Minutes
1st Council Meeting
Asia Pacific Democrat Youth
Wednesday 6th January 1999
(1) Opening of the APDY 1st Council Meeting
Mr Andrew Rosindell opened the Council Meeting on Wednesday 6th January 1999 at 11:00am, as the invited acting Chairman. He noted that the Asia Pacific Democrat Youth was to act as the successor organisation to the Pacific Democrat Youth which was effectively defunct, following its formation in 1994 in Canada.
Mr Rosindell acknowledged the presence of the IYDU Executive members who were observing and the Asia Pacific regional representatives listed below.
Andrew suggested that many issues on the agenda could be delegated to the Executive for their discussion and agreement. Daniel Clode suggested that items 1, 2, 3, 4, 9 and 13 could be resolved in Council, with other items to pass to the new Executive. Agreed by consensus.
(2) Attendance & Apologies for Absence
The following representatives of APD Youth parties were in attendance during 5th to 10th January 1999:
* Mr Daniel Clode, Young Liberal Movement (Australia).
Official APD Youth Delegate of the Young Liberals.
International Secretary.
* Mr Daniel Gordon, Young Nationals (New Zealand).
Official APD Youth Delegate of the Young Nationals.
Canterbury Divisional Chairman.
* Professor Jou, Kuomintang (Republic of China)
Official APD Youth Delegate of the Kuomintang.
KMT member in the Department of Youth Affairs.
Professor at the National Tsing-Hua University.
Executive-General The Hope Foundation.
Chairman The Electric Vehicles Association of the Republic of China.
* Mr Michael Keenan, Young Liberal Movement (based in Cambridge,
University, U.K.).
Vice Chairman of the IYDU (for the South Pacific region).
* Mr Carl Bates, Young Nationals (New Zealand).
Young National observer and a Deputy Divisional Chairman.
* Mr Nick Tolley, Australian Liberal Students Federation (Australia).
Official APD Youth Delegate and National President of the ALSF.
The following international guests from the IYDU were granted observer status during APD Youth proceedings:
* Werner Amon OVP Parliamentary Spokesman on Human Rights, Development & Youth Affairs, Member of Parliament since 1994 (Austria).
* Astrid Angerer National Vice-Chairman Junge OVP(Austria).
Marianne Barnthaler Member of the Junge OVP International Commission
[The International Commission is a think tank which selects international
representatives for the Young Austrian Peoples Party] (Austria).
* Shirley Bates Observer Status (New Zealand).
* Jacek Bendykowski IYDU Vice-Chairman (Poland).
* Ellena Economou Observer Status (Greece).
* Gerald Grunberger Secretary-General Junge OVP (Austria).
* Martin S Ledolter International Secretary Junge OVP (Austria).
Chairman Junge OVP International Commission.
Vice-President European Peoples Party Youth.
* Bengt Ludvigsson IYDU Vice-Chairman (Sweden).
* Stavros Papastavrou IYDU Deputy Chairman (Greece).
Chairman Democrat Youth Community of Europe (DEMYC).
* Andrew Rosindell IYDU Chairman (United Kingdom).
* Christian Schwarz Member Junge OVP International Commission (Austria).
* Jerome Sterkers IYDU Vice-Chairman (France).
Jeunes RPR International Secretary.
The following apologies were registered with Daniel Clode prior to the Convention:
* Patrick Brown National President Progressive Conservative Youth Federation (Canada).
* Tony Eggleton - Chairman Asia Pacific Democrat Union (Australia).
* Marcelo Elizondo IYDU Vice-Chairman (Argentina).
* David Farrer Executive Assistant to the Prime Minister (New Zealand).
* Shane Frith IYDU Treasurer (New Zealand).
* Tim Hurdle Young National Chairman (New Zealand).
* Tony Kuo International Secretary Kuomintang (Republic of China).
Co-opted Executive Member IYDU.
* Matthias Peterlik Secretary General Democrat Youth Community of Europe.
* Claus Bunk Pedersen Chairman European Young Conservatives (Denmark).
* Jerome Roberts
* Peter Ryan APD Youth Delegate, Progressive Conservative Youth Federation (Canada).
* Donald Simpson
* Gulli Thordarson IYDU Executive Member (Iceland).
(3) Country Reports
Agreed that the New Zealand report would be adjourned to a joint session with the Young Liberal Movement of Australia in the main conference hall. Agreed that the Australian report, to be presented by Young Liberal Federal President Mr Matthew Bolland, would be adjourned to a joint session with the IYDU Executive. Daniel Gordon presented an extensive and professional report on the New Zealand political system and recent developments, accompanied by slides. Mr Gordon also received questions until the days proceedings were unfortunately suspended due to the over-run of Young Liberal business earlier that afternoon. Mr Bolland reported to the IYDU Executive in joint session and took questions.
(4) Constitution Draft and Adoption
The Constitutional Draft was tabled by Daniel Clode and was agreed by all present to be an effective adaptation of the IYDU Constitution at a regional level. The numbering has been arranged to match the IYDU numbering (new sections have capitals attached eg: s.1A). Daniel pointed out the key innovations including: the definitions section; scope for voluntary termination of membership; the flexibility for annual or biannual Councils; the use of Conventions for ongoing policy forums, training sessions and other activities; recognition of the internet for Executive meetings, with adapted notice periods; the prohibition on incorporation to avoid capture of the organisation by any one nation; and the definition of financial membership to preclude regular fees. Daniel noted that the two most significant changes were the redefinition of financial membership to encourage involvement by more parties and the distinction between Councils (as AGMs) and Conventions (for regular work).
