What are the links between democracy and development? How can democracy be promoted as the best conflict management method in the long run when the path to democracy includes social violence?
These are just some of the questions that were raised during a seminar on “Democracy-building: past lessons and future trends” that IDEA organized at its Stockholm headquarters to mark its 10th anniversary on 28 February.
Bengt Säve-Söderbergh, IDEA’s first secretary-general, Lena Hjelm-Wallén, IDEA board chairperson, and Thorvald Stoltenberg. See more photos. |
The seminar focused on IDEA’s role as one of the pioneers in developing assessment tools and policy instruments to promote democracy. Some 60 people joined IDEA staff in the discussions, including representatives from 18 of IDEA’s 23 member states and delegates from the Swedish Parliament, the Olof Palme Center, the Swedish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the World Bank and former IDEA chairpersons and secretaries general.
“Citizens want democracy to improve their lives. The newer the democracies, the bigger the demands. We at IDEA mustn’t lose sight of that fundamental link between democracy and development”, said Karen Fogg, IDEA secretary general. The need to tie democracy to strategies that address the needs of poor citizens and link political justice to economic justice was a recurring theme as participants examined IDEA’s role in democracy-building in the next decade.
Three speakers who were closely connected to IDEA’s evolution over the last 10 years gave presentations on developments in the area of democracy-building:
As Dr Molutsi summarized, “IDEA cannot drive the agenda but it can facilitate a dialogue process between the drivers of democracy, such as civil societies and research institutions; the custodians, such as parliamentarians, political parties, and independent media; and the promoters, such as the interregional, regional organizations, intergovernmental organizations and nongovernmental organizations. IDEA needs to stay small and efficient”, over the next decade, he said.
In June, IDEA plans to hold another seminar in Stockholm to recognize its 10th anniversary, featuring keynote speaker Margot Wallström, European Commission vice president.
Celebrations worldwide
Three of IDEA’s field offices – Accra, Ghana; Jakarta, Indonesia; Pretoria, South Africa – also recognized the anniversary in February by holding events with member state representatives and staffers from:
- South Africa’s Independent Electoral Commission
- Electoral Institute of Southern Africa
- University of Pretoria
- International Crisis Group Southern Africa
- National Democratic Institute (Ghana and Indonesia)
- IFES-Democracy at Large (Indonesia)
- Institute for Democratic Governance (Ghana)
- Center for Democratic Development (Ghana)
- Institute for Economic Affairs (Ghana)
IDEA’s Costa Rica and Peru offices plan activities later this year with Latin American member states and local partners.
“For being in business only 10 years, IDEA has a great history and a wealth of accomplishments”, said Bénédicte Walter, communications and public relations manager. “We are proud of our work and pleased that our partners want to celebrate and look ahead with us to the next decade”.
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