Delegates from the CALD Youth Political Academy (CYPA), including representatives from CALD Youth and Germany’s Junge Liberale (JuLis), took part in the 58th General Assembly of the International Federation of Liberal Youth (IFLRY), held from June 11 to 14 in Taiwan.
Organized in partnership with the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), Friedrich Naumann Foundation (FNF), Liberal Democratic League of Ukraine (LDLU), and CALD Youth, the assembly brought together young liberal leaders to exchange ideas on democracy, governance, and emerging global challenges.
The event opened with remarks from DPP Secretary-General Hsu Kuo-yung, FNF Regional Director Moritz Kleine-Brockhoff, IFLRY President Hania Knio, LDLU Vice President Yevheniia Fedotova, and Taiwanese legislator Fan Yun.
Sessions throughout the assembly focused on democratic resilience and security. A panel titled “Authoritarian Power vs Democratic Resolve: Security Challenges for the Free World,” led by Taiwan National Security Council Deputy Secretary-General Wen Lii, examined growing tensions between democratic systems and authoritarian influence.
Another session, “Youth Activism is Driving the New Era of Democratic Resilience,” highlighted the role of young leaders in strengthening democratic institutions. Additional discussions included briefings from the DPP on Taiwan’s civil defense and national security efforts, as well as a session by the LDLU titled “War and Liberal Youth: The Ukrainian Experience,” which shared firsthand accounts of youth engagement in times of conflict.
Delegates visited the Legislative Yuan of Taiwan, where they gained first-hand insight into the country’s legislative processes and democratic institutions. The visit included exchanges with DPP councilors and legislators Wu Pei-yi and Ngalim Tin, who shared perspectives on parliamentary work and governance.
In the later stages of the program, delegates also had the opportunity to meet Hsiao Bi-khim, Taiwan’s Vice President and a longtime public servant under the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), as well as a former CALD chairperson and secretary-general, for a discussion on leadership and public service.
CYPA delegates, including CALD Youth officers Samady Ou, Nattha Pinnadda Vasantasinha, Hans Gabriel Empleo, Rahma Nur Agnitya Charliyan, and Ariffin Sha, contributed their thoughts during sessions on youth representation and democratization in Asia.
Vasantasinha, who serves as the CALD Youth Secretary-General and member of the Democrat Party of Thailand, spoke about her motivations for entering diplomacy and later politics, driven by a desire to create change from within the government. She also reflected on growing up in Thailand during periods of unrest, particularly the casualty-filled uprisings of 1991, which shaped her perspective. She stressed the importance of helping younger generations value democracy while embracing technological progress.
“One revolution cannot change everything right away,” she said. “What we needed was a progressive change.”
Meanwhile, Deputy Publicity Director Ariffin Sha emphasized the importance of clear and accessible political messaging.
He noted that while democracy ensures universal suffrage, it can also produce complex or unexpected outcomes, citing the Philippines and its current national leadership as an example. He added that political ideas, including liberalism, lose their value if they are not understood by the public, asking: “If the majority of the population cannot understand 70% of what you’re saying, what is your message?”
CALD Youth Public Relations Officer and Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle spokesperson Rahma Charliyan noted a challenge many young people across Asia face.
“While youth participation is often encouraged, meaningful involvement in decision-making processes remains limited,” she said. She expressed appreciation for the perspectives shared by the speakers, which reinforced the idea that youth should not only be consulted but also empowered to help shape policy. “The discussion reminded us that strengthening democratic institutions requires creating more inclusive pathways for young leaders to contribute,” she added.
CALD Youth Vice Chairperson Samady Ou remarked that the IFLRY events highlight the importance of continuous learning in international liberal cooperation, particularly when held in Asia, where political culture, social norms, and democratic challenges may differ significantly from those in Europe.
“While we may share the same liberal values in name, the way those values are understood and practiced can vary greatly depending on local history and realities,” Ou said. “For Asian delegates, engaging with European counterparts offers an important opportunity to exchange perspectives, but it also requires openness from both sides to listen, adapt, and avoid assuming that one model fits all. I believe this kind of dialogue will help delegates become more culturally aware, more strategic, and more respectful in building cross-regional solidarity.”
The participation of CYPA delegates underscored the growing role of international youth collaboration in advancing democratic values and addressing shared global challenges.
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This post was written by CALD
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