24-07-1990 17:23 HKGO LONDON 971 495 5033
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Party Leaders' Conference
The Party Leaders' Conference, the Union's governing body meets OVETY TWO YUDrs. Apart from electing the IDU's officers and dealing with other formal business, it is a unique opportunity for the Icaders of Member-Parties to come together in a relaxed and confidential atmosphere to discuss the principal international issues of the day, and to set the Union's priorities for the following two
years.
Executive Committee
The Executive Committee meets approximately every six months and, between Pamy Leaders' Conferences, determines the Union's activities. In addition to over-seeing the work of the Chairman and the Secretariat. together with the Foreign Affairs Standing Commitice considers current political issues and reports from the Officers. Major areas con- sidered recently include East/West Relations, the Middle East. Southern Africa. Central America, terrorism, drug trafficking, the environment, and broad economic questions. The Committee also reviews membership applications and makes recommendations on these to the Party Leaders'
Conference
ACTIVITIES
Foreign Affairs Committee
The Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, consisting of the external affairs spokesmen of Member-Parties, also meets approximatcly every six months. While charged with responsiblity of considering all major international questions, the Committee usually develops extensive internal reports on specific international questions. which provide the basis for public communiques and mort detailed recommendations to the
leadership of Member- halves,
Other Activities
From time to time the IDU undertakes fact-finding missions to different parts of the world, like Central America and the Middle East, which serve as both a means of broadening the IDU's contacts in a particular region and providing
more detailed information for consideration by the Executive Committee and Foreign Affairs Standing Committee. Occasionally. an Ad Hoc Group is established to either monitor important national elections or to prepare for future like the informal Group on Southern Africa,
work
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Secretariat
Based in London, the Executive Secretary heads the Secretariat
8
which runs the Union on a day-to- day basis. It coordinates the exchange of information between Member-Parties, particularly in response to new international developments; oversees publications; arranges all other IDU activities, at the instigation of the IDU Chairman or Executive Committee; and keeps outside organisations, the media and individuals advised of these,
Democracy International
Democracy International is a publication created by the IDU in 1987 k provide a forum for critical analysis and dialogue on important international questions from a centre-right perspective.
European Democrat Union (EDU)
Pacific Democrat Union (PDU)
Caribbean Democrat Union (CDU)
In addition to IDU activities, the EDU, PDU and CDU hold a number of regional meetings. ranging from committees working in specific policy areas to seminars on national election campaign techniques. The EDU holds quite frequent meetings in view of the closer political and geographical unity of Western Europe.