Wanted: Young Liberal Writers to Write for Freedom
2008-03-27

The time has come for young Asian liberals to establish their own liberal identity.

The Young Liberals and Democrats of Asia shall spearhead the search for a common Asian liberal identity with the launching of its latest project: the YLDA Liberalism Institute. Unanimously approved during the YLDA General Assembly last November in Jakarta, Indonesia, everyone at the organization is excited to see the fruition of this endeavor.

YLDA President Rajendra Mulmi of Nepal sees the Liberalism Institute to "help refine - and define- the search for a coherent Asian liberal thought and platform of action by young liberals in the region." Coming from the Philippines, YLDA Secretary General Jan Argy Tolentino explained, "as a citizen of the country recognized as the first cradle of liberalism in Asia, Filipino young liberals are excited to see the fruition of this dream."

During the meeting that decided the establishment of the Institute, YLDA Executive Committee member Camelia Puji Astuti of Indonesia stressed that it "is expected to play host to the growing curiosity and enthusiasm by young Asians on liberal-democratic ideals and values." Meanwhile, YLDA Executive Committee member Buddhika Pathirana of Sri Lanka sees the Institute "as building a young epistemic community of Asian practitioners and thinkers of liberalism."

For his part, Executive Committee member from Malaysia Chee Wey Hng sees the Institute becoming the center of the federation in its attempt to stir-up discourses on liberalism across the region. Youths wishing to participate in the launching are encouraged to submit a two-page abstract paper before Monday, May 26, 2008.

The abstract should contain brief collation of experiences and reflections on liberalism. And since the Institute aspires to clarify and ultimately, strengthen the liberal position in Asia, the piece must explicitly state the role liberalism plays in solving various ills that confront Asia and its youth. YLDA has chosen three for this purpose: education and youth empowerment, youth and political participation, and youth advocacy and freedom of individuality.

A panel from YLDA and its partners will evaluate submitted abstracts. Ten to twelve authors will be invited to expand their work into full book-chapters for the YLDA Commemorative Book on Asian Liberalism to be launched in Cambodia later this year. The author of the paper judged as most exemplary shall also be nominated by YLDA for a possible training at the International Academy for Freedom in Gummersbach, Germany or a possible participation in the Cambodia event as a resource speaker.

Asked for his recommendations on what participants should do to get the nod of the panel of evaluators, YLDA Program Officer Pey Canlas has just but one piece of advice: Think freedom, write freely.

* The Liberal Institute is a joint venture between YLDA and the Friedrich Naumann Foundation assisted by the Council of Asian Liberals and Democrats of Asia. Please visit the YLDA website again for more detailed announcements or feel free to contact the YLDA Secretariat through its email programofficer@yldasia.org and pey.canlas@gmail.com.

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...