Source: The China Post                            Date: 20 October, 2010

In an exclusive interview with Inside Asia recently, President Ts. Elbegdorj was clear that Mongolia's democracy is not only irreversible but it is consolidating despite all the ups and downs. Most importantly, his country is moving forward to integrate with the world community of democracies. The Community of Democracies, an international conference to promote democracy worldwide, will be held in Ulaanbaatar in 2013.

Mr. Elbegdorj knows very well all the democratic challenges his country has to face in dismantling old system and mindsets. Lack of transparency, corruption, respect of human rights and injustice are some of the top challenges that impede functional democracy. Still, Mr. Elbegdorj reiterated that Mongolia's young democracy respects liberty, freedom and promotes human rights. New York-based Freedom House this year rated the country as free.

Indeed, it is a major achievement that Mongolian democracy has survived in the past 20 years. When talking to NGOs, one got a pretty grim view of the country's democratic future. They said democracy is on the decline in the past five years because of corrupt politicians and cronyism without much public engagement. But the president said that his government is inviting views and welcoming participation from the estimated 7,000 NGOs. Under his government, representatives from government and civil society organizations hold talks every first Tuesday of each month.

Last December, Mr. Elbegdorj established the Citizens' Hall to encourage civil participation in planning and decision-making process. This is part of the government's plan to decentralize the central authorities to the rest of country. Such gatherings help the government and the public to reconcile their differences over issues related to natural resources extraction.

Former foreign minister S. Oyun, now a prominent opposition figure, was equally succinct in saying that Mongolia needs to integrate with broader Asia, including ASEAN, to promote economic and social development. "That is the future of Mongolia," she said. Mr. Elbegdorj, too, wishes one day Mongolia can become a dialogue partner of ASEAN.

Two remarkable developments that come with the democratization process have been the revival of long suppressed Buddhism and traditional medicine in Mongolia.