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Deepening Asian democracies

16 October 2009

The three-day regional conference on deepening and sustaining democracy in Paro provided an opportunity for 12 Asian countries to share experiences and learn from each other’s successes and failures.
It was found that countries in Asia have adopted different systems and models of democracy that have been influenced by their historical past. Countries like Bhutan and Maldives have forged new paths – former responding to the vision of its King and latter to the yearning of its people.
That inclusive civic participation is needed to expand the base of democracy and empower those without a voice is vital for deepening and sustaining democracy in Asia.
Lyonchen Jigmi Y Thinley emphasized that “democracies are seen as the best arrangements for protecting human freedom”. He underlined the importance of the “capacity of the people to choose their representatives wisely and to hold them responsible and accountable”.
He explained how democracy and democratic societies must take into account the larger interest, which in Bhutan is expressed through the philosophy and goal of gross national happiness.
It was agreed that the basic guiding principles of democracy, such as freedom of expression, inclusive participation and equal access to justice, are common to all.
Mr Ajay Chhibber, UN Assistant Secretary General, said each country must develop its own tools and mechanisms to put these principles into action.
The participants focused on the move by several countries in Asia to take democracy to the grassroots to widen its base and to make it more inclusive.
There was consensus on the need to devolve greater powers to local governments, to provide them with the necessary funds, responsibilities and human resources and to make them more accountable.
Maldives offered to host the next regional dialogue on democracy next year.The conference was organized by the Centre for Bhutan Studies on behalf of the government and the United Nations Development Programme in Paro.

The three-day regional conference on deepening and sustaining democracy in Paro provided an opportunity for 12 Asian countries to share experiences and learn from each other’s successes and failures.

It was found that countries in Asia have adopted different systems and models of democracy that have been influenced by their historical past. Countries like Bhutan and Maldives have forged new paths – former responding to the vision of its King and latter to the yearning of its people.

That inclusive civic participation is needed to expand the base of democracy and empower those without a voice is vital for deepening and sustaining democracy in Asia.

Lyonchen Jigmi Y Thinley emphasized that “democracies are seen as the best arrangements for protecting human freedom”. He underlined the importance of the “capacity of the people to choose their representatives wisely and to hold them responsible and accountable”.

He explained how democracy and democratic societies must take into account the larger interest, which in Bhutan is expressed through the philosophy and goal of gross national happiness.

It was agreed that the basic guiding principles of democracy, such as freedom of expression, inclusive participation and equal access to justice, are common to all.

Mr Ajay Chhibber, UN Assistant Secretary General, said each country must develop its own tools and mechanisms to put these principles into action.

The participants focused on the move by several countries in Asia to take democracy to the grassroots to widen its base and to make it more inclusive.

There was consensus on the need to devolve greater powers to local governments, to provide them with the necessary funds, responsibilities and human resources and to make them more accountable.

Maldives offered to host the next regional dialogue on democracy next year.The conference was organized by the Centre for Bhutan Studies on behalf of the government and the United Nations Development Programme in Paro.

By Tandin Pem

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