The Third Assembly of the World Movement for Democracy
Building Democracy for Peace, Development, and Human Rights
Durban, South Africa
February 1-4, 2004
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Agenda
Saturday – January 31
18:30 – 21:30 Steering Committee Meeting
Sunday – February 1
9:00 – 15:00 Participant Registration
9:00 – 16:00 Democracy Fair
10:00 – 11:00 Breakfast Meeting of Workshop Moderators and Rapporteurs
17:00 – 19:00 Opening Plenary Session
19:15 – 21:00 Dinner
Monday – February 2
9:00 – 12:00
Panel/Discussion A
- The Role of Nongovernmental Communities in Promoting Democracy across Borders: Development and Good Governance
Organizers: Centre for Policy Studies – South Africa
(www.cps.org.za)
People in Need Foundation – Czech Republic
(www.pinf.cz)
As shown in several regions of the world, cross-border cooperation can play a crucial role in spreading and stabilizing democracy. It is essential in transferring know-how and bringing moral support to human rights defenders and democracy activists. It is equally important in getting international attention to serious human rights violations and democracy deficit problems, especially in neighboring countries. It is almost impossible to oppose successfully dictators or corrupt authoritarian rulers or to secure transitions to democracy without support from the democratic world. It is thus worthy to share experiences of successful cross-border cooperation projects and to encourage launching of similar programs in other regions, such as Africa and the Middle East.
Topical Workshops: Session A
- Teaching Civic Education: What are the Best Approaches In School and Out?
Organizers: Electoral Institute of Southern Africa – South Africa (www.eisa.org.za)
Foundation for Education for Democracy – Poland (www.edudemo.org.pl)
Civic education is important in both emerging and established democracies because it helps develop an understanding of democratic values among citizens. At previous World Movement assemblies, civic education was discussed as a necessity for both students and adult citizens in order to build and sustain democracy. This workshop will focus on teaching methods and approaches for explaining democracy through schools as well as outside formal educational institutions.
- Confronting the Challenges to Press Freedom: What Works?
Organizers: Thai Journalists Association – Thailand
(www.tja.or.th)
Robin Sewlal, Dept. of Public Relations & Journalism, Durban Institute of Technology – South Africa
(www.dit.ac.za/departments.php?faculty=arts&dept_id+1102#)
Information flow within government, between citizens and government, and among citizens and civil society is crucial for building a successful democratic society. Media has always been an effective tool for making information available to the public, and a free and independent press is essential to the functioning of a vibrant democracy. This workshop seeks to identify the principal challenges to press freedom around the world and the best ways to overcome them.
- Democracy, Governance, and Markets: Ensuring the Inclusion of the Private Sector and Political Parties in Policy Making
Organizer: Center for International Private Enterprise – USA
(www.cipe.org)
International Republican Institute – USA
(www.iri.org)
Policy decisions of both governments and political parties directly affecting the economy and the private sector must be made with the involvement of the private sector, civil society, labor unions, and other groups that have a real stake in making governance work for the benefit of all. When governments or parties institute inclusive decision-making processes, they benefit the entire reform agenda. Legislative reform efforts to combat corruption, promote good corporate governance, improve accountability and transparency, address the informal sector and encourage economic growth can succeed best by including all sectors of civil society. This workshop will discuss how to get economic and market reform proposals into party platforms.
- How to Strengthen Internal Party Democracy?
Organizers: Electoral Institute of Southern Africa – South Africa
(www.eisa.org.za)
Netherlands Institute for Multi-Party Democracy – The Netherlands
(www.nimd.org)
The democratization debate in new democracies around the world lacks critical analysis and focus on how to strengthen democracy within political parties. While the elections of leaders at the local and national levels are being observed, there is still resistance to introduce transparent and democratic methods to the choice of party leaders. In addition, there is a lack of transparent and democratic processes in developing party platforms. This workshop will seek practical recommendations on how to promote representation, pluralism, and transparency within a political party.
