Liberal International

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Liberal International
AbbreviationLI
Libintern
FormationApril 1947, constituted with the Oxford Manifesto
Type International non-governmental organization
Political international
PurposeWorld federation of liberal political parties and organisations
Headquarters National Liberal Club
Location
Region served
Worldwide
Membership
90 political parties and 21 international organizations (as of May 2022)
President
Hakima El Haite
Main organ
Congress of Liberal International
Website liberal-international.org

Liberal International (LI or Libintern) is a worldwide organization of liberal political parties. The political international was founded in Oxford in 1947 and has become the pre-eminent network for liberal and progressive democratic parties aiming to strengthen liberalism and democratic values around the world. Its headquarters are at 1 Whitehall Place, London, SW1A 2HD, within the National Liberal Club. The Oxford Manifesto describes the basic political principles of the Liberal International, which is currently made up of 111 parties and organizations.

Contents

Aims

The Liberal International Constitution (2005) gives its purposes as:

to win general acceptance of Liberal principles which are international in their nature throughout the world, and to foster the growth of a free society based on personal liberty, personal responsibility and social justice, and to provide the means of co-operation and interchange of information between the member organisations, and between men and women of all countries who accept these principles.

The principles that unite member parties from Africa, America, Asia and Europe are respect for human rights, free and fair elections and multi-party democracy, social justice, tolerance, market economy, free trade, environmental sustainability and a strong sense of international solidarity.

The aims of Liberal International are also set out in a series of seven manifestos, written between 1946 and 1997, and are furthered by a variety of bodies including a near-yearly conference for liberal parties and individuals from around the world. [1]

Bureau

The bureau of Liberal International is elected every 18 months by the delegates of the congress. [2]

The 14th president of Liberal International is Hakima el Haite of the Mouvement Populaire (Morocco), is a former Minister of Environment, UN climate champion, and climate scientist. Madam El Haite succeeded Dr Juli Minoves, formerly Andorra's foreign minister and representative to the United Nations.

Former Presidents include Hans Van Baalen MEP, John, Lord Alderdice, Dutch politician and former European Commissioner Frits Bolkestein, German politician Otto Graf Lambsdorff, and Spain's first democratically elected prime minister after Francoist Spain, Adolfo Suárez.

The secretary-general of Liberal International is Gordon Mackay, a former Member of the National Assembly of South Africa. Other members of the bureau include Deputy President Prof. Karl-Heinz Paque; and Vice Presidents Cellou Dalein Diallo (Guinea), Kitty Monterrey (Nicaragua), Abir al-Sahlani (Sweden), Kiat Sittheamorn (Thailand) and Robert Woodthorpe Browne (United Kingdom). There are two elected treasurers, Judith Pallares MP (Andorra) and Minister Omar Youm (Senegal).

Awards

Liberal International awards prizes to individuals in the areas of human rights and liberalism.

Prize for Freedom:

The Liberal International Prize for Freedom is LI's most prestigious human rights award. Conveyed annually since 1984 to an individual of liberal conviction who has made outstanding efforts for the defence of freedom and human rights, recipients include Maria Corina Machado of Venezuela, Senator Leila de Lima of the Philippines, Raif Badawi of Saudi Arabia, Waris Dirie of Somalia and Václav Havel of Czechoslovakia and the Czech Republic.

Medal of Liberalism:

The Liberal International Medal of Liberalism is awarded to individuals who have worked to advance liberal values on a local, national and international level. Recipients include President Alassane Ouattara of Ivory Coast, Prime Minister Xavier Bettel of Luxembourg, President Tsai Ing-wen of Taiwan and Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe leader Sir Graham Watson of the United Kingdom.

Publications

The LI Human Rights Bulletin is published three times per year and consists of opinion articles, video interviews and digest of the work of the LI human rights committee.

Thematic publications are published online and in print on an ad hoc basis. Recent texts have offered a liberal perspective on issues ranging from freedom of belief to the responsibility to protect.

History

Before establishment

Because inter-war International Entente of Radical and Similar Democratic Parties ceased to operate in the beginning of the World War II, on 16 June 1946 representatives of the Liberal Party of Belgium, British Liberal Party, French Republican, Radical and Radical-Socialist Party, Danish Social Liberal Party, Freedom Party of the Netherlands, Free Democratic Party of Switzerland, People's Party of Sweden, Italian Liberal Party and the representatives of Spanish Liberals in exile assembled in Brussels and adopted the Declaration of Brussels, which called for creation of world liberal organization.

