International Democracy Day Brussels 2024

IDD 2024
A Year of Elections

19-20 September | Brussels

Days

Hours

Minutes

International Democracy Day Brussels is an event organised each September to mark the UN International Day of Democracy.

IDD 2024 will take a global view of this electoral year, with a particular focus on engaging with women and youth.

Programme

13:30 - 14:00

Registration and coffee

14:00 - 14:10

Welcoming remarks by Moderator Shada Islam and by Patrick Molinoz, Chair of CIVEX commission, Committee of the Regions

Patrick Molinoz

Shada Islam

14:10 - 14:20

Keynote address by Dubravka Šuica, European Commission Vice-President for Democracy and Demography

Dubravka Šuica

14:20 - 15:00

Session 1: Elections 2024 - latest state of play

2024 is a super election year. Elections will be held in 8 of the world's 10 most populous nations (Bangladesh, Brazil, India, United States, Indonesia, Pakistan, Russia, Mexico) as well as in 16 African countries. Around 2 billion voters - approximately a quarter of the world's population - are expected to be heading to the polls this year. How will these elections impact the world in general and democracy in particular? Is the world becoming more or less democratic? Has the European Union done enough to promote democracy in partner countries?

Laura Thornton

Pita Limjaroenrat

Kevin Casas Zamora

Shada Islam

15:00 - 15:15

Keynote speech: Elections and science by Professor Michael Bruter, London School of Economics

Michael Bruter

15:15 - 15:35

Coffee break

15:35 - 16:20

Session 2: Mobilising young people at the ballot box: good practices and challenges

Several studies have shown that young people are turning away from democracy and politics. However, recent elections have highlighted how mobilised young people can impact the result of elections. Recently, South African voters have been queuing up for up to 6 hours to cast their ballot in a process through which the main political party will lose its absolute majority after 30 years of unchallenged political dominance. From Poland to Guatemala, Zambia (2021), Argentine (2023), Liberia ( 2023), Senegal (2024), people were able to shake up the status quo by voting en masse to bring opposition candidates to power. For better or worse, voters can make a change, sometimes radical one. Even if elections are not enough to make democracy a democracy, they still matter for voters and political alternance is a key deterrent for corruption and abuse of power. In the year of elections, young people hold the key to reinvigorating democracy through the ballot box.

Antonina Majchrzak

Asanda Luwaca

Ann N. Nderitu

Luis Villaherrera

Samuel Kpartor

Pita Limjaroenrat

16:20 - 16:30

Presentation of OECD Trust Survey

Elsa Pilichowski

16:30 - 17:10

Session 3: International Democracy Day at 10

Patrick Simonnet

Elsa Pilichowski

Jerzy Pomianowski

Richard Youngs

17:10 - 17:20

Expert comment by Adam Dicko, Association of Youth for Active Citizenship and Democracy

Adam Dicko

17:20 - 17:30

Final remarks

Shada Islam

08:30 - 09:00

Registration and coffee

09:00 - 09:05

Welcome speech by Moderator Shada Islam

Shada Islam

09:05 - 09:10

Video message by Member of European Commission

09:10 - 09:55

Session 4 - How to counter disinformation at a time of war?

Iryna Fedoriv

Riham Abu Aita

Khalid Albaih

09:55 - 10:10

Presentation on global electoral trends in 2024

Nico Jaspers

10:10 - 10:25

Keynote speech by Leopoldo Lopez, Venezuelan opposition leader

Leopoldo López

10:25 - 10:45

Coffee break

10:45 - 11:35

Session 5: Gender Equality and Authoritarianism

As gender disparities widen in countries with authoritarian regimes or restrictive political environments, women's political participation is particularly at risk. Women rights defenders and gender equality political advocates are developing strategies as they become the targets of authoritarian governments and far-right movements. Amidst the numerous elections happening in the world this year, the resilience of young women activists is coming to the fore.

Saskia Brechenmacher

Rumbidzai Kandawasvika-Nhundu

Salma Al-Nims

Sonia Gassemi

Japleen Pasricha

11:35 - 11:50

Keynote speech by Simone Susskind, Actions in the Mediterranean

Simone Susskind

11:50 - 12:40

Session 6: After the EU elections - what's next for EU support to democracy globally?

The European Parliament elections marked the beginning of a new term and ushered in a renewed EU leadership tasked with driving the EU agenda for the next five years. Representatives from various EU institutions will share their perspectives on the emerging priorities and focus areas. They will discuss how the incoming European Commission and newly elected European Parliament can translate these priorities into concrete actions that strengthen democracy.