Democracy has developed rapidly in Mongolia, but remains challenged by weak institutions corruption and spreading poverty. In the frame work of Action of the World Forum for Democratization in Asia was adopted to achieve the following goals specific to Mongolia.
- Support democracy education efforts as part of WFDA’ s regional activities.
- Support freedom of information, including the passing of laws which protect “whistle –blowers” and the rights of journalists to protect their information sources, as well as measures to enhance government transparency, notably in budgetary matters.
Support independent media, including networking with regional and international organizations such as Reporters Without Borders to both protect and train journalists, organize seminars for politicians to share ideas on the role and responsibility of the free media in democratic society and strengthen capacity for media self –regulation. This could be applied, inter alia, to the current transition of previously state –controlled Mongol National TV & Radio into a public broadcasting system.
WFDA are grouped the activities into the categories of global participation, regional strategies and country specific focus areas. To the other regional activities includes.
Encourage the development of an “Asian voice” for democracy to raise the profile of Asian democrats speaking for Asia, for example through radio, the internet, and other media. Cultural media (music, arts, etc) shall also be used as a means to raise awareness.
Support the development of independent media, including the internet and community radio in order to improve access to information and strengthen the capacity to advocate the democracy.
Also WFDA has declared to engage in the following activities on region –wide basis.
- Communicate Asia’s commitment to democracy
- Put a regional standard- setting
- Act for defense of human rights
- Promote political accountability
- Promote the role of women in democracy and the political process
- Promote dialogue and cooperation on issues of peace and conflict resolution
- Support Free and Fair elections
A democracy advocates and human rights activists of Asia have been focusing on development of regional community of democrats and convincing on greater linkages among democrats from different sub-regions and different countries. To identify and assess issues and challenges which have been facing for democratization in Asia and to deeply alarm about a deteriorating situations in some Asian countries and to honor and remember the many unknown and known victims of human rights abuses and to reaffirm their commitment to fundamental principles of democracy and human rights and to renew solidarity with people who are struggling against anti-democratic governments of Asia, by the initiative 5 organizations including Alliance for reform and Democracy in Asia, alternative Asean Network on Burma and Forum Asia Democracy was convened World Forum for Democratization in Asia
More than 300 participants from over 20 countries in Asia, as well as partners from around the world met in Taipei from 15-17 September 2005 at the first biennial conference.
Mrs.H.Naranjargal, Head of Globe International NGO which is the only group working on freedoms expression, information and media and member of Mongolian Human Rights Forum was invited to the conference.