Oxford Manifesto

The Oxford Manifesto, drawn up in April 1947 at Wadham College in Oxford by representatives from 19 liberal political parties from South Africa, Germany, Austria, Belgium, Canada, Cyprus, Spain, Estonia, United Kingdom, United States, Finland, France, Hungary, Italy, Norway, Sweden, Switzerland, Czechoslovakia and Turkey is a document describing the basic political principles of the Liberal International. Creation of its main principles were led by Salvador de Madariaga. [3]

The Oxford Manifesto was inspired by the ideas of William Beveridge [ citation needed ] and is regarded as one of the defining political documents of the 20th century.[ citation needed ]

Fifty years on, in 1997, Liberal International returned to Oxford and issued a supplement to the original manifesto, The Liberal Agenda for the 21st century, describing Liberal policies in greater detail. The second Oxford Manifesto was adopted by the 48th Congress of Liberal International, which was held on 27–30 November 1997 in the Oxford Town Hall. [4] In 2017, the global federation marked its 70th anniversary with the adoption of the Andorra Liberal Manifesto for the twenty-first century (ALM). A three-year project across numerous continents initiated by then president Juli Minoves, the ALM embodied the widest consultation of views undertaken by Liberal International in order to compile a policy document. [5]

Organisation

Presidents

PortraitName
(Birth–Death)
CountryPresidencyMembership
1 Salvador de Madariaga.JPG Salvador de Madariaga
(1886–1978)
United Kingdom
Spain (exiled)
20 April 194818 April 1952Association
Mont Pelerin Society
2 Belgium politic personality icon.svg Roger Motz
(1904–1964)
Belgium18 April 195220 April 1958 Liberal Party
3 Giovanni Malagodi.jpg Giovanni Malagodi
(1904–1991)
Italy20 April 195815 April 1966 Italian Liberal Party
4 Toxopeus, E.H. - SFA008007403.jpg Edzo Toxopeus
(1918–2009)
Netherlands15 April 196625 April 1970 People's Party for Freedom and Democracy
5 Gaston Thorn (1984).jpg Gaston Thorn
(1928–2007)
Luxembourg25 April 197018 April 1982 Democratic Party
(3) Giovanni Malagodi.jpg Giovanni Malagodi
(1904–1991)
Italy18 April 198226 April 1989 Italian Liberal Party
6 Adolfo Suarez 1979 (cropped).jpg Adolfo Suárez
(1932–2014)
Spain26 April 198922 April 1992 Democratic and Social Centre
7 Otto Graf Lambsdorff (1990).jpg Otto Graf Lambsdorff
(1926–2009)
Germany22 April 199225 April 1994 Free Democratic Party
8 DavidSteel1987 cropped.jpg David Steel
(1938–)
United Kingdom25 April 199415 April 1996 Liberal Democrats
9 Frits Bolkestein 1999.jpg Frits Bolkestein
(1933–)
Netherlands15 April 199618 April 2000 People's Party for Freedom and Democracy
10 Annemie Neyts bij het VVD seminar democratisering (5212184305) cropped.jpg Annemie Neyts-Uyttebroeck
(1944–)
Belgium18 April 200025 April 2005 Open Vlaamse Liberalen en Democraten
11 Lord Alderdice.jpg John Alderdice
(1955–)
United Kingdom25 April 200520 April 2009 Liberal Democrats
and
Alliance Party of Northern Ireland
12 Johannes Cornelis van Baalen MEP 1 - Diliff.jpg Hans van Baalen
(1960–2021)
Netherlands20 April 200926 April 2014 People's Party for Freedom and Democracy
13 HA33.jpg Juli Minoves
(1969–)
Andorra26 April 201430 November 2018 Liberal Party of Andorra
14 Hakima El Haite (cropped).jpg Hakima El Haite
(1963–)
Morocco30 November 2018Incumbent Popular Movement

Members

Incumbent heads of state and government

Full members

LI has 90 political parties.

