Several parliamentarians from Europe and Asia will visit Singapore next week. The highlight of the visit will be a public forum next Friday, 13 Apr 07.
The delegation is part of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE) and Council of Asian Liberal and Democrats (CALD) which hold annual meetings to discuss the promotion of democracy as well as to foster greater cooperation between parliamentarians and democratic parties in Asia and Europe.
The forum will give Singaporeans the chance to interact with an international delegation of l
egislators. So make sure you keep next Friday evening free and make your way down to the Sheraton Towers. Admission is free. (For details, see below)
Apart from the forum, the delegation is expected to visit officials from the Singapore Government as well as the European Commission in Singapore. The visitors will also meet with Singapore Democrats. The SDP is a member of CALD. Meetings with civil society leaders are also being planned.
The delegation comprises of prominent lawmakers such as:
Dina Abad, a member of the House of Representatives, Philippines and Vice Chairperson of the Committee on Good Government Reorganization. She has a Master of Public Administration degree from the Kennedy School of Government, Harvard University. Before entering politics, Ms Abad served as the Professor and Dean of the School of Government of the Ateneo de Manila University. She was also the Chairperson of the Transparency and Accountability Network as well as the Executive Director of the Philippines-Canada Human Resource Development Committee, Inc.
Ignasi Cambo Guardans, who hails from Spain. He is the Vice-Chairman of the Committee International Trade in the European Parliament. He has a doctorate in law and has lectured at several academic institutions including the University of Barcelona. Mr Guardans was also the spokesman for his party in the Joint Committees of the European Union and is a member of the International Bar Association.
Eugenijus Gentvilas, former Minister of Economics and Prime Minister of Lithuania. Mr Gentvilas has been an MEP since 2004.
Fiona Hall, who was born in Manchester, England, Ms Hall was elected into the European Parliament (EP) in June 2004. She is a strong advocate and campaigner on environmental and fair trade issues.
Lydie Polfer, former Chairwoman of he Democratic Party in Luxembourg. A lawyer by profession, Ms Polfer also served as Mayor of Luxembourg and was a member of National Parliament until 1999 following which she became the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs and External Trade till 2004. She sits on the EP’s Committee of Foreign Affairs.
Saumura Tioulong, a Member of the National Assembly in Cambodia. She was a member of the ruling Funcipec Party and Deputy Governor of the National Bank of Cambodia from 1993-1995 before she resigned to join the opposition Sam Rainsy Party. She holds an MBA from INSEAD and was an investment manager at Indosuez Bank as well as the managing director of Robert Fleming in Paris before her entry into politics.
Anders Samuelsen, a member of the EP’s Budget Committee and the Foreign Affairs
Committee representing Denmark. Mr Samuelsen considers himself a social democrat
and will use his influence in the committees that he serves to advance the ssues of a
common European labour market, establishing a better working environment and equal
rights for workers. He also believes that Europe should play a bigger role in
international relations.
Graham Watson, Leader of ALDE. Mr Watson has been a staunch supporter of democracy in Singapore and has raised several questions in the European Parliament about the suppression of human rights and democratic activities by the Singapore Government. He is also the author of several books 2020 Vision: Liberalisation and Globalisation (2001) and The Power of Speech (2006).
http://www.singaporedemocrat.org/articleeuroquestion2.html
Public Forum
Development of Democracy in Europe and Asia
Date
13 Apr 07, Friday
7:00 pm
Venue
Venue: Sheraton Towers, Scotts Road
Opal Ballroom
(Newton MRT Station)
Admission
Free
Speakers
Dina Abad
Fiona Hall
Ignasi Cambo Guardans
Eugenijus Gentvilas
Lydie Polfer
Saumura Tioulong
Graham Watson
Chee Soon Juan
Make a date with the speakers. Come and express your views.
All are welcome