Young Liberals of Asia set-up regional body during CALD Young Leaders’ Workshop

(October 31, 2003/ Phnom Penh, Cambodia)YLDA – the Young Liberals and Democrats of Asia” – has been officially established as a regional organization in Phnom Penh (Cambodia) on October 30, 2003. Following thorough debates regarding the objectives and the organizational structures of the organization, young political leaders from thirteen countries adopted the YLDA-constitution. “This is a historic moment for the liberal and democratic youth of Asia”, said newly elected YLDA-President Jonathan Malaya from the Young Liberals of the Philippines (Kalipi). In Phnom Penh, the delegates also elected Mr. Rajendra Mulmi from the Youth Initiative of Nepal as Secretary General and young political leaders from Taiwan, Indonesia and Malaysia as members of the Executive Committee.

According to the adopted constitution, YLDA will pursue the following objectives:

• Organize young people for the realization of liberal ideals and democratic principles in Asia through cooperation and dialogue
• Develop successful liberal and democratic youth organizations in the respective member countries
• Promote liberal values among the youth of Asia through dialogues, forums and workshops

Asia’s young liberals also vow to give special attention to educational matters as well as efforts aimed at the eradication of poverty. In the constitution, YLDA emphasizes the importance of close cooperation with other liberal youth organizations worldwide.

The inaugural assembly in Phnom Penh was attended by the President of International Federation of Liberal Youth (IFLRY) Mr. Emil Kirjas (Macedonia) and IFLRY-Vice President Olly Wells (United Kingdom).

Prior to the inaugural YLDA-meeting, the delegates from Cambodia, Thailand, the Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Burma, Taiwan, Indonesia, Korea, Nepal, the United Kingdom and Macedonia attended a workshop entitled, “The Youth in Democratic Transitions. Prospects for Young Liberals in Asia,” sponsored by the Council of Asian Liberals and Democrats (CALD) and the Friedrich-Naumann-Foundation.

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This post was written by CALD