The Fourth Assembly Istanbul, Turkey, April 2–5, 2006

Advancing Democracy: Justice, Pluralism, and Participation The World Movement for Democracy is a global network Steering Committee Members: of democrats, including activists, practitioners, academics, policy makers, and funders, who have come together to cooperate in the promotion of democracy. Mahnaz Afkhami – Iran The Washington, DC-based National Endowment for Democracy (NED) initiated this nongovernmental effort in February 1999 with a global Assembly in Urban Ahlin – Sweden New Delhi, India, to strengthen democracy where it is weak, to reform and invigorate democracy even where it is longstanding, and to bolster pro-democ- Genaro Arriagada– Chile racy groups in countries that have not yet entered into a process of demo- Zainab Bangura– Sierra Leone cratic transition. At the conclusion of that Inaugural Assembly, participants adopted, by consensus, a Founding Statement creating the World Movement Francesca Bomboko – Democratic for Democracy as a “pro-active network of democrats.” Emphasizing that the Republic of Congo World Movement is not a new centralized organization, the statement declares that the resulting network “will meet periodically to exchange ideas and experi- Kavi Chongkittavorn – Thailand ences and to foster collaboration among democratic forces around the world.” Ivan Doherty – Ireland Han Dongfang (Vice Chair) – China The World Movement offers new ways to give practical help to democrats who are struggling to open closed societies, challenge dictator- Yuri Dzhibladze – Russia ships, democratize semi-authoritarian systems, consolidate emerging democracies, and strengthen established democracies. It has the poten- João Carlos Espada – Portugal tial to do so in several ways… Abdou Filali-Ansary – Morocco • as an ally of democrats in dangerous situations who need political solidarity and moral support; David French – United Kingdom • as a lobby for the cause of democracy in international bodies and in Carl Gershman (ex-officio) – United States countries where democracy is under siege; Jana Hybaskova – Czech Republic • as a facilitator that can help link democrats from different countries and regions to exchange information more efficiently, work together, Melinda Quintos de Jesus – Philippines and help one another; Ivan Krastev – Bulgaria • as an innovator that can encourage the development of new ideas and effective approaches for overcoming obstacles to democracy; Riad Malki – Palestine • as a big tent that can provide a meeting place for democrats who are Reginald Matchabe-Hove – Zimbabwe active in different professional areas, such as human rights, media, law, political party development, workers’ rights, economic reform, George Mathew – India research, and education; Roel von Meijenfeldt – The Netherlands • as a resource center that can make basic materials on democracy available to groups around the world; Ghia Nodia – Georgia • as a monitor that can convey the views of democratic activists on the Ayo Obe (Chair) – Nigeria efficacy of different forms of democracy support; and • as a catalyst to stimulate new initiatives and help shape the priorities Can Paker (Treasurer) – Turkey of the broader community of institutions concerned with the promotion Inna Pidluska – Ukraine of democracy. Jacqueline Pitanguy – Brazil Networks Krzysztof Stanowski (Vice Chair) – Poland The World Movement Web site (www.wmd.org) provides links to various regional and functional networks focused on advancing democracy. Elisabeth Ungar (Secretary) – Colombia DemocracyNews As the electronic newsletter of the World Movement, DemocracyNews enables participants to share information with their colleagues, announce events and Secretariat: publications, and request assistance or collaboration in their work. To subscribe, National Endowment for Democracy send an e-mail message to [email protected]. Art Kaufman World Movement Assemblies Director Global assemblies offer World Movement participants the opportunity to take stock of the accomplishments they have achieved and the challenges they confront, and to build networks of mutual solidarity and support. Table of Contents

Message from the Steering Committee...... 3

Opening Session...... 4 Welcoming Remarks • Can Paker...... 4 • Murat Belge...... 4

address • Prime Minister of Turkey, Recep Tayyip Erdog˘an...... 5

presentations • Anwar Ibrahim, Former Deputy Prime Minister, Malaysia...... 6 • Kim Campbell, Secretary-General, Club of Madrid...... 7

Democracy Courage Tributes Presentations and John B. Hurford Memorial Dinner...... 8

Democracy Fair...... 10 REPORTS Combating Anti-Democratic Forces • Plenary Session on “Restrictive Laws and Other Government Pressure on NGOs: How Can Democracy NGOs and the Assistance Community Meet the Challenge?”...... 11 • Panel Discussion on “People Power Movements: The Role of NGOs Before and After“...... 12 • Panel Discussion on “Confronting the Challenges of Terrorism and Anti-Terrorism”...... 13

Topical Workshops • How to Confront the Misuse of Traditional and Cultural Values by Anti-Democratic Regimes...... 14 • Strengthening Democracy through Anti-Corruption Reform: A Private Sector Perspective...... 15 • How Can Civil Society and Independent Media Counter Anti-Democratic Uses of Populism and Nationalism?...... 16 • Tactics and Strategies in Human Rights Struggles: Exploring Adaptability ...... 18 • How Can the Right to Information Help in the Fight for Transparency?...... 19 • How to Get Closed Societies and Failed States on the International Agenda...... 20

• Developing Independent and Responsible Media...... 21 AdvancingDemocracy: Justice, Pluralism, Participationand • Beyond Failed States: Civil Societies in Transition...... 23 • Developing Strategy and Tactics in Human Rights: Using the Tactical Map Process...... 24

Justice, Pluralism, and Participation • Plenary Session on “Empowering Women to Fulfill their Roles in a Democratic Society”...... 25 • Panel Discussion on “Perspectives on Democratization in Turkey”...... 27

Topical Workshops • How to Incorporate Minorities and Indigenous Peoples in Multi-Ethnic, Religiously Diverse Societies?...... 28 • Civic Experiences in Post-Conflict Reconciliation...... 30 • Political Engagement of Youth: What Works?...... 31 • Barriers and Breakthroughs: Using Technology to Empower Women’s Participation...... 32 • The Role of Decentralization and Local Governance in Democratic Consolidation...... 34 • Women and the Challenge of Democratic Transition...... 36 • Best Practices in Nongovernmental Governance...... 37 • Ensuring Democracy in an Age of Economic Transition...... 38

www.wmd.org Political Party Building and Elections • Plenary Session on “Developing Viable Democratic Arenas in Muslim Societies”...... 40

Topical Workshops • Best Practices in Multi-Party Cooperation...... 41 • Political Parties and Civil Society: How to Build Better Relations?...... 42 • Islamic-Oriented Political Parties and Democratic Reform...... 43 • Building Political Parties in New Democracies...... 44 • Election Campaigning in Countries in Transition...... 46

Democracy Research and Education

Topical Workshops • Measuring Democracy...... 47 • Democracy and Human Development: Grasping the Linkages and Addressing the Disappointments...... 48 • Teaching Human Rights and Democracy to High School Children...... 49 • Democracy Education in Challenging Cultural and Religious Contexts...... 50 • Interactive Assessment of Political Organizations: Example of Georgia...... 51

Regional Workshops • Africa: (Part I) Assessing NEPAD and the African Peer Review Mechanism; (Part II) Violations of Constitutions and Constitutional Reforms...... 52 • Asia: Does Profit Come Before Democracy?...... 53 • Central and Eastern Europe and Eurasia: Promoting Regional Cross-Border Activities in Europe and Eurasia...... 54 • Latin America and the Caribbean: Political Parties and Women’s Political Participation...... 56 • Democracy Building in the Middle East and North Africa: The Role of the Democracy Assistance Dialogue (DAD)...... 57 • LusoForum for Democracy...... 60 • Regional Democracy Charters...... 61

Functional Networking • World Youth Movement for Democracy...... 63 • Network of Democracy Research Institutes: Translating Democracy...... 64 • Global Forum for Media Development...... 65 • International Women’s Democracy Network...... 66 • Global Network on Local Governance...... 68 • International Movement of Parliamentarians for Democracy...... 69 • Promoting Human Rights and Democracy: Supporting the Role of the Democracy Caucus in UN Reform...... 70 • Creating a Higher Education Network for Democracy...... 71 • New Tactics in Human Rights Network...... 72

Participants...... 74

Press...... 80

Assembly Support...... inside back cover

The material in this report was edited by Art Kaufman, Director, World Movement Secretariat, and assembled by Leonardo Shinohara, Assistant Project Manager. Advancing Democracy: Justice, Pluralism, and Participation Pluralism, Justice, Democracy: Advancing

World Movement for Democracy | Istanbul, Turkey, April 2–5, 2006 Message from the Steering Committee

he Fourth Assembly of the World Movement We are pleased, therefore, that the World Movement for Democracy brought together nearly 600 presented its Democracy Courage Tributes at the Fourth Tparticipants from some 120 countries on Assembly to the democracy activists in Vietnam, the April 2-5, 2006, in Istanbul, Turkey. Under the theme human rights and democracy movement in Uzbekistan, of “Advancing Democracy: Justice, Pluralism, and the civil society of Nepal, and the Crimean Tatars and Participation,” the many activists, practitioners, and their Mejlis (Parliament) with the hope that our recog- scholars who attended engaged each other in plenary nition will help sustain their challenging work. sessions, panel discussions, and more than 50 round- The participants in the World Movement’s Inaugural table workshops. The Assembly was held in the face Assembly in New Delhi in February 1999 knew that of both long-standing challenges to the work of pro- they were bringing something unique into existence— democracy and human rights organizations, as well as not a new organization as such, but a pro-active net- new challenges, including recent “backsliding” by gov- work of democrats who would come together periodi- ernments from democratic progress and the increasing- cally to exchange ideas and experiences and to build ly coordinated international “backlash” against democ- solidarity across borders. In November 2000, demo- racy assistance to NGOs and the work they undertake. crats working in distinct but complementary areas The Steering Committee was delighted to have the of work gathered in São Paulo, Brazil, for the Second World Movement convene in Turkey, which, like many Assembly, which embodied the participants’ com- democracies, continues its efforts to meet the goals of mitment to further democratic progress in all global a fully democratic society. We wish to express our deep regions. By the close of the Third Assembly in Durban, appreciation to our two local partner organizations South Africa, in February 2004, a wide variety of both on the Assembly, the Turkish Economic and Social regional networks (such as the African Democracy Studies Foundation (TESEV) and the Helsinki Citizens Forum and the World Forum on Democratization Assembly, Turkey (hCa), as well as to those funding in Asia) and global networks (such as those focused institutions that made the Fourth Assembly possible on youth, women’s political participation, local gov- (whose names are listed at the back of this report), ernance, democracy research, and solidarity among especially the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality. parliamentarians) had been established and had begun Special words of thanks are due to our Steering taking on the main work of the World Movement. Committee colleague, Can Paker of TESEV, who unfail- In addition to other achievements, the Fourth ingly supported our endeavor to meet in Turkey, and to Assembly served to solidify those regional and func- Murat Belge, chairman of hCa, for his dedication to the tional networks, and to launch several new ones, but AdvancingDemocracy: Justice, Pluralism, Participationand goals of the Assembly and the World Movement itself. with a new sense of urgency. As many of the reports We are also grateful for the inspiring opening address herein demonstrate, the international environment for delivered by Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip democracy promotion has become more problematic Erdog˘an, and the insightful and stimulating presenta- since the founding of the World Movement in 1999. tions made by Kim Campbell, Secretary-General of the The space for democracy and human rights NGO Club of Madrid, and Anwar Ibrahim, former Deputy work has been shrinking in many countries; persistent Prime Minister of Malaysia. Above all, however, we poverty and inequality in new democracies has often wish to thank the participants who took time away undermined confidence in democratic change; and var- from their work to attend the Assembly, many of whom ious developments have tended to diminish solidarity traveled great distances, and some of whom participat- in the democracy-promotion community. The World ed at personal risk to themselves and their families. Movement has committed itself to addressing these At each World Movement assembly we seek to high- and other new challenges during the two years until light the critical work conducted by the thousands of the Fifth Assembly in 2008. We hope you will join us. democracy activists around the world, only a small Steering Committee number of whom can attend these global gatherings. World Movement for Democracy