- Indigenous Approaches to Conflict Resolution
Organizers: Foundation for Citizenship and Governance Training – South Africa
Center for the Research of Societal Problems – Turkey
(www.tosam.org)
This workshop will consider the indigenous ways that traditional societies have addressed the resolution of conflict, with a view to augmenting the theory and practice of conflict resolution that has been developed over the years, mainly in the West. The discussion will focus on experiences in bringing traditional approaches to bear. The workshop will seek to develop a short list of "best practices" regarding the ways in which indigenous approaches to conflict resolution can be harnessed in difficult conflict situations where more Western models or approaches may not have succeeded, and in a better understanding of how consideration of indigenous approaches, particularly in traditional societies, can contribute to advancing democracy.
- Ensuring Vital and Open Legislatures: The Nongovernmental Role
Organizers: Center for Democratic Performance – USA
(cdp.binghamton.edu)
Congreso Visible – Colombia
(cvisible.uniandes.edu.co)
There is a general consensus that sound democratic development requires the healthy functioning of political institutions between elections, as well as during elections. For legislatures to play their role, they cannot exist in a vacuum, isolated from other parts of society. They must have an effective interaction with civil society organizations (CSOs), which can help to articulate and aggregate popular opinion and interests vis-à-vis the legislature. Drawing upon examples from democratization processes in various countries, such as Colombia, South Africa, and Serbia, this workshop will seek to exchange information on participant's successful experiences. The workshop will focus on 1) CSOs as advocacy organizations vis-à-vis the legislature; 2) CSO legislative oversight function, and 3) the role of appropriate technology in CSO legislative-related activities.
- Political Finance Reporting and Monitoring: Tools and Techniques for Transparency
Organizers: International Foundation for Election Systems – USA
(www.ifes.org)
Issues surrounding political finance emerge as a problem in many democracies. Scandals related to party and election campaign funds have gained wide-spread negative publicity over the last 25 years in Italy, France, Germany, United States, and in other long established democracies. These scandals have led to public disappointment with democracy in some countries and to profound institutional reforms in others. Certainly the evolution and maturation of electoral processes may reduce some kinds of exposure while introducing others. Emerging democracies also confront political finance challenges, but the stakes are higher as political democracy takes root in these countries. This workshop will focus on practical political finance programs for reform.
- How Can the Legitimacy and Accountability of Nongovernmental Organizations be Ensured Without Increasing Their Vulnerability
Organizer: Africa Democracy Forum
(www.wmd.org/africa/africa_democracy_forum.html)
In recent decades, the number of NGOs and the scope of their activity have increased dramatically. As their influence has grown, however, it has more frequently been claimed that some NGOs are unaccountable, unrepresentative, unprofessional, or lack legitimacy relative to other institutions. While such challenges are nothing new, they are being raised in different forms and contexts, by governments, by the media, by other elements of civil society (trade unions, religious groups, political parties), and even by other NGOs. Moreover, donors are increasingly imposing new requirements in terms of accountability, transparency and effectiveness. This workshop will discuss questions of NGO legitimacy and accountability and enable participants to share experiences and approaches to these issues. The workshop will address questions, such as "What is the basis of NGO 'legitimacy'?"; "What separates 'legitimate' from 'illegitimate' NGOs?"; and "What is the relationship between 'legitimacy' and 'accountability'?"
- How Can Civil Society Actors Use Public Opinion Research to Improve and Strengthen Democracy?
Organizers: Network of Democracy Research Institutes
(www.wmd.org/ndri/ndri.html)
Institute for Democracy in South Africa (IDASA) – South Africa
(www.idasa.org.za)
This workshop will bring together public-opinion researchers and civil society activists to discuss how both groups can use opinion research to improve democracy. Representatives of major survey-research projects from four continents will briefly describe what elements of their work are best suited to the needs of democratic activists. Representatives of civil society will then describe how survey results have impacted their assessments of the political environment or have shaped or reshaped their strategies and tactics in the struggle to achieve and strengthen democracy. Both groups will discuss how they disseminate results to various audiences, including governmental and political leaders, academics, the mass media, and grass-roots organizations. Participants will also describe how their work with specific audiences and constituencies helps people understand the methodologies of survey research and how to use opinion data in their daily jobs. The expected outcomes of the workshop will be the increased (and improved) use by democracy activists of the various Barometers, and other survey instruments; closer collaboration between researchers and civil society activists; and the global spread of the most effective practices and techniques.