Country/RegionNameGovernmentJoined
Flag of Belgium (civil).svg  Belgium Reform Movement [6] Government2002
Open Flemish Liberals and Democrats [6] Government1992
Flag of Bulgaria.svg  Bulgaria Movement for Rights and Freedoms Opposition2003
Flag of Burkina Faso.svg  Burkina Faso Alliance for Democracy and Federation – African Democratic Rally Opposition2006
Flag of Burundi.svg  Burundi Alliance démocratique pour le renouveau  [ fr ]Opposition2009
Flag of Cambodia.svg  Cambodia Cambodia National Rescue Movement Extra-parliamentary2006
Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  Canada Liberal Party of Canada [7] [8] Government1947
Flag of Chile.svg  Chile Evópoli [9] Opposition2023
Liberal Party of Chile Government2014
Flag of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.svg  Democratic Republic of the Congo Together for the Republic Opposition2008
Flag of Cote d'Ivoire.svg  Côte d'Ivoire Rally of the Republicans Government2003
Flag of Croatia.svg  Croatia Istrian Democratic Assembly Opposition2014
Flag of Cuba.svg  Cuba Cuban Liberal Union In exile1992
Democratic Solidarity Party Opposition
National Liberal Party Opposition
Flag of Denmark.svg  Denmark Danish Social Liberal Party Opposition1948
Liberal Party Government1947
Flag of Estonia.svg  Estonia Estonian Reform Party Government1994
Flag of Europe.svg  EU ALDE Group
ALDE Party
Flag of Finland.svg  Finland Centre Party Opposition1983
Swedish People's Party Government1983
Flag of Georgia.svg  Georgia Republican Party of Georgia Opposition2006
Flag of Germany.svg  Germany German Group of the LI 1947
Free Democratic Party Opposition1947
Flag of Gibraltar.svg  Gibraltar Liberal Party [6] Government1997
Flag of Guinea.svg  Guinea Union of Democratic Forces of Guinea Opposition2012
Union of Republican Forces Opposition2012
Flag of Honduras.svg  Honduras Liberal Party Opposition1986
Flag of Iceland.svg  Iceland Progressive Party Government1983
Flag of Ireland.svg  Ireland Fianna Fáil [6] Government2014
Flag of Kenya.svg  Kenya Orange Democratic Movement Opposition2015
Flag of Kosovo.svg  Kosovo Independent Liberal Party Extra-parliamentary2009
Democratic Party of Kosovo Opposition2023
Flag of Lebanon.svg  Lebanon Future Movement Extra-parliamentary2012
Flag of Luxembourg.svg  Luxembourg Democratic Party Government
Flag of Madagascar.svg  Madagascar Movement for the Progress of Madagascar Extra-parliamentary1994
Arche de la Nation Extra-parliamentary2017
Flag of Mexico.svg  Mexico New Alliance Party Opposition2006
Flag of Mongolia.svg  Mongolia Civil Will-Green Party Opposition2009
Flag of Montenegro.svg  Montenegro Liberal Party of Montenegro Government2014
Flag of Morocco.svg  Morocco Constitutional Union Opposition2003
Popular Movement Opposition2003
Flag of the Netherlands.svg  Netherlands Democrats 66 Opposition1986
Dutch Group of LI
People's Party for Freedom and Democracy [10] Government1960
Flag of Nicaragua.svg  Nicaragua Ciudadanos por la Libertad Opposition
Flag of North Macedonia.svg  North Macedonia Liberal Democratic Party Government1994
Flag of Norway.svg  Norway Liberal Party Opposition1947
Flag of Paraguay.svg  Paraguay Authentic Radical Liberal Party Opposition2001
Flag of the Philippines.svg  Philippines Liberal Party Opposition1989
Flag of Portugal.svg  Portugal Iniciativa Liberal Opposition
Flag of Romania.svg  Romania National Liberal Party [6] Government1994
Flag of Russia.svg  Russia Yabloko Extra-parliamentary2002
Flag of Senegal.svg  Senegal Alliance pour la République Government2018
Rewmi Government2015
Senegalese Democratic Party Opposition1980
Flag of Slovenia.svg  Slovenia Concretely Extra-parliamentary
Flag of Somalia.svg  Somalia CAHDI Party Opposition2017
Flag of South Africa.svg  South Africa Democratic Alliance Government1984
Flag of Spain.svg  Spain Fundació Llibertat i Democràcia
Flag of Sweden.svg  Sweden Liberals Government1947
Centre Party Opposition2006
Flag of Serbia.svg  Serbia Movement of Free Citizens Opposition2022
Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg   Switzerland FDP.The Liberals Government2009
Flag of the Republic of China.svg  Taiwan Democratic Progressive Party Government1994
Flag of Tanzania.svg  Tanzania Civic United Front Opposition / in coalition in autonomous region of Zanzibar1997
Flag of Thailand.svg  Thailand Democrat Party Government
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg  United Kingdom Alliance Party of Northern Ireland In coalition government in Northern Irish Assembly, in opposition at national level1991
Liberal International British Group
Liberal Democrats Opposition1989
Worldwide International Federation of Liberal Youth
International Network of Liberal Women

