CCD to Sponsor Civil Society Participation in the Lisbon Ministerial of the Community of Democracies

The Fifth Ministerial Meeting of the Community of Democracies in Lisbon, Portugal will be held from July 11-12, hosted by the Portuguese Chair of the CD. CCD and the nongovernmental International Steering Commitee of the Community of Democracies (ISC/CD) will be organizing the participation of civil society leaders from around the world in this meeting. The CD is unique among intergovernmental institutions in its inclusion of civil society in the CD process, and participants will have an opportunity to lead workshops alongside governmental participants, as well as contribute to sessions throughout the Ministerial.

NEW: List of Civil Society Participants and Agendas Available

Read More about the July 2009 Lisbon Ministerial
of the Community of Democracies
CCD President Robert LaGamma Delivers Keynote Address to the Jakarta Roundtable of the Nongovernmental Process of the CD

On April 30, CCD President Robert LaGamma spoke to a gathering of civil society leaders from Asia at a roundtable hosted by the Indonesian NGO Yappika (Civil Society Alliance for Democracy) in Jakarta, Indonesia, in partnership with the World Forum for Democratization in Asia. The meeting was an opportunity for civil society to prepare for the July 2009 CD Ministerial in Lisbon, Portugal. Crediting the efforts of civil society in overcoming perceived obstacles to democracy in Asia, Mr. LaGamma praised those "who work, sometimes against heavy odds, for your courage and tenacity and for your vision in striving to give people everywhere the greatest of gifts, the gift of freedom." Read More
   
Community of Democracies Seminar Addresses Implications of the Economic Crisis on Global Democracy Promotion

From March 23-24, the Portuguese Chair of the Community of Democracies hosted a Seminar in Lisbon to examine the ways in which the Community of Democracies can strengthen its democracy promotion policies in light of the global economic and financial crisis.  The Portuguese Ministy of Foreign Affairs organized the event in partnership with the Institute for Political Studies of the Catholic University of Portugal and the Portuguese Institute for International Relations (IPRI), with representatives of government and civil society leaders from around the world present. Read More.
   
CCD Task Force Issues Memo to the Obama Administration on Strengthening the
Community of Democracies

In November 2008, a Task Force of the CCD Board of Directors issued its recommendations on strengthening U.S. democracy promotion policies through the Community of Democracies to the incoming Obama Administration. Chaired by Larry Diamond of the Hoover Institution, the CCD Task Force called the CD "an important but so far underutilized platform for advancing democracy, social and economic development, and the rule of law" and proposed a series of concrete measures for improving the effectiveness of the CD. Read More

Honduran President Ousted in Coup 1 July 2009
WSJ: President Obama's Rhetorical Shift on Democracy 9 June 2009
ISC/CD Members Hoda Chalak and Mohsen Marzouk Address Doha Forum Civil Society Meeting 9 June 2009
Ecuador's President Wins Re-Election in First Round of Voting 29 April 2009

Since the election of President Barack Obama, the subject of the new administration's approach to democracy promotion has been the subject of much conversation and debate. Along with the CCD Task Force Recommendations to the Obama Administration, several published articles have provided analysis or proposals for how democracy promotion should be addressed. This special section of the CCD website will monitor this policy debate and provide links to the latest contributions from foreign policy experts around the country and around the world.

April 2009: Leon Wieseltier, “In Which We Engage”
April 2009: Michael Cohen & Maria Figueroa Kupcu, “Revitalizing U.S. Democracy Promotion: A Comprehensive Plan for Reform”
March 2009: Richard Gephardt & Vin Weber, “Democracy Promotion in Obama’s Reign”
March 2009: Alexander Lennon, Larry Diamond, Francis Fukuyama & Michael McFaul, “Democracy in U.S. Security Strategy: From Promotion to Support”

Since 2005, CCD has served as Secretariat for the International Steering Committee of the Nongovernmental Process of the Community of Democracies (ISC/CD). The ISC/CD is the recognized representative of civil society within the framework of the Community of Democracies. Members include representatives from all five regions of the world - Africa (sub-Saharan), the Americas, Asia, Europe (including Russia and NIS), and the Middle East/North Africa.

The Diplomat's Handbook for Democracy Development Support is a project of the Community of Democracies, managed by CCD. Diplomats have often played vital roles supporting democratic transitions in their countries of assignment, but until now, no comprehensive training has existed to teach diplomats of the tools they have available. The Handbook contains resources and case studies documenting how diplomats can effectively assist civil society activists trying to promote democratic change in their countries.

The concept of "education for democracy" is one of the core principles of the Community of Democracies. CCD has held three meetings on this theme, bringing together representatives of ministries of education, experts in education policy and reform, and civil society leaders to develop strategies for strengthening democracy education around the world. The Global Strategic Plan for Democracy Education, developed at a 2003 meeting, presents practical recommendations for improving approaches to teaching about democracy.
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