CALD and LI Joint Election Mission to Taiwan
10 January 2024 | Taipei, Taiwan
Mardi Seng, chairperson of the Council of Asian Liberals and Democrats (CALD) and a former senator from Cambodia, officially opened CALD’s joint Taiwan election mission with Liberal International (LI) with these words during the welcome dinner on 10 January 2024. “Taiwan has become a model for us who also aspire a democratic, secured and prosperous future for our own people”, he added.
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“Coming to Taiwan is like coming home” – CALD ChairpersonCALD and LI conduct joint election mission; celebrate DPP victory “For
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CALD Election Mission to Indonesia
14 February 2024 | Jakarta, Indonesia
With delegates from Cambodia, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Timor Leste and the Friedrich Naumann Foundation (FNF) of Germany, the Council of Asian Liberals and Democrats (CALD) went to Jakarta to observe the polls. Prior to election day, the delegates met with representatives from political party, civil society and the academe to contextualize and understand better the key issues and problems in this year’s elections.
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With over 204 million voters, 820,000 voting precincts and 258,000 candidates, Indonesia’s recently concluded elections were considered the biggest single-day
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Asian Liberals and Democrats Observe Thai Elections
11- 15 May 2023 | Bangkok, Thailand.
A delegation from the Council of Asian Liberals and Democrats (CALD), a regional network of political parties in Asia, was in Bangkok on 11-15 May to observe the elections – the first time that the network organized an election observation mission in Thailand. With delegates from Taiwan, the Philippines, Malaysia, Singapore, Cambodia and Indonesia, the mission aimed primarily to understand the key actors, issues and problems in the Thai elections, and to learn from the country’s experience in administering the electoral process.
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It was described as “generation-defining” election. In a number of ways, it was. The recently concluded Thailand general election saw
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CALD Executive Mission to Timor Leste
17 – 19 July 2023 | Dili, Timor Leste
Held in the capital of Dili, the mission aimed to learn about Timor-Leste’s democratic development and current political issues, and facilitate knowledge exchange among key political leaders. Moreover, the mission also sought to understand the ideology, platform, and advocacy of political parties in the country and explore the possibility of inviting them to be members of CALD.
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“East Timor is a vibrant country, a hopeful nation that is considered the most democratic in Southeast Asia,” said CALD
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Asian Liberals and Democrats Observe Thai Elections
8 – 12 January 2020 | Taipei and Hualien, Taiwan
The Election Mission was organized to show support to our member party, the Democratic Progressive Party who contested in the presidential and parliamentary elections.
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“One country, two systems” has been at the center of controversy in the months-long Hong Kong protests. In the recent
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CALD Executive Mission to Hong Kong
12 – 14 January 2020 | Hong Kong
The Executive Mission was organized in order to better understand the political crisis that has been gripping the territory in the past months. It was also an opportunity for the participants to discuss with Hong Kong counterparts the implications of the Taiwan elections.
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“One country, two systems” has been at the center of controversy in the months-long Hong Kong protests. In the recent
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CALD Election Mission to Indonesia
14 – 18 April 2019 | Jakarta, Indonesia
The Election Mission was organized to show support to two of CALD’s member parties, the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDIP) and the Nation Awakening Party (PKB).
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It was touted as the world’s biggest single-day elections with 192.8 million registered voters and 809,500 polling stations scattered across
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CALD Executive Mission to South Africa
29 September – 5 October 2018 | Johannesburg and Cape Town, South Africa
The Executive Mission is organized based on the framework of South-South Cooperation, a broad framework for collaboration among countries of the South in the political, economic, social, cultural, environmental and technical domains.
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Asia and Africa are two continents which appear to reflect each other’s issues and problems. From the role of money
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CALD Taiwan Presidential & Parliamentary Elections Mission
13-17 January | Taipei & Taoyuan, Taiwan
As its first main activity for 2016, the Council of Asian Liberals and Democrats (CALD), in partnership with the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) of Taiwan, a founding member of CALD, organized the mission for delegates to learn about campaign strategies and election processes to observe Taiwan’s 2016 presidential election.
