Mr.
November 28 - December 1, 2011
Bangkok, Thailand
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<div><strong>Setting CALD's Climate Change Agenda </strong><br>
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<div>While changing weather patterns, increasing ground water levels, and worsening cases of floods and droughts are leading to an increasing recognition of the reality of climate change, liberals are still divided on the nature of the phenomenon and on the strategies of dealing with it. This, to a certain extent, flows from the liberal belief that there are diverse ways of viewing a particular problem and the possible solutions to it, the issue of climate change included. The division can also emanate from the competing priorities of liberals (i.e. economic development vs. human development), all of which may be considered as worthy liberal ideals.</div>
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<div>In order to have a coherent approach to the issue of climate change, however, it is important for liberals to formulate and propagate a liberal agenda that could guide policy-makers in coming up with solutions to mitigate climate change and its impact. Apart from providing coherence to policies and programmes, a cohesive liberal agenda would also increase the credibility of liberals in the eyes of the general public, the support of which is needed in any efforts to address climate change.
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<div>The Council of Asian Liberals and Democrats (CALD) as the only alliance of liberal and democratic political parties in Asia can assist in the formulation and propagation of a liberal climate change agenda. In doing so, CALD can pave the way in shaping and re-shaping the policies of Asian political parties and governments with regard to climate change in order to achieve an energy efficient, healthy, prosperous, and sustainable Asian region.
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<div>It is in this light that CALD, in cooperation with Democrat Party (DP) and with the support of Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Liberty (FNF), will be holding the CALD Climate Change Workshop on 28 November - 1 December 2011 in Bangkok, Thailand.</div>
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<div>With the theme Setting CALD's Climate Change Agenda, the workshop aims to: (1) provide a background on the issue of climate change, particularly on those aspects relevant to policy-makers; (2) discuss the climate change initiatives of CALD member parties and the issues and problems that the parties confronted in their formulation and implementation; (3) identify the areas of climate change most relevant to Asia and which CALD should concentrate on; (4) formulate a liberal climate change agenda which incorporates the identified priority areas; and (5) devise a strategic plan which identifies follow-up activities, objectives, responsibilities, strategies and intended outcomes. <br>
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