The IFLRY Executive Assembly in cooperation with KALIPI is a full five-day event from 24-28 July at Asian Institute of Management, Makati City. This will be attended by the member organizations from Europe, America, Atlantic and Asia. IFLRY promotes and represents the interests of young liberals internationally; holding the event here in Asia would acquaint the concerned organizations of current international issues affecting Asia.

For more information visit: iflrymanila.blogspot.com and iflry.org

KALIPI Reasearch and Education Chair Cecille Anyayahan attended a training on events facilitation organized by the Young Liberals and Democrats of Asia (YLDA) with the support from Friedrich Naumann Foundation and in partnership with the Democrat Party of Thailand and International Federation of Liberal Youth (IFLRY), last 28 May to 1 June in Bangkok, Thailand. She was joined by fellow KALIPI officer, Jan Argy Tolentino and Rachel Bersamera who attended as officers of YLDA

With the theme "Political communications and making events work - a practical introduction", the training workshop equipped the participants with new knowledge in facilitating and organizing different activities. Dr. Stefan Melnik, a seasoned trainor from the Friedrich Naumann Foundations' (FNF) International Academy for Leadership and an internationally respected facilitator, made possible the discussion and learning process easy.

The workshop focused on developing the skills for organizing and facilitating meeting, seminars and conferences workshop. The key for effective facilitating was presented in improving communication skills through visualization. Handling debates and discussion were also discussed and managing it was further emphasized by doing workshop on chairing, leading and mediating activities.

"Managing and facilitating seminars and workshops for an organization are vital to the success of an organization. This makes the members realize the worth of an organization. Learning new strategies and approaches would greatly contribute to the effectiveness and efficiency of each of YLDA and its MO's programs." YLDA and KALIPI Secretary General Jan Argy Tolentino said.

There were other attendees from other YLDA member organization which will serve as YLDA pool of trainers.

More on YLDABangkok blog...

We would like to inform you that the KALIPI Congress is postponed for April 2008 due to conflict of schedules and other concerns that need to be addressed before the holding of the National Assembly.

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KABATAANG LIBERAL NG PILIPINAS 6^th National Congress

Do you want to be part of the hottest event coming to town? Sure you do! Well, come on and e-mail us your Application form , along with an endorsement letter from your KALIPI Chapter Chair.

With the theme ‘Kalipi@18: Forged by Ideals; United by Principles; Strengthened through Time’, the 6^th KALIPI National Congress promises to be the most exciting gathering of liberal minded, and did we mention the coolest people in the Planet. We’re not kidding! So pack your bags and join us in Subic, Olongapo City.

The Congress got even better! Don’t you believe it? Well, where will you find more heated debates about you? Yes! About YOU, US - THE YOUTH. We know you’re interested in making things better as well, so join us as we discuss these developments on various issues regarding you, our country and our future. Com'on, this event only happens once every three years!

For more information, please contact your local chapter or the National Headquarters, look for Ivy, at (02) 713-0737/ 715-7040 or e-mail us at kalipi@gmail.com.

Deadline for submission of application is on February 28, 2008.

Your destiny awaits you!

Jan-Argy Y. Tolentino, a political science professor at the Polytechnic University of the Philippines and Secretary General of the Kabataang Liberal ng Pilipinas (KALIPI), the youth wing of the Liberal Party, was elected – with the highest number of votes, no less – as one of the four Vice Presidents of the International Federation of Liberal Youth (IFLRY) during that organization's General Assembly last December 15 2007 in Sarajevo, Bosnia & Herzegovina.

YLDA Secretary General and New IFLRY Vice President Jan Argy Tolentino together with newly elected IFLRY Bureau President Paola Silva of Colombia, Secretary General Bart Woord of Netherlands, Treasurer Chris Gallaway of USA,Jelena Spasovic of Serbia, Frederik Ferie of Germany, Anihassata Camara of Cote d'Ivoire and Executive Director Sarah Wong of Canada

"Jan-Argy has always been one of our best, and has proudly carried the banner of Philippine Liberalism abroad," Miles Roces, KALIPI National President, said. "So it comes as no surprise to us that he would get the trust and approval of our fellow young liberals abroad when he ran for IFLRY Vice President."