CALD Philippines Presidential Election Mission
9-15 April 2016 | Manila and Iloilo, Philippines
This mission was aimed in part to provide participants with a general understanding and appreciation of the Philippine democratic system, electoral framework and political party dynamics. Organized by CALD in cooperation with the Liberal Party of the Philippines (LP) and with the support of the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom (FNF), the mission took place a month before the Philippines’ 9 May general elections, which was touted to be the “most hotly contested” polls since the restoration of democracy in that country in 1986, with “reform politics” battling it out against “traditional politics”.
CALD Youth Participation in 39th IFLRY General Assembly
14-17 April 2016 | Istanbul, Turkey
The International Federation of Liberal Youth held its 39th General Assembly. CALD Youth, as an IFLRY Regional Bureau Member was represented in the event by Chairperson Ms. Bulgan Bayasgalant.
CALD Participation in the Inauguration of Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen
19-21 May 2016 | Taipei, Taiwan
Tsai Ing-wen was sworn in as the 14th President of the Republic of China (Taiwan) on 20 May in an astonishing ceremony which showcased the inspiring history of the country’s democratic struggle.
CALD Executive Mission to Taiwan
9-12 September 2016 | Taipei and Yilan, Taiwan
The event, composed of the CALD Executive Mission and CALD’s Participation in the first Asia Democracy Forum organized by the DPP’s Democracy Institution, examined the democratic developments in Asia and the experience of Southeast Asian nations vis-à-vis their pursuit of democracy. The mission also discussed the prospects and cooperation between the DPP-led Taiwanese government and CALD in achieving their goals and vision in the broader Asian region.
Participation of Mu Sochua and Oyun Sanjaasuren in LI Manifesto Drafting Committee Meetings
22 July 2016 | Taipei, Taiwan
29 September 2016 | New York, USA
Convening in Taipei Taiwan, the drafting committee for the 2017 Liberal International manifesto, which will centre on global challenges and opportunities for liberalism in the twenty-first century has brought together representatives from LI member parties in Asia, under LI President, Dr. Juli Minoves.
CALD Youth meets IFRLY in Vienna
27 March – 05 April 2015 | Vienna, Austria
Young liberals from all over the world gathered in Vienna, Austria, from 27 March to 5 April 2015 for a series of activities organized by the International Federation of Liberal Youth (IFLRY). Co-organized with IFLRY Full Member Junge liberale NEOS (JUNOS), and with the support of the European Youth Foundation of the Council of Europe, the activities commenced with a five-day seminar themed: “You(th) in the <3 of Conflict Transformation #Mechanisms.” The international seminar brought together 35 young individuals with the aim, among others, of exploring the role of young people as conflict transformers; and to develop practical approaches to conflict transformation vis-à-vis local contexts for follow-up local activities.
CALD Youth Participates in COP21
30 November – 11 December 2015 | Paris, France
UN member countries, civil society groups, international media and the youth, gathered together in Parc de Expositions, Le Bourget, Paris, France to reach an ambitious agreement on climate change. The Council of Asian Liberals and Democrats (CALD), through its international counterpart for the youth – International Federation of Liberal Youth (IFLRY) participated in this celebrated event. CALD’s participation in COP21 was the result of a successful climate change conference held in Sihanoukville and Phnom Penh, Cambodia last June 2015 in cooperation with IFLRY and the Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP) and with the support of Friedrich Naumann Foundation (FNF).
Observation Trip to Typhoon Haiyan-Devastated Areas
1-5 May 2014 | Leyte, Philippines
As yet another follow-up to previous CALD initiatives on climate change, the Council summoned a delegation with participants from Cambodia, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Mongolia, Taiwan, and the Philippines to return to Haiyan-devastated areas in Eastern Visayas. The observation trip was organized as a part of CALD’s continuing effort to provide assistance to the victims of the super typhoon, and to promote awareness of climate change impacts. In the 2nd of May briefing that marked the start of the trip, Presidential Adviser on Environmental Protection Neric Acosta focused on the rehabilitation projects, their impacts, and other possible interventions that the victims may need. The highlight of the visit came on 4 May, when the participants had the chance to visit the beneficiaries of CALD sponsored shelters.
