Recently concluded conference: First Regular Conference of the Network “Social Democracy in Asia”
“Responding to a Systemic Crisis-Asian Democrats in Search of Policy and Practical Solutions: First Regular Conference on Social Democracy in Asia”
May 20-23, 2009, Manila, Philippines
The conference brought together members of political parties, pre-party formations and allied organizations and individuals to shape a common reading and response to the current global financial and economic crisis from an Asian social democratic perspective. While it has been established that the crisis poses a direct challenge to the neoliberal orthodoxy, it remains the task of progressives to further shape the discourse about the political consequences and the needed reforms that are yet to be undertaken at the global, regional and national level.
The participants, who came from eight Asian countries as well as from Europe and Latin America, discussed and proposed strategic and practical solutions to address the impacts of the crisis. The participants also shared and identified practices of political action especially on the local level that both shape the approach to participatory politics and the delivery of services and public goods for and with the people, and at the same time contribute to the building of progressive political parties along social-democratic lines. Realizing that participatory local governance and party-building are key elements towards achieving substantial political influence of progressive groups and political change, the conference highlighted approaches as they are practiced by organizations of the network.
Click here to read the Conference Communique
To access the Conference Summary Report, click here
In addition some pictures of the Conference, below:
