Young Liberals Explore Infinite Internet Possibilities
2007-06-14

Possibilities are infinite. Opportunities are endless. Prospects are unlimited. The decision is yours to make --- explore, prepare, post, and propose; believe, and ultimately achieve.

These, in a nutshell, were the messages imparted to the 20 young leaders representing nine organizations in Asia during the first Young Liberals and Democrats of Asia (YLDA) Workshop on Information and Communications Technology (ICT). Exhorting the participants to take a more proactive role in the on-going information and communications technology revolution, Master Blogger Abraham Olandres from the Philippines emphasized the vast possibilities offered by the World Wide Web to youth organizations wishing to seek wider audience for youth advocacy.

"The world as we know it is a big variegated place. The wired world however is much bigger and a lot more diverse. The first challenge to be hurdled then for people who wish to embrace the immense opportunities the Internet presents is to appreciate its enormity and diversity," Mr. Olandres stressed in delivering the first lecture on youth organizing and the Internet.

With the Internet and wireless communications technology replacing all traditional communication instruments, Mr. Olandres adds that it has become imperative for the young generation to be equipped with up-to-date IT skills and knowledge. "Exploring the Internet to leisurely surf is one thing. Using the Internet to expand your network and as a sales platform to sell your ideas is another thing. The former just needs someone who knows how to log into the Internet while the latter needs an informed and dedicated user of the technology."

This message on knowledge and skills-based use of the Internet reverberated all thorough out the five-day seminar as Mr. Siegfried Herzog; the Friedrich Naumann Foundation Manila Representative also accentuated the need for skills and preparations in finding possible funding partners using ICT tools. He underlined the use of blogs and podcasting as effective tools for publicity and advocacy. He adds, "well-known organizations are more likely to be heard by funding organizations than those who have yet to make their presence felt in the Internet."

A first time blogger and a recognized youth organizer, Marleynda Mariko of Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDIP) appreciated the value of blogging and podcasting as valuable communication tools to reach the young in the new age. Even more experienced IT practitioner Safar Pokharel of Youth Initiative Nepal saw the workshop as offering his organization "the opportunity to develop new strategies to focus more on web based participation of youths in liberal discussions."

Ooi Zhi Yi of Parti Gerakan Youth Malaysia on the other hand had a wonderful experience working with his group mates on their podcasting projects that he plans to make a hobby out of it. "It is fun, outright cool, and totally a challenging way to learn broadcasting the new wave way," he adds.

Like Mariko, Safar, and Zhi Yi, other participants who also constructed and continue to improve on their own blogs are: Abbas, Camelia, Cheah Wearn, Ivy, Jan Argy, Maksim Tai, Ross, Sampath, Siggy, Sophorn, Keng, Yeen Seen, Zhi.

Living up to the expectation of promoting the Internet as a platform for ideas, events, and advocacies, Miss Ivy Ganadillo of the Kabataang Liberal ng Pilipinas details in the Penang Workshop documentation Blog what happened in Penang from May 17 to 22, 2007. With its creative narrations and photos, the documentation blog illustrates that learning can indeed be both fun and fulfilling.

Garda Bangsa Garda Bangsa was formed in 1998 following the successful political reform spearheaded by students and other campus activists to depose the tyrannical regime of President Suharto. The organization was founded by Abdurram Wahid, a former adviser of President Suharto who resigned following an escalation in government corruption and political management by the administration. He championed "Responsible Openness" within the government system and proposed the establishment of a Reform Committee in order to mitigate poor governance within the administration. His calls were left unheeded and so he eventually withdrew support for the government and joined the efforts advocating for reform in the government. Read more...