Young Democrats help found regional youth organisation

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Tuesday, 31 August 2010

Singapore Democrats

Youth workshop in Kaohsiung

The Young Democrats (YD) were in Kaohsiung, Taiwan as one of the founding members of the youth wing of the Council of Asian Liberals and Democrats, or CALD Youth. The new organisation was established during a youth caucus organised by CALD.

Representatives of Singapore Democratic Party's YD, Mr Teoh Tian Jing and Mr Eric Ng, were part of the 12 political parties from all over Asia particiapting in a four-day workshop entitled “Roles of Youth Wings in Political parties”.

The workshop served as a platform where the youth wings of CALD members share their experiences in running their organisations and building democracy in their countries.

CALD, established in 1993, is a regional network of liberal democratic parties in Asia that promotes democracy and human rights. Its members comprise of parties, both ruling and in opposition, and prominent politicians in Burma, Cambodia, Hong Kong, Japan, Indonesia, the Philippines, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand and, of course, Singapore.

Tian Jing (2nd from right) in a small group discussion

Tian Jing (2nd from right) in a small group discussion

The youth workshop allowed Mr Teoh and Mr Ng to interact with parties such as the Taiwan's Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), which has come a long way since the martial law era in the 80's.

The political landscape in Asian societies has over the last 20 years been changing, with more Asian countries adopting democracy.

"The oft used explanation by the ruling party in Singapore for the growing repression is that democracy is a western concept and not suitable for Asian societies," Mr Teoh noted. "But the participants at the workshop strongly disagreed.

"They said that it is democracy that enables people to engage in the decision-making process, giving them a stake in their countries' affairs."

The participants also visited a youth camp organised by the DPP where more than a hundred university students volunteered to help in the local elections scheduled for the end of the year. Taiwanese students, Mr Teoh added, are encouraged to be politically active and such youth camps are common.

Eric (left) and Tian Jing outside a DPP campaign office

Eric (left) and Tian Jing outside a DPP campaign office

"In the repressive state of Singapore, young political activists routinely face police intimidation, persecution and judicial punishment," the Young Democrat related to workshop participants.

When he talked about his brushes with the police on several occasions, one of the delegates exclaimed that the situation in Singapore reminded her of Taiwan's martial law era.

"One wonders how Foreign Minister George Yeo can keep a straight face proclaiming Singapore as a democracy during a recent ASEAN meeting," Mr Teoh pointed out. "The 'democracy' that George Yeo describes Singapore as is actually an authoritarian system and police state."

As for Mr Eric Ng, the trip was his first foray onto the international stage.

"It was also a good opportunity for me to learn from the other participants on communication and presentation skills," he commented. "It certainly serves to build up my confidence."

Participants posing

He added: "The workshop made me realise the importance of establishing networks with like-minded youths all over. Not only were we able to understand the problems faced by the respective political parties within their own countries, we also learnt from members whose organizations formed the government.

"I am proud to have been part of a historical event and can proudly proclaim to be one of the founding members of CALD Youth."

Mr Teoh summed up the significance of the event: "If anything, our participation in this workshop served as a reminder, not only to us in the Young Democrats, but to all the youths in Singapore that we cannot adopt a wait-and-see attitude when it comes to political reform. Change can only come when sacrifices are made."

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Comments (7)

Wed 01 Sep 2010 11:13 AM | sdpmirror - Young Demoncrats have no connection with ground

YD is simply out of touch. Yeah, found a regional organization to promote your ideals and our economic problems would disappear, we will not need to worry about competition from India and China and all sick and old will be cared for. Sure.

Wed 01 Sep 2010 3:28 PM | Seelan Palay - Jealousy knows no boundaries

'sdpmirror' knows so much about the Young Democrats? If the person did, they would know about the walkabouts and other ground activities that the YD are involved in, like this one: http://yoursdp.org/index.php/the-party/young-democrats/3642-young-democrats-keep-up-campaign-at-bukit-panjang-

In any case, a regional organisation greatly aids member organisations in several aspects including teamwork, leadership and communications and improvement of skills in areas like new media technology.

If you want to know how the SDP is going to deal with competition and caring for the old, please have a read of the SDP's Manifesto and Alternative Economic Programme: http://yoursdp.org/index.php/the-party/our-manifesto

Thu 02 Sep 2010 4:55 AM | orange

Wow sdpmirror. Im appalled. If YD is out of touch, explain the ruling party PAP/Young PAP who are at the outer reach of the solar system collaborating with the communist party of China to learn from each other on more undemocratic practices that stifles s'poreans. We all know how much of a authoritarian rule China is, but at least the the Communist Party don't pretend to be democratic.

Young PAP 'school' takes a leaf from Communist youth
http://www.asiaone.com/News/Education/Story/A1Story20090303-125908.html

PAP team visits China
http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/Singapore/Story/STIStory_572307.html

Thu 02 Sep 2010 7:17 PM | 123 - to orange

To be a Democracy, is to be a government for people as being a aristocrat for the advancement of the state. Hence, as then we would understand many other idealogies to allow the growth of global political harmony. You cannot assoicate a Democracy to the country as that determines the political system not the political direction.

Thu 02 Sep 2010 10:16 PM | sdpmirror - Jealous? Not me!

But I do agree that jealousy knows no boundaries.
Yap, I know enough about YD, and about that b panjang walkable, where YD took photos of themselves, and gave out their flyers and told people all about the SDP. The only voice from the ground is a single (anonymous) quote from a Malay man that happened to serve SDP's own message so well.
Oh... about that China trip (I am intrigued)- but then, is the Comm Party of China more out of touch than a democratic party in the west?

Fri 03 Sep 2010 1:21 AM | orange - sdpmirror

what is your point?

Fri 03 Sep 2010 12:40 PM | Seelan Palay - To sdpmirror

And its not just that one incident, the YD have been actively involved in various other outreach activities that the party has organised. Come around and volunteer if you like, and you can witness it for yourself.

Yes the Communist Party of China is more out of touch than most democratic parties in the west and the east.

Feel free to read some articles by Chinese academics to find out why. I also have personal friends who lived in China who can attest to it.