Freedom Writers Call for Papers - Deadline Extended

Young Liberals and Democrats of Asia
7 B Amorsolo Street, San Lorenzo Village, Makati City, Philippines
E-Mail: programofficer@yldasia.org Website: www.yldasia.org
Tel (++632) 840 3728/29 Fax (++632) 810 3189


FREEDOM WRITERS: Young Asians’ Call to Freedom

Call for Contributions

The Young Liberals and Democrats of Asia will be celebrating its 5th
Year Anniversary in October 2008. To commemorate this occasion, YLDA will be publishing a collection of essays entitled, Freedom Writers: Young Asians’ Call to Freedom. The goals of this commemorative book are: 1) to
preserve, promote and shape the current youth’s Asian political thought, 2) to encourage greater youth involvement through writing which provokes thought and action, and 3) to stimulate critical discussion on the issues facing the youth of Asia. The book has three sub-themes:

1. Education and Freedom of Expression
Education brings about knowledge, with knowledge comes greater understanding. Education also brings forth greater desire for sharing and expression. Amidst the differing degrees of openness in the Asian region and varying degrees of educational attainment of Asian societies, this section hopes to detail the distinct struggles faced by Asian youths in acquiring education with emphasis on the claim that education is a liberating process that gives the young both the ultimate and proximate causes for development and freedom.

2. Asian Values and Human Rights
Asians have a strong sense of the importance of the family and community which, when taken to the extreme, is the antithesis of Western emphasis on the importance of individual liberty. As heirs to a cultural value that puts utmost importance on family ties and communal harmony and is either revered or disapproved as conduit of democracy, Asian youths need to speak about their culture as slowly yet continuously reshaped by the forces of globalization. The section seeks to discuss, among other things, how ideals are being reworked and how Asian youths can strike a balance between the individual and the family and community.

3. Youth Empowerment and Political Participation
Today’s world looks more and more to its young people to institute the change they want to see. Since the wave of democratic transitions in the 1990’s, the youths have played crucial role in bringing forth political changes in their country. Their role in tilting the balance of democratic power however does not always translate to expansion and deepening of political participation by the youth in governing. Sadly, Asian youths have yet to make serious dents in the political institutions manned by political vanguards belonging to previous generations. The old maybe dying, but the system refuses to admit that a new one has already been born. This final chapter seeks the opinion, musing, and voices of young Asians about this palpable but unpardonable disjuncture.

We would like to invite you to take part in this special occasion by contributing essays for this book (Please read the guidelines below to know how to submit your essay). Chosen works shall be published in the book and all successful contributors of accepted essays for publication shall receive:
1. Three complimentary copies of the book
2. Souvenirs and paraphernalia from YLDA and its partners
3. Certificate of Recognition from YLDA

From the list of successful chapter writers, YLDA select outstanding individuals that can speak about their paper and related topics during YLDA international events in 2009. YLDA shall cover all costs for this travel. YLDA is also collaborating with the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for the possibility of granting nominal writing grants to chosen chapter contributors.

Guidelines for Essay Submission

1. Abstracts or essays may be submitted by a single author, a collaboration of authors, or an organization. If an abstract was submitted, the YLDA Secretariat shall notify the sender to proceed with the writing of the full featured-length essay.

2. More than one essay may be submitted.

3. Essay format guidelines
a. Font: Times New Roman, Size: 12
b. Maximum word count: 2000 to 3000
c. Save word document in rich text format (.rtf).

4. In a separate rich text format word document (save as .rtf). The Author/s must supply the following information about his/herself:
a. Full Name
b. E-mail address
c. Contact number (telephone and mobile)
d. Home Address
e. Country of Residence
f. Nationality
g. Birthdate
h. Male/Female
i. Write-up about yourself (education, involvement, affiliation, etc.)

5. Attach a picture of yourself (Format: j-peg, giff or bitmap), if selected author’s picture may be included in the book

6. Email the essay, the author/s’ information sheet and picture as attachments to programofficer@yldasia.org and ylda.secreratiat@gmail.com on or before NOVEMBER 5, 2008.
You will receive an email confirming receipt of your submission.

7. Copyright Information: Submission of an essay represents the author' s agreement to allow YLDA to publish the paper in any written or electronic format for distribution to all interested parties in perpetuity with or without compensation to YLDA and without compensation to the author. The parties understand that the author is granting a nonexclusive license and all copyrights remain the property of the author.

For More Information:

Guita T. Gopalan
Project Assistant
guita_tgs@yahoo.com
+639278042253