www.wmd.org Opening Session

teering Committee tant network of activists around the world who are work- member (Nigeria) ing for the good of democracy. In spite of all the threats and Chair, Ms. and dangers they are faced with, these people fight to Ayo Obe, wel- extend democracy to their peoples and they are often not Scomed the participants to given credit for all the hard work that they do. You don’t the Fourth Assembly in find their names in newspapers; you don’t see them on TV Istanbul. Currently in pri- screens; but nevertheless, they play a very important role, vate law practice, Ms. Obe and they are all heroes as far as we are concerned. . . . recently ended her term as We are very excited that this Fourth Assembly is being the President of Nigeria’s held in Turkey, and I hope you will agree at the end of Civil Liberties Organization the Assembly that it was very meaningful to hold it in Ayo Obe, chair of the World Movement Steering committee (CLO). Istanbul. I think one of the biggest factors in choosing Istanbul is that our country has taken some very impor- Welcoming Remarks tant steps towards strengthening democracy in the last Can Paker has served as a Board Member of the few years, and we would therefore like to draw the world’s Turkish Economic and Social Studies Foundation attention to Turkey and to Turkey’s efforts in this respect. . (TESEV) since its establishment as a foundation in . . And of course there are some very important lessons we 1994, and more recently as Chairman since 1997. have learned, and there are also some very good practices He is a member of the World Movement Steering that we have shared around the world. I hope that we will Committee and serves as treasurer. TESEV served as a have an opportunity to discuss them at length in the ses- local partner organization on the Fourth Assembly. sions to come.

Can Paker, of TESEV, local partner organization Murat Belge of hCa, local partner organization Excerpts: Today we come from some 120 countries, and I think this is a very exciting opportunity and a very Murat Belge is a well known Turkish intellectual important symbol for our belief in the future of democ- and civil rights activist. He is chairman of the Helsinki racy. . . . Having attended the last Assembly in South Citizens Assembly, Turkey (hCa), a local partner orga- Africa, I can tell you that we are part of a vitally impor- nization on the Fourth Assembly. Advancing Democracy: Justice, Pluralism, and Participation Pluralism, Justice, Democracy: Advancing

World Movement for Democracy | Istanbul, Turkey, April 2–5, 2006 Excerpts: Good afternoon, friends, and a hearty welcome to you to be here in Istanbul, my beloved city. I’m especially happy to be on the welcoming side here today, because I’m not merely a host, but have participated in World Movement for Democracy assemblies since the first one in New Delhi. So I consider myself a veteran of this network. These three words—world, movement, democracy— when I hear them, I know I should participate in what- ever event brings them together. And now we have the fourth such event, this time in Istanbul. . . . For civil society to really exist, international solidarity is essential and should never be neglected. . . These meetings are important for two things: One is the exchange of information. So we should have more exchanges, bringing us together from all continents of the Recep Tayyip Erdog˘an, Prime Minister of Turkey world so that we can understand and discuss each other’s problems. But to discuss the problems is not enough; we Marshall McLuhan, who was the first person to suggest should also take inspiration from each other. . . . And the term global village. When McLuhan declared that maybe we can manage to take a creative look at what the world was becoming a global village, communica- has been tried and done and achieved elsewhere. . . . The tion satellites had only recently been sent into space second general area, which is perhaps even more impor- . . . . And this new cultural revolution, which started tant, is the level of international solidarity. So I hope this with communication satellites, has reached its summit meeting will be a profitable one, a useful one, vis-á-vis thanks to the Internet and the digital revolution today. these aims, and once again I welcome you warmly to . . . Unfortunately, humanity has failed to respond to Istanbul. the changes brought about by this cultural revolution in a timely and adequate manner. Many societies were ill prepared and were thrown off guard, . . . but of course at Address this juncture the most basic and burning question is what Recep Tayyip Erdog˘an is Prime Minister of should be the basis for the new global village? Turkey. Educated at a religious Imam Hatip school, Ladies and gentlemen, in my view, the most important Mr. Erdog˘an graduated from Marmara University’s aspect of meetings such as this is creating a common faculty of economics and business. After local elec- platform for discussion . . . and I think we have to find tions in March 1994, he became Mayor of Istanbul ourselves working towards the same common values. And as his Welfare Party became Turkey’s largest party can democracy, justice, and pluralism be the values that AdvancingDemocracy: Justice, Pluralism, Participationand for the first time. Imprisoned in 1998 after recit- will establish this common platform? Of course, you will ing a poem deemed incendiary by the authorities, be discussing this question for three days, and I believe Mr. Erdog˘an, upon his release, led the split of the that you will very positively contribute to this discussion “renewalist” or moderate majority of Turkey’s Islamist by proposing your very valuable ideas. . . . movement. Under his leadership, the new Justice and We believe that Turkey has an important role to play, Development Party won an overall majority in the and that is why we have worked very hard to move 2002 parliamentary elections. towards achieving the Copenhagen criteria, and this is why we have worked very hard to achieve objectives in Excerpts: Distinguished guests, and those of you who such a short period of time. And of course freedom was have come together in this city to think about new ways at the top of our agenda. We have done much to achieve of strengthening democracy, I would like to say that I’m freedom of expression, freedom of faith, and freedom of very happy to be with you all, and I would like to convey association. Of course, you can always ask whether what my best wishes to all of you. . . . we have done has been sufficient. We are currently living the days that were predicted by We have harmonized many of our laws, but of course

www.wmd.org there are some habits and traditions, some prejudices, because all individuals are endowed by the Creator with that we also have to overhaul, and we have to also start the rights to life, liberty, and estate. Essential to this pro- seeing the application of these principles. . . . We believe cess is a profound commitment to the protection of the that today we need a culture of tolerance and reconcili- minority, to the rule of justice, so that these natural rights ation, because . . . we would like to preserve our differ- shall not be taken away from the people. But yet there ences, but we also have to find a way of cohabitation. . . . are those who say that democracy is largely a western We would like to create unity and plurality, and in order construct, molded from the historical circumstances of for this principle to be realized no faith or culture should the West. They say that liberal democracy is inherently be deemed the “other,” and no culture or faith should be incompatible with Asian values. . . . They say that before looked down upon. . . . the supremacy of the state and the well being of its citi- NGOs and opinion leaders have very important roles zens, there is no place for individual liberty. . . . Similar to play here. As Goethe said, the best governments are arguments are being made about democracy and Islam. those that teach us how to rule ourselves, and the most We hear the view that democracy and Islam are diametri- important role of government in an open society and in a cally opposed because liberal democracy places sovereign- democracy is to open the way to civil society. ty in the hands of the individual, while in Islam it belongs only to God. They mention that freedom, for example, is Presentations an alien concept. On the contrary, however, within Islam Anwar Ibrahim is the former Deputy Prime Minister freedom is a fundamental objective of divine law. In fact, of Malaysia and one of the world’s leading Muslim not just freedom but the crucial elements of constitutional democrats. Detained without trial for 18 months in democracy and society are moral imperatives in Islam— 1974 following student protests, he was elected to freedom of conscience, freedom of expression, the sanctity the Malaysian parliament in 1982. In 1987 he was of life, etc. . . . elected Vice-President of United Malays National Though elections are essential in that the authority of Organization, the ruling coalition’s principal party. In the government derives from the consent of the people, 1993 he was appointed Deputy Prime Minister while the question is whether the mere phenomenon of elections continuing to serve as Finance Minister. Sacked from means that democracy is alive and well, or are there still the government in 1998 and imprisoned on trumped- other fundamental issues to be resolved? Where I come up charges, he was acquitted in September, 2004. from, the opposition is barred from the air waves, rallies are not allowed, and the opposition newspapers operate underground. If democracy means participation in government in its fullest sense, then the existence of a vibrant opposition is essential as the bulwark against the tyranny of absolute power. . . . To my mind, if a modern democratic Muslim state pur- ports to set limits on the authority of the state in defer- ence to the rights of the individual, then it is wholly in line with the requirements of constitutional democracy. Seven years ago, Indonesia plunged headlong into democracy after more than 30 years of oppression and dictatorship. As the largest Muslim nation in the world, it stands out as the single most significant political phenomenon in the recent history of democracy. The press there is free, and the fairness in the conduct of elections is unsur- passed. . . . The people may gather to protest decisions

Anwar Ibrahim of Malaysia and policy without fear of reprisal. Still, efforts to deepen democracy must be continued relentlessly. Economic prog- Excerpts: Democracy is about giving dignity to the ress must remain high on the list of priorities, and with a human spirit founded on the adoption of natural rights, concomitant program for social justice. Fighting corrup- Advancing Democracy: Justice, Pluralism, and Participation Pluralism, Justice, Democracy: Advancing