- Promoting Democracy Multilaterally: What Can Civil Society Do Through the UN, the International Financial Institutions, and the Community of Democracies?
Organizer: Democracy Coalition Project – USA
(www.demcoalition.org)
Transnational Radical Party
www.radicalparty.org/
With globalization and the spread of democracy around the world, renewed debate has been focused on the role multilateral institutions can play in setting a pro-democracy agenda. This workshop will examine the role of civil society in influencing governments to adopt more pro-active policies to favor democratic consolidation around the world. It will focus on such questions as: What should be the objectives of a UN Democracy Group? How can meaningful criteria for participation be developed? How should the IMF and other international financial institutions reform their policies to favor transitional democracies? And, should the Community of Democracies play a more active role in coordinating the responses of states, regional organizations, and other key players when a threat to democracy develops? This topical workshop will lay the substantive framework for the functional workshop on strategies for influencing the Community of Democracies.
- NGO Coalitions: Strategies to Defend the Independence of NGOs
Organizers: SANGOCO-KZN – South Africa
(www.sangoco.org.za)
Arab Program for Human Rights Activists – Egypt
(www.aphra.org)
It is often more effective for a democracy NGO to advance democracy by building a coalition with a number of other organizations at the national or regional levels than by working alone. In addition, joining an NGO coalition is one of the effective strategies to defend the independence of NGOs from government/state controls. Beginning with case studies of NGO coalitions in different parts of the world, this workshop will identify and discuss the challenges in building an NGO coalition and in addressing attempts at state control over NGO activities.
- Strengthening Democracy through Decentralization and Local Empowerment
Organizers: Institute for Social Sciences – India
(www.issin.org)
Democracy Development Program Local Government Consortium – South Africa
Decentralization and local empowerment have become priorities for many countries in consolidating their democracies. While building the capacity of local authorities, it is crucial to promote public participation in local policy-making processes. This workshop will address the following questions: How can democratic decentralization of political power ensure the empowerment of the public and help economic development at the local level? To what extent does political decentralization promote transparency, accountability, equity, and public participation in political processes? Through discussion, the workshop will seek to establish recommendations based on participants' experiences and initiatives focused on strengthening local governance.
12:15 – 13:30 Lunch / Democracy Fair
13:45 – 18:00 Regional Workshops
Africa
13:45 – 18:00
Africa Democracy Forum
(www.wmd.org/africa/africa_democracy_forum.html)
Latin America and the Caribbean
13:45 – 18:00
Congreso Visible – Colombia
(www.cvisible.uniandes.edu.co)
Middle East and North Africa
13:45 – 18:00
East Asia
13:45 – 15:45
South Asia
13:45 – 15:45
South Asia Human Rights Documentation Centre – India
(www.hri.ca/partners/sahrdc)
Southeast Asia
13:45 – 15:45
Asian Forum for Human Rights and Development (Forum-Asia)
(www.forumasia.org)
Asia Region-wide
16:00 – 18:00
Forum Democracy Asia
Central and Eastern Europe/Newly Independent States
13:45 – 15:45
Workshop 1: Media (Media Monitoring, Alternative Media)
Workshop 2: Balkan –Black Sea Think Tanks Network
16:00 – 18:00
Workshop 3: Legislative Oversight, Accountability, and Transparency
Workshop 4: Increasing Youth Participation in the Political Process
20:00 – 22:00 Cultural Evening and Dinner
Tuesday – February 3
8:30 – 9:45 Plenary Session: Promoting Democracy in Closed Society
10:00 – 13:00
Panel/Discussion B
- Challenges to Political Participation: Linking Human Rights and Democracy
Organizers: Institute for Democracy in South Africa (IDASA) – South Africa
(www.idasa.org.za)
Centre for the Development of Democracy and Human Rights – Russia
This workshop will enable participants to share their experiences and expertise on the challenges to political participation as well as practical strategies to foster political participation of vulnerable groups. It will be divided into two sessions, each preceded by three short presentations. The first session will identify key social, political and economic challenges to political participation. Since challenges to political participation differ from one country or continent to another, the presenters and other participants will be encouraged to draw from experiences in their own countries or continents. The second session is aimed to provide insights and practical strategies, such as human rights advocacy programs, to address the challenges identified in the first session. Presentations and interventions from the floor in this session will also draw from practical experiences in strategies that the participants have used in their own countries to address the factors hindering political participation in general and that of marginalized groups such as women. It is expected that the sessions will be not just sharing of ideas, but will provide a space for fresh and innovative insights on how advocacy for human rights and freedoms, such as expression, media, opinion, peaceful assembly, association, and others, can be utilized to promote full political participation.
