(October 14, 2005/ Taipei, Taiwan) The Council of Asian Liberals & Democrats (CALD) holds today its day-long 2005 General Assembly focusing on Women in Politics.

Last night, Taiwanese Vice President Annette Lu gave her keynote speech on the theme:  Advancing Women in Politics: The Role of Political Parties during the assembly’s formal opening.

This morning, CALD Secretary General Ms. Bi-Khim Hsiao, welcomed the participants from Belgium, Burma, Cambodia, Germany, Hong Kong, Korea, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Mongolia, Netherlands, Pakistan, Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand and the United Kingdom. This was followed by the presentation of the CALD Multimedia 2005 Edition which was launched in Kuala Lumpur last August.

Hon. Annemie Neyts-Uttebroeck, Minister of State of Belgium and Member of the European Parliament, newly elected president of the European Liberal Democratic Reform Group (ELDR) and former president of Liberal International gave her speech on The Liberal Agenda for Women’s Political Participation.

This was followed by Session I: Experiences and Best Practices by Women Politicians from Asia featuring the following speakers: Madam Kim Mjung-ja, MP of Uri Party and former Korean Environment Minister; Ms. Liu Shyh-fang, International Policy Advisor of DPP and former Secretary General of the Executive Yuan; and, Ms. Joy Senakant of the Democrat Party (Thailand). The session was chaired by the President of the Liberal Party of Sri Lanka, Dr. Rajiva Wijesinha.

Session II: Strategies for Broadening Women’s Participation: Party Regulations and Legal Mechanisms featured former Indian legislator Dr. Krishna Bose of the Trinamool Congress Party;  Indonesian parliamentarian Ms. Anisah Mahfudz of the National Awakening Party; Malaysian People’s Movement Party’s Ms. Tan Lian Hoe, MP; and, Ms. Chinami Nishimura, MP, of the Democratic Party of Japan. This session was chaired by Ms. Chee Siok Chin of the Singapore Democratic Party.

Session III: Supporting Women in Meaningful Leadership Roles: Getting There and Staying There featured Cambodian opposition parliamentarian Madam Saumura Tioulong; Ms. Henedia Abad, MP, of the Liberal Party of the Philippines; and, Taiwanese legislator Ms. Yeh Yi-Jin of the International Network of Liberal Women. This session was chaired by Mr. David Taw of the National Council of the Union of Burma.

The last session, presided by CALD Secretary General, Bi-Khim Hsiao and with representatives from CALD’s eight full members, was a panel discussion on Women in CALD: Action Plan for the Future.