World Movement for Democracy | Istanbul, Turkey, April 2–5, 2006 tion must continue to be pursued with full conviction. I’ve had mean things said about me in the press; and I Fellow democrats, these are not merely theoreti- never got a chance to answer, and as a woman I often felt cal constructs. This is about honor, dignity, and human my biggest battle was establishing my right to be there survival. Every day that passes without change means at all. But I never got thrown into jail, and I never wor- another bleak night for a political prisoner languishing ried that I would not put my head on my own pillow at in solitude, another death from hunger, destitution, and night and sleep in the safety of my own bed in my own disease as a result of neglect and deprivation and another home in my own community. But there are many of you opportunity for the corrupt to abscond millions from the here who fight for the same things that were my passion state coffers. For us this is not a luxury of intellectual in public life, but you do so under much more difficult discourse. . . . It is our fervent hope that democratic forces circumstances. Many of you have seen the inside of a jail throughout the world will continue to assert their will and cell, and many of you know the price that has to be paid build a strong foundation of universal support to move the to create democracy. . . . agenda forward. Sometimes people argue that we shouldn’t be in a hurry in countries that aren’t democratic. After all, if you look at the system that Canada has, it probably got its start in the year 1215, when King John of England met with the barons at Runnymede and signed an agreement limiting his power. That was the Magna Carta. . . . So you could ask yourself, what’s the hurry? Why are we rushing other countries? Shouldn’t we allow other countries maybe not to take 702 years, but to take a little bit longer? Well, I think we all would agree that the answer to that is no, because it is a different world, and we have all changed. . . . Many of the new democracies come not just from slowly evolving societies, but from seriously authoritarian or totalitarian rule, and those kinds of government not only do not foster the skills needed for democracy, but actively discourage them. . . . And so the challenge that many countries face today, even when there is a decision in a country’s leadership that favors democracy, is in develop- The Rt. Hon. Kim Campbell, Secretary-General of the Club of Madrid ing the skills and the techniques that can make democracy work, and this is why it is so important when people Kim Campbell is Secretary-General of the Club of have great expectations and then those expectations are Madrid. She became the first female prime minis- not met, and the sad thing is that it is often democracy AdvancingDemocracy: Justice, Pluralism, Participationand ter of Canada in 1993, as leader of the Progressive that is discredited, not simply the incapacity of those who Conservative Party of Canada. Her previous political are there to do all that is needed. . . . appointments included Minister of State for Indian So I think it is important for all of us who care about Affairs and Northern Development; Minister of Justice democracy to push back against those who say that and Attorney General of Canada; as well as Minister democracy promotion and those who support it are in of National Defense and Minister of Veterans’ Affairs. some way the carriers of a negative agenda, are trying Campbell finished a two-year term as president of the to undermine governments, or are in some way engaged International Women’s Forum in 2005. in subversive or nefarious activities. On the contrary, we are simply trying to share what we know about how to Excerpts: It is an honor for me to be here and some- translate the dream of democracy into the nuts-and-bolts what daunting in a way, because I held elective office at organizational and technical capacity that keeps that all three levels of government in Canada—local, provin- dream alive, as opposed to the disappointment and disillu- cial, and national. In the course of my political career, sionment that failure creates when government structures I have been yelled at; I have confronted demonstrators; simply cannot meet that challenge.

www.wmd.org Democracy Courage Tributes Presented at the John B. Hurford Memorial Dinner

t its bien- The Human Rights and Democracy nial assemblies, Movement in Uzbekistan the World During the past year, more than a dozen Uzbek activ- Movement for ists, including human rights defenders, journalists, Democracy pays and opposition politicians, have been jailed on spuri- Atribute to democratic groups ous charges. We pay tribute to the following groups and movements that have dem- that have continued their extraordinary advocacy onstrated exceptional courage in the face of this campaign of repression: Human Xiao Qiang presided over the in their work and who have Rights Society of Uzbekistan-Ezgulik, Mothers Against Courage Tributes Dinner struggled for the most part out- the Death Penalty and Torture, Legal Aid Society of side the spotlight of world attention. By highlighting Uzbekistan, Human Rights Society of Uzbekistan, their accomplishments, the World Movement seeks not Ozod Ovoz, Arena news service, Burning Hearts, only to offer some richly deserved recognition, but also Appellation, and members of the political opposition to build a strong sense of solidarity with fellow demo- parties Free Peasant’s Party, Sunshine Uzbekistan, Erk crats around the world. and Berlik. This year’s recipients were as follows:

The Democracy Activists in Vietnam We recognize two particularly heroic figures: Hoang Minh Chinh, a former high-ranking member of the Communist Party, and Buddhist dissident Thich Quang Do, Deputy Leader of the Unified Buddhist Church of

Courage Tribute recipients representing The Human Rights and Democracy Movement in Uzbekistan

Han Dongfang presents Courage Tribute to Vo Van Ai, representing the Democracy Activists in Vietnam Vietnam, who has spent over 25 years in detention for his non-violent advocacy of religious freedom, human rights, and democracy. Even from prison, these men and many others like them from both the secular and religious communities have dared to disseminate messages defending human rights, increased pluralism, Krzysztof Stanowski presents Courage Tribute to Vasila Inoyatova, rep- and the rule of law in Vietnam. resenting the Human Rights and Democracy Movement in Uzbekistan Advancing Democracy: Justice, Pluralism, and Participation Pluralism, Justice, Democracy: Advancing

World Movement for Democracy | Istanbul, Turkey, April 2–5, 2006 The Civil Society of Nepal The Crimean Tatars and their Over the past eight years, Nepal has been besieged Mejlis (Parliament) by one of Asia’s deadliest conflicts that has resulted The Crimean Tatars continue to struggle to build dem- in over 10,000 deaths. In the decade and a half since ocratic culture while supporting democratic change. its democratic transition, Nepal has struggled to con- We pay tribute to this movement and especially to tend with both a Maoist insurgency and a repressive one of its heroic figures, Mustafa Djemilev, who spent and anti-democratic monarchy. Nepal is a country of a total of 18 years in the gulag as a prisoner of con- 26 million people where over 40 percent live below science, and to the Mejlis (parliament) that he heads the poverty line and where ethnic and caste divisions and helped shape into a unique self-governing body. continue to plague the country. Nepal’s tenacious civil society, which must work in the limited space between the Maoists and the monarchy, continues to fight to reestablish the democracy that appeared briefly just over 15 years ago. Since the tribute was made at the Assembly, hundreds of thousands of Nepalis went to the streets demanding the restoration of democracy. The king, facing the prospect of large and growing street protests and an increasingly unsupportive international community, relinquished the absolute control he had wielded since February 2005 and quickly moved to reconstitute the parliament, which he had Inna Pidluska presents Courage Tribute to Mustafa Djemilev representing the Crimean Tatars and their Mejlis (Parliament) originally dissolved in 2002.

Elisabeth Ungar presents Courage Courage Tribute recipient Puspa Bhusal

Tribute to the Civil Society of Nepal representing the Civil Society of Nepal Recipients of the Democracy Courage Tributes AdvancingDemocracy: Justice, Pluralism, Participationand

The John B. Hurford Memorial Dinner was sponsored by the Hurford Foundation, whose President, Robert Miller, offered his appreciation to all of the Movement’s participants “for your extraordinary efforts on behalf of the people of the world.” He added: “Our Foundation is committed to continuing its support of your efforts.” The Democracy Courage Tributes dinner is named for John Boyce Hurford (1938-2000), an international- ist and philanthropist who played an important role in helping to conceptualize and bring into being the World Movement for Democracy. Previous Tribute recipients include The Democracy Movement in Sudan, The Democracy Movement in Belarus, The Mano River Union Civil Society Movement, The Israel-Palestine Center for Research and Information (Israel)/ Panorama (Palestine). Hurford Foundation President Robert Miller

www.wmd.org Democracy Fair

ssembly participants gained knowledge, skills, and relationships of mutual solidarity through a “Democracy Fair” that featured an exhibition area, a technology training center, a video screening Aroom, an Internet café, and a “town hall” in which participants educated each other about particular causes and generated support for them. To facilitate networking, all of the Assembly lunches were held in the Democracy Fair Hall. Advancing Democracy: Justice, Pluralism, and Participation Pluralism, Justice, Democracy: Advancing

10 World Movement for Democracy | Istanbul, Turkey, April 2–5, 2006 Democracy Fair Reports Combating Anti-Democratic Forces

Plenary Session on “Restrictive Laws and other Government Pressures on NGOs: How Can Democracy NGOs and the Assistance Community Meet the Challenge?”

Organizers: Moderator: Presenters: National Endowment for Carl Gershman – U.S. Yuri Dzhibladze – Russia Democracy – U.S. Rapporteur: Carlos Ponce – Venezuela Centre for the Development of Michael Allen – U.K. Maria Lisitsyna – Kyrgyzstan Democracy and Human Reginald Matchaba-Hove Rights – Russia – Zimbabwe

