International Democracy Day Brussels is an event organised each September to mark the UN International Day of Democracy.
Experts and activists will discuss how the global decline of democracy and the rise of authoritarianism worldwide have been met with a new wave of civic activism.
Programme
Registration and coffee
Address by Patrick Molinoz, chair of CIVEX commission, Committee of the Regions
Address by Věra Jourová, Vice-President for Values and Transparency, European Commission
Commentary by Rosa Balfour, Director of Carnegie Europe
Keynote speech by Nathan Law, democratic activist, Hong Kong
A conversation on the global challenges of democracy support
With Damon Wilson (National Endowment for Democracy) and Jerzy Pomianowski (European Endowment for Democracy). Moderated by Shada Islam
Lightning talk
With Tigran Amiryan (CSN Lab, Armenia)
Coffee break
Lightning talks
With Youssef El Idrissi (Kounaktif pour les arts et les cultures, Morocco) and Olga Caballero (Alma Civica, Paraguay)
Panel 'Global faces of activism'
Autocratisation trends have galvanised democracies from across the globe and sparked civic awakening worldwide. Throughout 2022 major protests occurred in Iran, Georgia, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, China and Hong Kong, as citizens worldwide took to the streets to demand their rights. This session will showcase the story of four activists and how they are planning to achieve a more democratic future for their countries. With Zaza Abashidze (RealPolitika), Leila Alikarami (Lawyer and human rights advocate), Nathan Law (Hong Kong democratic activist) and Olga Rudenko (The Kyiv Independent). Moderated by Hardy Merriman (International Center on Nonviolent Conflict).
Registration and coffee
The EU’s democracy agenda – Perspectives from Council Presidency
With H.E. Elena Gómez Castro, Ambassador to the EU Political and Security Committee, Spain
Presentation of Democracy Perception Index by Olaf Böhnke, Senior Advisor, Alliance of Democracies
Keynote speech by Karam Nachar, co-founder and co-editor of Al-Jumhuriya
European Democracy Hub lightning talk
With Elene Panchulidze (European Partnership for Democracy)
Panel 'Policy and democracy community'
With democracy in decline over 17 years and Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine putting democracy at the top of policy agenda in Europe and the US, the concurrent rise in autocracy is providing a new sense of urgency to democracies worldwide. During this session, the speakers will address what this era of democratic rest means for EU policy, democracy support and activism worldwide. With Helena König (EEAS), McDonald Lewanika, (Accountability Lab South Africa), Sam van der Staak (International IDEA) and Hardy Merriman (International Center on Nonviolent Conflict). Moderated by Shada Islam.
The EU’s democracy agenda – Perspectives from Council Presidency
With H.E. Hadja Lahbib, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Belgium
Coffee break and networking
Panel 'The future of the Summit for Democracy: insights from summit organisers'
What's next for the Summit for Democracy? This session provides an opportunity to engage with visionaries and leaders committed to shaping the future of democracy on a global scale. As the United States, host of the first two summits, and South Korea, the host of the eagerly anticipated third summit in 2024, come together, the session brings you a unique opportunity to gain unprecedented insights into the evolution of this critical global initiative. It will provide updates on the continued Summit for Democracy process, based on insights from both host countries and some key findings of an impact report prepared by International IDEA. Delve with us into the future of the Summit for democracy." With Julia Keutgen (International IDEA), Christina Droggitis (Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor, United States Department of State) and Kang Byongjo (Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Republic of Korea). Moderated by Marilyn Neven (International IDEA).
Panel 'Democracy in action: youth driving innovative engagement'
This session will bring together dynamic young leaders, advocates, and activists to discuss and showcase how youth-led initiatives are playing a pivotal role in shaping democratic engagement through innovative projects. The session will inspire attendees with concrete examples of advocacy work led by youth cohort members who have received advocacy grants, demonstrating the impact of their efforts in driving democratic change. With Ismael Paez Civico (Youth Forum), Natalia Gómez Solano (Special Adviser on Youth to the EU) , Olga Caballero (Alma Civica, Paraguay) and McDonald Lewanika (Accountability Lab South Africa)
Closing lunch reception
Offered by organising partners of International Democracy Day Brussels
Speakers
Kang Byongjo
Deputy Head of Preparatory Office for the Third Summit for Democracy, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Republic of Korea
Christina Droggitis
Section Chief, Office of Multilateral and Global Affairs, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor, United States Department of State
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