NEWSLETTER
Latest news from the Swiss Democracy Foundation
The global super election year 2024: democracy in action
We are in the middle of a global super election year. Half of all the national elections due in 2024 are over. Behind us are also the European Parliament elections and six federal referendums. According to International IDEA's Global Elections Super-Cycle Monitor, never before have so many people - over 1.3 billion citizens - in more than 40 countries been called to the polls within six months.
Democracy is proving its strength and appeal around the world: according to International IDEA, turnout around the world averaged 62 per cent of registered voters. But this preliminary conclusion should not disguise the fact that democracy is always a struggle. A struggle in which overtly illiberal and anti-democratic forces are also vying for power. This was also evident in the events that our Foundation helped to organise in the first half of the year: From the Taiwan election review in January to the Global Forum in Bucharest in mid-May and the European election review in the Democracy Tower in mid-June.
With elections in the UK and France held before the summer break, attention is now turning across the North Atlantic to the US. On the occasion of International Day of Democracy in September, we invite you, together with the Polit-Forum Bern, to discuss the role of the media in promoting democracy and to exchange best practices with experts and practitioners from different countries and backgrounds. In addition to public service media, social media and media literacy, the focus will be on the influence of the media on elections and voting in the light of the US elections.
We are looking forward to exchanging ideas with you.
Nancy Eckert, Member of the Board
2024 International Day of Democracy Conference on 11 September 2024
Register for the 2024 International Day of Democracy Conference on 11 September 2024! This year's conference, which we are organising in cooperation with the Polit-Forum Bern, is dedicated to the topic 'Media and Democracy: Gathering tools and options for action'. The participatory conference will bring together experts from different fields to analyse how the media can strengthen democracy.
2024 Democracy Camp in Bucharest and Ploiești
From 31 July to 4 August, the Democracy Camp brought together around 60 young people in Bucharest and Ploiești to experience democracy at first hand. In workshops, discussions and other activities - such as a visit to the world's largest parliament - ideas were collected and developed. These are now being compiled into an updated Youth Democracy Handbook. This handbook will then be sent to EU parliamentarians, NGOs and decision-makers.
Actions for Democracy Day 2024
Around the International Day of Democracy on 15 September, many activities will take place to celebrate and strengthen democracy. Find out what discussions, workshops or lectures are taking place close to you and help shape a democratic future!
Preparatory meeting for the Democracy Camp as part of the Global Forum
The Democracy Camp will take place for the third time in the summer of 2024. The Democracy Camp is a five-day intercultural exchange for young people on democracy, sustainability, intersectionality and Europe. The programme was developed as part of the Global Forum on Modern Direct Democracy to ensure that the camp in Bucharest and Ploiești in July 2024 is as diverse and varied as possible. Around 30 participants from 10 different countries attended the preparatory meeting. They based their programme design on the various elements of the Global Forum programme.
We look forward to shaping the future of democracy with these engaged participants!
Further Information
Review of the 2024 Global Forum on Modern Direct Democracy in Bucharest
The evaluation of the Twelfth World Conference on People's Rights provides interesting insights: people and institutions around the world are standing up for democracy. This is reflected in the 'Bucharest Declaration on Modern Direct Democracy', which was developed through a collaborative process at the Forum. The final report of this year's Forum is now available. A preliminary announcement: For the first time, the World Conference will be held in Southern Africa, in Botswana, in autumn 2025.
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SDF Newsletter #21 August 2024
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