IDD 2023

AN ERA OF DEMOCRATIC UNREST?

IDD 2023

AN ERA OF DEMOCRATIC UNREST?

CENTRAL THEMES

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 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.

DEMOCRACY'S FUTURE

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.

PROGRAMME

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14 September

14:10 – 14:30

Address by Věra Jourová, Vice-President for Values and Transparency, European Commission

14:50 – 15:20

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

16:05 – 17:05

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).

15 September

09:55 – 10:50

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.

11:15 – 12:15

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).

12:15 – 13:15

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)

GALLERY

IDD SPEAKERS

Meet the European representatives who participated in the event.

Patrick Molinoz

Chair of CIVEX commission, Committee of the Regions

Věra Jourová

Vice President of the European Commission for Values and Transparency

Rosa Balfour

Director, Carnegie Europe

Nathan Law

Hong Kong democratic activist

Damon Wilson

President and CEO, National Endowment for Democracy

Jerzy Pomianowski

Executive Director, European Endowment for Democracy (EED)

Shada Islam

Managing Director, New Horizons Project Geopolitical Strategy Advice and Analysis

Tigran Amiryan

President, Cultural and Social Narratives Laboratory (CSN Lab)

Youssef El Idrissi

Artist, activist, founder of Kounaktif

Olga Caballero

Executive Director, Alma Cívica

Olga Rudenko

Chief editor of the Kyiv Independent

Zaza Abashidze

Editor-in-Chief, Realpolitika, and Director, Governance Monitoring Center

Hardy Merriman

President, International Center on Nonviolent Conflict

Ken Godfrey

Executive Director, European Partnership for Democracy (EPD)

Elena Gómez Castro

Ambassador to the EU Political and Security Committee, Spain

Olaf Böhnke

Senior Advisor, Alliance of Democracies

Karam Nachar

Syrian writer and academic. Co-founder and co-editor of Al-Jumhuriya

Elene Panchulidze

Research coordinator, European Partnership for Democracy

Sam van der Staak

Director for Europe, International IDEA

Helena König

Deputy Secretary General, EEAS

McDonald Lewanika

Regional Director, Accountability Lab Southern Africa

Hadja Lahbib

Minister of Foreign Affairs Belgium

Marilyn Neven

Programme Manager, Regional Europe Programme, International IDEA

Julia Keutgen

Programme Manager, International IDEA

Christina Droggitis

Section Chief, Office of Multilateral and Global Affairs, Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor, United States Department of State

Kang Byongjo

Deputy Head of Preparatory Office for the Third Summit for Democracy, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Republic of Korea

Ismael Paez Civico

Board member of the European Youth Forum

Natalia Gómez Solano

Special Adviser on Youth to the EU