"This high-level meeting provides a forum for both policy-makers and practitioners."Jakarta (ANTARA News) - The Jakarta-based ASEAN Secretariat is scheduled to host an international dialogue on democracy here on May 1, 2012 - a first to be held in this part of the world for regional organisations.
"This high-level meeting provides a forum for both policy-makers and practitioners from regional organisations around the world to exchange views, best practices and experiences on democracy and institutional building," ASEAN Secretary General Surin Pitsuwan said as quoted on the secretariat`s official website here, Friday.
The dialog`s theme on "Promoting and Ensuring Inclusive Political Participation and Representation Among Our Regions" is aimed at responding to the recent democratic movements around the globe and highlights the role that Regional Organisations can play.
"The region is committed to the principles of democracy and the rule of law in its community-building efforts," Surin further added.
Driven by the regional entities around the world, in partnership with the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA), the Second Meeting of the Inter-Regional Dialogue on Democracy will be held at the Secretariat .
The Inter-Regional Dialogue on Democracy is a platform for engagement among regional organisations on democracy. Apart from the ASEAN Secretariat, other participating organisations include the African Union, European Union, League of Arab States, Pacific Islands Forum, Organization of American States, and the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation with International IDEA as the facilitator.
Among guest speakers of the dialog will be Fidel V. Ramos, the former president of the Philippines. "It is indeed fitting that we hear the voice of experience and words of wisdom from one of the region's illustrious senior statesmen during this event," Surin said.
Later in the afternoon, Dr Surin Pitsuwan will moderate an ASEAN Secretariat Policy Forum where chairmen of the participating regional organisations will share their views on democracy and related issues and the importance of political participation and representation.
Professor Kishore Mahbubani, the dean of the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy of the National University of Singapore, will set the stage for the forum with his reflections on the political transformation that has unfolded around the world and its implications on ASEAN.
The Stockholm-based International IDEA is an intergovernmental organisation supporting democracy worldwide.
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Editor: Priyambodo RH
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