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CALD Indonesia Presidential Election Observation Mission
8-11 July 2014 | Jakarta, Indonesia
In early July, CALD sent an election observation mission in Jakarta to witness one of the world’s biggest electoral exercises, and Indonesia’s third presidential election since the ouster of the dictator Soeharto in 1998. Indonesia has made remarkable strides in consolidating its democracy making it a model for the rest of the region. The CALD election mission – held in cooperation with the Indonesia Democratic Party Struggle (PDI-P), with FNF support – was thus an opportunity for participants to share experiences and best practices on various aspects of electoral process. It also enabled them to witness first-hand the tense competition between PDI-P’s Jokowi and Jusuf Kalla and Gerindra-led coalition’s Prabowo Subianto and Hatta Rajasa.
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Last 8-11 July 2014, the Council of Asian Liberals and Democrats (CALD) held an observation mission in Jakarta, Indonesia to
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CALD Taiwan 9-in-1 Election Observation Mission
24-27 November 2014 | Taipei, Taiwan and Taichung, Taiwan
CALD capped its series of activities for the year with an election mission in Taiwan late November. Hosted by the Democratic Progressive Party of Taiwan (DPP), and with FNF support, the mission was organized to enable participants to witness the largest ever election in the history of electoral process in Taiwan. But the participants from Thailand, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Singapore, the Philippines, and Germany not just personally witnessed the campaign strategies of local candidates, they also met the candidates themselves. The results of the 9-in-1 elections held on 29 of November eventually revealed majority of Taiwan as having voted for the DPP. In reaction, the party’s chairperson, Dr. Tsai Ing-wen, said in part, “Tonight’s election results are a historical prologue for change. As a politician, we only have one principle: facing with the power of the people, we should only become more humble.”
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On 24-27 November 2014, the Council of Asian Liberals and Democrats (CALD), with the support of the Democratic Progressive Party
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CALD Taiwan Election Mission
4-9 January 2012 | Taipei-Yilan-Taoyuan-Taichung
Three little piggy banks offered by young triplets to the opposition Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) inspired a fundraising campaign that soon became a moving story of how the weak can confront the strong. Face by a formidable opponent that has been describe as one of the wealthiest political parties in the world, DPP took to a fund-raising drive for the 2012 presidential and legislative elections that saw it disturbing thousands of piggybanks across Taiwan. It eventually raised the equivalent of US$ 6.7 million from those piggy banks that DPP supporters filled and returned to the party – which only shows that the support of the people is the greatest resource n any electoral exercise
CALD was priviledged to witness this people-driven campaign firsthand when it sent a fourteen-member electoral mission to Taiwan on 4-9 January. Elected officials, potential candidates, and campaign workers from CALD member organizations joined the mission to observe the campaign of DPP Chair Dr. Tsai Ing-Wen, Taiwan’s first female presidential candidate and DPP standard-bearer in the 14 January 2012 elections.
Electoral observation missions are among CALD’s regular activities that allow CALD member organizations to gain wider perspectives on political campaign strategies. Since 2000, CALD has been collaborating with the DPP to observe elections in Taiwan, inarguably one of the world’s most advanced democracies.
The highlight of the Januart mission to Taiwan was DPP’s Super Sunday rally in Taipei City during which Dr. Tsai spoke before an estimated 100,000 supporters. Also in attendance were Tsai’s running mate, Su Jia Chyuan, and the party’s candidates for the Legislative Yuan in Taipei City.
The CALD mission also visited campaign branches in the cities of Taipei, Taoyuan in the northwest, and Taichung in west-central Taiwan, where they observed campaign activities, including the briefing of volunteers, street sweeps, and rally preparations. In addition, CALD mission members had briefings at the Central Election Commission of Taiwan, a survey research center, and the Yilan County Hall. A workshop on election campaign strategy was conducted as well, where fundraising, polling, propaganda, and grassroots mobilization were among the topics taken up.
