National League for Democracy (NLD). In 1991, she was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for her struggle against oppression and her fight to attain democracy and human rights in her country.

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“The Lady” has spent most of her life committed to the people of Burma’s struggle for justice, freedom, and democracy. Much of the last two decades has seen her locked up, but in 2010, she was released from house arrest. In 2012, she contested a byelection and won a seat in parliament.

In 2015, NLD won by landslide, paving the way for her appointment as Myanmar’s State Counsellor.

Contact contact@nldburma.org

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Friedrich Naumann Foundation The Friedrich-Naumann-Stiftung für die Freiheit (FNF) is an independent, nonprofit, nongovernmental foundation committed to promoting the value of freedom 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.

tanks, research institutions, NGOs, the media, business associations, and community organizations.

Its key tasks are civic education, policy dialogue, and consultancy to help find liberal solutions for the problems facing our societies.

FNF has worked in partnership with CALD since 1993. They have collaborated to organize conferences, meetings, networking opportunities, and publications designed to further policy dialogue and cooperation among likeminded Asian political parties.

Funded by the German parliament, the Foundation supports a wide range of activities in 65 different countries.

Its partners include parliaments, political parties, universities, think

Contact 29 BBC Tower, 25th Floor, Sukhumvit 63 Road, Bangkok 10110 Thailand T +662 365 0570 T +662 365 0567 F +662 714 8384 contact@fnst.org asia.fnst.org

Liberal International Liberal International is the world federation of liberal political parties.

Founded in 1947, it has become the pre-eminent network for promoting liberalism, strengthening liberal parties, and promoting 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 democracy,

social justice, tolerance, social market economy, free trade, environmental sustainability, and a strong sense of international solidarity. Although there is diversity among liberal parties owing to the application of these principles in different national circumstances, all LI members adhere to the organization’s manifestos.

Contact 1 Whitehall Place, London, SW1A 2HD T +44 20 7839 5905 F +44 20 7925 2685 office@liberal-international.org www.liberal-international.org

National Democratic Institute for International Affairs The 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 provides practical assistance to civic and political leaders advancing democratic 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.

Contact 455 Massachusetts Ave., NW, 8th Floor Washington, DC 20001 T +1 202 728 5500 F +1 202 728 5520 www.ndi.org

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Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe Party The Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE) Party is the party for liberal democrat values in Europe. Together with its liberal member parties across the European continent the ALDE Party is translating the principle of freedom into politics, economics and all other areas of our societies. It provides an increasingly vital link between citizens and the EU institutions and is continuously growing in size and significance.

European Democratic Party they form the third largest political force, which in partnership with La Republique En Marche, the European Democratic Party and Plus, Romania, form the Renew Europe group in the European Parliament, which is led by Dacian Cioloș MEP.

The ALDE Party consists of 70 member parties and thousands of individual members from countries across Europe. Liberal Democrats created their European political family in 1976 in view of the first European elections and in 1993 was established as a true transnational political party.

• Andrej Babis, Prime Minister of the Czech Republic

Formerly the European Liberal Democrat and Reform (ELDR) party, on 10 November 2012 at the Congress in Dublin, European Liberal Democrat delegates voted overwhelmingly to change the name of the party to Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe Party (ALDE) Party to strengthen links with the European Parliamentary group.

• Juri Ratas, Prime Minister of Estonia

As of 1 December, six EU Prime Ministers belong to ALDE Party member parties:

• Xavier Bettel, Prime Minister of Luxembourg • Marjan Sarec, Prime Minister of Slovenia • Sophie Wilmes, Prime Minister of Belgium (interim) • Mark Rutte, Prime Minister of The Netherlands As of 1 December, six European Commissioners represent liberal democrats: • Margarethe Vestager, Executive Vice President, Commissioner for A Europe Fit for the Digital Age

Leaders and key figures

• Věra Jourová, Vice President, Commissioner for Values and Transparency

Hans van Baalen was elected President of the European Liberal Democrats for a two-year mandate on 21 November 2015 at the Congress in Budapest, Hungary and was re-elected as President in 2017 and in 2019.

• Didier Reynders, Commissioner for Justice

Mission Statement In 60 years of European integration, the European Union has served us well in achieving peace, stability and prosperity. The EU has promoted and extended to half a billion people the four freedoms: the free movement of people, services, capital and goods across borders.

We want the Union to play a key leadership role in tackling today’s and tomorrow’s global challenges.

We strengthen the Liberal Democrat movement in the EU and throughout Europe; We assist Liberal Democrat politicians across Europe to become better acquainted and to define a common political vision; We draw up and adopt a common manifesto for the European Parliament elections.

