MerleneEmerson

Happy New Year!

Ed Davey's New Year Message As Britain enters a new year of politics, the Liberal Democrats continue to make gains. From challenging Donald Trump and Nigel Farage, to standing up for Gaza, the BBC, carers and Britain’s place…

That’s 2025 wrapped.

Record-breaking local election wins. Leading the charge on the NHS and care, sewage and the cost of living. Taking the fight to Farage and Trump.

And we’re ready for more in 2026… 🔶

The Class Where ‘Screenagers’ Train to Navigate Social Media and A.I.

Just learnt a new word "screenagers" www.nytimes.com/2025/12/25/b...

Today we remember Paddy Ashdown on the anniversary of his death, a leader of rare courage, conviction and humanity. Paddy believed politics should be rooted in liberal values, internationalism & a deep sense of public service.
At the Paddy Ashdown Forum we continue to honour his legacy.

⏳ Today is the last day to register your interest in joining our board of directors

Are you ready? then please apply to: eleanor.rhodes@thepaddyashdownforum.org
with your cv & covering letter highlighting why this unique opportunity feels like the right next step for you.

Today as we remember one of our co-founders, Robert Woodthorpe-Browne, we focus on his values which are essential for todays world: cooperation across borders, democratic engagement, & constructive dialogue in the service of the common good.
We will keep building on what he helped to begin.
#peace

Lord John Alderdice delivered a Remembrance Lecture today full of the wisdom that comes from experience. “There is no formula for ending wars ” he said, drawing parallels with modern scientific systems theory and complexity thinking. New thinking is needed, and the ‘peace ecosystem’ must adapt.

🎯 Davey is spot on. "We can have criticism of the BBC, but within that, we need to recognise how valuable an institution it is [and how] precious to our country. And that's one of the reasons why people like President Trump and Nigel Farage, want to undermine the BBC." 👏🏽~AA

See Where Flights Have Been Canceled Across the U.S. Hundreds of flights were cut at airports across the United States have been canceled, with deeper cuts looming in the coming days.

What is happening in the US atm is unprecedended and unbelievable. www.nytimes.com/interactive/...

My book review of "Ending Wars" co-edited by Lord John Alderdice and Padraig O Malley on @libdemvoice www.libdemvoice.org/review-of-en...

Zohran Mamdani: 'Trump's worst nightmare' celebrates New York election result - as US president responds The Democrat candidate ran on a significantly left-wing platform which included promising city-owned grocery shops and eliminating bus fares. Donald Trump is no fan and warned he could withhold federa...

If you're just waking, it's been a good night for Democrats across the US, with voters rejecting Trump nationwide. 🎉

Mamdani's comfortable win in New York, on the highest turnout since 1969, provides further proof that you don't have to pander to the right to win.
news.sky.com/story/zohran...

Fuelling the Future 2025 YouTube video by The Paddy Ashdown Forum

A huge thank you to Stuart BroadleyHon FEI, CEO of Energy Industries Council, for sharing his expertise and insights at our event, Fuelling the Future. A vital conversation on energy.

⚡️ If you missed the live event, don’t worry!
🎥 You can watch the full recording here: youtu.be/4dLJLn-yCSM

Come join us to continue Paddy's rich legacy and to bridge East and West to build a better world!

🌟We’re growing — come join us!
The Paddy Ashdown Forum is looking for a Director to join the board. Work with passionate people, tackle exciting challenges, and make an impact.
📍 Flexible
⏰ Approx. 5–8 hrs a month
🗓️ Deadline: 5/12/2025
Sound like you?
🔗https://thepaddyashdownforum.org/fundamentals/

East Timor formally admitted to ASEAN in the group’s first expansion since the 1990s East Timor has been formally admitted into the Association of Southeast Asian Nations in the group’s first expansion since the 1990s.

East Timor has been admitted into the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in the group's first expansion since the 1990s.

Please read the article by @nhannahjones.bsky.social in @nytimes.com . The conflation of civil rights and DEI under Trump2.0 is both sinister and dangerous.

The NY Times article and interview on the Daily were brilliant! Thank you!

Quick, get your tickets for "Fuelling the Future" our next Global Conversations & gain new insights from this power filled discussion!

📅 21st Oct 2025
🕑 13:00-14:00
📌 ONLINE

🔗 Tickets Free but Limited. BOOK NOW! www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/fuelling-t...

#EnergyEfficiency #energymarkets #NetZero #power

Ming Campbell was a dedicated public servant and a true Liberal giant.

His principled leadership opposing the Iraq War was a mark of his morality, courage and wisdom.

But more than that, he was an incredibly warm and caring friend and colleague.

We will miss him terribly.

The Five Decade Journey of EU-ASEAN Relations - Which Path For The Decades To Come? - The Paddy Ashdown Forum | Merlene SC Toh Pleased to report that I had attended the World Ocean Summit Europe last week in Cascais (pronounced kash·kise) in Portugal.  Around 300 policymakers, scientists, investors, NGOs, and community leader...

Attending #worldoceansummit in #Cascais. Read my blog www.linkedin.com/posts/merlen...

How to fight the far right The last few weeks have been a worrying time. Friends of mine have told me that, because they aren’t white, they are worried about visiting parts of our country. Robert Jenrick and other politicians h...

How do we fight the far right’s malevolent influence on our country? @robblackie.bsky.social has some ideas… www.libdemvoice.org/how-to-fight...

Paddy Ashdown’s work and the Future of Kosovo: Lessons in Leadership, Justice, and what next for Kosovan Aspirations - The Paddy Ashdown Forum | Merlene SC Toh Last weekend, on a sunny morning, Lesley Batchelor CBE and I drove to visit Lady Jane Ashdown at her home in Somerset. We wanted to pass to her the medal and certificates that had been posthumously gi...

Road trip to Somerset @paddyforum.bsky.social www.linkedin.com/posts/merlen...

Brilliant book launch by #NickClegg at Union Chapel last night in the style of fireside chat with @kamalahmednews.bsky.social. Nick's time at Facebook/Meta now chronicled for posterity as he advocates against a fractured internet. #ai #geopolitics #liberalism

Delighted to celebrate 58th #ASEAN Day with colleagues from ASEAN UK Business Forum, VictoriaCollins MP and Chair @paddyforum.bsky.social on 8.8.25 at the #Malaysian High Commission in London

Guess what -- I made it to the summit of Mt Fuji! It was a wet and misty start and I was really worried that the climb would be cancelled. But thankfully day 2 was dry and sunny.
Thanks for putting your faith in me to deliver on this expedition in aid of @paddyforum.bsky.social gofund.me/bed0bd8e

Checked into Toyoko Inn favoured by Mt Fuji climbers. But weather forecast has not been great.

@merlenee.bsky.social our Merlene the day before her journey begins, carbo-loading at Tsukiji Fishmarket. A food paradise for food professionals & mountain climbers!

Please donate to this wonderful cause gofund.me/d80fde95

#Fundraiser #MountFuji #EveryStepCounts #FoodParadise

Landed in Tokyo....in readiness for my epic #MtFuji climb in aid of @paddyforum.bsky.social gofund.me/bed0bd8e

Donate to Bridging East and West to Build a Better World, organized by Merlene Emerson Hi I am Merlene. In late July, I’ll be taking on the incredible challen… Merlene Emerson needs your support for Bridging East and West to Build a Better World

I have started a @gofundme.com page to support @paddyforum.bsky.social . Please follow and support my climb of #MtFuji ! Why This Climb? Because climbing a mountain is nothing compared to bridging global divides.
www.gofundme.com/f/bridging-e...

On now!