YLDA Participates in Nepal Youth Assembly, Seeks Membership Expansion in Thailand and Burma
2007-09-28

YLDA Secretary General Jan Argy Tolentino, YLDA Program Officer Pey Canlas with Democratic Party Youth Wing Representatives and FNF Bangkok Representatives during the meeting in Bangkok.

Addressing the need for stronger network between YLDA and member organizations, YLDA finally implemented the first of three planned capacity-building visits between YLDA and requesting YLDA member organizations. Upon the invitation of Youth Initiative Nepal, YLDA Secretary General Jan Argy Tolentino visited Nepal from August 27 to September 4, 2007 where he helped organized the general membership meeting in Kathmandu.

The YLDA Secretary General also gave short talks on burning issues related to liberalism, elections, and democracy in relation to the current political climate in Nepal. Assessing the results of his visit to Nepal, Mister Tolentino cited "the enthusiasm shown by the members of Youth Initiative in doing community work for the youths and by the youths." He adds that with the capacity-building visit, he was "able to have a feel of the present situation in Nepal," which in turn can help YLDA formulate appropriate assistance to Youth Initiative in the future, especially once elections are held in the coming months.

Sharing his thoughts on his priority project, YLDA President Rajendra Mulmi explains that "the capacity-building visits by YLDA is seen paving the way for YLDA individual members and friends to share their research and policy experiences to YLDA member organizations wishing to avail of these services. Youth Initiative is very much happy to receive Jan Argy for our assembly and give him the platform to share to our members the KALIPI and YLDA experiences on youth governing and empowerment."

YLDA Secretary General Jan Argy Tolentino and YLDA Program Officer Pey Canlas discussing over lunch the results of the meeting in Bangkok.

On his way back from Nepal, Mister Tolentino met up with YLDA Program Officer Pey Canlas in Bangkok for a scheduled briefing with FNF Bangkok Project Manager Miss Girawadee Khao-Orn and Democratic Party of Thailand Youth Wing representatives headed by Jirayu Tulyanond. Pey, who was on his way to Sri Lanka to attend a conference on liberalism set up the meeting to discuss possible partnerships and expansion of YLDA in Thailand.

While in Bangkok, YLDA also sought the possibility of two other student-led organizations within the National Council on the Union of Burma (NCUB) joincing YLDA soon. Mr. Tulyanond, in his email to the YLDA Secretariat after the meeting expressed optimism on the forging of the YLDA-DPY Thailand partnership within the coming months. He then articulated their willingness to host an YLDA event after the Thailand general elections this December.

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...