60th Anniversary of Liberal International 1 Dear liberal friends, It is my great pleasure to welcome you to Hamburg to celebrate the 60th Anniver- sary of Liberal International. I would fi rst like to thank our hosts, the Friedrich Nau- mann Stiftung, for assisting in the organi- zation of this monumental Conference. Born out of the convictions of a small group in post World War II Europe, LI has evolved over the years into the truly inclusive group that it has become today. With representa- tives from all continents, we have grown past our European roots and have truly become an international organization united by our shared goal of safeguarding and creating free, fair and open societies. Just over sixty years ago in Oxford, a small group of mostly European liberal delegates came together to put forward resolutions. This document marked the fi rst step toward cre- ating the framework of values and ideals that we all share of Liberal International today. In the historic city of Hamburg, it is my hope that we can continue to promulgate these values - building upon them and allowing for their evolution to ensure their contin- ued relevancy and applicability. I am especially honoured to welcome this year’s recipient of the Prize for Freedom, Mr. Aliaksandr Milinkevich from Belarus. A physicist by training, Mr. Milinkevich has long been a champion of freedom, democracy and liberal val- ues. From his strong belief in the freedom of the press to his determined struggle to end the Soviet-backed dictatorship of his country, we can all celebrate Mr. Milinkevich as a true believer in the liberal values that unite us all. I wish you a 60th Anniversary very successful and enjoyable conference. Lord John Alderdice, President of Liberal International 2 Prize for Freedom 2007 Aliaksandr Milinkevich Liberal International is very honoured to present this year’s Prize of Free- dom to Mr. Aliaksandr Milinkevich. A native of Belarus, Mr. Milinkevich has a long-standing reputation as a coura- geous champion of human rights and as a huge supporter of the democratic movement in his country. A physicist by training, Mr. Milinkevich was the United Democratic Forces presidential candidate in the 2006 presidential elections in Belarus. His enduring crusade to champion human rights in Belarus not only inspired people from Belarus, but has also gained him worldwide attention and respect for his efforts. In 2006, shortly after the presidential elections in Belarus, Mr. Milinkevich sent a message to his fellow compatriots call- of Liberal International ing for non-violent protest as a way to “overcome the fear that has been planted in the people’s spirits by unceasing propaganda”. Supporters, who gathered in the main square of Minsk, formed the largest anti-governmental gathering of the past ten years. The values adopted by Mr. Milinkevich in his political struggle are distinctly liberal. His continued support for free elections, free media and Belarus’ inde- pendence from Russia all point to his tireless support of the liberal values we all share. Please join Liberal International in congratulating Mr. Milinkevich. As someone ceaselessly devoted to the pursuit of freedom, he is a true example for all those enduring oppression in any form. 60th Anniversary Mr. Milinkevich will be awarded the Prize for Freedom at the ‘Freie und Hansestadt’-Senat, at 18.00 on Friday. 3 1 2 4 3 of Liberal International 5 1 - Grand ELYSEE Hotel AG Hamburg - Rothenbaumchausee 10 2 - Hotel Alster-Hof - Liselotte Bleyer GmbH Esplanade 12 3 - Senat of the ‘Freie und Hansestadt - Rathaus, Rathausmarkt 1 4 - Maritim Reichshof Hotel - Kirchenallee 34-36 5 - Haus der Patriotischen Gesellschaft - Trostbrücke 4-6 60th Anniversary U - Underground Stations 4 Directions to the ‘Haus der Patriotischen Gesellschaft’ From the Grand Elysee Hotel... - Head south on Rothenbaumchaussee to Tesdorstraße - Turn left at Edmund-Siemers-Allee - Turn right to stay on Edmund-Siemers-Allee - Turn right at Dammtordamm - Turn left at Esplanade 0.3 km - Turn right at Neuer Jungfernstieg 0.4 km - Slight left at Jungfernstieg 70 m - Turn right at Große Bleichen 0.3 km - Turn left at Bleichenbrücke 0.2 km - Continue on Adolphsbrücke 0.2 km - Slight right at Adolphsplatz 78 m - Continue on Börsenbrücke 0.1 km - Turn right at Trostbrücke 72 m From the Maritim Reichshof Hotel... - Head north on Kirchenallee to Ernst-Merck-Straße 68 m of Liberal International - Turn left at Ernst-Merck-Straße 0.3 km - Turn left at Glockengießerwall 0.2 km - Continue on Steintorwall 0.3 km - Turn right at Steinstraße 0.6 km - Continue on Domstraße 0.4 km - Turn right at B4/Willy-Brandt-Straße 0.1 km - Turn right at Neue Burg 68 m - Continue on Trostbrücke 29 m From the Alster-Hof Hotel... - Head east on Esplanade toward Neuer Jungfernstieg - Turn right at Neuer Jungfernstieg 0.4 km - Slight left at Jungfernstieg 70 m - Turn right at Große Bleichen 0.3 km - Turn left at Bleichenbrücke 0.2 km 