CALD organizes WEB 2.0 workshop to strengthen freedom and democracy

In this day and age, political communication serve as a vital component in connecting people to ideas and issues, and in providing a bridge between organizations and political parties to citizens and constituencies.

The Council of Asian Liberals and Democrats (CALD) recently concluded its 6th communications workshop with the theme “Strengthening Political Communication and Campaigns: Asian Democracies in the Age of Web 2.0” in Hong Kong. Held last September 2-5, 2009, the event was organized in cooperation with the Democratic Party of Hong Kong (DPHK) and with the support of the Friedrich Naumann Foundation (FNF). In its 15-year history as Asia’s first organization of liberal democratic parties, it was CALD’s first time to hold an event in Hong Kong.

The workshop aimed to understand Web 2.0 and the new technologies shaping political communication and campaign strategies, to assess the capacities of CALD member parties to tap into and use new media more widely and effectively, and to craft clear guidelines for new media, innovative communication strategies that member parties of CALD and CALD as an organization can adopt and use for party development and campaigns.

During the opening of the workshop, Dr. Albert Ho Chun Yan, chairperson of DPHK, extended his warmest welcome to all participants on behalf of his party and shared a sneak peak of the democratic reforms and struggles they are currently facing in Hong Kong. Mr. Siegfried Herzog, resident representative of FNF office in Manila, also gave his welcome remarks on behalf of the liberal foundation and gave a brief background about FNF and how it is helping CALD and other organizations in promoting the ideals of liberalism and democracy in Asia.

Dr. Neric Acosta, secretary general of CALD, also conveyed his welcome message. According to him “we are for the first time as CALD, grappling in this workshop format, with the pressing realities of instant global communication and the exponential rise of new media and the tools of the Internet — and how these will impact and help define the directions of change for our parties and the trajectories of democratization and the rule of law in our countries.”

The first session, moderated by Mr. Siegfried Herzog, focused on Web 2.0 and how the dynamics of political communication develop. The speakers provided an introduction to new media tools that straddle the modern/decentralized and traditional/hierarchical means of communication.

Mr. Manuel Quezon III, columnist, TV host and blogger, provided input regarding intelligent tools online that CALD member parties can use to echo their party platforms and messages. Mr. Quezon also pointed out the effective utilization of tools depending on the party’s requirements in having a more dynamic and effective communication strategy. Dr. CK Law, head of the policy division of DPHK, on the other hand explained how web 2.0 can be a supplement to the traditional means of political communication and how it can innovate customary methods to reach the younger generation.

The second session talked about political parties and the field they are operating in. Moderated by Dr. Mark Li Kin Yin, central committee member of DPHK, the participants reported the rate of Internet penetration and the demographic spread of such usage in their respective countries. They also evaluated how the emergence of Web 2.0 contributes to their party’s growth and development.

Hon. Emily Lau Wai-hing, JP, vice chairperson of DPHK, provided a valuable insight by taking a look into the playing field of politics in Hong Kong. She explained the challenges they face in a political system struggling for democracy and how party members and the public should respond to achieve true freedom.

Mr. Chito Gascon, director general of the Liberal Party of the Philippines (LP), shared a glimpse of what political parties are not doing even with modern and techno-savvy tools at hand. Mr. Gascon used LP as an example of a party challenged by what web 2.0 can offer and how his party gradually responds in a fast-paced transformation of communication and media. He later on explained that access to the power of web 2.0 can effectively promote a party’s message and agenda and help bridge the gap between the party and the people.

The third session moderated by Mr. Andrew Fung Wai Kwong, convenor of the DPHK communications committee, brought the challenge back to CALD and its members. Hon. Martin Lee, founding chair of DPHK and individual member of CALD, challenged CALD parties to safeguard freedom of expression now and especially when they get into power. He said that CALD, particularly its members, should continue to protect democratic gains and not waver in keeping the CALD mandate of promoting freedom and democracy.

Dr. Neric Acosta, meanwhile, expressed his thoughts on the unwavering power of human connection despite the emergence of effective and efficient web 2.0 tools. He said that albeit tools are available, people should not lose the power of imagination and hope that drives us towards our goals as citizens and party members. However “hope,” according to Dr. Acosta, still needs an action plan, a strategy — a “generalship.” Hope for change has to be operationalized.

Dr. Acosta, complementing Hon. Lee’s statement, also said “Our mandate in CALD assures us that the struggle in any of our countries is a struggle for all of us. A triumph for one is a triumph for all. And the technologies and cutting-edge innovations of the Web 2.0 offer us boundless possibilities for the strengthening of this mandate of safeguarding democracies in Asia and in ensuring that we build our bonds of friendship.”

The workshop capped off with a farewell dinner hosted by DPHK in a popular seafood village. Present during this celebration were workshop participants, DPHK party leaders, and CALD executive committee members.

The next day, CALD visited the DPHK headquarters to have a brief dialogue with its party leaders and talk about the current plans and challenges of DPHK. The CALD Executive Committee meeting was held thereafter to discuss the upcoming CALD General Assembly and future projects for next year.

Categorised in: News Article

This post was written by CALD