Suggestions on IFAN 2008 meeting

I have given my suggestions with regard to each objective, which has been formulated for next IFAN meeting proposed for April-2008. Please have a look and see whether they can be utilized in some manner.

I. Improving understanding of Liberal Ideas and promoting Liberal Values: -

As IFAN member I have already formulated a group of liberals and started discussing and debating with people the ideology of liberalism. This year I want do the activity in a different manner. See whenever I ask people something about liberalism; the first question generally asked is what is it all about? Though people have vague ideas of the concept but that is not going to serve the purpose. As a student of law and political science it is quite easier for me to identify with the liberal notions of politics, state, liberty, equality, democracy, market economy and competition. But when we speak of spreading and promoting liberalism as an ideology i.e. a set of ideas, we need to make people understand the thought in every aspect whatever their field of specialization is. People shall truly identify themselves with the ideology of liberalism and thereby strive to promote the values propagated by this ideology. We can’t conceive of a situation wherein we can promote liberal values without making people understand liberal ideas.

So as IFAN member I think my focus as well as of whole network this year should be making people understand this ideology. For this we need to start from basics. This can be done by conducting seminars, discussions, youth summits in different parts of the country wherever we are stationed. We can go to state capitals and therein move to universities, colleges and conduct our workshops, brainstorming sessions aimed at making people understand the liberal notions. We can invite lawyers, political scientists, and economists, people engaged in social activities to speak at these events and thereby help us in promoting the ideas of liberalism by improving the understanding. As IFAN has a vast network with its representatives stationed in different parts of the country, the members can do these activities in their respective areas and wherein collaborations and support is required we can share it and come to the rescue of brother members.

II. National Liberal Convention: -

The proposed National liberal Convention is a step in right direction. This will take the liberal movement to the next level. As this event will bring the movement to forefront and attract the people to this ideology. Here the role of IFAN is quite important. Before this event, we have to cover a lot of ground in our respective areas by spreading the ideas of liberalism and improving its understanding. This convention will help us to take our struggle a step ahead and from a regional level we can move to national level. We also need to promote this convention in a wider manner so as to ensure maximum participation and thereby have these delegates of the convention as our messengers. This will help in enlarging the IFAN and thereby the message will travel far and wide.

A. Possible Themes/Topics for the Convention:
i. Liberalism-a set of ideology.
ii. Neo-Liberalism
iii. Liberal view of Politics.
iv. Liberal-Individualist perspective on the State.
v. Rule of Law.
vi. Liberal-Individualist view of Liberty-Negative and Positive Liberty.
vii. Right to Property-Liberal Perspective.
viii. Liberal/Libertarian perspective of Justice.
ix. Concept of Liberal Democracy.
x. Liberal perspective of Market Economy/Competition.
xi. Liberalism vis-à-vis Welfare/Socialist State.
xii. Liberalism- Viability in Indian Context.

The list is mere illustrative and not exhaustive. Though the themes may sound more of academic importance but these have to be included somewhere in the schedule of the convention as it will bring more clarity regarding the concepts of Liberalism. These topics can be either merged or included under other broader themes depending upon the feasibility of time and speakers. A session or two can be devoted to discuss these themes. The idea here is to enhance the understanding of learned delegates of the convention regarding the intricacies of Liberalism so that they can act as better messengers.


B. Speakers/Resource persons:
I suggest following persons from my state:

i. Mr. Muzzafer Hussein Beigh.
Hon’ble Deputy Chief Minister,
Jammu & Kashmir.

Mr. Beigh is one of the best legal luminaries; the State of Jammu & Kashmir has ever produced. He is also a seasoned politician of the state and is one among the senior leaders of People’s Democratic Party which is a partner in the current ruling coalition government of the state. He takes keen interest in these activities and I believe he will be an asset for proposed National Convention and with a mix of law and politics he will be an asset for our purpose.

ii. Mr. Omar Abdullah.
President
National Conference.

Mr. Abdullah is a young and dynamic politician of state. He is the president of main opposition party in Jammu & Kashmir. Having already served as Union Minister of State for External Affairs in N.D.A. government headed by Shri. Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Mr. Abdullah presents a mix of youth and politics. A different and modern outlook to life and politics, having him as one of the speakers will greatly benefit us.

iii. Prof. Amitabh Mattoo.
Vice Chancellor
University of Jammu.

Prof. Mattoo took over as Vice Chancellor of University of Jammu in 2002 at age of 42 years. Being the youngest Vice Chancellor of University of Jammu, within a short period of about six years he has created a history of sorts by taking University of Jammu to an international level from a lesser known regional University. The recent honour by Union Government by conferring Padma Shree on him stands testimony to the commendable works done by him. An expert in International Relations, having him as resource person will be of immense benefit.

In addition to these I will be adding few other names from time to time that I think will benefit us. Furthermore, if a consensus is reached on any of the names, which I have proposed, I can then pursue with them so as to ensure their participation.


III. Liberal Youth Forum-India:

The launch of LYF-India will provide much needed oxygen to build afresh a liberal youth movement. Once this is done the movement can be taken to State levels by constituting its State units and within states also further decentralization can be done to district and tehsils/taluka levels. This approach will help to attract the youth to the ideology that is an essential requirement given the fact that a considerable chunk of our population is youth. Furthermore by investing in youth we are going to invest in future as these are going to be leaders, academicians, scientists etc of tomorrow. So it is a step in right direction at a right time.


Looking forward to your feedbacks and comments,

Thanking you,

Regards,

Touseef A. Magray
Jammu & Kashmir.
+919419222058