CALD CHARTER*

Noting that Asia is one of the fastest developing regions in the world today and that it is also home to a significant part of the world’s population;

Realizing that as the economies of Asian countries have structurally transformed more and more in the direction of open and free market, their political and social development has correspondingly moved along more democratic patterns;

Aware that Asia, with its diversity of cultures, religions and ethnicities, already had the foundation for tolerant, pluralistic and liberal societies with numerous liberal minded groups and political parties having emerged throughout the region;

Convinced that although purely Western models do not fit perfectly into the Asian political cultures, there is a general direction of the political, social and economic development in Asia towards liberal democracy adapted to local conditions; and

Considering the proposals and suggestions voiced at the preparatory meeting held in Taipei on October 15-17, 1993 by representatives of the Democrat Party (Thailand), the Democratic Party (Korea), the Democratic Progressive Party (Taiwan), the People’s Movement Party (Malaysia), and the Liberal Party (Philippines).

We, the (mentioned) Asian political parties, do hereby organize a COUNCIL OF ASIAN LIBERALS AND DEMOCRATS and hereby adopt this charter.

ARTICLE I: NATURE

The COUNCIL OF ASIAN LIBERALS AND DEMOCRATS (CALD) is a forum of liberal parties, organizations and individuals in Asia which have come together to promote the basic values of liberal democracy.

ARTICLE II: OBJECTIVES

The Council shall have the following general objectives:

1. To foster the growth of society based on personal liberty, personal responsibility, social justice, the rule of law and free market economy;
2. To provide the means of cooperation, exchange of ideas, interchange of information and network-building among – and between – liberal parties and organizations with a liberal orientation and vision; and
3. To discuss and analyze current as well as future political, social and economic concepts and developments in Asia.

ARTICLE III: PROGRAMS AND PROJECTS

To achieve the forgoing objectives, the Council shall undertake the following and like programs and projects:

1. Leadership training;
2. Political dialogues through conferences and exchanges;
3. Political education through seminars, workshops, visits and other appropriate channels; and
4. Exchange of information through publication and

ARTICLE IV: MEMBERSHIP

1. Membership

• Besides the charter members, full membership in the Council shall be open to political parties in Asia which adhere to the ideas and values of liberal democracy.What constitutes a “political party” should not be dependent on government registration.
• A political party that is in sympathy with the principles of liberal democracy as described in this Charter may be granted observer-member status for a period of three years. Before the end of the three-year period, the observer-member should have applied for full membership. If this does not happen, the affiliation of the political party ceases immediately.
• Organizations may be accepted as associate members, while individuals may be granted individual membership; however, associate and individual members shall have no voting privileges.
• A membership committee consisting of the CALD Chairperson and two other representatives selected by the Executive Committee shall review all applications for memberships and make appropriate recommendations to the Executive Committee for its decision.

2. Auxiliary Bodies

CALD Women’s Caucus and CALD Youth are the associated women and youth entities of the Council, respectively. They have the right to take part in the Executive Committee and the General Assembly, to voice their opinion and to vote, as specified in the internal regulations of the Council. CALD Women’s Caucus and CALD Youth shall have one vote each.

3. Guests

The Council, upon the recommendation of the Executive Committee, may also invite individuals and organizations as guests.

4. Voting

Each constituent party and auxiliary body shall have one vote at the meetings of the General Assembly and the Executive Committee. Associate and individual members have no voting privileges.

5. Membership Dues

Each Council member party, observer party, associate member and individual member is required to pay an annual fee. The exact amount shall be recommended by the Membership Committee taking into consideration the resources of the members and/or the countries the members belong to. The Executive Committee decides the final amount of the annual fee based on the recommendation of the Membership Committee.

6. Disciplinary Procedure

Disciplinary action may be taken against any member for any of the following reasons:

• not abiding by the Charter or any other internal regulations;
• not abiding by the decisions of the Council;
• not fulfilling the conditions for membership anymore;
• when any of its acts is contrary to the interest and the values of the Council in general.

