Details

The main objectives of the workshop are to establish the unities of the different core groups and define the rules that will guide the establishment of the CDM as a nationwide organization.

The participants were mainly young professionals coming from different backgrounds. Some of them are members of the academe, civil society advocates, students of law and legal practitioners, private businessmen and women, and public servants from the executive and legislative branches of government.

A teambuilding seminar was conducted during the first part of the workshop. Through a series of group activities and dynamics, a sense of openness to work together was fostered between and among the participants. The teambuilding provided them with an opportunity to know and understand the different dispositions and perspectives of each participant. It also prepared them to work closely as a group for the succeeding parts of the workshop.

The paper of Ms. Kristina Weissenbach, M.A. titled “Political parties and party types – Conceptual approaches to the institutionalization of political parties in transitional states: The case of the Philippines” was presented during the second part of the workshop. The ensuing exchanges provided an opportunity for the participants to define further the movement, its nature, characteristics and components, as well as reflect on the values the movement espouses and its translation to rules, policies and programs. Concretely, the participants were able to locate the movement vis-à-vis the dimensions presented by Ms. Weissenbach, localize the concepts, ascertain its relevance, and use it as tools in forming the movement.

The last part of the workshop dealt with the discussion on the draft CDM Statutes. It provides clear rules and guidelines on how to establish the local CDM structures through the Regional Assemblies. It also outlines a uniform procedure regarding the composition of such assemblies, their officers, as well as provisions on membership, finance and activities. The provisions are formulated in such a way as to afford flexibility for the local assemblies to customize their structures based on the unique cultural and ethno-linguistic differences.

Armed with the CDM statutes, the attendees are currently engaged in forming their respective regional councils. Significantly, on 19 June 2010, the first CDM regional assembly will be launched in Cagayan de Oro. The local assembly is composed of participants from the Davao and Cagayan de Oro workshops who opted to merge into one assembly representing Northern Mindanao. On this day they will hold a workshop on possible recruitment strategies and future activities and advocacies.