Topical Workshops: Session B
- Combating Political Extremism through Civic Education: What should be Taught and How to Teach It?
Organizers: Civitas International
(www.civnet.org/civitas/civitas.htm)
American Federation of Teachers – USA
(www.aft.org)
- Using Traditional, Alternative, and New Technology Media to Promote Democracy: Radio, “Samizdat,” Internet, and other Means
Organizers: Malaysiakini – Malaysia
(www.malaysiakini.com)
Herbert Boh – Cameroon
Alternative and new technology media have introduced new forms of information sharing, social interaction, and solidarity. However, each type of media is complementary in disseminating information among the public. Therefore, all types of media and communication (traditional, alternative, and new) must be developed and utilized simultaneously to enhance the power of media in promoting democracy. This workshop will discuss the role of each form of media in promoting democracy, and the challenges each confronts.
- Transitional Justice and the Matter of the “Disappeared”: A Democratic Response
Organizers: John Daniel, Human Sciences Research Council – South Africa
(www.hsrc.ac.za)
Committee of the Families of the Disappeared in Algeria – Algeria
This workshop will examine problems of unsolved cases of disappeared persons in a number of post-conflict situations, some of which have experienced investigative commissions in the form of Truth Commissions. Discussions will be drawn from the cases of South Africa, Ghana, Sri Lanka, Algeria, Bosnia, and Argentina. The workshop will seek to pool ideas and methods pertaining to the problem of continuing to investigate disappearance cases.
- The Role of Business Associations in Democratic Development
Organizers: Durban Chamber of Commerce – South Africa
(www.durbanchamber.co.za)
TESEV – Turkey
(www.tesev.org.tr)
Center for International Private Enterprise – USA
(www.cipe.org)
Ideally, business associations are laboratories of democracy, and are therefore integral to the democratic process. Formed from a democratic process, associations can mobilize millions of entrepreneurs and the middle class, thereby making them essential vehicles for popular participation in a democratic society. In fact, the famous democratic theorist, Alexis de Toqueville, remarked that one of the main reasons for the success of democracy in the United States immediately following the American Revolution was the wealth of associations established to represent citizens' concerns to policy makers. As advocates for the private sector, business associations should strive to be agents for concerted political action in the best interest of their members, industry, and nation. Not only can they play a pivotal role in promoting good governance and sound policy making, but they can also maintain the private sector as the engine for a nation's economy and promote an open society and transparent government. Conversely, government-dominated or elitist associations can actually work against the development of democratic values. This workshop will discuss how private sector business associations can promote democratic reform through policy advocacy of measures that promote anti-corruption initiatives, access to economic information, participatory decision-making, and judicial reform.
- Exploring Innovative Use of Cultural Tools to Advance Democracy
Organizer: Kwoto Theater – Sudan
Discussions at this workshop will focus on uses of cultural tools, such as drama, theater, songs, and games, in democracy promotion and human rights education. Various cultural tools provide democracy activists with opportunities to conduct their democracy work innovatively. This workshop will facilitate a sharing of ideas about the innovative use of cultural tools in democracy work.