Since the third wave of democratization in the early 1990s, (or GONGOs). In Venezuela, for example, the Chavez democracy promotion has become accepted as a norm of regime has organized a wide range of parallel “Chavista practice, Carl Gershman noted in his introductory remarks, groups,” Carlos Ponce told the plenary, which deliber- but a countertrend of resistance to democracy programs ately confuse and cloud the issues by taking pro-govern- has recently emerged. It differs, however, from the mani- ment lines in international meetings. festly repressive hostility of long-standing dictatorships Authoritarian regimes employ varying rationales to that never permitted democracy assistance and that justify repressive measures. A common trend is to claim routinely repress internal opposition. The new backlash is anti-terrorism as a pretext, but it is also common, as in occurring in countries where democracy assistance has Venezuela and Russia, to claim that NGOs represent previously been possible and relatively unobstructed. alien foreign interests and that democracy promotion is a tool used by advanced democracies to promote their Challenges: geo-political interests. Yuri Dzhibladze highlighted the painful irony of Russia assuming the G8 presidency of the advanced democracies Recommendations: just as it was curbing NGOs following earlier stifling of The response to this challenge of backlash must come independent critics in business, parliament, and the media. at three distinct levels—tactical, political, and normative. Although a new anti-NGO law had not yet taken effect by Local NGOs and activists are already developing tactics the time of the World Movement Assembly, some 30,000 to circumvent restrictions, including, for instance, reviv- officials were already being recruited to implement the ing techniques in Russia that were used during Soviet new law, which will allow the Russian Federal Registration times, said Ms. Lisitsyna. The panel presenters also Service to invoke alleged “threats to the constitutional recommended regional forms of cross-border assistance AdvancingDemocracy: Justice, Pluralism, Participationand order” to justify ending foreign funding of certain activities through activist groups in neighboring democracies that and give officials unprecedented discretion for judging pro- collaborate and provide aid to besieged colleagues. In grams or projects detrimental to Russia’s national interests. addition, civil society consortia can provide small NGOs Even where legislation has not been implemented, some protection, according to Carlos Ponce. the existence of draft provisions can have a chilling and Politically, international and multilateral organizations intimidating effect on civil society groups, said Maria (for example, the OSCE, SADCC, and the OAS) should Lisitsyna of Kyrgyzstan. Similarly, in Zimbabwe the NGO be engaged, and cross-border engagement conveys a bill has yet to be passed by the legislature, but accord- message that democracy assistance is not intended to ing to Reginald Matchaba-Hove it already hangs like a promote narrow foreign-policy objectives of particular “sword of Damocles” over civil society. governments. Many states manifestly repress independent NGOs, On the normative front, Mr. Matchaba-Hove stressed while others maintain a more ambiguous position, allow- the need to strengthen the values and protocols for pro- ing civil society groups to operate under restrictions tecting civil society at the local, national and regional and the threat of arbitrary interference or dissolution. levels, and Mr. Gershman argued for an international Regimes are also adopting more proactive measures, campaign to broaden the acceptance of democracy pro- such as creating tame, government-organized NGOs motion as an international principle and practice.

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Panel Discussion on “People Power Movements: The Role of NGOs Before and After”

Organizers: Moderator: Presenters: Europe XXI Foundation – Ukraine Edil Baisalov – Kyrgyzstan Rama Naidu – South Africa Initiative for International Dialogue Rapporteur: Inna Pidluska – Ukraine – Philippines Jaroslaw Szostakowski – Poland Gus Miclat – Philippines Vesna Pesic – Serbia Ghia Nodia – Georgia

The moderator opened the panel session by giving a cratic change to Serbia. The Serbian regime was semi- short introduction on the subject. In many authoritar- authoritarian. The media was free and some elections ian countries, he said, NGOs are seen as a main force were organized, although they were not free. In October behind anti-government opposition and international 2000, after federal and local elections took place, the agents. This is a result of their activities teaching people opposition forced Slobodan Milosovic to resign. This about their rights and mobilizing them to fight for those was only possible because all of the following elements rights and for free elections. One important goal of NGOs were present: opposition unions, international community is to help political prisoners and people aggrieved by the support, youth mobilization, a complicated economic government, but the situation of NGOs changes after a situation, and independent control of the elections. In dictatorship collapses. addition, the people from the old regime thought it was Gus Milcat presented the situation in his country, the time for change. After winning, however, there was no Philippines. NGOs participated in the opposition move- consensus on the next steps. The opposition was divid- ment against the dictatorships of President Marcos and ed and there were no radical reforms. his successor. The revolution would not have been pos- Ghia Nodia spoke about the situation in Georgia, sible without NGOs and their participation in the national which was a semi-authoritarian regime and whose Rose democratic front. They conducted both lawful and Revolution took place within the context of protecting underground activities. After the democratic changes, constitutional rights. In this case, change was possible the opposition divided and went in different political because of the work of political parties and cooperation directions. Many of its democratic goals have not been among NGOs. During the revolution, people used strate- realized. Corruption and repression against journalists gies learned from other countries, especially Serbia. still exist. It is more difficult to support people when Most NGOs supported the revolution, and afterwards a government’s progress on democracy slows. NGOs many NGO people went into the government. The chang- should thus create the conditions for a “people power” es were judged to be insufficient, however, and some movement both theoretically, by creating programs and people thought the enthusiasm of the revolution should teaching people, and practically, by organizing public be used to achieve deeper reform. Unfortunately, the campaigns. legal system did not allow for more rapid change, since Rama Naidu spoke about South Africa’s experience in the requirements of the new government for changing fighting against the apartheid dictatorship. Political par- the laws were much stricter than those of the previous ties began the fight, but in the late 1970s, the first opposi- one. This is why some people were disappointed. tion trade union was established. In the end, a national Inna Pidluska evaluated her country, Ukraine, before democratic front was created by more than 600 organiza- the Orange Revolution as semi-democratic. There was tions, including political parties, trade unions, NGOs, stu- legal political opposition in the Parliament and free dent groups, and churches. Finally, democratic change media. The government also declared itself democratic. was possible as a result of a confluence of the following After the counterfeit presidential election, however, the factors: the strength of the national front, international mobilization of the people and the scale of the protests sanctions, the collapse of the Soviet bloc, and a partisan surprised everyone and brought about a re-run of the war. After the democratic transition, political rights were elections, which the opposition leader won. International guaranteed, but not economic and social rights. Many support was very important for the Orange Revolution. NGO people moved into government and their organiza- In addition, national and local NGOs helped advance tions ended their activities or changed their missions. In the revolution by reminding people about their rights, democratic terms, NGOs should concentrate on econom- the importance of mobilizing to vote and protest, and ic and social matters and help people find their places in the civil control of the election process. Following the the new situation. revolution, the opposition was divided. In 2006, the first Vesna Pesic presented the factors that brought demo- parliamentary elections were held since the revolution, Advancing Democracy: Justice, Pluralism, and Participation Pluralism, Justice, Democracy: Advancing

12 World Movement for Democracy | Istanbul, Turkey, April 2–5, 2006 Combating Anti-Democratic Forces and turn-out was very high. This shows that the people Recommendations: learned about democracy. As in other cases, following • NGOs should inform people about their rights and the revolution, many NGO leaders joined the government. inspire them. The new officials tried to reach decisions through con- • NGOs should analyze the situation in a country and sultation with NGOs, but without much practical effect. prepare a program to address it. Fighting for democracy is thus a process, not a single event. • Civil control of the election process is very impor- Following the presentations, discussion focused on tant, as is the role of NGOs in training people for it. questions concerning: • In the fight for democracy there should be unity • the role of Western governments and their relation- among different forces, such as political parties, ships with dictatorial governments; NGOs, trade unions, and churches. • the effectiveness of international support for demo- • The role of the international community in supporting cratic movements; democracy movements is very important for putting pressure on dictatorships. • advice for countries in which authoritarian regimes use nationalism and populism to gain or maintain • The activities of NGOs should focus not only on power; and political, but also on economic and social, rights. • the dangers posed by national fronts that include • Following democratic change, NGOs should develop populists and nationalists in addition to democrats. new visions for their activities.

Panel Discussion on “Confronting the Challenges of Terrorism and Anti-Terrorism”

Organizers: Moderators: Presenters: Welfare Association for the Mohammad Nasib – Afghanistan Amena Mahmod – Iraq Development of Afghanistan Shahin Abbasov – Azerbaijan Pulatjan Ahunov – Uzbekistan Shahin Abbasov – Azerbaijan Rapporteur: Hikmet Haji-zada – Azerbaijan Tanya Lokshina – Russia

This panel discussion brought together approximately 50 of fighting terror, they actually facilitate recruitment by participants who unanimously condemned terrorism in extremist groups and force people to engage in radi- all forms and affirmed that there can be no justification cal and violent resistance. Such methods of anti-ter- for acts of terror or violence against civilians for the pur- rorism only breed terrorism and the very “war against pose of intimidation. At the same time, they emphasized terror” thus turns counterproductive. The participants that methods used by some states to fight terrorism—or emphasized that Western democratic countries should methods used under the guise of fighting terrorism—are acknowledge this problem, review their positions on the not only in serious breach of human rights and funda- issue, and put an end to such complicity with authoritar- AdvancingDemocracy: Justice, Pluralism, Participationand mental freedoms, but may in fact qualify those govern- ian regimes. ments as engaging in “state terrorism” (violence against The participants also agreed that there must be no civilians and collective punishment aimed at terrorizing state monopoly on anti-terrorism and that a civil dimen- populations into submissiveness). sion of anti-terrorism should be found. Echoed by sev- Authoritarian regimes, in particular, use the “war eral other participants, the presenter from Iraq urged against terror” to eliminate their political opponents and NGOs to become engaged in developing an anti-terrorist those who support them, and in such circumstances the agenda of their own and to advocate a culture of peace- “war against terror” turns in reality into a war against ful coexistence and tolerance. democracy, as one of the presenters illustrated by refer- The presenter from Azerbaijan emphasized, and ence to Uzbekistan. The participants agreed that when several participants agreed, that to prevent the spread Western democratic states cooperate with authoritar- of radical, extremist Islamism it is especially important ian regimes in fighting terrorism—“supporting a lesser to work with democratically-oriented Muslims and sup- evil to counter a greater evil”—they become complicit port their groups in all possible ways. Such groups are in the erosion of human rights values and democratic often attacked by regimes and their persecution serves principles. In addition, when authoritarian regimes use to increase their alienation and radicalization (as cases violence and repression against civilians in the name from Azerbaijan and Russia served to demonstrate).

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The participants agreed that when people have political • Call on Western democracies to work towards objectives space should be provided for them to work boosting economic development in under-developed towards the fulfillment of those objectives, and legitimate countries and to invest in educating their publics. political demands should be listened to. • Urge the international community to develop new The participants lamented the lack of an international standards of humanitarian law that would be appli- legal definition of terrorism, which enables some states cable to the protection of civilians from terrorists, on to use the rhetoric of anti-terrorism where it is not appli- the one hand, and from the efforts of disproportionate cable (such as calling the armed conflict in Chechnya a and violent anti-terrorism measures, on the other. counter-terrorist operation). They thus agreed to urge the international community to formulate a clear defini- • Universal minimal standards of human rights compli- tion of terrorism and urged NGOs to contribute actively to ance in situations of terrorist threats should be devel- this process. oped and incorporated into national legislation, thus making it impossible to restrict human rights beyond Recommendations: certain legally defined limits. • Carry out an in-depth analysis of the root-causes of Given the danger of continuing to employ double terror, and formulate relevant prevention strategies. standards regarding human rights, the participants also • Put pressure on governments to improve social and agreed to call on the governments of the United States economic conditions of the poor (since those living in and the European Union member-states, along with their poverty are particularly vulnerable to extremist propa- respective civil societies, to demand universal standards ganda). to prevent the further erosion of human rights, which are themselves a pillar of security. • Educate young Muslims about the dangers of extremist thinking and the radicalization of Islam.

