Workshops
The Assembly was devoted mainly to practical learning, sharing of experiences, and networking among grassroots democrats through topical, functional, and regional workshops to maximize participation and exchange. To the extent possible, simultaneous language interpretation was provided to ensure inclusiveness. Topics for workshops were featured to reflect current challenges to advancing democracy.
Topical workshops explored the challenges faced by democrats across countries and regions, such as how to fight corruption, promote the rule of law, assist democrats in closed societies, promote democracy in semi-authoritarian countries, and enhance the role of political parties in the consolidation of democracy. The workshops were designed to produce practical initiatives, strategies, and collaboration.
Functional workshops enabled participants, such as parliamentarians, research institutes, local government practitioners, democracy assistance foundations, civic educators, and others from all regions to develop strategies for networking and solidarity.
Regional workshops offered an opportunity for those from different areas of democracy work, including political parties, labor organizations, and NGOs, to focus on regional challenges and needs. Prior to the Assembly, regional preparatory meetings were organized in as many regions as possible to formulate the agendas for these regional workshops at the Assembly, and the workshops at the Assembly itself provided opportunities to build on the networking that has taken place since the Second Assembly in November 2000.
The workshops encouraged sharing of knowledge and experiences among the diverse geographic and professional backgrounds of participants and introduced innovative approaches used by a variety of organizations. They were organized to foster the development of practical agendas for cooperation, exchange and mutual support within networks of like-minded participants. Moreover, the workshops enabled participants to meet and form partnerships with groups outside their existing networks. In many cases, organizations from different global regions were invited to collaborate on the arrangements of the workshops to help ensure the highest degree of relevance and practical focus.
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