- Making an Effective Transition to Democratic Representative Parties
Organizers: Centre for Policy Studies – South Africa
(www.cps.org.za)
- Addressing the Threats to Democracy and Human Rights Activists in Authoritarian Countries
Organizers: Civil Society Against Corruption – Kazakhstan
(www.anticorruption.kg)
Suaram – Malaysia
(www.suaram.org/home.htm)
- Strategies for Democrats in Situations of Armed Conflict
Organizers: Congreso Visible – Colombia
(www.cvisible.uniandes.edu.co)
Corporación Región – Colombia
(www.region.org.co)
Panorama – Palestine
Armed conflicts represent serious challenges and menaces for members of a civil society, but in the context of globalization, these conflicts can also become global or at least regional threats. Democrats and democracy activists therefore face complex challenges resulting from the excesses of those involved in such conflicts. They must maintain their efforts, however, to preserve and defend human and civil rights, to promote a civic culture of conflict resolution, and to achieve peace. This workshop will take up the specific strategies that democracy activists and practitioners can employ to advance their work in the face of armed conflict and post-conflict situations. How can democracy activists and practitioners create or maintain understandably limited space to work in such difficult environments? What are the prospects for success-or failure-for such strategies?
- Political Parties and Money: Strategies to Combat Corruption
Organizers: National Democratic Institute for International Affairs – USA
(www.ndi.org)
Netherlands Institute for Multi-Party Democracy – Netherlands
(www.nimd.org)
This workshop will examine one of the gravest threats to economic growth, democracy, and political stability: political corruption. Actors from all sectors, including political parties and party leaders, have recognized the need to develop more effective strategies to control the influence of money in politics. Despite the growing recognition of the role political parties play in both the problem of political corruption and its solution, parties have not been sufficiently involved in dialogue at the regional or international level. Increased efforts are therefore needed to bring parties into the anti-corruption debate. This workshop will bring political party leaders and NGOs focus on the linkages between finance, political parties, and corruption.
- After the Breakthrough: Avoiding Democratic Backsliding and Stagnation
Organizer: Zainab Bangura – Sierra Leone
- Accessing Public Information: Civil Society Strategies for Ensuring Transparency
Organizers: Fundacion Informacion y Democracia – Mexico
(www.funglode.org/cid/welcome.html)
Libertad de Informacion – Mexico
Open Democracy Advice Centre – South Africa
(www.opendemocracy.org.za)
Many new emerging democracies have adopted, or are trying to adopt, laws to ensure access to public information. This workshop will seek to define the concept of freedom of access to public information and to identify its benefits for citizens. Participants will discuss the challenges facing civil society organizations, governments, and legislators, in adopting and implementing such laws.
13:15 – 14:30 Lunch / Democracy Fair
14:45 – 16:15 Meeting of Lusophones for Democracy
16:30 – 18:00 Meeting of Transatlantic Democracy Network
14:45 – 18:00 Optional Skills-Sharing and Capacity-Building Workshops:
- Citizens’ Fora: How Women’s Organizations Work with the Community and Across Borders
Organizer: South Caucasian Network of Women "Working Together in Caucasus"
(www.womenaid.org/caucasusnow/English/ccav.html)
During the last three years, the Women in the Caucasus Network has developed a unique approach, method, and manual for national, cross-border, and regional fora, which bring together different actors, such as policy makers, local administration, opinion makers, youth groups, and the business sector, to solve problems facing the citizens in the transition period or in a conflict area. At this workshop, the Network's methods and experience will be demonstrated and shared.
- Conflict Resolution Work: The Democratic Capacity-Building Dividend
Organizer: Network of Young Democracy Activists
This workshop will explore initiatives of the Africa Democracy Forum and the Youth Network to empower democracy activists, especially young leaders of democracy organizations, with conflict resolution skills, not only to help bring peace to conflict-ridden countries in the region, but to develop their capacity for future leadership as well. The workshop will introduce participants to basic practical conflict resolution skills, such as communication and analytical skills, which can help those engaged in conflict resolution to identify goals that are common to the conflicting parties and to develop collaborative efforts to achieve them. These skills are, more importantly, crucial for governing effectively in a democracy because building a consensus and developing coalitions among groups with differing ideas are at the heart of effective democratic governance.
