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 Germany’s president open the ceremony and acknowledge the Foundation’s 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. It’s going to be an intellectually enriching experience.

Until next time … stay tuned!

Siegfried “Siggi” Herzog

 

ASEAN Secretary-General Speaks on Charter’s 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 charter’s 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 Foundation’s work. He welcomed the crowd by reiterating FNF’s 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 society’s 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: liberal@fnst.org
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