60th Anniversary - Continue on Adolphsbrücke 0.2 km - Slight right at Adolphsplatz 78 m - Continue on Börsenbrücke 0.1 km - Turn right at Trostbrücke 72 m 5 Human Rights Committee Meeting Nov 16th, 9.30 in the Sonnin Saal Saal Agenda 1. Opening 2. Apologies for absence 3. Adoption of agenda 4. Minutes of the Human Rights Committee Meeting, Marrakech, Morocco 5. Guest speakers: 5.1 Mr Aliaksandr Milinkevich, Director of Movement for Freedom, Belarus speaking on insight into the human rights situation in Belarus 5.2 Mr Mátyás Eörsi, Leader of ALDE Group in the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe speaking on Cuba pro-democracy activists of Liberal International 6. Report of activities 2007 6.1 LI Delegation at the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva and the Ecosoc Status of LI 6.2 Human Rights Workshop in Cancun, Mexico 6.3 Campaigns on Singapore and Burma 6.4 Campaign for the death penalty moratorium 7. Report of upcoming event: 7.1 Human Rights Conference & CALD General Assembly, 7-10 December, Taipei, Taiwan 7.2 Draft Action Plan for 2008 8. Any other business 9. Date and place of next meeting 60th Anniversary All delegates are invited to attend the Human Rights Committee Meeting. For more information, please contact Fang-yi Ho at fang- [email protected] or at +44.2078395905 6 Programme Friday 16th November 9:00 -12:00 & Registration Desk Open (lobby) 13:00 -14:00 09:30 - 11:00 Human Rights Committee Meeting (Sonnin Room) 12:00 - 14:00 LI Bureau Meeting (closed) 14:00 - 17:00 LI Executive Commitee (LI-members-only) (Reimarus Room) 18:00 Reception & LI Prize for Freedom 2007 Speech by Senator Udo Nagel of Liberal International (‘Freie und Hansestadt Hamburg’-Senat) (Entry only for participants with badge!) Saturday 17th November 9:00 hrs Opening Remarks Dr. Wolfgang Gerhardt MP Chairman of the board of directors of the Friedrich-Naumann-Foundation for Liberty and member of the Liberal International Bureau, Germany 60th Anniversary 9:15 hrs The Future of Freedom Dr. Guido Westerwelle MP Chairman of the FDP Party Group in the 7 Bundestag, Chairman of the Free Democratic Party (FDP), Germany 9:45 hrs Session I: Freedom Properly Understood Chairman: Dr. Detmar Doering, Head of the Liberal Institute of the Friedrich-Naumann- Foundation for Liberty, Germany Speaker: Dr. Tom Palmer, Vice President of Cato Insti tute and Director of Cato University, Washington DC, USA Commentators: Prof. Ingemund Häag, director Scientifi c Committee, Bertil Ohlin Institute, Sweden Alasdair Murray, director Centreforum, UK of Liberal International Discussion 11:00 hrs Coffee Break 11:30 hrs Session II: The Future of Freedom I: Civil Rights in Danger Chairman: Lord Russell Johnston, Former President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, United Kingdom Discussants: 60th Anniversary Miklos Haraszti, OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Hungary 8 Patrick van Schie, Director, Teldersstichting, The Netherlands Dr. Osama Muhamed al Ghazali Harb, Vice President Democratic Front Egypt, Member of the Shoura Council, Editor Al Siyassa al Dawliya (International Politics) Discussion 12:45 hrs Lunch Break 14:15 hrs Session III The Future of Freedom II: Economic Rights and Prosperity Chairman: Hans van Baalen, Deputy President of Liberal International, Member of Parliament, VVD, the Netherlands Speaker: of Liberal International Dr. Michael Walker, Founder of the Fraser Institute, Canada Commentator: Barun Mitra, Director Liberty Institute, India 15:30hrs Coffee Break 15:45 hrs Session IV: The Future of Freedom III: Trade and Development Chairman: Juli Minoves Triquell, Minister of Culture and Higher Education, spokesman of 60th Anniversary the government and member of the Bureuau of liberal International, Andorra 9 Speaker: James Shikwati, Director, Inter Region Economic Network, Kenya Commentator: Frits Bolkestein, former President of Liberal International and European comissioner from 1999 to 2004, the Netherlands. Discussion 17:00 hrs Coffee Break 17:30 hrs Keynote Speech Chairwoman: Dr. Irmgard Schwaetzer, Member of the Board of the Friedrich- Naumann-Foundation In Praise of Freedom Otto Guevara, President Relial (Liberal Net of Liberal International work of Latin America), Board Member Lib eral International 18:00 hrs Final Remarks Lord John Alderdice, President of Liberal In- ternational 20:00 hrs Offi cial Dinner (Entry only for participants with badge!) 60th Anniversary 10 Speakers Liberal Thinkers Conference Saturday 17th Nov at Reimarus Room Dr. Wolfgang Gerhardt MdB Wolfgang Gerhardt is the chair of the Friedrich Naumann Stiftung, former leader of the German Free Democrat Par- ty (FDP) and of the FDP Parliamentary Group in the Bun- destag. Born 31 December 1943 in Ulrichstein-Helpershain (state of Hesse), Wolfgang Gerhard studied political sci- ence, German studies and education at the University of Marburg and obtained his Doctorate degree in 1970.