- Technology Training Sessions
Organizer: Democracy Resource Center, National Endowment for Democracy – USA
(www.ned.org/research/research.html)
Kabissa – USA
(www.kabissa.org)
Women’s Learning Partnership for Rights, Development and Peace – USA
(www.learningpartnership.org)
- Game-Based Democracy Education
Organizer: Olof Palme International Center – Sweden
(www.palmecenter.se)
David McQuoid-Mason, University of Natal – South Africa
(www.nu.ac.za)
- Civic Education Skills Sharing
Organizer: Street Law – USA
(www.streetlaw.org)
- Building the Culture of Democracy by Changing Relationships in Divided Societies
Organizer: International Institute for Sustained Dialogue – South Africa
- Advancing the Role of Sites of Conscience Museums in Democracy Promotion and Post-Transition Reconciliation
19:00 – Free Evening for Participants
Wednesday – February 4
9:00 – 12:00
Panel/Discussion C
- Democracy as a Tool for Conflict Resolution
Organizers: Swedish Center Party International Foundation – Sweden
(www.centerpartiet.se)
ACCORD – South Africa
(www.accord.org.za)
This workshop will also address in important ways the connections between conflict resolution and democracy. While most practitioners presume that the resolution of conflict must precede democratization, the focus of this workshop will be on the ways in which democratization, or the prospect of democratization, contributes to resolving conflict. Can the prospect of democratic public participation serve to encourage disputants in conflicts to negotiate in better faith, and thus more successfully, knowing that they will have an even-handed stake in the emergent political order? Does the establishment of democratic processes and institutions help ensure progress in peace building? And, most important, what can experience in conflict and post-conflict situations teach activists and practitioners about strategies and tactics for achieving both peace and democracy?
Topical Workshops: Session C
- Democracy Education in Difficult Political and Cultural Environments
Organizers: Sisterhood is Global Institute – Jordan
(www.sigi.org)
Tashkent Public Education Center – Uzbekistan
(www.tpec.uz)
This workshop will address how difficult environments in societies often present challenges to democracy education. But where difficulties such as armed conflict, oppression, corruption, fear, and abuses against human rights exist, the need for democracy education is crucial. Topics for workshop discussion will include: how to protect, defend, and support democracy educators facing persecution; how to work with national and international media to broadcast events portraying the importance of democracy education; and ways in which democrats can remain safe and active in promoting democracy in dangerous situations.
- Using New Technologies in NGO Networking
Organizers: Kabissa – USA
(www.kabissa.org)
Women’s Learning Partnership for Rights, Development and Peace – USA
(www.learningpartnership.org)
This workshop will draw on lessons learned by NGOs around the world to enable participants to discuss ways to use the Internet and other emerging technologies for knowledge sharing, cooperative learning, and advocacy. Discussions will focus on how technology can be helpful in NGO work, what the challenges are to using them effectively, and how they can enhance the ways in which NGOs connect with each other to share information and experiences, launch new collaborative initiatives, and build relationships of solidarity and support.
- Unions in the Vangauard of Democratic Governance
Organizer: American Center for International Labor Solidarity – USA
Because of their strategic economic and social presence through collective bargaining and broad-based membership, unions play important roles in the stability of democratic governments. Where representative government has been undermined or damaged, unions are leading activists to restore democracy and institute democratic governance. Nezavisnost in Serbia was a key player in that country's dramatic change in government leadership. Despite persecution and intimidation, the Zimbabwe Congress of Trade Unions continues its struggle against an autocracy that is destroying the nation. In part because of strong traditions of tripartite cooperation in which unions are active players, Ghana is a pillar of peace and relative stability in a region which suffers more than its share of strife. Union advocacy of ethnic pluralism, anti-discrimination reforms, and voter education, among so many other elements, provides an important underpinning of support for responsive governments. This workshop will examine the democracy work of trade unions in specific instances and analyze strategies that have been implemented in a variety of settings for application in other situations.
- Democracy in the Muslim World: Obstacles, Difficulties, and Best Methods
Organizer: Center for the Study of Islam & Democracy – USA
(www.islam-democracy.org)
Sisters in Islam – Malaysia
(www.sistersinislam.org.my)
This workshop will reflect not only on the challenge of recognizing the compatibility of Islamic and democratic values, but also on the challenge of conveying that understanding of compatibility to civil society more generally through media, civic education, political party building, and publications. The workshop discussion will also focus on the ways in which this understanding can serve as a foundation for advancing democracy. Discussions will be drawn from different regions and situations.
