| FES Dialogue on Globalization |
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Political participation is essential for an efficient and emerging democracy. It is, therefore, of prior importance to involve the young generation in politics to gain new insights and implement changes. If the society does not listen to what the young people say, their perspectives and criticisms, hopes and aspirations, campaigns and strategies, the society has neglected its own future.
It is
this potent link between young people and political participation
that the Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES) Philippine Office explored
and sought to reaffirm through the series of regional seminars
of young progressives in Southeast Asia. The initial thrust was
to focus more on "young people" rather than use the term "youth," which for most implies age-specific concerns and limited engagements. Another aim was to gather like-minded "progressives" who-either
as young politicians or members of political parties or as activists
in social movements, or NGO workers, or media practitioners-actively
engage their institutions and governments to make real the timeless
concepts of equality, social justice, democracy, human rights,
gender equality and peace, among others. ACTIVITIES:
Young Progressives Southeast Asia (YPSEA) is a network of young people in Southeast Asia actively involved in progressive politics and activism. Since 2004, the YPSEA has been building a community of progressive young leaders and progressive organizations from Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Timor Leste and the Philippines.
The theme of the
Founding Congress of FES
partner-organization Young Progressives Southeast Asia (YPSEA) is
"Reclaiming Democracy in Southeast Asia -- Defining the Task of
Young Progressives." The YPSEA has member-organizations in the other
young "democracies” in the region namely, Malaysia, Indonesia,
Cambodia, Thailand and the Philippines.
The focus on the WTO in the 3rd YPSEA regional meeting is aimed at de-mystifying the complicated processes and procedures within the WTO. The seminar is geared towards the discussion of issues that concern not only the young, but also of Southeast Asia as a regional entity. The seminar shall have workshops to engage the young progressives in the crafting of alternatives to what the current system has to offer. At the end of the seminar it is hoped that the young would be better equipped in contributing to the reshaping of the current globalization process.
The 2nd Regional Seminar served as a capacity building program for the participants in effectively engaging political processes in each country. The seminar was also envisaged to help the young leaders in generating a platform for future activities and in designing collective action for peaceful political transition in the region.
In all societies the young generation is influencing the states political and social developments. But still there are repressive measures through governments to keep the young voices down. The seminar on political participation of progressive youth aimed to initiate a dialogue between young people involved in politics in Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines and Thailand. Through this exchange, young people can share their experiences and find common solutions for common issues that affect them.
The regional seminar indeed provided an effective venue in discussing the common causes, issues and actions that the participative and progressive Southeast Asian youth has been advocating. Through the sharing of experience and the eventual definition of each others' progressive identity have paved the way for an appreciation of the common efforts and possibilities for youth participation, specifically in this venture, unity and cooperation among the Southeast Asian youth. |
