Background on the
Asia Pacific Democrat Youth
Origins
One year ago a meeting was convened in Australia to create the Asia Pacific Democrat Youth. This new peak political body aims to facilitate communication between young leaders from centre-right parties across Asia, the South Pacific and the Americas.
The Asia Pacific Democrat Youth is an arm of a wider political organisation - the International Democrat Union (the IDU). The IDU was founded by Ronald Reagan and Margaret Thatcher during the Cold War, when Eastern Europe was still in the grip of Communism, and socialism was still the leading ideology throughout most of the world. Today, the IDU’s membership encompasses over 70 political parties from 56 countries, including the American Republicans, the British Conservatives, the Japanese Liberal Democrats, the Australian Liberals, the New Zealand Nationals and many more.
The original vision of the organisation is most succinctly expressed by President Reagan and Mrs Thatcher:
“The IDU represents a unity of purpose by the major conservative political parties of the world to support each other, and more importantly to sponsor the values we share, namely individual liberty, representative government, and the rule of law under God. The IDU recognizes that freedoms are not the sole prerogative of a lucky few, but the inalienable and universal right of all human beings.” (President Ronald Reagan, London)
“We must launch a vigorous and dedicated campaign to bring freedom and justice to those who do not have them.” (Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, London)
The inaugural convention of the Asia Pacific Democrat Youth was organised by Daniel Clode the International Secretary of the Australian Young Liberals and held in Fremantle, Perth (Australia) from the 5th to the 9th January 1999, hosted by the Young Liberal Movement of Australia at its National Convention. Invitations were sent to all political parties currently belonging to the IDU. Our international visitors included a range of political leaders - from party officials, to members of parliament, through to a university Professor. Altogether eight countries were represented, by nineteen delegates.
This convention was a unique opportunity to discuss topical issues with young political leaders and policy-makers from diverse countries. These discussions culminated in the launch of the “Freedom 2000” campaign, directed against the most undemocratic and oppressive regimes around the world. Additionally the Asia Pacific Democrat Youth released a statement of policies and principles entitled the “Fremantle Declaration.”
Objectives
The objectives of our new organisation can be broad summarised as follows.
1) As a working association, our priorities include training activities and policy discussions which help build the skills of our members and prepare future generations of political leaders for the Asia Pacific. We have recently established a web presence that can act as a platform for communication in-between conventions (see <http://www.geocities.com/pacific_future>).
2) The fledgling organisation aims to persuade a growing number of centre-right political parties to ratify our “Declaration of Principles”, in the conviction that the constitutional structures and institutional heritage of pluralist democracies should be defended and promoted. We are particularly interested in providing training and advice to young leaders from emerging democracies and less developed countries.
3) As an ideological institution, we aim to contribute towards victory for the right-of-centre political forces around the world. Our policy mission is to build the momentum of economic development, individual freedom and democratic expansion. We aim not only to share the success stories of reformist governments, but also to put a harsh spotlight on left-wing regimes in our region. We intend to both educate young political activists, and also to communicate with business leaders and alert them to the economic dangers of leftist parties.
Recognition by the IDU
Coinciding with our inaugural Convention, the executive of the IDU's Youth Wing met in Fremantle. The International Young Democrat Union executive members all had observer status at our meetings. Their political advice was valuable as we discussed, amended and ratified our constitution. Their support, recommendations and encouragement has been important to our new organisation. In particular we recognise the assistance provided by the IYDU Chairman Andrew Rosindell.
On 4 June 1999 the APD Union had a meeting in Canberra. This was a key occasion to obtain formal recognition from our senior regional body, so that we can function as their accepted youth wing. Until now we had only had the verbal support of the Chairman Tony Eggleton and it was not until June that the wider body reconvened.The APD Union invited the APD Youth Chair to attend as part of their meeting and report on the inauguration of the youth wing. The meeting accepted the report on our Perth meeting, including the tabled copies of our constitution, the Fremantle declaration and the draft minutes which were distributed to those in attendance. The meeting listened to and considered the strategies which the APD Youth had discussed at its first executive meeting. They did not recommend any variations on this strategy. The meeting congratulated us on our achievements.
Current Activities
The basic structure and design of our website was completed in March 2000. This has now enabled us to embark on a major sign-up of member parties. Now that our core documents are readily available on-line, we are in a position to provide full details on our new organisation, without the need to post great cumbersome volumes of material world-wide.
The priority task for the current executive is to contribute to the construction of our website. Traditionally, exchanges between related political parties have depended upon expensive international visits by very small numbers of individuals. By contrast, our organisation aims to use the internet to make the latest political ideas and expertise available to a wide number of party members - right down to the level of local branch members. This is why we are particularly eager to expand the number of training handbooks, country profiles and policy materials on the website. We would be most appreciative for any constructive criticism or suggestions on our new website. To pass on suggestions, email our Chairman Daniel Clode.
One of our most important decisions in at our Foundation Meeting was to not charge annual membership fees. Being a member party therefore has no costs, only benefits. Countries only need to pay for direct benefits which they receive, such as when they send a delegate to a Convention (however even in this situation we will be seeking corporate sponsorship to defray costs for participants).
We are having an email discussion shortly between new and interested party representatives, to discuss directions and priorities for the new organisation.
Delegates at the Inaugural Convention of the Asia Pacific Democrat Youth in Fremantle Australia: Michael Keenan (Vice-Chairman of the IYDU), Amalia Matheson, Andrew Rosindell (Chairman of the IYDU), John Kennett, Melissa Roberts, Nicole Reid, Daniel Clode (Chairman of the APDY).