- Date : 14 Sep 2023 - 15 Sep 2023
- Time : 14:00 - 13:00 (UTC+1)
The European Endowment for Democracy (EED), European Partnership for Democracy (EPD), International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (IDEA), European Network of Political Foundations (ENoP), and Carnegie Europe are proud to invite you to the 2023 edition of the International Democracy Day Brussels.
The event will take place on Thursday, 14 September (afternoon), and Friday, 15 September (morning), at the European Committee of the Regions in Brussels.
The theme of the ninth edition of IDD Brussels is ‘An era of democratic unrest?’. 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.
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 and a more democratic future for their countries. Meanwhile, in Ukraine, a massive volunteer movement has emerged to meet the population’s needs at a time of war.
We are now at a watershed moment for democracy’s future. The European Union can seize the opportunity of this era of democratic unrest to deepen its ties with worldwide pro-democracy movements by supporting their efforts.
These and other important matters will be debated in the 2023 edition of International Democracy Day Brussels.
Please note that there is limited capacity within the EU Committee of Regions conference space. Registrations will be treated on a first-come first-served basis.
Speakers
Ismael Paez Civico
Board member of the European Youth Forum
Marilyn Neven
Programme Manager, Regional Europe Programme, International IDEA
Elene Panchulidze
Research coordinator, European Partnership for Democracy
Sam van der Staak
Director for Europe, International IDEA
Julia Keutgen
Programme Manager, International IDEA
Olga Rudenko
Chief editor of the Kyiv Independent
Elena Gómez Castro
Ambassador to the EU Political and Security Committee, Spain
Young-a Kwon
Counsellor, Mission of the Republic of Korea to the European Union
Christina Droggitis
Section Chief, Office of Multilateral and Global Affairs, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor, United States Department of State
Programme
Registration and coffee
Address by Patrick Molinoz, chair of CIVEX commission, Committee of the Regions
Patrick Molinoz
Address by Věra Jourová, Vice-President for Values and Transparency, European Commission
Věra Jourová
Commentary by Rosa Balfour, Director of Carnegie Europe
Rosa Balfour
Keynote speech by Nathan Law, democratic activist, Hong Kong
Nathan Law
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
Damon Wilson
Jerzy Pomianowski
Shada Islam
Lightning talk
With Tigran Amiryan (CSN Lab, Armenia)
Tigran Amiryan
Coffee break
Lightning talks
With Youssef El Idrissi (Kounaktif pour les arts et les cultures, Morocco) and Olga Caballero (Alma Civica, Paraguay)
Youssef El Idrissi
Olga Caballero
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).
Olga Rudenko
Nathan Law
Zaza Abashidze
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Hardy Merriman
Closing remarks by Ken Godfrey, Executive Director, EPD
Ken Godfrey
Registration and coffee
Introduction by Shada Islam
Shada Islam
The EU’s democracy agenda – Perspectives from Council Presidency
With H.E. Elena Gómez Castro, Ambassador to the EU Political and Security Committee, Spain
Elena Gómez Castro
Presentation of Democracy Perception Index by Olaf Böhnke, Senior Advisor, Alliance of Democracies
Olaf Böhnke
Keynote speech by Karam Nachar, co-founder and co-editor of Al-Jumhuriya
Karam Nachar
European Democracy Hub lightning talk
With Elene Panchulidze (European Partnership for Democracy)
Elene Panchulidze
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.
Sam van der Staak
Helena König
McDonald Lewanika
Hardy Merriman
Shada Islam
The EU’s democracy agenda – Perspectives from Council Presidency
With H.E. Hadja Lahbib, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Belgium
Hadja Lahbib
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).
Marilyn Neven
Kang Byongjo
Julia Keutgen
Christina Droggitis
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)
Ismael Paez Civico
Natalia Gómez Solano
McDonald Lewanika
Olga Caballero
Closing lunch reception
Offered by organising partners of International Democracy Day Brussels