Topical Workshops How to Confront the Misuse of Traditional and Cultural Values by Anti-Democratic Regimes

Organizer: Moderator: Presenters: World Forum for Mab Huang – Taiwan Vo Van Ai – Vietnam Democratization in Asia Rapporteur: Hannah Forster – Gambia Debbie Stothard – Malaysia Lotfi Hajji – Tunisia

Democracy and human rights are “a part of,” not “apart • Some failures by democratic regimes to address issues from,” cultural values; pluralism in the context of culture of inequality faced by diverse ethnic and social groups and religion is a fundamental part of democracy. This continue to be a problem. Participants also acknowl- was the consensus of the diverse participants in this edged that traditional class systems can obstruct partici- workshop. Participants voiced strong concerns about pation in and access to political structures. how repressive regimes have appropriated and misused • Neither the state nor any single entity should have culture and religion, thus hampering democratization and the sole authority to interpret cultural or religious val- consolidating control over citizens. ues for a population. While recognizing that culture and religion are dynamic forces that are both subject to and factors of • The use of culture and/or religion to thwart women’s change, participants identified pro-democratic principles rights and political participation continues to be a within diverse cultures and religions. serious problem. • The willingness of some international stakeholders Observations: to accept dictators’ use of “cultural values” as a justi- • In many instances, traditional cultural practices fication for repression is a sign of intellectual laziness and systems are compatible with and conducive to that borders on discrimination. It implies that people democracy. Confucianism, for instance, which Asian of certain cultures are less deserving of human rights. dictators have tried to use to justify repression, actu- Acceptance of such misuse of cultural values by ally embodies democratic values that put people foreign governments also helps entrench these anti- ahead of the state and sovereign. democratic regimes. Advancing Democracy: Justice, Pluralism, and Participation Pluralism, Justice, Democracy: Advancing

14 World Movement for Democracy | Istanbul, Turkey, April 2–5, 2006 Combating Anti-Democratic Forces

• International solidarity and related activities are • Use aid to encourage democracy and democratic important to support the empowerment of local processes that are able to use cultural elements as an groups in their efforts to confront the abuse of cultural entry point. values. This can include the capacity of international • Reinforce the role of independent NGOs working for parliamentary and political networks to generate pres- democracy and human rights, as well as the capac- sure. The case of Amina Lawal in Nigeria was cited ity of international solidarity groups to support local as an example. interventions. • Despite the challenges, the importance of democ- • Utilize traditional values and leaders in helping the racy remains generally undisputed. Even dictators general population adapt to and integrate into demo- appear to believe that the language of democracy is cratic development rather than allow democratic integral to their legitimacy. This is another example of development to be seen simply as a way for elites to leverage that can be exploited to further the cause of engage the global community. democracy. • Improve educational curricula and systems to deepen analytical skills and raise the level of knowledge in Recommendations: societies. • Identify and exploit opportunities for leverage against repressive regimes to defend democratic • Use cultural references to help put democratization forces (for example, Vietnam is desperate to be into local contexts and engender local ownership of removed from blacklists so it can join the World Trade democratization. This will help “translate” democratic Organization). concepts into more accessible forms and encourage active engagement. • Recognize and engage potential groups within existing structures to expand and deepen democracy. • Prioritize freedom of expression; this will help accel- Pluralism must be valued and upheld so that potential erate efforts to increase awareness, understanding, anti-democratic elements can be neutralized and and a vibrant exchange of ideas. absorbed.

Strengthening Democracy through Anti-Corruption Reform: A Private Sector Perspective

Organizers: Moderator: Presenters: Center for International John Sullivan – U.S. Boris Begovic – Serbia Private Enterprise – U.S. Rapporteur: Melinda Quintos de Jesus Center for Liberal-Democratic Jen Reutershan – U.S. – Philippines Studies – Serbia AdvancingDemocracy: Justice, Pluralism, Participationand Corruption is one of the leading reasons for the ongo- Moreover, in many economies the business community ing political and economic failures of many developing is no longer blaming corruption—or placing the burden countries. It impedes the development of markets, drives of combating it—solely on government officials. The away investment, increases the costs of doing busi- emerging consensus is that anti-corruption efforts should ness, and undermines the rule of law. The need for an combine initiatives from the public sector, the business increased emphasis on fighting corruption is more evi- community, and other civil society groups. While in many dent today than ever before, as global corruption flows, countries discussions about corruption are more evident according to World Bank estimates, have now surpassed and there is a popular consensus that corruption has a $1 trillion annually. Studies in Serbia and Lebanon and negative impact on political, social, and economic institu- other major surveys of business communities suggest tions, successful, working approaches to limiting it are still that corruption imposes significant costs on society and few in number. that the need for strategies to combat it is pressing. The importance of linking corruption with democratic Attitudes toward corruption are changing in countries development cannot be underestimated. The relation- throughout the world. In many countries, it is no longer ship is circular: corruption is often a result of weak dem- a taboo subject and discussions on its causes and dam- ocratic institutions (such as weak rule of law and limited aging effects continue to become more widespread. freedom of speech) while at the same time widespread

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corruption weakens democracy (for example, by eroding • Strengthening good democratic governance offers public support for democratic institutions and precipitat- a positive approach to reducing corruption by building mismanagement of public and private funds). Efforts ing mechanisms of accountability and transparency to combat corruption, therefore, cannot be separated within all government branches and agencies, includ- from efforts to strengthen democracy. ing local government. The private sector needs to be mobilized to press for good governance. Recommendations: • A free and independent media combined with free- Participants in the workshop identified a number of dom of information laws are key elements of national anti-corruption strategies that the private sector (large anti-corruption strategies. Further, economic educa- corporations, smaller businesses, business associations, tion of journalists increases their ability to diagnose NGOs, think tanks, and labor unions) might undertake: and expose corrupt practices. Civic participation can • The private sector should introduce and enforce serve to enhance the impact of independent media. codes of conduct, including internal control mecha- • Developed nations should adhere to anti-corrup- nisms, as part of a corporate governance strategy to tion conventions and provide mechanisms to enforce curb the supply side of corruption. these standards in transactions by their national com- • The private sector should advocate for public poli- panies within developing countries. cies that increase economic freedom, reduce admin- • Anti-corruption strategies should be adapted to istrative burdens and complexity, and thus reduce the adjust to the realities of fragile states and low income opportunity for corruption. Further, anti-corruption countries. In such cases, building democratic gover- programs should include diagnosis of the corruption nance and effective institutions must be a priority. potential of existing and new legislation.

How Can Civil Society and Independent Media Counter Anti-Democratic Uses of Populism and Nationalism?

Organizers: Rapporteur: Presenters: Malaysiakini – Malaysia Balazs Jarabik – Slovakia Ebru Agduk – Turkey Moderator: Kelmend Hapciu – Kosovo Steven Gan – Malaysia Carlos Ponce – Venezeula

The moderator, Steven Gan, opened this workshop with decade and has only begun to discuss sensitive political a short presentation on Malaysia, where it is impossible issues as such. The biggest problem is a lack of domestic to obtain a license for electronic media, but the Internet funding for fulfilling the ideas of NGOs, and a great depen- is still free due to a loophole in the system, so one can dence on outside donors (the UN, World Bank, and foreign operate freely in virtual space. This is one of the tools embassies in Turkey) creates an impression that they are that media can offer to address the misuse of populism agents of foreign countries, a natural subject of the new and nationalism by authoritarian regimes. leftist nationalism. The question of nationalism must be In her presentation, Ebru Agduk focused on civil soci- taken much more seriously, therefore, and although Turkish ety development in Turkey, where the army is the most NGOs are not particularly good in forming coalitions, they trusted institution and the left relies mainly on national- should develop a new strategic coalition to focus public ism as its main political theory. The economic crisis of debate on the benefits of the EU for Turkey and how Turkey 2001, the Iraq invasion, and the lead-up to negotiations can contribute to the EU. At the same time, Turkey needs on the admission of Turkey into the European Union (EU) a good opposition both within Parliament and outside (in have all contributed to the emergence of this nationalist part because EU accession depends on Turkey’s further discourse on the left, but the nationalist left has also suc- democratization), and the media and civil society have sig- cessfully formulated its new nationalism by making use nificant roles to play in fostering this. of Kemal Ataturk’s six principles, which were outlined Carlos Ponce spoke about Venezuela having always during the first years of the Republic. Another factor is been under some sort of strongman; the emergence of the position of the army; Turkey’s modern political history democracy has been seen only in the last 20 years. Now, was interrupted twice by military interventions. Both with Hugo Chavez as president, Venezuela is backsliding. the left and the army share this new nationalistic ideal, The idea of having one leader controlling everything is therefore, thus making a powerful combination. being advanced and justified with new socialist messag- Turkish civil society started to flourish only in the last es and policies, and anti-globalist movements have been Advancing Democracy: Justice, Pluralism, and Participation Pluralism, Justice, Democracy: Advancing