Daniel led the discussion by highlighting sections where contention might arise, or where major alternatives could be envisaged. Changes to the draft Constitution were agreed by consensus, affecting sections as noted below.
Section 1: The Declaration of Principles was fully incorporated (as s.1A).
1A: Autonomous territories were defined and sub-regions were
defined (sub-regions affect quorum requirements and the
minimum number of Vice-Chairmen). The section was
renumbered 1B.
4: Veto powers were removed.
5(a)(4) Veto powers were removed.
5(b)(6) Renumbered as 5A to reflect its importance.
10: Quorum was connected to a minimum number of sub-regions
to ensure representation across the Asia Pacific and to make
quorum more regularly attainable.
11(a) Minor technical amendment.
11(b) Preferential ballot requirement inserted, allowing a seniority
order which can determine the Deputy Chairman, and to ensure
an automatic replacement mechanism where the Chairman or
Deputy become unable to serve a full term. Definition of
subregions relocated to s.1B.
11(c) Ex-officio status on the APD Youth Executive given to IYDU
Executive members from Asia Pacific countries.
17 Notice requirement for in person meetings raised to three months to allow easier booking of fares (especially a problem in holiday seasons).
22 Protections added to the co-option powers of the Executive so
that two thirds vote needed and co-options not to outnumber
Vice Chairmen. Provision for a patron was inserted.
27 Correction of typo.
32: Assets to devolve to APD Union in the event of winding up
(not IDU).
33: Correction of typo.
37: Veto powers were removed.
40A: Election of office bearers (see below).
40B. Minor technical amendment (date inserted).
40C. New section added. All existing IYDU parties were conferred
with automatic status. Those not wanting to continue as members
would have to first recognise their membership, then follow the
voluntary termination procedure.
Andrew Rosindell commented on the quality of the Constitution and said he would recommend that other regional organisations in the process of formation should draw upon this Constitution as a model.
Stavros Papastavrou noted that the main concern of the IYDU during the process of its Constitutional Review is to remove the IDU veto powers. Veto powers were incorporated in the Constitution, as a cautionary measure, when the youth wing was a new development, the future of which no one could predict. Now that the IYDU has operated successfully, it is widely accepted in both the IDU and IYDU that constitutional changes should be an internal matter. Carl Bildt agreed with this position in Taipei. It is well recognised now that the IYDU should be responsible for its actions and stand on its own merits. Stavros noted it is up to the IDU to accept us based on the quality of our work, not on the level of delegated powers.
Election of office-bearers. The following office bearers were deemed to have been validly elected as the Foundation Executive under the terms of the Foundation Constitution, via the Transitional Provisions.
(i) Chairman: Daniel Clode (Australia).
(ii) Executive Secretary: Melissa Roberts (Australia).
(iii) Treasurer: Tony Kuo (Taiwan), on the proviso
of his acceptance.
(iv) Deputy Chairman: Daniel Gordon (New Zealand)
(v) Other Vice-Chairmen: As nominated by the following
parties to represent the sub-regions
listed below, upon invitation of the
Executive Secretary.
North East Asia: Liberal Democratic Party (Japan).
South Pacific: The relevant centre-right party (Fiji)
(Soqosoqu Vakavulewa Ni Taukei?)
South East Asia: The relevant centre-right party
(Phillipines) L.A.M.P?
Latin America: Renovacion Nationale (Chile).
North America: Republican Party (U. S. A.).
Moved: that the final Constitution, as amended, be adopted (see attached Constitution).
Moved: Professor Jou.
Seconded: Daniel Gordon.
Carried: Unanimously.
Draft Constitution - attached.
Final Constitution - attached.
(5) Finances & Funding
Delegated for discussion and resolution at the APD Youth Executive meeting.
(6) Publications & Website
Delegated for discussion and resolution at the APD Youth Executive meeting.
(7) Secretarial Support
Delegated for discussion and resolution at the APD Youth Executive meeting.
(8) Invitations to New Member Parties
Delegated for discussion and resolution at the APD Youth Executive meeting.
(9) Policy Resolutions & The Fremantle Declaration
The collated motions were discussed, agreed and altered by consensus, then circulated to the Executive for their signature (see Fremantle Declaration attached).
(10) Contact Group Formation
Delegated for discussion and resolution at the APD Youth Executive meeting.
(11) Future Programme for 1999-2001
Delegated for discussion and resolution at the APD Youth Executive meeting.
(12) Any Other Business
Carried over for discussion and resolution at the APD Youth Executive meeting.
Forthcoming Regional Events:
Young National Conference
18th, 19th and 20th March 1999
Wellington, New Zealand
For further information, contact Tim Hurdle: <Tim.Hurdle@parliament.govt.nz >
(13) Close of Meeting
Business was suspended at 2:50pm on Wednesday 6th January 1999, with unfinished items delegated to the new APDY Executive, to be dealt with at their first meeting.