Second Training Workshop for KASYP Batch 2018-2019 - Regional Programme Political Dialogue Asia
Event Reports
Local structures are crucial for both effective and inclusive governance. The 9th KASYP batch met from 6th to 10th August 2018 in Penang, Malaysia to discuss local governance and development, to share best-practices among the participants as well as with political representatives and community stakeholders and to learn about different models and benefits of decentralisation and subsidiarity.
In his welcome remarks, Christian Echle, Director of the Regional Programme Political Dialogue Asia, highlighted the importance of continuous support and training for young political leaders in KAS’ effort to support political party capacity in Asia. Paying tribute to the host country, the first afternoon kicked off the programme with a panel discussion on the recent general elections in Malaysia and its meaning for the democratisation of this country. Panellists, including YB Simon Ooi, currently Member of Kedah State Assembly, State Minister, and also a fellow batch 8 KASYPer. As well as Dr. Ooi Kee Beng, Executive Director of Penang Institute, gave an insight on the recent outcome of the Malaysian elections and the “New Malaysia”. Subsequently, Philippines Deputy Minister for Capacity Development, Public Affairs and Communication Jonathan Malaya gave an inspirational speech for the work of young politicians, inspired by his own experience as a successful politician.
On the second day, Jonathan Malaya, as administrator of federalism of department of interior and local government, also offered a very insightful presentation on the state of local governance in Asian politics. The following discussion developed into a session of frank exchange among participants on the state of affairs in their respective countries. Participants were then invited to watch, to debate, and to reflect on a Barack Obama speech delivered in Johannesburg in Nelson Mandela’s memory under the banner of values and political leadership. In the afternoon, the Hon. Dr. Afif Bahardin, Penang State Minister of Agriculture and Agro-Based Industry, Health and Rural Development, and Deputy Youth Chief of People’s Justice Party (PKR), received the delegation on his premises and held a political dialogue with KASYP-participants, reflecting on the role of young leaders in politics and sharing insights into local and rural development in the state of Penang. Site visits of the UNESCO World Heritage area concluded this day of reflections on local planning and governance.
The third day was an opportunity to lead on-sites discussions at the Penang Institute with Dr. Ooi Kee Beng and Dr. Wong Chin Huat who presented the politics of the specific Malaysian centralised federalism as well as the work of Penang Institute and the role of think-tanks in politics in general. Subsequently, the special perspective of women’s empowerment in relation to Gender Responsive and Participatory Budgeting (GRPB) in the provision of public services was presented by Ms. Shariza Kamarudin of the Penang Women’s Development Corporation (PWDC).
The training session’s last day put the insights of the past days into practice with interactive and practice-oriented workshops. First, a simulation exercise with Dr. Caroline Brassard assessed disaster risk management on the local municipal level and simulated political first emergency responding on the local level. Subsequently, Dr. Romero of the Ateneo de Manila University talked about inclusive politics and strategies for stakeholder ownership, opening the floor for discussion of inclusive politics in the participants’ respective countries. This session then allowed the participants to present updates on their political projects, sharing vision, implementation, and impact of each project. The training programme ended with a certificate ceremony.
We are very grateful to all of our speakers and participants for this successful event and we look very much forward to meeting again for the third training session in Vietnam next year!
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