16 World Movement for Democracy | Istanbul, Turkey, April 2–5, 2006 Combating Anti-Democratic Forces used to mask authoritarian steps, not only in Venezuela policies, and actually allowed Chavez to make even but in Peru as well. Manipulating voter trends and the more use of populist language. The opposition must media are part of this. now begin to formulate a new alternative, which will The international community should thus take more only give Chavez more time to further strengthen his seriously the so-called “revolutionary export” from authoritarian regime. The lesson is that populists Venezuela to other Latin American countries, most nota- must be addressed by the right tools. bly Peru and Nicaragua. • To understand the challenge, it is important to ask While the media in Venezuela appear to be free, what laws authoritarian regimes are using to confront harassment of journalists is very common; in fact, oppo- the media and/or civil society. sition politicians don’t need to be afraid, but journalists do since the media has basically been playing the role • The case of Belarus regarding authoritarian laws of opposition. Media owners are threatened with losing and regulations is instructive for other situations, money at the hands of the government, and therefore especially Venezuela. self-impose regulation and censorship. Therefore, the • How the modern left (as in Chile) can be strength- Internet is basically preserving the role of independent ened vis-à-vis the populist left (as in Venezuela) is an media to fight authoritarianism. important consideration. What can be done to foster Kelmend Hapciu spoke about the media situation in a less populist, and thus a more modern, left? Kosovo, where it has no status and where the wounds of • An agenda is necessary for both civil society and the war remain fresh. The biggest problem is a lack of com- media to encourage the public to discuss countering munication between the two main communities, Serbs populist policies, especially to provide alternative eco- and Albanians, even within the media. nomic policies. One workshop participant spoke about Malaysia, a post-colonial society that is only now building a certain • It is important to recognize that civil society in unity of the nation (having become independent from Serbia and the media (such as B-92) “broke the neck” Great Britain in 1963). The failure of its economic policy, of Milosevic, not the political parties. as well as the diversion of society’s attention from that • Reflecting on the issue of religion in the negotiations failure towards other things, namely race or religion, cre- on Turkey’s accession to the EU reveals two different ates the potential for conflict in the country. Islam main- worlds, as the Danish cartoon controversy has sug- tains an unchallenged position in Malaysia, especially gested, but in the 21st Century, this challenge should since September 11 and the beginning of the anti-terror- be addressed, perhaps through the modernization of ist campaigns, during which the position of religion has political parties (not only in Turkey, but elsewhere), strengthened within the state. and better engagement of civil society in politics. In general, the workshop participants recognized that • The new Turkish penal code was passed by the while NGOs appeal to society to fight against dictator- Parliament without comment by the Turkish media, ships that very message is being used by dictators to label despite the fact that it can severely restrict press NGOs as the agents of foreign governments. The emerg- freedom. The press awoke to the situation only at the ing answer to this situation is more thorough building of last moment. The media should be able to mobilize civil society and new ideas that go beyond the usual civil society against this kind of development, but, surpris- society appeals. In addition, the failure of civil society to ingly, in Turkey they simply did not realize the threat. create effective checks and balances has prevented pro- AdvancingDemocracy: Justice, Pluralism, Participationand democratic governments from operating effectively. Civil • The media must take more responsibility for political society should formulate new ideas to address this as well. developments within a country because they claim to be the “fourth sector” in addition to the three branch- Challenges and Recommendations: es of government. The media should therefore also The following challenges and recommendations resulted be subject somehow to checks and balances, perhaps from discussion of cases from a variety of countries. through media monitoring. • How can the challenge of the emotional, historical, • Mechanisms and new structures should be estab- and cultural hijacking of national political ideas by lished to engage other layers of society, while it is dictators be addressed? necessary, for countering populists and nationalists. • Despite their rhetoric expressing anti-globalist lan- • The Danish cartoon controversy is one of the best guage, dictators gladly take money from multinational case studies of how populists and nationalists are organizations. It is the task of independent media to strengthening their voices not only domestically, but expose such differences between rhetoric and action. also internationally. This also demonstrates the main strength of populism: emotions and the mobilization • Concerning the idea of fighting populists with popu- of the poor. It is easiest to mobilize poor and unedu- lism, this was tried by the Venezuelan opposition cated people, while it is harder to mobilize those who against Chavez, but it led to the destruction of serious are educated, urban, and more liberal-minded.

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Tactics and Strategies in Human Rights Struggles: Exploring Adaptability

Organizers: Rapporteur: Rolly Rosen – Israel Helsinki Citizens Assembly, Turkey Gokce Gunel – Turkey Andrey Yurov – Russia Center for Victims of Torture – U.S. Presenters: Tolekan Ismailova – Kyrgyzstan Moderator: Maina Kiai – Kenya Joyce Kawkabani – Lebanon Lale Tayla – Turkey Rebecca Sako-John – Nigeria

Participants in this workshop shared their valuable expe- affect these systems, ultimately serving as a tool to moni- riences implementing tactics and strategies in human tor the implementation of strategy). Afterwards, she was rights struggles through the utilization of materials, tools, involved in activities to improve the role of civil society and methodologies from the New Tactics in Human in times of conflict. During one of these activities, she Rights project (www.newtactics.org), which resulted came across a group that worked for the rights of detain- from its symposium in September 2004. The symposium ees from Palestine. The mapping strategy helped them brought together activists from around the world to share understand that they might benefit from an alliance with the tactics they have used to address various human the soldiers who are also opposed to the maltreatment rights violations. The goal of the project is to share vari- of detainees. It is not clear, however, whether this tactic ous tactics that some activists have used successfully so will be applied, since it requires a total change of identity that other activists can be inspired by them. of the NGOs involved to reflect collaboration with the Rebecca Sako-John of Nigeria reflected on her real- army officials. ization that human rights activists in Nigeria lacked a Maina Kiai of Kenya spoke about two problems means of national coordination, and that not everyone constantly faced in Kenya: transitional justice and was eager to share in the work; they sought to have ethnic impunity. After hearing about the Museum of their initial network evolve into a national one. They thus Consciousness at the New Tactics Symposium, he organized programs to reach the grassroots and elabo- returned to his country ready to prepare a traveling rate on the importance of sharing. They now offer train- museum to help expose the ways in which people con- ing for grassroots groups and seek to empower women tributed to the struggle for independence, and to assist to change their position in public life. in nation building while eliminating ethnic rivalries. Kiai Rolly Rosen was an Israeli participant in the New argued that Kenya requires common linkages in order to Tactics symposium where she said she saw the sig- strengthen national identity, and government transpar- nificance of strategic thinking and “mapping” (tactical ency. The plan is to exhibit modern Kenyan history as mapping is a method of visualizing the institutions and a preventative measure against human rights violations relationships sustaining human rights abuses, and then and for nation building. tracking the nature and potency of tactics available to When elaborating on the significance of New Tactics, Advancing Democracy: Justice, Pluralism, and Participation Pluralism, Justice, Democracy: Advancing

18 World Movement for Democracy | Istanbul, Turkey, April 2–5, 2006 Combating Anti-Democratic Forces Combating Anti-Democratic Forces

Andrey Yurov of Russia indicated that his organization change. That’s why we have to come together and has excellent programs on civic education, but it is listen to each other carefully and learn from each oth- unable to describe them in a methodical way. The devel- ers’ successes. opment of the New Tactics project provided an impetus • One discussion centered on the country-spe- for further organization and communication. He pro- cific resolutions prepared by the UN Human Rights posed that additional networks to share tactics be estab- Commission. Are these resolutions beneficial? Some lished at a more local level, for instance, a Black Sea argue that they instigate a momentum that will build network. According to Yurov, if we do not organize and up in time and force the violators of human rights to communicate with each other, we cannot carry ourselves improve their conduct. into the future, and this is unacceptable. We must make our experiences available to those in other countries. • One participant asked about non-state actors. The Tolekan Ismailova of Kyrgyzstan explained that after “twin cities practice” from Turkey, one from the participating in the New Tactics Symposium, her organi- Aegean, one from the Southeast, was explained zation, Civil Society Against Corruption, has managed to to illustrate what can be done to ease the rela- produce a documentary on the lives of refugees, creating tions between the people. This process involves the awareness about the situation of women and children in selection of two cities and a tightening of relations camps who have fought for the right of peaceful protest. between the residents of both through mutual events Eventually, they achieved this right. Building on that and exchanges. were peasant protests against gold mines, and now they • The point was also made that the citizens of coun- are working to stop the gold mines from functioning. tries should consult international organizations for closer monitoring of their governments’ misconduct. Recommendations: • One comment helped sum up the discussion: It is • A major discussion focused on the methods to dis- true that there are many important topics to discuss. seminate information under circumstances where We are talking in general, and not everyone is inter- there is no freedom of the press. Proposals included ested in the details, but we understand perfectly well a traveling theatre, Internet radio, and underground that we have different experiences. We are given a newspapers. platform for general information so that we don’t have • Some participants maintained that while it is good to reinvent the wheel every time. to share what we have done, should we not also Among the conclusions of the workshop were that focus on what we have not been able to do, on why the challenges found in different environments may not some things have gone wrong in certain instances? be that different from one another and that the number A participant from Côte D’Ivoire noted that sharing of tools that have been used in creating tactics has and working together can protect civil society from varied. We attack complex problems with simple tactics, outside risks, and another participant from the U.S. but they are too complex for a single tactic. We should pointed out that we keep believing that if we do it therefore use many tactics to manipulate the system. more effectively we will somehow induce change, Finally, some tactics have been out there for a while; but it is impossible to resolve every problem through maybe we should start calling them creative tactics one tactic; there is a need, therefore, to utilize various instead of new tactics because in a few years even the tactics. Multiple tactics put pressure on the system, new ones will be old.

create dissonance within the system, and induce AdvancingDemocracy: Justice, Pluralism, Participationand

How Can the Right to Information Help in the Fight for Transparency?

Organizers: Moderators: Presenters: Turkish Economic and Social Studies Basak Er – Turkey Asim Mollasada – Azerbaijan Foundation (TESEV) – Turkey Ivan Pavlov – Russia Inera Safargalieva – Uzbekistan Institute for Information Freedom Rapporteur: Eric Johnson – U.S. Development – Russia Aysegul Tansen – Turkey Fikret Ilkiz – Turkey

This workshop included 28 participants from more than parency and monitoring NGOs, politicians, and the media. 24 countries. Although legal mechanisms related to the While the workshop was intended to examine the role of right to information do not exist in some of their coun- the right to information in fighting for transparency, how- tries, all the participants agreed on the necessity of ever, participants mostly focused on the quality of the access to information in promoting administrative trans- legal mechanisms in their countries for ensuring access

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to information and the problems of implementation. applied properly to various investigations. • Public officials often use their own discretion in pro- Observations: viding access to information, thus preventing standard • Even countries that have adopted laws on the right implementation of the laws. to information face serious problems in implementing those laws. • In some countries, individuals are unaware of the scope and application of right-to- information laws • Most of the laws in these countries lack a clear defi- due to, among other reasons, a low level of activism nition of restrictions in the access to information and on the subject. do not provide adequate tools for journalists to access information. In general, the dissemination and use of the documents obtained according to right to informa- Recommendations: tion laws are forbidden. Independent media cannot • Raise awareness among the public and parliament benefit from this right, therefore, unless information to encourage wider application of right to informa- can be disseminated and published. For example, tion laws, thus contributing to better governance and in Uzbekistan, according to a decree of the ministry transparency. In particular, taxpaying citizens should of foreign affairs, accreditation for local and foreign be made more aware of the importance of partici- journalists is obligatory for the distribution of informa- pation in decision making at the local level, which tion. affects their daily lives, so they will be more likely to press for access to information. • Many officials deny requests without any legal justification because of disciplinary sanctions. • Monitor the implementation of civil mechanisms to help ensure they are implemented properly for the • The circulation of information is of utmost impor- long term. Greater civic participation through the tance to prevent abuse of powers and corruption. right to information will likely encourage government officials to reveal information. Challenges: • Different groups that enjoy this right—namely, the • One of the most important challenges regarding media, oppositions, the ombudsmen, research insti- legal regulations is that terms such as “secrecy,” tutes, independent NGOs, etc.—should work together “confidentiality,” and “privacy of individuals” are not to promote access to information. defined and classified clearly. This vagueness results in inefficient implementation of the laws. • Government and official bodies should develop archives, and technologies for information collection • Although right to information laws provide the should be improved. Governments should be obliged basis for access to information, in some countries to make information available on their Web sites. many other laws restrict this right, such as those on prevention of corruption, administrative and military • Access to the courts should be guaranteed by right procedures, state secrets, trade secrets, penal law, to information laws, thus ensuring that cases related and press law. Access to information thus cannot be to the right to information can be efficiently resolved.

