Progressive Asia starts with the future

Young progressives today are taking on the running not only of their organizations, but even official government posts. This is the motivation of the regional “Political Management Training” (PMT) series designed by the Network of Social Democracy in Asia (SocDem Asia), Olof Palme International Center and Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES) in the Philippines.

Attending together for a fifth year with the future leaders, this time in the Philippines’ capital Manila, were contemporary political thought leaders who were also once part of their respective youth organizations.

For this fifth graduation class, faculty members came all the way from Sweden, from Malaysia, and from different institutions and organizations in the Philippines. 

The participants had the chance to learn more about political communications, ASEAN integration, human rights, facilitation, comparative ideology, party-union-mass movement relations, basics of social democracy, leadership and organizing, among others.

The training combined lecture and workshop series.

Listening intently and asking questions, or sometimes sparking a debate with co-participants, PMT delegates had the chance to explore topics of special concern for the region such as ASEAN integration and human rights.

Delegates tasked themselves to form special committees during recess or regular work in their parliament offices or organizations. These included committees on human rights and youth participation.

And of course, the PMT wouldn’t be complete without forging new friendships across countries and borders. With the hope that this solidarity and bond will help cross issues and find solutions to problems that affect the youth in the region as we move together towards a progressive Asia.

Let's cheer to the new graduation class of Political Management Trainees and a progressive future in Asia!

 For more information about the work by Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung in the Philippines and the SOCDEM network in Asia, contact the resident representative Dr Johannes Kadura at fes@fesphil.org.ph.