Annual Democracy Forum 2014: Fostering Democracy and Development Through Sound Management of Natural Resources
The International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA) and the Government of Botswana is holding the Annual Democracy Forum in Gaborone, Botswana 24-25 Nov. 2014. This year’s forum theme is “Fostering Democracy and Development through Sound Management of Natural Resources.”
This year International IDEA partnered with DEVEX, an international development media organization, to share the outcomes and voicesfrom this important forum, and more under the #DEMOCRACYMATTERS campaign.
The main objective of the forum is to address the parallel goals of strengthening democratic institutions and processes while delivering on development goals. Through a series of discussions, panelists are taking stock of legal frameworks and international standards that ensure good governance of natural resources. The forum also is helping to identify good practices of public-private partnerships, cooperation between government and civil society and corporate social responsibility that advance the democracy and development objectives of government. See the event agenda.
International IDEA Secretary-General Yves Leterme welcomed panelists and guests with his opening remarks and stated the purpose for the forum theme. “The importance of our theme ‘Fostering Democracy and Development through Sound Management of Natural Resources’ cannot be overemphasized. Democracy is not only an end in itself but also instrumental for change and for development processes. Democracy and Development are interdependent: the outcome of a democratic system is linked to development, equitable economic growth and the observance of rule of law.” Read Leterme’s entire remarks here.
The forum is bringing together politicians, policymakers, civil society leaders and experts from throughout Africa and other regions of the world. Speakers included government representatives and James A. Robinson, Ph.D., co-author of the best-selling book “Why Nations Fail.”