By the way, DPP – and the rest of Taiwan — were against not just one, but three Big Bad Wolves, said DPP campaign spokesperson Cheng Li Chun: big business, the ruling prty’s huge assets, and the use of the state apparatus to influence the electoral battle.
CALD Mission to Burma
29 – 31 January 2011 | Bangkok, Thailand / Rangoon, Burma
The CALD Mission to Burma 2011 was organised with the general objective of having a dialogue and consultation with Daw Aung San Suu Kyi and the National League for Democracy (NLD) on how to build, sustain, and deepen democratic institutions and processes in Burma. The significance of the mission could be seen in terms of its potential to build and enhance personal and party-to-party relations between CALD members and their Burmese counterparts/ These relations, hopefully could facilitate future projects and programs that assist in gradually transforming Burma’s political landscape.
CALD Electoral Mission to Taiwan
24-28 November 2010 | Taipie-New Taipei City-Taichung-Tainan-Kaohsiung, Taiwan
A delegation from CALD was invited by the Democratic Progressive Party, with the support of the Taiwan Foundation for Democracy, to observe municipal elections in Taiwan’s give major cities: Taipei, New Taipei (Xinbei). Taichung, Kaohsiung, and Tainan. The activity served as an avenue for sharing of experiences and best practices on election administration, campaign strategies, and political communication between and amongst CALD member parties.
CALD in 55th Liberal International Congress
15-17 May 2008 | Belfast, Northern Ireland
CALD’s participation in the 55th Liberal International Congress including the CALD-RELIAL meeting and the Liberal Regional Networks Meeting.
Visit of the ASEAN Secretary General to CALD and LP
7 July 2008 | Manila, Philippines
A dinner reception organised, with the support of the Liberal Party of the Philippines (LP) and the Friedrich Naumann Foundation, in honor of H.E. Dr. Surin Pitsuwan, secretary general of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and founding chair of CALD.
CALD-LI Electoral Mission to Cambodia
23-28 July 2008 | Phnom Penh-Kampong Cham-Siem Reap-Kampot-Sihanoukville, Cambodia
A five-day election mission organised by CALD and Liberal International (LI) to vigilantly monitor the elections and express support to their member – organisations and main opposition party in Cambodia, the Sam Rainsy Party.
CALD Executive Visit to Jakarta
7-8 February 2007 | Jakarta, Indonesia
Hosted by the Nation Awakening Party (PKB) and the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDIP), this mission to the Indonesian capital was attended by parliamentarians and top party officials from CALD member and observer parties. An Executive Committee meeting was held, and the CALD delegation had audiences with the PKB and the PDIP.
ALDE-CALD Parliamentary Missions to Jakarta and Singapore
10-13 April 2007 | Jakarta, Indonesia and Singapore
A joint parliamentary mission organised by the Alliance of Liberals & Democrats for Europe and CALD, with the support of the Friedrich Naumann Foundation, was organised in these two ASEAN cities to seek stronger cooperation between Asian and European liberals through issue-based discussions and dialogues.
CALD Executive Visit to Taiwan
18-19 March 2005 | Taipei, Taiwan
Delegates from CALD member parties were sponsored by the Democratic Progressive Party of Taiwan (DPP) to an Executive Visit to Taipei, highlighted by an audience with Taiwanese President Chen Shui-bian and followed by an Executive Committee Meeting.
CALD @ IPU / SRP & NCUB Manila Missions
31 March – 8 April 2005 | Manila, Philippines
The Council of Asian Liberals & Democrats (CALD) and the Liberal Party of the Philippines LP gathered liberal parliamentarians worldwide attending the 112th Inter Parliamentary Union General Assembly in Manila and hosted the parallel missions of the Sam Rainsy Party of Cambodia (SRP) and the National Council of the Union of Burma (NCUB), which sought to advocate reforms through inter-parliamentary cooperation.
