FOR DEMOCRATS, NOW IS THE TIME TO ACT

It was a global gathering of democrats like no other, and CALD was proud to be part of it.

With the theme, “Claiming the Democratic Future: Unifying Voices for a New Frontier,” the 11th Global Assembly of the World Movement for Democracy (WMD) saw over 200 rights activists, experts, parliamentarians, and donors from all regions of the world in attendance. Held in Taipei, Taiwan on 25-27 October, the event aimed to foster greater unity of efforts to address authoritarian challenges and build democratic momentum.

The Assembly had participants engaging in a wide range of practical workshops and panel discussions, and sharing expertise in building resilient democratic institutions and defending civic space. One of the panel discussions was entitled, “Unite for Democracy: Cross-Party Collaboration: A Game-Changer?” Organized by the National Democratic Institute for International Affairs (NDI) and moderated by its political parties director, Birgitta Ohlsson, the panel looked into the potentials of cross-party collaboration as a way to unite democracies worldwide and push back on democratic backsliding.

CALD Executive Director Celito Arlegue represented the Council in the panel, which also featured Brunco Goncalves, secretary general of International Union of Socialist Youth, and Da-chi Liao, vice president of the Taiwan Foundation for Democracy. In introducing the panel, Ohlsson emphasized the challenge posed by authoritarian rule—now the dominant global model—on democracy, and what democrats can do about it.

“The challenge to democracy has been going on for years, but for us in CALD, the turning point was the year 2016,” said Arlegue, who was part of the two-man CALD delegation that included Lorenzo ‘Erin’ Tanada, vice president of the Liberal Party of the Philippines. “The electoral victory of Rodrigo

Duterte in the Philippines, Brexit, and the rise of Donald Trump turned 2016 into an annus horribilis, and served as a wake-up call for us in CALD that we cannot just continue doing what we do. We have to do more.”

Drawing from CALD’s experience, Arlegue came up with three suggestions on how political parties can be a game-changer in this global battle between democracy and authoritarianism: 1) Parties must find ways to incorporate young people within their party structures; 2) They must also recognize that local issues—not ideological or geostrategic considerations— matter most for the people, and 3) They must walk the talk and practice what they preach.

“We are in the last two minutes in the fight to keep democracy alive,” said Nobel Peace Laureate and Rappler CEO Maria Ressa in her address at the Assembly. Judging from the response of the participants, it seemed that they, too, believed democrats need to act swiftly and decisively.