How to Get Closed Societies and Failed States on the International Agenda?

Organizer: Rapporteur: Presenters: U.S. Committee on Human Rights in Penelope Faulkner – UK Charm Tong – Burma North Korea – U.S. (France-based) Manuel Desdin – Cuba Moderators: (Spain-based) Debbie Liang-Fenton – U.S. Vo Van Ai – Vietnam (France-based) Therese Jebsen – Norway Debbie Liang-Fenton – U.S. Reginald Matchaba-Hove – Zimbabwe

Forty people from 20 different countries participated in one society described by the presenter as both closed this workshop and engaged in a very open discussion on and a “failing state” (Zimbabwe). A disturbingly com- the topic. Presenters from three continents described mon picture, dominated by a culture of violence and fear, different forms of closed societies, two Communist coun- widespread human rights abuses, and lack of democratic tries (Vietnam and Cuba); one military junta (Burma); and freedoms, emerged from these completely different Advancing Democracy: Justice, Pluralism, and Participation Pluralism, Justice, Democracy: Advancing

20 World Movement for Democracy | Istanbul, Turkey, April 2–5, 2006 Combating Anti-Democratic Forces Combating Anti-Democratic Forces

stories. All agreed that it was crucial to maintain interna- • Efforts should be made to influence the UN tional focus on these societies if democratic processes Democracy Caucus and regional fora, such as the were ever to get underway within them. The participants Asia-Pacific Cooperation (APEC), African Union, identified the main challenges and proposed some com- Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), etc. mon strategies. • It is important to identify and engage emerging moderate actors. Challenges: • There is a disturbing perception in some quarters that certain anti-democratic governments are, in fact, Recommended secondary tactics: acceptable (Vietnam, Cuba, and others). • Stage or utilize high-profile events to garner international and media attention. • Political, economic, or strategic interests are often thought to supersede the interests of democracy and • Provide the “name and face” of a cause; for human rights. instance, focus on political prisoners, dissidents, human rights defenders, etc. • There has been an increase in the militarization of state institutions and a widening of the culture of vio- • Emphasize to people on the ground that confronting lence. their governments’ abuses of power are a question of accountability and governance, not just a matter of a • Certain international actors and governments have supposed Western imperialism. gained credibility due to double standards. • Reach out to individual actors who have access to • UN reform poses new challenges to efficacy (for officials in repressive regimes (such as China), and example, it may be harder to pass country specific encourage them to raise the cause. resolutions in the new UN Human Rights Council). • Aid and trade should be conditioned on progress in democracy and human rights. Recommended tactics: • Information should be shared and should flow in • Implement capacity building among both external more than one direction (that is, media information and internal actors. should flow into and out of the country) to inform • Expand and employ dialogue among democrats and activists of realities on the outside and to educate the diasporas. international community. • Persevere and recognize that we are building a • Democracy activists and groups should work togeth- foundation on which to move forward. er, provide mutual support, and undertake greater coordination.

Developing Independent and Responsible Media

Organizers: Moderator: Presenters: Global Forum on Media Development Roby Alampay – Philippines Melinda Quintos de Jesus

Thai Journalists Association Rapporteur: – Philippines AdvancingDemocracy: Justice, Pluralism, Participationand – Thailand Eric Johnson – U.S. Owais Aslam Ali – Pakistan Daoud Kuttab – Jordan Catherine Cosman – U.S.

A number of important questions and challenges were expect the media to perfect themselves, or should soci- raised in this workshop. Owais Aslam Ali of Pakistan ety play a role, too? A government-created press council argued that there is no need to prove that independent is just regulation by another name. Freedom of informa- media is needed. Do we really need a responsible tion laws are a good start, but they are not enough in and media, he asked, if responsibility means choosing not of themselves; they need to be implemented and used. to release speeches of Osama bin Laden? The “new Melinda Quintos de Jesus of the Philippines pointed world economic order” argument about responsibility out that the press has been a key player in all the has resulted in governments hijacking the definition. Is political upheavals in the Philippines since Marcos was it possible that a surfeit of media in a particular market deposed, at which point the country reverted to its very results in a reduction in how responsible they behave, high respect for freedom. Her organization publishes a in which case might their number need limiting? Who monthly magazine about the media, focusing on what is responsible for the media being responsible? Do we they are doing well and not so well; it is partly about

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holding media to their end of the social contract, accord- to be instilled with a sense of the social mission that ing to which, on behalf of constitutionally protected free- society invests in the fourth estate. dom of speech, the media should be expected to exer- • The ability of NGOs, or even of governments, to cise a certain degree of corporate social responsibility. affect journalistic quality may be declining as news In Jordan, Daoud Kuttab pointed out, we are caught in globalizes. This can be both good (opening closed a bind: we oppose heavy-handed government regulation news markets) and bad (if the invading media lowers of the media, but we do not want our colleagues engag- standards). International media can do a better job ing in yellow journalism that might be untrue and/or if they realize that some of the most interesting debate socially disturbing. So we have to figure out how to reg- takes place in local languages and is not always ulate ourselves voluntarily, which is particularly difficult reflected by the debate among the English-language when there is competition and when there are unethical elite; on the other hand, however, local-language ver- folks around. In Jordan we have a weekly radio show on sions of international media can dramatically expand which we judge how well the media meet their own stan- the information available to the world’s non-English- dards (codes of ethics and conduct); we found that peer speaking majority. judgment from fellow journalists is much more effective than government criticism. • As media diversity grows, people often choose only According to Cathy Cosman of the U.S., the com- the media with which they already agree; how can we mercial pressures on media can undermine the good encourage people to broaden their minds? To combat journalism we support, sometimes encouraging sensa- both this and “if it bleeds, it leads” we need to build tionalizing news (to sell copy) or “dumbing it down” (to media literacy among the public (demand-side work), appeal to the widest possible audience). News in many probably starting with schools. One way to encour- countries is now driven by TV; being based on imagery age better media behavior is to provide market incen- it ends up driving the kind of news that gets conveyed. tives for good journalism, just as media ownership has The increasing use of the Internet provides greater diver- been liberalized through tax credits. sity, but also makes it harder to limit expressed points • You cannot really work to achieve independent of view to those that are responsible. The media need media from inside a dictatorship until the citizens to promote tolerance, but it is not easy, since it requires demand it. International pressure on offending gov- respecting someone with whom you totally disagree (as ernments is an essential element, since dictators seen in the Danish cartoon controversy). are vain and hate criticism. One way to increase the desire for freedom among a population is through Observations: education (perhaps via foreign-source media); • Pluralism (or diversity) in the media is as important other factors include increasing wealth, genera- as independence and it may be a more realistic pro- tional change, and increased exposure to new ideas position. Responsible journalism results when news through study tours abroad. Sometimes terminology bureaus follow their own editorial rules: fairness, matters. A seminar on “governance and journalism” check facts, source information, provide balance, etc. is more acceptable than one on investigative journal- Self-monitoring is one important solution. ism; technology training is seemingly innocuous but • Transparency is also as important as independence, powerful in reality. and it too may be a more realistic proposition. The • Elections can be a good opportunity to convince amount of power the owner (or the government, if it an outgoing administration that more media freedom is the owner) has over the day-to-day editorial poli- will result in more scrutiny over the incoming govern- cy-making process should be made clear to the con- ment. Another is working through intergovernmental sumer. Regulation on this point can be a good thing organizations like UNESCO, which often merely needs and hard to abuse. Of course, from an ethical point its attention drawn to a particular situation and a sug- of view, it is important for the media to separate the gested proposal to act to circumvent governmental business side from the editorial side to prevent busi- limitations on improving journalists’ capacity. ness concerns from coloring the journalism. • The Internet regularly provides new possibilities, and • On the supply side, media practitioners will always Oh My News in Korea and the role Internet radio played need journalistic as well as thematic training. The in Jordan in forcing terrestrial broadcast licensing are media should be strongly encouraged to provide con- good examples. Another strategy might be a medium tinuing education to staff and must not neglect their funded at least partly by an endowment (for example, stringers (particularly foreign ones) as opposed to the The Namibian), thus freeing it from the pressures of full-timers. Journalism schools should do a better job government control or pure commercial forces. keeping up with the times, since they seem to be often training students to meet yesterday’s challenges. Managers need business training, but they also need Advancing Democracy: Justice, Pluralism, and Participation Pluralism, Justice, Democracy: Advancing

22 World Movement for Democracy | Istanbul, Turkey, April 2–5, 2006 Combating Anti-Democratic Forces Combating Anti-Democratic Forces

Beyond Failed States: Civil Societies in Transition

Organizers: Rapporteur: Presenters: Afghans for Civil Society Maxime Longangue – Canada Rangine Hamadi – Afghanistan – Afghanistan Diaby Baba – Côte d’Ivoire Regroupement des Acteurs Ivoiriens Yanick Lahens – Haiti des Droits Humains – Côte d’Ivoire Rights & Democracy – Canada Le groupe de 184 – Haiti

