Peace, Hope, Love The 53th Annual Liberal International in Asia Conference 和平、希望、愛 記第53屆「國際自由聯盟」亞州大會
Liberal International and Council of Asian Liberals and Democrats(CALD) held conferences in Kaohsiung on March 4th & 5th. There were more than 30 countries and 100 representatives attending this meeting. Liberal International is a very active organization devoted to promoting democracy and human rights. While visiting this island, they also scrutinized the campaign for presidential election.
Liberal International was established in 1947and is supported by 84 democratic parties in 67 countries around the world, pursuing freedom and democracy. It not only engages in diplomacy in the United Nation and European Union, but also continuously pays close attentions to the development of democracy in nations and societies, regarding human rights and ethnic relations. Liberal International has valued and supported democracy and freedom on this island. Democratic Progressive Party applied and joined as one of the members of this organization while Frank Chang-ting Hsieh was the DPP chairman. In addition, Mayor Hsieh, on behalf of President Chen Shui-bian, attended the 52nd annual Liberal International Conference in Senegal. This year, the executive committee of Asian annual conference chose to hold this event in Kaohsiung.
President Chen Shui-bian came to Kaohsiung on March 4th for the opening ceremony of the Liberal International Asian Conference, accompanied by Mayor Hsieh, where it was formally announced that he would be chairperson of CALD. President Chen became the first CALD chairperson, who is president of Taiwan at the same time. It is hoped that via CALD and Liberal International a global alliance would be established and make Asian democracy more visible on the world stage. Also, assist developing countries to deepen their democracy, improve human rights, practice a better party politic, establish a free market and enjoy a law-abiding society.
Mayor Hsieh, as the host, held a welcome party for the guests along the banks of the Love River; meanwhile the city impressed our guests by its rich and diverse culture, such as, dance and music programs, ballet, Taiwanese folk songs, ceramic flute and jazz music performances. Also, videos were shown recording the beauty and progress of our fair city.
Vice President Lu Hsiu-lien, accompanied by Betty Williams, the Nobel Peace Prize winner, Mayor Hsieh and Annemie Neyts-Uyttebroeck, the chairperson of Liberal International, was invited to ring the freedom bell all together. This action symbolized that the message of peace, hope and love would be to delivered to every corner of the world.
Senegal Presidential international cooperation office special consultant, Mr. Mamadou Lamine, led the representatives of Senegal in expressing their gratitude to Taiwan for helping to revitalize their agricultural production by sending a technical cooperation mission there.
「國際自由聯盟」及「亞洲自由民主聯盟」三月四日至五日在高雄市同步召開大會及執委會，總計超過三十個國家、一百多位代表來台與會﹔「國際自由聯盟」是國際上推展民主與人權非常活躍的組織，這次來台開會正值台灣總統大選，聯盟成員同時也觀察我國競選活動，見證台灣民主發展。
成立於一九四七年的「國際自由聯盟」，成員來自六十七個國家、八十四個追求自由民主的政黨，不但在聯合國、歐盟從事政黨外交，更持續關注各國自由民主發展，致力於推動自由民主社會的發展，提倡平等人權、多元族群的融合。
「國際自由聯盟」對於台灣民主政治發展一直給予相當的肯定與支持，民進黨也在謝長廷擔任黨主席時申請加入成為會員國﹔二○○三年謝長廷也代表陳水扁總統參加塞內加爾年會，今年，該聯盟亞洲年會執委會特別選在高雄召開。
陳水扁總統在三月四日南下高雄，由市長謝長廷陪同參加國際自由聯盟亞洲會議開幕式，並正式接任亞洲自由民主聯盟的輪值主席，創下亞洲自由民主聯盟創立十年來國家元首兼任主席的先例﹔期盼透過「亞洲自由民主聯盟」與「國際自由聯盟」等組織，共同建構全球性聯盟，讓亞洲民主價值與國際接軌，協助發展中國家民主化與人權改善，落實健全政黨政治、自由市場經濟與民主法治社會。
謝長廷市長也以地主身分，三月五日在浪漫的愛河畔舉辦「聽和平的鐘聲響起」歡迎晚會，以豐富多樣的舞蹈及音樂節目，包括芭蕾舞、台灣民謠演唱及陶笛、爵士樂演奏，傳達台灣多元的文化面貌，並播放高雄美景影片，呈現港都的進步與美麗。
副總統呂秀蓮也應邀並偕諾貝爾和平獎貝蒂威廉斯Betty Williams一同出席，與謝長廷、國際自由聯盟主席Annemie Neyts-Uyttebroeck共同敲響自由鐘，象徵台灣的自由鐘聲將由高雄愛河出發，將「和平、希望、愛」傳送至世界各地，向國際發聲。
由塞內加爾總統府國際合作特別顧問Mr.Mamadou Lamine所率領的「國際自由聯盟亞洲大會」塞國代表團，也代表該國總統瓦德回訪謝市長，表達對台灣長年協助塞國農技等各項發展的謝意。