The spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19) has rapidly changed the world, and its repercussions will continue to unfold in the months and years to come. Political leaders at all levels are responding to this crisis with an unprecedented set of measures aimed to curb the spread of the virus, protect public health and save the economy. Whilst the use of extraordinary measures and emergency powers can be justified and pertinent to address the current crisis, there is also a risk that they can negatively affect democracy in the short and long-term.
International IDEA and the Association of Diplomats Stockholm (ADS) would hereby like to invite you to a webinar discussing some of the short and long-term risks and opportunities for democracy in the context of the coronavirus pandemic.
The discussion will include issues related to holding (or not) elections during the pandemic, encroachments on civil liberties, the (mis)usage of emergency powers, the importance of state capacity – all summarized in a warning, a lesson and an opportunity for democracy going forward.
PROGRAMME
14:00 Online discussion of COVID-19 and its impact on democracy
Moderator: Adina Trunk, Special Advisor to the Secretary-General, International IDEA
Speakers:
• Kevin Casas-Zamora, Secretary-General, International IDEA
• Laura Thornton, Director for Global Programme, International IDEA
15:00 Q&A session
Moderator: Dario Otero, Deputy Head of Mission, Embassy of Spain in Stockholm, Sweden
15:30 Closing
The Webinar will be live streamed on International IDEA's Facebook page.
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