NDI-CALD forms Steering Committee for Political Party Reform Program

(June 5/Bangkok, Thailand) The Steering Committee of the Political Party Reform: Asia Regional Program of National Democratic Institute for International Affairs (NDI) and the Council of Asian Liberals & Democrats (CALD) met today at the Regent of Bangkok to discuss the proposal for a Part II of the successful Political Parties to Combat Corruption Workshop held last January, 2002 also in Bangkok.

The steering committee was asked by the two organizations to give their recommendations regarding the entire workshop: objectives, focus, program of activities and speakers. The members of the steering committee are CALD Chairman M.R. Sukhumbhand Paribatra, MP and Ms. Joy Senakant representing the CALD Executive Committee; Hon. Teresa Kok, MP, of the Democrat Action Party of Thailand; Hon. Kudeb Saikrachang, MP of the Thai Rack Thai Party of Thailand; Hon. Son Chhay, MP, of Sam Rainsy Party Party of Cambodia; Hon. Husnan Bey Fananie, MP, of the United Development Party (PPP) of Indonesia; Dr. Buranaj Smuthraks of the Democrat Party of Thailand and Dr. Gotham Arya, former Elections Commissioner of Thailand.

Ms. Laura Thornton, NDI Senior Program Manager, and Mr. John Joseph S. Coronel, CALD Executive Director, facilitated the meeting. They also discussed the progress and documentation made since the first workshop.

The 2^nd Political Party Reform Workshop would be held from August 14 to 16, 2003 at the Sukhothai Hotel in Bangkok, Thailand. The theme is Political Party Accountability: Principles and Realities and the workshop will be held at the Sukhothai Hotel in Bangkok, Thailand from August 14 to 16, 2003.

The objectives of “Bangkok II” are to (1) document the progress made in implementing the internal reform recommendations pledged during the January 2002 Bangkok workshop and (2) promote information-sharing and collaboration between Asian political leaders and foster dialogue between parties and civil society organizations on party and political finance reform.

Expected to attend are members of parliament and key officials representing ruling and opposition parties in Cambodia, Indonesia, Korea, Malaysia, Nepal, the Philippines, Taiwan, and Thailand.  In addition, representatives of civil society, media, and academia from Asia, Europe, and the United States of America will participate

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This post was written by CALD