Social  
  Consensus  for  Transformation:    
Socdem  
  Asia  Working  Group  Meeting  on  Democracy      
  23-­‐25  November  2019  |  Bangkok,  Thailand  
 
 
Conference  Rationale  
 
The  Network  for  Social  Democracy  in  Asia  (SocdemAsia)  is  a  group  of  political  parties,  pre-­‐
party  formations,  and  progressive  politicians,  scholars  and  activists  in  the  region  who  share  
social  democratic  values  and  perspectives.  It  aims  to  build  social  democratic  alternative  by  
deepening   and   broadening   Asian   discourse,   offering   and   developing   future-­‐oriented  
policies,   and   showcasing   best   practices   of   Social   Democratic   parties,   politicians   and  
movements.  Socdem   Asia’s   core   agenda   are   the   Promotion   of   Social   Stare,   Democracy   and  
Human   Rights,   Sustainable   Development,   Decent   Work,   Gender   Equality   and   People-­‐
centered  Regional  Integration.    
 
Socdem   Asia   views   the   promotion   democracy   and   protection   of   human   dignity   as  
foundations  for  building  progress  and  social  transformation.  To  do  this,  Socdem  Asia  seeks  
to   develop   policies   to  promote   democracy   and   human   rights,   build   on   the   capacities   and  
capabilities   of  young   people   and   women,   and   dialogue  with   different   parties   and  
organizations  to  build  momentum  for  a  future  anchored  on  these  values.      
 
With   deepening   polarization,   marginalization   in   the   political   and   economic   sphere   and  
seeming  erosion  of  democratic  values,  the  buy-­‐in  for  societal  consensus  is  declining  during  
this   historical   period.   It  is   therefore   timely   to   revisit   the   state    of   affairs   in   an   effort   to   forge  
sustainable  alliances  that  will  build  confidence  in  democratic  exercises  and  institutions.      
 
An   important   exchange   on   lessons,   knowledge   and   initiatives   and   well-­‐crafted   narratives  
will  be  advantageous  to  the  programme  of  promoting  democratic  and  inclusive  states.    
   
Specifically,  the  Working  Group  Meeting  on  Democracy  has  the  following  objectives:  
1. To  have  a  common  understanding  of  the  situation  of  democracy  and  human  rights  in  
the  region,  especially  in  selected  countries;    
2. To   identify   opportunities   and   challenges   in   the  promotion   of   democracy   and   human  
rights  within  parties  and  in  society;  
1. 3.  To  build  platform  for  collaborations  and  initiatives       on  building  social  consensus  
to  deepen  democracy    

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 
 
Social  
  Consensus  for  Transformation:    
Socdem  
  Asia  Working  Group  Meeting  on  Democracy      
  23-­‐25  November  2019  |  Bangkok,  Thailand  
 
Draft  Program  
 
Day  0:  23  November  
  Arrivals,  Billeting  
6:00PM   Welcome  Dinner  and  Program  Orientation  
 
Day  1:  24  November  
8:30  AM   Registration  
9:00  AM   Welcome  Remarks  
• Machris  Cabreros,  Coordinator,  Socdem  Asia  
• Gustav  Björklund  Larsen,  Asia  Coordinator,  Olof  Palme  
International  Center  

9:30  AM   Input-­‐Discussion:  

Social  Consensus  for  Transformation:  The  Case  for  Asia  
• Prof.  Nathan  Quimpo,  Tsukuba  University-­‐  Japan  
 
10:30  AM   Tea/Coffee  Break  
11:00  AM   Open  Forum  
12:00  NN   Lunch  Break  
1:00  PM   Situation  of  Democracy  and  Human  Rights:  Country  Paper  Presentations  
–  Burma/Myanmar,  India,  Indonesia,  Malaysia,  Philippines,  Thailand  
3:00  PM   Tea/Coffee  Break  
3:30  PM   Open  Forum  
5:00  PM   Synthesis    
7:00  PM   Solidarity  Dinner    
 
Day  2:  25  November  
9:00  AM   Input-­‐Discussion:  Platforms  for  International  Solidarity  
• NN,  Social  Democratic  Party  of  Sweden  
• NN,  ASEAN  Parliamentarians  for  Human  Rights  (APHR)  
10:00   Workshop:  Pathways  to  Social  Consensus  in  Deepening  Democracy  
10:30  AM   Working  Tea/Coffee  Break  
11:00  AM   Plenary  Presentation  
12:00  NN   Next  Steps  and  Closing  
12:30  PM   Lunch  Break  
2:00PM   (Optional)  Walking  Tour  at    Thammasat  University  
Departures