IFLRY is the organization that gathers the young liberals of the world, from the members of youth wings of liberal democrat political parties to independent organizations that espouse the liberal cause.

"This simply proves that our fellow liberals worldwide still believe in the capabilities of Filipino liberals, and trust that we can lead them as well as anybody can," Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Undersecretary Eli Quinto, one of the founders of KALIPI and who was instrumental in bringing the LP's youth wing into IFLRY, said. "We're proud of Jan-Argy, and we hope that all Liberals in the Philippines will accord to him the respect and recognition due to him with this achievement."

Aside from Jan-Argy, other officers that were elected to the IFLRY Bureau are President Paola Silva of Colombia, Secretary General Bart Woord of Netherlands, Treasurer Chris Gallaway of USA, Vice Presidents' Jelena Spasovic of Serbia, Frederik Ferie of Germany, Anihassata Camara of Cote d'Ivoire.

Tolentino also sits as Secretary General of the Young Liberals and Democrats of Asia (YLDA), the grouping of liberal youth in Asia. He is also a frequent delegate and speaker to seminars in the country and abroad.

Tolentino also served as a member of the 2^nd National Youth Parliament, and Elections Commission chairperson of the Youth Sector of the National Anti-Poverty Commission (NAPC). He was also a Youth Sector Coordinator of the National Youth Commission (NYC).

Also elected were Rajendra Mulmi of Youth Initiative (Nepal) who is also in his second term as President, and Buddhika Pathirana of Liberal Youth Guild (Sri Lanka), Camelia Puji Astuti of Garda Bangsa (Indonesia) and Chee Wey Hng of Gerakan Youth (Malaysia) were elected members of the Execom.

Tolentino said, “I’m glad that my fellow young liberals in Asia want me to serve them again. We will pursue what we started and continue to spread liberal ideology on every corners of Asia.

The Annual General Meeting (AGM) were preceded by a workshop on good governance with a theme “Engaging Citizens for Responsible and Effective Governance” which attended by MO’s of YLDA.

YLDA hopes to strengthen more the growing young liberal networks in Asia; And KALIPI shall once again vital in its role on spreading liberal ideology and be the beacon of light for Asian youth.

Also attended the AGM and workshop in Jakarta were Prof. Claudette Tolentino, KALIPI Council of Ladies, Chair and Ms. Rachel Ann Bersamera, KALIPI and YLDA Finance Committee Chair.

The workshop aims to equip Organization’s officers with leadership and management skills to help them run their organizations successfully. The training provides tips and strategies on organization and financial management.

Prof. Felipe Canlas III, Program Officer of the Young Liberals and Democrats of Asia (YLDA), discussed Strategic Planning for Student Organizations. A student leader from University of the Philippines, Prof. Canlas gave pointers and also shared personal experiences on how to effectively plan and accomplish undertakings.

Prof. Reymundo de Guzman, Jr, Deputy Secretary General of KALIPI National discussed about Fund Raising, “The Art of Asking: How to Successfully Raise Funds for the Orgs“. Prof. de Guzman also contributed his learning’s on fund raising from YLDA workshop he attended in Sri Lanka early this year.

Prof. Jan-Argy Tolentino, KALIPI and YLDA Secretary General, dwell his topic of discussion on “Managing an Organization: Officers & Volunteers; Budgets and Financial Reports and Marketing; and the Conflict Management lecture, “Keeping Peace in the Organization” were given by Prof. Claudette Tolentino, Chair of KALIPI Council of Ladies (KALIPI_COLA).

Workshop activities were facilitated by Ms. Nysa Tolentino, Secretary General of KALIPI Central Luzon, Ms. Rachel Bersemera and Ms. Ivy Ganadillo, KALIPI office staff.

“The activity gave additional knowledge to my fellow students on managing our organizations effectively and BSU hopes to see more visible and noteworthy activities of student organizations after this,” Jessie Quinto, Alliance of Students for Action and Progress, President.

Also as the Vice-President for Students of KALIPI-Bulacan, Prof. de Guzman said that, “BSU students having the initiative of formulating this kind of activity shows their desire for changes and more active involvement in community building.”

The Seminar-Workshop is organized by BSU Office of Student Organizations in coordination with the Alliance of Students for Action and Progress (ASAP), an allied organization of KALIPI-BSU.