CALD Holds Back-to-Back Workshops on Party Management and Grassroots Organizing in Phnom Penh. The Council of Asian Liberals and Democrats (CALD), in cooperation with the Sam Rainsy Party (SRP) and with the support of the Friedrich Naumann Foundation (FNF), is holding back-to-back workshops on party finance and grassroots organizing in Sunway Hotel Phnom Penh from the 1st to the 6th of October 2010. Hon. Sam Rainsy, MP and Leader of the Cambodian opposition, addressed the participants of the workshop through live streaming on October 3. In his message, Hon. Rainsy expressed his regret that he could not personally welcome the workshop delegates in Phnom Penh because of the government-orchestrated legal and political intimidation against him and his political party. At the same time, he pointed out that the SRP is pleased to host these workshops, as they assist in strengthening not only political parties, but also other democratic institutions and processes. CALD, founded in 1993, is a regional alliance of political parties in Asia which aims to advance the values of liberalism, democracy, human rights, rule of law, private property, and good governance. Through the years, it has maintained its relevance by addressing issues and concerns that its member parties consider as vital in their operations and political survival. Representatives from political parties and organizations across Asia are participating in the workshops. These include CALD full members like the Democrat Party of Thailand (DP), the Democratic Progressive Party of Taiwan (DPT), Liberal Party of the Philippines (LP), the Liberal Party of Sri Lanka (LPSL), the Sam Rainsy Party of Cambodia (SRP), the Singapore Democratic Party (SDP), the Malaysian People’s Movement Party (PGRM), and the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P). CALD associate member Liberal Forum Pakistan (LFP) and observer member Nation Awakening Party of Indonesia (PKB) are also present. The participants in the in the back-to-back workshops forwarded the following observations or recommendations:Countries should have the necessary legislation, institutions, and mechanisms that promote transparency, accountability and women participation. If laws and institutions are already in place, there should be conscious and proactive efforts on the part of the government to make them work. State funding for political parties should be instituted in order to provide political parties with the financial base needed to support political party activities, especially in-between elections.Political parties must also put into place internal mechanisms within the party that guarantee transparency and accountability in the use and management of party funds.Political parties, provided they make the necessary preparations in-between elections, would be able to resist the temptation of using money politics when the election season comes in.Grassroots organization should be prioritized by political parties, as this not only ensures that parties are grounded with the issues and concerns of their constituency, but that they also contribute to the political education of the citizenry and democratization of the polity. As mentioned by Hon. Mu Sochua, CALD Women’s Caucus Chair and Head of the SRP Women’s Wing, “…with change coming from the grassroots level, change will be pushed forward at the highest levels, with more demands made for stronger women’s rights and freedom of expression.” Empowerment cannot be enforced top-down. This must take place not only within elite circles, but also at the grassroots level. Through education programs, awareness-raising, and continuous discussions, true equality and genuine respect can eventually be realized in most, if not all, parts of the world.A quota system reserving seats for women in both political party and national institutions should be encouraged.Political parties should tap into the characteristics and ways of women, as these, while perceived as weaknesses by some, may actually be used by parties in achieving their organizational goals and objectives. For this reason, it is highly advisable for political parties to establish or strengthen women’s wings.Political parties should harmonize its national policies with its policies at the grassroots level for maximum results. Transparency, accountability and grassroots organization are important ingredients to the long-term survival of political parties.
Reference
HON. MU SOCHUA, MPChair, CALD Women’s Caucus& Head of SRP’s Women’s Wing
