July 2008
Dear friends of Philippine liberalism,
Much has transpired since we last updated you in April. The Friedrich Naumann
Foundation turned 50 years old in May amidst a dignified celebration attended
by liberal leaders from Germany and around the world. It was heartening to have
no less that Germanys president open the ceremony and acknowledge the
Foundations work in promoting freedom. The highlight was certainly the
international seminar that took place after. It gave the Foundation a chance to
look back, reflect on its impact and look forward to new challenges.
One such challenge is teaching the concept of market economy especially at the
grassroots level. The Philippine office has decided to address this through the
angle of human rights. Last May we held our first discussion on market economy
with human rights lawyers. It was a stimulating interaction centering on the
issue of individual liberty, and what this means in the context of the economy.
Speaking of active citizenry, the Council of Asian Democrats and Liberals held
a reception for Dr. Surin Pitsuwan, secretary general of the Association of
Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) earlier this month. Dr. Pitsuwan spoke on the
importance of the new ASEAN charter. Despite its flaws, he lauded it as an
important step in forming a strong and relevant ASEAN one that upholds
freedom, rule of law and good governance.
Before we end this message, we would like to personally invite you to the 2008
Economic Freedom Network (EFN) Asia conference on property rights. It will be
held from 18-19 September at the University of Asia and the Pacific, Pasig
City. Join us as we look into the direct link between property rights and
wealth creation with eminent scholars from all over Asia. Conference fee is
only P1,000 for professionals and P500 for students. We hope to see you all
there. Its going to be an intellectually enriching experience.
Until next time & stay tuned!
Siegfried Siggi Herzog
ASEAN Secretary-General Speaks on Charters Role in Forwarding Democratic Agenda
Calling himself the cheerleader-in-chief of the Association of Southeast
Asian Nations (ASEAN), Dr. Surin Pitsuwan spoke of the importance of ASEAN in
forwarding the democratic agenda in the region during a reception in his honor.
The Friedrich Naumann Foundation (FNF), the Council of Asian Liberals and
Democrats (CALD) and the Liberal Party of the Philippines (LP) hosted the new
ASEAN secretary-general on 7 July 2008 at the FNF-CALD office in Makati City.
Dr. Pitsuwan said that in the face of the growing power of China and India,
ASEAN needed to become more relevant. It has thus created a charter to respond
to the challenges of the region. He explained how the charter will give ASEAN a
legal personality and consolidate the collection of diverse countries into a
successful community. Dr. Pitsuwan was pleased to announce the charters
ratification by six countries already and called on the Philippines to approve
it also. More:
http://www.fnf.org.ph/news/ASEAN-secretary-general-speaks-on-charters-role.htm
Human Rights Lawyers Discuss Market Economy
Human rights and market economy are two words normally not associated with each
other, yet there is a strong connection. To discuss this, the Friedrich Naumann
Foundation (FNF) conducted a half-day seminar for Ateneo Human Rights Center
(AHRC) staff and interns on 14 May 2008 in Makati City.
This is the first time the Center looked at human rights from the perspective
of economics, said AHRC Executive Director Carlos Medina Jr. This gave us a
better perspective of things. For example it is assumed that government should
provide basic services, but actually government should provide for the correct
environment [for the market to supply these], he said. More:
http://www.fnf.org.ph/news/hr-lawyers-learn-basics-of-market-economy.htm
50 Years for Liberty: FNF Celebrates Golden Jubilee
The President of the Federal Republic of Germany, the leader of the German Free
Democratic Party (FDP), prominent liberal leaders and descendants of Theodor
Heuss and Friedrich Naumann gathered in Bonn, Germany on 19 May 2008 to
celebrate the golden jubilee of the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Liberty
(FNF).
Wolfgang Gerhardt, FNF chairman, led the 1,500 guests in celebrating 50 years
of the Foundations work. He welcomed the crowd by reiterating FNFs mission
and stressed that its name change underlines the primacy of its work in
individual freedom. More: http://www.fnf.org.ph/news/50-years-for-liberty.htm
The 2008 Economic Freedom Network Asia Conference: Private Property Rights:
The Economic Foundation of a Free Society
18 - 19 September 2008
University of Asia and the Pacific, Pasig City
Conference fee: P1,000 for professionals, 500 for students
Property rights are the first step to wealth creation. It allows access to
capital and provides incentives for business. Paired with a free market
economy, a strong rule of law and limited government, individuals have the
freedom and the security to realize their full economic potential. This in turn
is the key ingredient to achieving greater prosperity. With prosperity comes a
richer quality of life: higher income, life expectancy and environmental
conditions. When property rights are not well defined or consistently
protected, individual freedom is eroded and poverty stays entrenched. More:
http://www.fnf.org.ph/index.htm
Forwarding the Democratic Agenda in Asia
Dr. Surin Pitsuwan explains that the charter will give ASEAN a legal
personality and consolidate its collection of diverse countries into a
successful community. He admits that the charter could be better in allowing
more participation and promotion of human rights, but argues that this is a
start. The price of democracy and liberal values in the region is vigilance and
support for an existing structure. In order for ASEAN to deliver the values of
individual freedom, rule of law and good governance, it has to be strong and
significant. The first step is to ratify the charter.
Listen at: http://www.fnf.org.ph/podcast/index.html
Freedom, Rule of Law and Democratic Institutions
Senator Manuel MAR Roxas II talks about how freedom, the rule of law and
democracy are essential to nation building. Without them, a societys
development will be stunted and poverty will deepen. However as necessary as
these are, it is not enough. A change of mindset is also needed. Listen at:
http://www.fnf.org.ph/news/50-years-for-liberty.htm
Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Liberty
Makati Central Post Office Box 3196, Makati City, 1271 Philippines
Tel.: (63)(2) 8403728/29
Fax: (63)(2) 8103189
Website: www.fnf.org.ph
Send comments to: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
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