CALD Executive Meeting and Visit to Bangkok
June 16-17, 2005 | Bangkok, Thailand
Delegates from CALD member and observer parties met for a presentation of various political parties for an audience with Democrat Party Thailand (DP) and Bangkok Metropolitan Authority (BMA) leaders. This was hosted by DP with the support of the Friedrich Naumann Foundation.
Sam Rainsy Party Executive Meeting
13-16 November 2005 | Manila, Philippines
The internal meeting of the Sam Rainsy Party of Cambodia jointly supported by Council of Asian Liberals & Democrats (CALD) and Friedrich Naumann Foundation (FNF).
SRP senior leaders including majority of its parliamentarians met in Manila with the support of CALD, LP and FNF. This was the first time that the party was able to meet since the self-imposed exile of its leader Sam Rainsy who was stripped of his parliamentary immunity.
2005 CALD Electoral Observation Mission to Taiwan’s Local Elections
30 November – 4 December 2005 | Taipei-Changhua-Taichung, Taiwan
This observation mission of Asian liberal political parties to the first ever Taiwanese 3-in-1 local elections, jointly sponsored by the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) of Taiwan and the Council of Asian Liberals & Democrats (CALD).
CALD – National Democratic Institute for International Affairs (NDI) Pre-Elections Assessments Missions
8-13 March 2004 | Taipei,Taiwan
5-9 April 2004 | Seoul, Korea
3-7 May 2004 | Manila, Philippines
14-18 June 2004 | Jakarta, Indonesia
As part of CALD and NDI’s political party reform program in Asia, teams of party representative conducted pre-election mission to meet party leaders, candidates, NGOs and media organisations, and election officials and monitors.
CALD Executive visit to Taiwan
18-19 March 2004 | Taipei, Taiwan
The visit of CALD member parties in line with the CALD Execom Meeting and highlighted by the audience with President Chen Shui-bian.
DPP Pre-election Monitoring Missions
5-8 May 2004 | Manila, Philippines
15-18 May 2004 | Jakarta, Indonesia
The Democratic Progressive Party of Taiwan’s delegations to the presidential and legislative elections, as part of its mission of promoting democracy worldwide and to show support to CALD member and observer parties.
The Manila Mission of the National Council of the Union of Burma
26-30 September 2004 | Manila, Philippines
The NCUB mission, supported by CALD and the Liberal Party of the Philippines, seeking political support from Philippine legislators and liberal stalwarts.
CALD Executive Visit to the European Commission
12 November 2004 | Brussels, Belgium
An executive meeting with the Committee of the Regions of the European Commission by officials of CALD member and observer parties organised by FNF’s International Political Dialogue, with the support of EU Committee of the Regions.
CALD Observers’ Missions to Taiwan’s Parliamentary Elections
8-11 December 2004 | Kaohsiung-Tainan-Taipei, Taiwan
The four-day election observation mission of Asian liberal political parties to the Taiwanese legislative elections, jointly sponsored by DPP and CALD.
CALD-DPP Pre Legislative Election Mission
8-11 December 2004 | Kaohsiung-Tainan-Taipei, Taiwan
The four-day election observation mission of Asian liberal political parties to the Taiwanese legislative elections, jointly sponsored by the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) of Taiwan and the Council of Asian Liberals & Democrats (CALD).
ELDR-CALD Delegation visit to Cambodia
April 30 – May 2, 2003 | Phnom Penh, Cambodia
A combined delegation of European and Asian Liberals on a three-day mission in Phnom Penh and the countryside to study the political situation in advance of the 2003 Cambodian national elections.
CALD’s Participation in the 2nd ASEAN People’s Assmebly organized by the ASEAN Institute of Strategic Studies and Consultative Meeting
29-31 August 2001 | Bali, Indonesia
This was organised by the ASEAN Institutes of Strategic Studies and keynoted by M.R Sukumbhand Paribatra MP, CALD Chair, and Consultative Meeting on 29 to 31 August 2002 held in Bali, Indonesia.
