International Democracy Day Brussels - 2024 Edition
Source: IDD Brussels
On September 19 and 20, the European Committee of the Regions hosted a two-day event to celebrate the International Day for Democracy, with support from the European Endowment for Democracy (EED), European Partnership for Democracy (EPD), International IDEA, the European Network of Political Foundations (ENoP), and Carnegie Europe.
The theme of the tenth edition of IDD Brussels was "A Year of Elections." The event explored the electoral landscape in Europe and beyond, assessing the current state of democracy worldwide. At this critical juncture, the conference provided a platform to discuss and shape the EU’s democracy agenda for the coming years. It brought together policymakers, politicians, activists, and independent journalists from around the globe to address the state of democracy, its challenges, and the opportunities that lie ahead. Special emphasis was placed on the roles of youth and women in these discussions, as part of the Women and Youth Democratic Engagement (WYDE) program.
Among the panelists, notable mentions include Dubravka Šuica, European Commission Vice-President for Democracy and Demography; Christian Leffler, former Deputy Secretary-General of the European External Action Service; Apostolos Tzitzikostas, First Vice-President of the European Committee of the Regions and Governor of Central Macedonia; Kevin Casas Zamora, Secretary General of International IDEA and Leopoldo López, Venezuelan opposition leader.
On day 2, September 20, a panel of 5 women addressed the discussion on 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. The panel included Japleen Pasricha (India), Sonia Gassemi (Algeria), Salma Al-Nims (Jordan), Viviane Ogou (Spain) and Rumbidzai Kandawasvika-Nhundu (International IDEA).
On September 19 and 20, the European Committee of the Regions hosted a two-day event to celebrate the International Day for Democracy, with support from the European Endowment for Democracy (EED), European Partnership for Democracy (EPD), International IDEA, the European Network of Political Foundations (ENoP), and Carnegie Europe.
The theme of the tenth edition of IDD Brussels was "A Year of Elections." The event explored the electoral landscape in Europe and beyond, assessing the current state of democracy worldwide. At this critical juncture, the conference provided a platform to discuss and shape the EU’s democracy agenda for the coming years. It brought together policymakers, politicians, activists, and independent journalists from around the globe to address the state of democracy, its challenges, and the opportunities that lie ahead. Special emphasis was placed on the roles of youth and women in these discussions, as part of the Women and Youth Democratic Engagement (WYDE) program.
Among the panelists, notable mentions include Dubravka Šuica, European Commission Vice-President for Democracy and Demography; Christian Leffler, former Deputy Secretary-General of the European External Action Service; Apostolos Tzitzikostas, First Vice-President of the European Committee of the Regions and Governor of Central Macedonia; Kevin Casas Zamora, Secretary General of International IDEA and Leopoldo López, Venezuelan opposition leader.
On day 2, September 20, a panel of 5 women addressed the discussion on 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. The panel included Japleen Pasricha (India), Sonia Gassemi (Algeria), Salma Al-Nims (Jordan), Viviane Ogou (Spain) and Rumbidzai Kandawasvika-Nhundu (International IDEA).