Shada Islam
Managing Director, New Horizons Project Geopolitical Strategy Advice and Analysis
Shada Islam is an influential Brussels-based specialist on European Union affairs who works independently as a commentator, advisor, analyst and strategist on Europe, Asia, Africa, Geopolitics, Trade, Migration, Inclusion, Diversity and Women’s Empowerment. She runs her own Brussels-based global strategy and advisory media company, New Horizons Project (NHP). She is a Visiting Professor at the College of Europe (Natolin) and a Solvay Fellow at the Vrije University Brussel (VUB). In 2017, she was selected as one of the 20 most influential women in Brussels by the magazine Politico. Shada is a Non-Resident Fellow at the Center for Global Development. She is a member of the European Policy Centre’s Strategic Council and Senior Advisor for its Europe in the World programme. She is also on the Brussels Advisory Committee of Women in International Security. Shada Islam is an influential Brussels-based specialist on European Union affairs who works independently as a commentator, advisor, analyst and strategist on Europe, Asia, Africa, Geopolitics, Trade, Migration, Inclusion, Diversity and Women’s Empowerment. She runs her own Brussels-based global strategy and advisory media company, New Horizons Project (NHP). She is a Visiting Professor at the College of Europe (Natolin) and a Solvay Fellow at the Vrije University Brussel (VUB). In 2017, she was selected as one of the 20 most influential women in Brussels by the magazine Politico. Shada is a Non-Resident Fellow at the Center for Global Development. She is a member of the European Policy Centre’s Strategic Council and Senior Advisor for its Europe in the World programme. She is also on the Brussels Advisory Committee of Women in International Security.
All Sessions by Shada Islam
Welcome speech by Moderator Shada Islam
Welcoming remarks by Moderator Shada Islam and by Patrick Molinoz, Chair of CIVEX commission, Committee of the Regions
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?
Final remarks
Introduction by Shada Islam
European Committee of the RegionsPanel 'Policy and democracy community'
European Committee of the RegionsWith 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.
A conversation on the global challenges of democracy support
European Committee of the RegionsWith Damon Wilson (National Endowment for Democracy) and Jerzy Pomianowski (European Endowment for Democracy). Moderated by Shada Islam
Context Session: Shada Islam Interviews Richard Youngs, Senior fellow, Carnegie Europe and Jerzy Pomianowski, Executive Director, European Endowment for Democracy
Committee of the RegionsInternational Panel on Democracy in Era of Geopolitics
Committee of the RegionsIn this inaugural session of the 2022 edition of International Democracy Day in Brussels, experts will lay out the geopolitical context of this watershed moment for democracy and high-level representatives from Africa, Asia, Europe and North America will discuss possible solutions to the challenges of this new era of geopolitics.
