The CALD Secretariat now has "a rose among the thorns."

Ms. Rosanna Ocampo joins the traditionally male-dominated CALD Secretariat as project officer focusing on the activities of the CALD Women's Caucus and CALD Youth.

"I am honoured to be working with CALD, together with its members and partners, given the organization's significant contributions to political development in Asia. It reminds people of the relevance of political parties and ideology-based policies in a region that can often be dominated by personality-based politics and populist practices," Ms. Ocampo shares. "What makes the work most interesting is the opportunity to meet people who are beyond committed to strengthening, if not restoring, democracy in their respective countries."

Ms. Ocampo first joined CALD in 2007 as project assistant and has also worked with the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Liberty. She has experience working closely with Asian youth as program officer for one of the Foundation's partners in 2009 and more recently, was a political communications staff member for the senatorial campaign of CALD Secretary General Neric Acosta under the Liberal Party of the Philippines. Last year, she coordinated in the preparations of the CALD Political Party Management and Women's Caucus Workshops, and Electoral Observation Mission in Taiwan.

"Ms. Ocampo's excellent performance in her previous projects with CALD and its partners made us decide to hire her on a more permanent basis.  I am confident that with her on board, the Secretariat will be more efficient in organizing CALD activities, particularly those dealing with women and the youth," says CALD Executive Director Lito Arlegue.