Political equality and the equal distribution of wealth and social welfare are also ways to consolidate democracy, Lee said.
Democratic struggles
The former presidents of the Dominican Republic and El Salvador and the former prime minister of Mongolia also shared their countries' struggles to democratize.
Chee Soon Juan, chairman of the Alliance for Reform and Democracy in Asia (ARDA) said he was pleased about the establishment of WFDA. Chee is also the maker of a short documentary on democracy in Asia, which was shown at the conference, and parts of which have been banned in his home country Singapore.
"[WFDA] is an institute of democracy which we can call our own," Chee said. "We must have faith and patience. Democracy will come to those who seek it."
The conference will also discuss strategies to assist with democratic transition and consolidation in Asia, the impact of China's rise on regional democratization, the political participation of Asian women and improving political accountability in Asian democracies.
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