20 August 2013 - The Secretary General of the Warsaw-based Permanent Secretariat of the Community of Democracies (CD) Ambassador Maria Leissner requested for the Philippines‘ greater leadership role in the CD by either chairing or co-chairing a Working Group within the CD, such as the Working Group on Democracy and Development, or other working groups which would be of interest to the Philippines.
This was conveyed by Ambassador Leissner to Philippine Ambassador to Poland Patricia Ann V. Paez during their meeting at the Philippine Embassy last August 13.
Ambassador Paez recalled that the Philippines had initiated the formation of the International Conference of New and Restored Democracies (ICNRD) in 1988 during the term of then President Corazon Aquino who had spearheaded a non-violent People Power Revolution that ousted a dictatorship and restored democracy in the Philippines. She added that the the multiplicity of efforts to promote and advance democracy globally should be welcomed.
Ambassador Leissner said that one possibility is for the ICNRD to be associated or affiliated with the CD.
The Secretary-General of the CD also inquired if the Philippines is a member of Open Government Partnership (OGP) which is an initiative of President Barack Obama to foster full transparency and accountability in governance by governments.
Ambassador Paez informed her that the Philippines is in fact one of the eight original members of the OGP’s Steering Committee and that President Benigno S. Aquino III attended the OGP’s formal launching in New York where he also delivered a speech.
She also stressed that the Philippines was chosen to be one of the Steering Committee members in recognition of the Aquino government’s relentless campaign against graft and corruption and its policy of promoting good governance by fostering transparency and accountability.
The Philippine envoy also told Ambassador Leissner that no less than Budget Secretary Florencio “Butch” Abad serves as the Philippine Government’s Lead Person for the OGP.
Ambassador Leissner is scheduled to visit Manila this November for a speaking engagement during the 20th anniversary celebration of the Council of Asian Liberals and Democrats (CALD).
Ambassador Paez said that she will propose a program of activities so that Ambassador Leissner’s official visit to the Philippines will be fruitful, including a possible meeting with women’s groups.
The Community of Democracies (CD) “is an intergovernmental organization established in 2000 to strengthen democracy worldwide by providing support to emerging democracies and civil society.” “In 2044, CD governments also organized themselves into a Democracy Caucus in the United Nations (UN).” The current president of the CD is El Salvador.
Both the Philippines and Poland are members of the 24-member Governing Council of the CD.
“The CD works to support democratic transition and consolidation worldwide and helps bridge the gap between principles of democracy and universal human rights and practice by:
assisting societies in the development and strengthening of democratic institutions and values;
• identifying threats to democracy;
• supporting and defending civil society in all countries;
• advancing broad-based participation in democratic governance; and
• giving a voice to those working peacefully for democracy in all countries.” END
