CALD Youth becomes IFLRY regional member

CALD Youth, the youth wing of the Council of Asian Liberals and Democrats, was accepted as regional member of the International Federation of Liberal Youth (IFLRY) during its General Assembly in Chisinau, Moldova on 29 November-02 December 2012.

The application was unanimously recommended by the IFLRY Standing Committee on Membership, and unanimously voted in favour of at the General Assembly. As IFLRY’s regional member for Asia, CALD Youth will also have a seat at the IFLRY Bureau. CALD Youth and IFLRY are now working together to see how IFLRY can be more involved in Asia.

“It is a very significant step because Asia is the first region after Europe where we now have a strong regional member organization,” said Thomas Leys, IFLRY President. “It shows that the young liberals of Asia are at the forefront of connecting with international liberalism. It will really strengthen not only the cooperation between Asian liberals and the rest of the world, but will also strengthen the young liberals themselves in Asia.”

CALD Youth aims to promote liberal and democratic values among Asian youth; create regional solidarity among liberal youth on issues relating to the violation of liberty, democracy and equality; and increase the participation of youth in mainstream politics. Since its formation in 2010, the organization has held international workshops on strategic planning, leadership training, and strategic political communications. Its representatives have also participated in programs organized by FNF, ALDE, LYMEC and IFLRY.