Observer parties

Country/RegionNameGovernment
Flag of Austria.svg  Austria NEOS – The New Austria and Liberal Forum Opposition
Flag of Burkina Faso.svg  Burkina Faso Union pour le Progrès et le Changement Opposition
Flag of the Comoros.svg  Comoros Alliance Nationale pour les Comores Extra-parliamentary
Flag of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.svg  Democratic Republic of the Congo Union pour la reconstruction du Congo  [ fr ]Opposition
Flag of the Republic of the Congo.svg  Republic of the Congo Union des Democrates Humanistes (UDH-YUKI)
Flag of Cyprus.svg  Cyprus United Democrats Extra-parliamentary
Flag of Ghana.svg  Ghana Progressive People's Party Opposition
Flag of Hungary.svg  Hungary Momentum Movement Opposition
Flag of Israel.svg  Israel Yesh Atid [11] Opposition
Flag of Italy.svg  Italy Italian Group of Liberal International
Flag of Malaysia.svg  Malaysia Parti Gerakan Rakyat Malaysia In opposition
Flag of Mali.svg  Mali Citizens' Party for the Renewal of Mali Extra-parliamentary
Union pour la République et la Démocratie (URD)
Flag of Mauritania.svg  Mauritania Rally for Mauritania Opposition
Flag of Moldova.svg  Moldova Liberal Reformist Party Extra-parliamentary
Flag of Morocco.svg  Morocco Moroccan Liberal Party Extra-parliamentary
Flag of Singapore.svg  Singapore Singapore Democratic Party Extra-parliamentary
Flag of Suriname.svg  Suriname Democratic Alternative '91 Extra-parliamentary
Flag of Syria.svg  Syria Syrian Liberal Party In exile
Flag of Tunisia.svg  Tunisia Afek Tounes Extra-parliamentary
Flag of Ukraine.svg  Ukraine Holos Opposition
Flag of Venezuela.svg  Venezuela Vente Venezuela Extra-parliamentary

Individual member

CountryNameGovernment
Flag of Hong Kong.svg  Hong Kong Mr Martin Lee – founding chairman of Democratic Party Extra-parliamentary

Cooperating organizations

Cooperating and regional organisations are groups with a recognised status in the constitution of Liberal International as bodies that share the values and objectives of LI but do not operate as a political party. Co-operating organisations have the right of representation but in no case the right to vote at statutory events. LI has 12 cooperating organizations.

OrganizationRegion
Africa Liberal Network Africa
Council of Asian Liberals and Democrats Asia
Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe in the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (ALDE-PACE) Europe
Friedrich Naumann Stiftung
Fondazione Libro Aperto
Fondazione Luigi Einaudi
Neue Zürcher Zeitung
Swedish International Liberal Centre
Red Liberal de América Latina Latin America
Arab Liberal Federation MENA
National Democratic Institute North America

Liberal think tanks and foundations

The International is also in a loose association with the following 10 organisations:

OrganizationCountry
Centre Jean Gol Belgium
Fondazione Luigi Einaudi Italy
Fondazione Critica Liberale
Liberal Institute Germany
Teldersstichting Netherlands
The Bertil Ohlin Institute Sweden
Education Policy Institute United Kingdom
European Liberal Forum Europe
Livres (movement) [12] Brazil
Paddy Ashdown Forum [13] United Kingdom

See also

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References

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  10. "VVD is a member of LI". Archived from the original on 28 September 2011.
  11. Hoffman, Gil (3 October 2021). "Yesh Atid joins Liberal International". The Jerusalem Post. Retrieved 3 October 2021.
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