- The Impact of HIV/AIDS on Participatory Democracy: How to Respond?
Organizers: Institute for Democracy in South Africa (IDASA) – South Africa
(www.idasa.org.za)
This workshop will illustrate the impact of HIV/AIDS on democratic governance and processes with emphasis on elections, political parties, and legislative organs. Participants will examine possible responses by governance institutions and will seek to establish new directions on practical interventions that could mitigate the negative impact of HIV/AIDS on democracy and improve citizens' participation.
- Breaking Barriers to Women’s Political Participation: Creating an Agenda to Advance Women’s Leadership
Organizers: National Democratic Institute for International Affairs – USA
(www.ndi.org)
Center for Asia Pacific Women in Politics – Philippines
(www.capwip.org)
Forum for Women and Democracy – Uganda
(www.wougnet.org)
While there is no lack of discourse on advancing women's political participation, there are few international fora that actually engage political parties in the dialogue. This workshop will provide a comparative view of diverse women party practitioners and leaders who have effectively broken through the institutional barriers facing women in the political arena. The workshop discussion will help to create awareness of the strategies employed to increase women's participation in political parties and the political process.
- Governance, State Capacity, and Democracy in Developing Countries: Establishing Standards and Identifying Impediments
Organizers: Centre for Policy Studies – South Africa
(www.cps.org.za)
Center for Democratic Performance – USA
(cdp.binghamton.edu)
This workshop will look at how civil society organizations and NGOs can extend their role in monitoring existing democracy standards and shape consensus on new standards needed to sustain democratization. Workshop discussions will include: NGO contribution to shaping international democracy standards; standards and international democracy support; refining and expanding democracy standards; and regional factors. Workshop participants will identify ways that their organizations and networks can advocate for greater understanding and promotion of democratic entitlement norms. Particular reference will be paid to the roles of international and regional organizations in this regard, in addition to adoption of democracy promotion policies as part of bilateral state relations.
- Instruments of Transitional Justice: Truth Commissions, Tribunals, and Multi-Sector Community Approaches
Organizers: Centre for Study of Violence and Reconciliation – South Africa
(www.csvr.org.za)
Documentation Center for Cambodia – Cambodia
(www.bigpond.com.kh/users/dccam.genocide)
- Assisting Democracy and Human Rights Activists in Closed Societies
Organizers: NKNet – South Korea
(www.nknet.org)
Democracy and human rights activists working in closed societies around the world are often isolated, and their work lacks support from activists in other countries. This proposed workshop will provide an opportunity for concerned democrats around the world to develop courses of action that will show solidarity and support for activists working in closed societies. Discussions will focus on how to strengthen communication with activists in closed societies, how to pressure governments and UN bodies to crack down on closed regimes, and how to assist activists in closed societies to find partners in open societies to be their public voice.
- The Role of Faith-Based Organizations in Helping or Hindering Transitions to Democracy
Organizers: Canon John Nightingale – UK
Diakonia Council of Churches – South Africa
The workshop will focus on the role of faith-based organizations in helping or hindering the transition to democracy in various parts of the world, and particularly how they have either helped or hindered the participation of women in such transitions; also on their role in ensuring that such critical issues as poverty, human rights and AIDS are addressed and non-violent ways of dealing with conflict promoted, especially in relation to elections (including dealing with any conflict related to the faiths themselves). The workshop will draw on experience from South Africa as well as other parts of the world. It will endeavor to identify good practice as well as to define work still to be done.
- Developing Sustainable Civil Society Leadership for Democracy
Organizers: Maina Kiai – Kenya
12:15 – 13:30 Lunch / Democracy Fair
13:45 – 17:15 Functional Workshops
19:00 – 21:00 Democracy Courage Tributes and John B. Hurford Memorial Dinner
21:00 Closing Remarks
Thursday – February 5
8:30 – 10:00 Steering Committee Meeting
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