The Membership Committee is tasked to investigate complaints against any Council member. It may issue a verbal warning and reprimand based on the results of its investigations.

A minimum of three (3) full member-parties can initiate suspension or expulsion proceedings against a member. The Membership Committee investigates the complaint and shall make appropriate recommendation to the Executive Committee.

The Executive Committee decides on the suspension or expulsion of full, observer, associate, and individual members with a majority of two-thirds of the votes cast.

The full, observer, associate or individual member will be informed of the suspension or expulsion proposal by registered mail, facsimile, email or any other written means. The letter sets forth the grounds on which the proposed suspension or expulsion is based. The full, observer, associate or individual member has the right to notify its remarks in writing to the Secretary General, within 15 calendar days subsequent to the receipt of the letter. Upon its prior written request, the full, observer, associate or individual member involved shall be heard.

The suspension or expulsion decision sets forth the grounds on which the expulsion is based but apart from that, the decision does not need to be justified. The Secretary General sends a copy of the decision to the suspended or expelled member by registered mail, facsimile, email or any other written means within 15 calendar days. The suspension or expulsion shall come into force immediately.

In the case of expulsion, the expelled member shall remain liable for its financial obligations vis-à-vis the Council until the end of the financial year.

ARTICLE V: THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY

The General Assembly of all participating parties, organizations and individuals shall be held every two (2) years. The discussions of the General Assembly may be held on subjects placed on the agenda by the Executive Committee, whose Chairperson shall preside over the General Assembly. The venue of the Assembly shall be decided by the Executive Committee. The number of the delegates to the Assembly shall be decided by participating parties with the concurrence of the Executive Committee.

ARTICLE VI: DECISION MAKING

General policies shall be made by the General Assembly. In between assembly meetings, an Executive Committee shall be authorized to act on behalf of the Council. Decisions on any subject shall generally be made by consensus. Matters on which consensus cannot be attained shall be decided with a two-thirds majority of the votes cast.

ARTICLE VII: THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

The Executive Committee shall be composed of one representative from each member party and shall meet at least once a year including before each General Assembly and may have a special meeting when called by the chairperson or by a majority of Committee members. Representatives of parties other than the delegated representatives may attend and address meetings at the discretion of the Chairperson. The Executive Committee may adopt its own rules of procedure.

ARTICLE VIII: THE CHAIRPERSON

The Executive Committee shall, every two years, elect from amongst the nominees a Chairperson. Such election shall be ratified by the General Assembly held immediately afterwards.

Any full member party can nominate a candidate for Chairperson who may come from its own party membership, or from the membership of other CALD members, including individual Council members. The Chairperson shall appoint a Secretary General from the CALD membership, with the concurrence of the Executive Committee.

No Chairperson shall serve for more than two (2) consecutive terms.

ARTICLE IX: AUDITORS

CALD shall have two auditors, one appointed by the chair party and the other appointed by the member-party of the country where the permanent secretariat is located. The auditors will submit an annual report at the end of each year.

ARTICLE X: THE SECRETARIAT

CALD shall have a permanent secretariat based in one of the member parties. The Secretary General shall head the secretariat to be assisted by the Executive Director who is based in the permanent secretariat.

A fundraising unit shall be established in the secretariat.

ARTICLE XI: LANGUAGE

The working language of the Council shall be English.

ARTICLE XII: AMENDMENTS

Proposals to amend the Charter shall be made formally in writing and submitted to the Secretariat at least three months prior to the holding of the General Assembly.

The Secretariat shall without delay communicate the proposed amendment to each member party or organization.

The amendments shall take effect after approval by the General Assembly on the recommendation of the Executive Committee.

(*Charter with amendments approved during the 15^th CALD General Assembly & 51^st CALD Executive Committee Meeting held on 29 October – 1 November 2025 in Bangkok, Thailand)