| (May 31, 2006/ Manila) Leaders of Liberal International (LI), the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE) and the Council of Asian Liberals and Democrats (CALD) will gather for a meeting in Manila, Cavite Province and Tagaytay City from June 21 to 24. The host of the meeting is the Liberal Party of the Philippines with the support of the German liberal foundation, the Friedrich Naumann Foundation (FNF).The main event is the joint CALD-ALDE-LI Meeting on June 22 focusing on Population, Migration and the Globalization of Labor. Former Philippine President Corazon C. Aquino will serve as Keynote Speaker.On June 23, there will be an international academic conference on Liberal Perspectives on Terrorism and Civil Liberties at Yuchengco Center of the De La Salle University in Manila. This event is organized by the Philippine liberal think tank, the National Institute for Policy Studies (NIPS) and the La Salle Institute for Governance (LSIG).
CALD and LI will have their respective Executive Committee meetings on June 24 at the Taal Vista Hotel Founded in Bangkok, Thailand in 1993, CALD is an organization of liberal and democratic political parties with members and observers from Burma, Cambodia, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Pakistan, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Taiwan and Thailand. CALD holds international conferences, workshops and missions in order to give liberal solutions to pressing problems in Asia. Among the conferences it has held are on public accountability in official development assistance (Siem Reap, 2006), advancing women in politics and the role of political parties (Taipei, 2005), political challenges to economic growth (Bangkok, 2003), the political dimensions of globalization (Manila, 2001), democratic transitions in Asia (Jakarta, 2000) and the political dimensions of the Asian crisis (Bangkok, 1998). The proceedings of three of these conferences have been published as books. ALDE brings together politicians from the European Liberal and Democratic traditions to create the largest third force in the history of the European Parliament, challenging the historical dominance of the European Socialists and Christian Democrats. It is made up of 88 MEPS, and is led by Graham Watson MEP. The political program of the ALDE focuses on the strengthening and reform of the European Union to make it more effective at home and abroad. Liberal International is the world federation of liberal and progressive democratic political parties. LI was founded in 1947 to strengthen liberal protection from totalitarianism, facism and communism. This London-based organization has members in 86 member parties, organizations and partners worldwide. The Liberal Party of the Philippines (LP) is the current Chair Party and a founding member of CALD. It is the first Asian member of Liberal International. Senate President Franklin Drilon is the current Chairman of CALD. The international guests consist of members of parliaments, senior government officials and top officials of various liberal parties. Among those who have confirmed their participation are 5 incumbent ministers, one former prime minister, a former chief minister and more than two dozen members of parliament, members of the European parliament and senators. Aside from President Aquino, the speakers include Philippine Senate President, LP President and CALD Chairman Franklin Drilon; the Lord Alderdice, LI President; Graham Watson, ALDE leader and Member of the European Parliament; Dr. Wolfgang Gerhart, former leader of the German liberal party and current FNF Chair; former ILO Chairman Chung Eui-yong, MP and Dr. Yoo Jay Kun, MP of the ruling Uri Party of Korea; Malaysian Senator Dr. S. Vijayaratnam; Italian MEP Lappo Pistelli; and, LP Congressman Neric Acosta. |
Categorised in: News Article
This post was written by CALD
Unit 409, 4/F La Fuerza Plaza 2, 2241 Don Chino Roces Ave. corner Sabio St., 1231 Makati City, Philippines
+632 8819 60 71
info@cald.org
