The 2008 International Conference on Global Support for Democracy in China and Asia (GSDCA) will be held on August 4 and 5 in Tokyo, Japan. The GSDCA aims to be a global platform for consolidating international forces supporting the universal values of freedom, human rights, and democracy throughout Asia. The Tokyo conference will build on the successes of previous conferences in the hopes of moving toward the ultimate goal of securing a peaceful transition from autocracy to democracy in China and other Asian nations.

Conference panels will focus on democratization and human rights in the context of the 2008 Beijing Olympics, as well as the influence of China's rise on political development and global security.

Monday, August 4

Opening Plenary Session: Opening Remarks
Keynote Address
Parliamentarian Forum: How to Promote Democratization and Human Rights in China and Asia after the 2008 Beijing Olympics?
Panel I: The Effect of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games on Human Rights in Mainland China

Tuesday, August 5

Panel II: The Effect of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games on Human Rights in the World (I)
Panel III: The Effect of the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games on Human Rights in the World (II)
Panel IV: The Rise of China and Global Security
Panel V: The Rise of China and its Future Political Development
Resolutions and Closing Remarks

The 2008 International Conference on GSDCA will feature speakers from many distinguished organizations, including, but not limited to, the: (In Alphabetical Order)

• Beijing Spring Magazine
• Burma Partnership-Burma
• Centre for Citizens’ Alliance
• China Democracy Party United Headquarters (Overseas)
• Democracy in Asia and China
• Dream for Darfur
• European Parliament
• Federation for A Democratic China
• Forum for a Democratic China
• Forum for a Democratic China and Asia
• Hong Kong Human Rights Monitor
• Legislative Council of Hong Kong, PRC
• Initiatives for China
• Olympic Watch
• Open Radio for North Korea
• Parliamentarians from, Japan, Canada, Australia, Taiwan, and the USA
• Parliamentary Assembly Council of Europe
• Reporters Without Borders (RSF)
• Taiwan Foundation for Democracy
• Tibet Religious Foundation of H. H. The Dalai Lama
• Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile
• World Uyghur Congress
• World Forum for Democratization in Asia
• World Movement for Democracy

The 2008 International Conference on GSDCA will host dissidents from Asian autocratic nations, as well as dignitaries, experts, and scholars from all over the globe, including Europe, North America, and Asia-Pacific. Conference participants hail from a wide range of backgrounds and perspectives, such as:

• Government Officials;
• NGO Leaders;
• Human Rights Activists;
• Independent Journalists;
• Dissidents From Asian Autocratic Nations;
• Political Party Representatives;
• Religious Leaders;
• Academic Experts.

Conference Venue:Kudan Kaikan, Tokyo, JAPAN

Tokyo: Eastern Capital

Tokyo(東京), which means eastern capital, is the seat of the Japanese government and the Imperial Palace. One of the largest cities in the world, Tokyo is composed of 23 wards and is home to over 12 million people.

Tokyo was originally a small fishing village named Edo, which began to flourish after the Tokugawa Shogunate was established in 1603. By the mid-eighteenth century, Edo had a population of over one million people. This era is known as the Edo Period, during which Kyoto was the formal capital of Japan. The Edo Period lasted until 1868, when the Tokugawa Shogunate came to an end and imperial rule was reestablished. At this time, the Emperor moved to Edo, which was renamed Tokyo and replaced Kyoto as the capital of Japan.

The city enjoyed considerable growth until the Pacific War began in 1941. By October 1945, Tokyo’s population had fallen to 3.49 million, half of its population in 1940. Tokyo began to recover physically and economically during the 1950s, and joined the United Nations in 1956. The city hosted the 1964 Olympics and enjoyed rapid economic growth in the late 1980s. Today, Tokyo is one of the world’s most vital major cities, and is known for its cutting-edge technology, contemporary architecture, and unique culture.

Japan: Land of the Rising Sun