European Committee of the Regions
IMPORTANT – The event will take place in two different buildings:
Thursday 19: rue van Maerlant 2 (room VMA23)
Friday 20: rue Belliard 99-101 (room JDE52)
Programme
Registration and coffee
Welcoming remarks by Moderator Shada Islam and by Patrick Molinoz, Chair of CIVEX commission, Committee of the Regions
Keynote address by Dubravka Šuica, European Commission Vice-President for Democracy and Demography
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 4 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?
Keynote speech: Elections and science by Professor Michael Bruter, London School of Economics
Coffee break
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.
Session 3: International Democracy Day at 10
In this panel, speakers will reflect on the ten years that have passed since the first edition of the International Democracy Day Brussels conference, a decade of democratic recession, receding civic space and media freedom, yet also of mass protest. They will reflect on EU international democracy support during this decade and on the role democracy support will play during the next Commission.
Registration and coffee
Keynote address by Apostolos Tzitzikostas, First Vice-President of the European Committee of the Regions, Governor of Central Macedonia Region
Video message by Jutta Urpilainen, European Commissioner for International Partnerships
Session 4 - How to counter disinformation at a time of war?
Disinformation and misinformation are tools used by all sides in the ongoing wars in Ukraine, Palestine and Sudan. False and misleading information are shaping narratives, influencing public opinion, demoralising people, causing mass confusion and swaying international perceptions. In this panel, the trhee speakers will explain how a war of information is distorting narratives in their countries, they will explain its effects, and they will talk about the work they are doing to address this.
Coffee break
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.
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.
Lunch
Speakers
Apostolos Tzitzikostas
1st Vice-President of the European Committee of the Regions, Governor of Central Macedonia Region
Christian Leffler
Former Deputy Secretary-General of the EEAS and current Chair of the Board of Advisers of International IDEA
Chiara Adamo
Deputy to the Director for Human Development, Migration, Governance and Peace directorate in DG INTPA, European Commission
Asanda Luwaca
Executive Chairperson of the National Youth Development Agency of South Africa, Club de Madrid WYDE Network of Young Decision-makers.
Michael Bruter
Professor of political science and European politics at the London School of Economics