Singapore Democrats
Several Young Democrats (YD) will travel overseas this week and next to attend training workshops and conferences all over the world. These programmes are part of the SDP’s effort to develop the leadership capability of our younger members.
For a time, members were informed to put all travel on hold as the party prepared itself for a possible general elections in December. But now that the likelihood of a GE being held this year seems to be receding, members have been allowed to attend these overseas events.
YD Honorary-Secretary, Jarrod Luo will attend a conference in Strasbourg, France on the “Training of Trainers: Using Non-Formal Education to Strengthen Your Organization” from 24-28 Nov 10. This is the second time the YD is participating in this event. Mr Teoh Tian Jing was the first YD to attend the seminar.
The seminar session is organized by International Federation of Liberal Youth (IFLRY), of which Young Democrats is a member. It is supported by the European Youth Foundation and the Council of Europe.
Mr Muhd Khalis, who is Young Democrats Programme Director, will attend the Young Liberals and Democrats of Asia (YLDA) workshop on “Peace and Conflict Resolution through Democratization and Promotion of Liberal Values”.
The workshop is hosted by Garda Bangsa, which is the youth movement of National Awakening Party (PKB) and will take place in Bandung, Indonesia and will discuss the liberal and democratic model for the promotion of peace and resolution of conflicts in the region.
Indonesian Minister of Manpower and Transmigration, Mr. Muhaimin Iskandar will address the participants during the welcoming dinner. Mr Helmy Faishal Zaini, Indonesian Minister of Disadvantage Area, and Dr Andi Alfian Malarangeng, Indonesian Minister of Youth and Sport, will also address the participants.
ASEAN Secretary-General, Mr Surin Pitsuwan, will facilitate one of the sessions “Relevance of International Cooperation and Organization in Promoting Peace”.
The newest member of the Young Democrats, Mr Ahmad Suhaimi, will be in Taiwan to observe the local elections there. he is traveling with party Treasurer Mr Gerald Sng.
The election mission is organized by Council of Asian Liberals and Democrats of Asia (CALD) in cooperation with the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP). It will focus on the conduct of Taiwanese elections as well as provide an avenue for participants to meet with and discuss campaign strategising with the DPP. The mission runs from the 24th – 28th November.
Mr Abdul Malik will be in Madrid, Spain from 2-5 Dec 10 to take part in the activist seminar organised by the Swedish International Liberal Centre. YD and party activists have in the past attended this annual event held in various European cities. Participants exchange experiences and ideas on how they can expand the democratic agenda in their respective countries. The topic this year is on press freedom.
Finally, Dr Vincent Wijeysingha will travel to Manila to take part in the 4th Regional Human Rights Defenders Forum from 2-4 Dec 10 organised by FORUM-ASIA, a regional NGO based in Bangkok. UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders, Ms. Margaret Sekaggya, will be attending the conference.
The Forum is aimed towards strengthening the relationship between Asian human rights defenders and women human rights defenders with the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders, as well as provide an opportunity for defenders to share the challenges they face and the strategies they use in their work.
The Singapore Democrats continue to work hard domestically while at the same expand our horizons and making sure that we build up our international outlook and relations.