YLDA to Host Third Young Leaders Workshop in Nepal
2004-10-15

From November 3-7, 2004, the Young Liberals and Democrats of Asia (YLDA) will converge in Kathmandu, Nepal for the third Young Leaders? Workshop. This workshop, annually sponsored in cooperation with the Council of Asian Liberals and Democrats (CALD) and the Friedrich Naumann Foundation (FNF), is an ongoing endeavor to strengthen the liberal youth movement in the region. This year?s meeting is hosted by the Nepalese Youth Initiative. Entitled "Liberalism and Fundamentalism.," delegates from Burma, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Nepal, Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, Hong Kong, Japan, and Korea will focus on the effects of fundamentalism on a democratic society and on ways Asian liberals can fight extremism.

The second annual YLDA general meeting will follow the workshop. YLDA members will evaluate the past year, implement strategic plans, concretize the responsibilities of the secretariat and elect a new executive committee.

This week of dialogue and debate will then close with the Asian Youth Forum. The delegates will discuss the challenges and opportunities facing the youth of the region, focusing on the concerns and experiences of the Nepalese youth.

Previous Young Leaders? Workshops were held in Phnom Penh, Cambodia and in Manila, Philippines. The Cambodia conference dealt with the role young liberals play in democratic transitions, while the Philippine seminar dealt with challenges and opportunities facing the youth.

For more information, please contact the YLDA Secretariat at secretariat@yldasia.org.

Garda Bangsa Garda Bangsa was formed in 1998 following the successful political reform spearheaded by students and other campus activists to depose the tyrannical regime of President Suharto. The organization was founded by Abdurram Wahid, a former adviser of President Suharto who resigned following an escalation in government corruption and political management by the administration. He championed "Responsible Openness" within the government system and proposed the establishment of a Reform Committee in order to mitigate poor governance within the administration. His calls were left unheeded and so he eventually withdrew support for the government and joined the efforts advocating for reform in the government. Read more...