Contact ALDE Party Rue d’Idalie 11 – box 2 1050 Brussels, Belgium T +32 2 237 0140 F +32 2 231 1907 info@aldeparty.eu www.aldeparty.eu

• Janez Lenarčič, Commissioner for Crisis Management • Kadri Simson, Commissioner for Energy

The ALDE Party brings together Members of the European Parliament from among its member parties.

Together with the MEPs from the

• Thierry Breton, Commissioner for the Internal Market

Renew Europe Let’s Renew Europe together

roadmap, now it is time to deliver on the promises made and even go beyond them.

At a time when the rule of law and democracy are under threat in parts of Europe, our Group will stand up for the people who suffer from the illiberal and nationalistic tendencies that we see returning in too many countries.

We thrive for a more prosperous Europe to the benefit of all Europeans.

By investing in the talents of our citizens and unlocking the potential of Europe’s internal market. We

There has never been a larger centrist group in the European Parliament.

By ending the dominance of the Conservatives and the Socialists, Europeans have given us a strong mandate to change Europe for the better.

We will invest in a sustainable continent. We do not have a Planet B, so we must make sure that we preserve the one we have for future generations. The Paris climate agreement of 2015 set out the

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strongly believe that economic growth, environmental sustainability, fair competition and responsibility go hand in hand.

Our mission is to Renew Europe.

Because Europe is our future and is well worth fighting for!

Contact

reneweuropegroup.eu F T reneweurope

Taiwan Foundation for Democracy Taiwan’s peaceful transition to democracy is not only a historical accomplishment for its 23 million people, but a landmark in the worldwide 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.

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 Democracy 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 political 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, Legislative 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.

The Taiwan Foundation for Democracy (TFD) 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 related organizations around the world. Through the years, Taiwan has received valuable longterm assistance and stalwart support

Contact No.4, Alley 17, Lane 147, Section 3, Sinyi Road, Taipei 106, Taiwan T +886 2 2708 0100 F +886 2 2708 1148 www.tfd.org.tw

Africa Liberal Network The Africa Liberal Network, an alliance of 47 liberal democratic political parties on the continent, was launched in June 2003.

experience, skills, and ideas, and (2) capacitating its member parties with the skills they need to win elections and manage governments based on liberal values.

The network is operational in 30 countries on the continent. It is an associate regional organisation of Liberal International, the world federation of liberal and progressive democratic political parties. Amongst its primary aims is to promote liberal democratic principles across the African continent by (1) providing a platform for like-minded liberals in Africa to share information,

Current active programmes include the Women Leadership Programme, a development platform harnessing leadership skills of capable advocates of gender parity with ALN mber parties and the network at large.

Contact Democratic Alliance National Head Office P.O Box 1475 Cape Town 8000 Republic of South Africa T +27 021 465 1431 F +27 021 466 8394 nangamso.kwinana@ africaliberalnetwork.org www.africaliberalnetwork.org

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. RELIAL 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 democratic system in the continent

Contact We Work Artz Pedregal Anillo Periférico 3720 Torre 2 - Piso N°8 Jardines del Pedregal 01900 Ciudad de México T +5255 5550 1039 T +5255 5616 3325 T +5255 5616 5190 T +5255 6726 2008 www.relial.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 Leekpai 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 Thailand or DP (1993 – 1995, 20022004, 2016-2018), the Democratic Progressive Party of Taiwan or DPP (1995-1997, 2004-2005, 2018-present), the Liberal Party of the Philippines or LP (1997-1999, 2005-2007), the Singapore Democratic Party or SDP (2007-2010), the Liberal Party of Sri Lanka or LPSL (1999-2000, 2010-2012), the Sam Rainsy Party/Cambodia National Rescue Party (2000-2002, 2012-2014), and the Civil Green Party of Mongolia (2014-2016).

The other members of CALD are the Parti Gerakan Rakyat Malaysia (PGRM), the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P) and the Nation Awakening Party (PKB) of Indonesia, while the Hong Kong legislators Martin Lee, Sin Chung-kai and Emily Lau are individual members. In 2010, CALD bestowed honorary individual membership to Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. The National League for Democracy (NLD) of Burma is an observer party.

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 problems 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, Taiwan Foundation 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 internship programs in its secretariat, as well as maintains a website, a social network group account and a weekly electronic newsletter.

Bi-Khim Hsiao CALD Chair Chih-wei Chen CALD Secretary General Unit 410, La Fuerza Plaza 2, 2241 Don Chino Roces Avenue corner Sabio St., 1231 Makati City, Philippines Telephone +63 2 8819 6071 info@cald.org www.cald.org asianliberals

C A L D SE C RETAR I AT Celito Arlegue Executive Director Paolo Antonio Zamora Program Manager Audrie Semeona Frias Program Officer Mari Julienne Janolo Communications Officer

EDITOR C.C. Balgos LAY-OUT & ART Michael A. Gadi