Among other objectives, this workshop offered the itself. Specific attention was given to the importance of opportunity for participants to debate the validity and NGOs remaining absolutely independent and nonparti- pertinence of the notion of the “failed state” given the san given that their active participation in politics could recurrent use of this term by international donors and severely damage their credibility. developed states when categorizing developing coun- The presenters from Afghanistan, Côte d’Ivoire, tries. For some participants, although useful for pointing and Haiti directed the participants’ attention to coping to very problematic countries in terms of respect for mechanisms developed by civil society organizations in human rights and democratic principles, the term does countries emerging from conflict and/or relative collapse not facilitate an understanding of the complexity and of the state. Propositions were also formulated on how diversity of situations or the political and social dynam- donors should work with organizations in such countries. ics occurring in a country. In fact, the notion of a “failed state” may overshadow efforts toward reconstruction or Recommendations to civil society: democratization made by internal actors and, perhaps The workshop participants identified some common cop- even more, the successes of civil society organizations ing mechanisms that civil society organizations might struggling to operate in particularly difficult situations adopt in “failed state” situations: due to the incapacity of the state to fulfill its basic • Consult people on the ground to gain a full aware- responsibilities. ness of their priorities, concerns, and opinions on Observing that civil society is very vulnerable in important issues of development or democratic gover- “failed state” situations, some participants directed nance; use tools, such as dedicated radios or news- attention not only to the successes of civil society orga- papers, to give marginalized citizens the ability to nizations operating in such conditions, but also to some bring their opinions and concerns to the public sphere challenges that may result in failures of civil society and to the attention of political leaders; empower mar- AdvancingDemocracy: Justice, Pluralism, Participationand

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ginalized citizens by facilitating their participation and Recommendations to donors: interaction with public institutions (i.e., by introducing Knowing that in situations of “failed states” donors often in the legislative body draft laws that address those tend to cease all activities in the country, the participants citizens’ concerns). formulated the following recommendations to donors: • Create coalitions of NGOs or social actors to • Believe in the capacity of local actors to contribute address security concerns by minimizing the risks to the normalization of their own country; they would face as individual persons or NGOs; cre- • Conduct exploratory missions to identify reliable ate broad coalitions to avoid possible appearances local partners; of partisanship; favor inclusion; develop consensus among civil society actors and enhance their ability to • When maintaining staff on the ground is impos- influence political leaders and institutions. sible, establish focal points with strategic partners to remain abreast of the situation; and • The notion of civil society may be very new in a particular country or may be interpreted in different ways • Support local and/or national coalitions. by actors inside and outside the civil society; it is thus Finally, the participants concluded that democracy important to explain the role of civil society and, in cannot simply be exported to a country, and that it is particular, to emphasize the distinction between civil important to give voice to the people on the ground. society actors and political parties, and to clarify that Local actors and international donors should cooperate civil society cannot replace the state. on projects that aim at this goal. • Concentrate on strategic actions; be inventive and smart; remain aware of the environment; and keep a sense of humor!

Developing Strategy and Tactics in Human Rights: Using the Tactical Map Process

Organizers: Moderator: Presenters: Center for Victims of Torture – U.S. Mariclaire Acosta – Mexico Douglas Johnson – U.S. Helsinki Citizens Assembly, Turkey Rapporteur: Ozlem Dalkiran – Turkey Rolly Rosen – Israel Nancy Pearson – U.S.

The workshop included 21 participants from diverse ferent organizations using different intervention tactics. countries, including Belgium, Colombia, Israel, Jordan, In addition, it would be useful if funders did not cre- Pakistan, Romania, Tunisia, Turkey, and the U.S. ate an atmosphere of competition among organizations, Since the 1970s, human rights organizations have been but encouraged joint efforts to create a big picture and using three main tactics in their efforts to stop human coordinate interventions instead. This would enable each rights violations in general, and torture in particular: organization to continue doing what they do best, while • Setting standards (international conventions, legisla- creating a deeper, joint understanding of the wider con- tion etc.); text, resulting in increased chances that complex systems will be influenced successfully. • Monitoring the implementation of those standards; and For example, in Turkey, a process is currently under- • “Naming and shaming” the violators. way through which NGOs, government officials, profes- In spite of huge efforts, however, torture still contin- sional associations, and others are trying to draw a ues to flourish, so the question is, why does it continue to tactical map, and develop an action plan based upon it, persist? The “tactical map” (http://www.newtactics.org/ aimed at the goal of ending torture in that country. It is an file.php?ID=1227) is a visual way to present the different extensive effort based on participatory principles, and the social relationships that enable a certain social phenom- results will be published and open to the public. ena (such as torture) to happen. It therefore suggests The map can also be useful in authoritarian or dicta- many possibilities for intervention, using different tactics torial countries, even though it seems that local actors or “touching” different players in different ways. “Pull have less means of influence. Still, it is relevant to ask tactics” (positive rewards) should be used along side what the rulers’ bases of power are and how they can be “push tactics” (exposing and shaming). The map can be undermined (including using outside pressure). a useful tool for building coordinated action among dif- Using new tactics may also help mobilize new partners interested in tactics they have not used before. Advancing Democracy: Justice, Pluralism, and Participation Pluralism, Justice, Democracy: Advancing

24 World Movement for Democracy | Istanbul, Turkey, April 2–5, 2006 Justice, Pluralism, and Participation

Justice, Pluralism, and Participation

Plenary Session on “Empowering Women to Fulfill their Roles in a Democratic Society”

Organizer: Rapporteur: Presenters: Women’s Learning Partnership for Anne Mugisha – Uganda Mahnaz Afkhami – Iran (U.S.-based) Rights, Development, and Peace Larry Diamond – U.S. – U.S. Mariclaire Acosta – Mexico Miria Matembe – Uganda Moderator: AdvancingDemocracy: Justice, Pluralism, Participationand Asma Khader – Jordan

The session opened with an invitation to the participants need to ensure that women who take up public office to reflect on women’s participation in public life. Asma are empowered to represent other women by promoting Khader remarked that women are central to democratic gender sensitive policies and elimination of discrimination development and that they require real power and effec- against women was also emphasized. While having more tive participation to move the democracy agenda forward. women in the executive, legislative, and judicial branches Yet world statistics indicate that women are still a minor- of government is good for shattering stereotypes of gen- ity in national legislatures with percentages as low as six der roles, Asma Khader argued, there is a need to ensure percent in the Middle East. She argued that democratic that in these positions they represent women’s needs. principles should extend not only to the public sphere, but Miria Matembe, a Ugandan parliamentarian and also to the private sphere and the daily life of all women. former cabinet minister who serves in the Pan Africa Women are the driving force for change in society, and Parliament, shared her experience as an African woman when they are elected to decision-making positions politician and legislator for the past 18 years. She directly or through affirmative action, and in large num- explained how her roots as a women’s rights activist bers, they will cause positive change to happen. The had prepared her for a political career that has spanned

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nearly two decades. She stated that inequality and dis- used to mobilize action to end such impunity. In 1993, the crimination against women was evident in the political groups engaged in public mobilization, but were ignored arena where some male counterparts felt threatened by by elected officials for nearly five years. The human women politicians who did not conform to stereotypes rights community picked up on the initiative and took it of submissiveness. Ms. Matembe said she was able to first to the ombudsman, and in 2000 the case was raised meet the challenges of her role because she had a clear at the United Nations and attracted international atten- mission and goal for gender equality and empowerment. tion. In 2002, the issue was mainstreamed by a coalition She is proud of her achievements during her political of civil society groups and allies in government as a career, which included drafting and passing a gender- human rights issue. A national commission was appoint- sensitive constitution for Uganda in the mid-‘90s, but ed and the issue became a rallying point for activists and she regretted the inability to translate the constitutional the families of the murdered women. The report from the provisions into laws that promote and protect the rights investigation described most of the deaths as domestic of women in spite of her unwavering fight in Parliament. violence crimes, however, thus reducing their significance She attributed this failure to a lack of political will on the as human rights violations. Therefore, the root causes of part of the government and the failure of women who the problem were never addressed by the investigation. benefited from a quota system to stand up for women’s Mahnaz Afkhami addressed women’s democratic par- rights when they became legislators. ticipation from the perspective of culture. She observed In his remarks, Larry Diamond emphasized the impor- that women’s status around the world has its roots in tance of having a significant proportion of women in history, not culture, and historically the role and status parliaments and that women legislators be empowered assigned to women have been remarkably similar until to work independently by representing their constituents’ relatively recently; nowhere in the world could women interests rather than those of party leaders. He said choose to work in education, train for a job, get a job, it was crucial to design electoral systems so that they get paid equally, marry, have children, get a divorce, own facilitate and guarantee the election of a minimum per- property, or travel of their own free choice. Until the end centage of women, and that a critical mass of women is of the 19th Century, nowhere in the world did women needed at all levels of governance, from local to national. have the right to vote or hold elected office. From China He argued that women will be empowered to work for to Ecuador, patriarchy was the basic foundational struc- other women if they are chosen by their constituents ture for human relationships, and that structure was rather than by male party leaders. He also observed based on the idea that men and women are different by that women get elected in bigger numbers in propor- nature and that women must therefore play roles that tional representation systems. He referred to a study by are complementary to men. Given this assumption of Harvard scholar Pippa Norris that shows that in majority unequal and complementary gender roles, the system election systems women MPs hold 8.5 percent of parlia- was quite rational and based logically on the division mentary seats on average, while in proportional repre- of roles. The patriarchal structure was reinforced by sentation systems they hold 15.4 percent. Dr. Diamond religion, myth, literature, and political and economic also highlighted the importance of designing party lists institutions. According to Ms. Afkhami, therefore, to of leaders to ensure that women are fairly represented, bring about full and equal participation of women, in and argued that open or partially open lists allow voters all decision making affecting their lives and the lives to choose women candidates in party elections. He also of their communities and societies, requires a complex spoke about the importance of raising consciousness and multifaceted reworking of all aspects, socio-politi- and confidence among women, as well as political train- cal, economic, and cultural. She argued that over time ing and assistance as essential elements in increasing scientific progress has reshaped roles of individuals, women’s political participation. families, and communities, and a new, equally rational, Mariclaire Acosta addressed the issue of raising system must be designed to address economic and politi- women’s voices and concerns effectively. She presented cal matters so that it is responsive to community needs. a case study of the women of Ciudad Juarez, a Mexican Societies need to develop a shared vision in the struggle town on the Mexican/U.S. border in which over 300 young for change, applying the best minds in all fields, and this women were violently murdered. One hundred of the requires partnerships across various organizations con- women had been sexually violated in serial murders, cerned with social justice issues. Ms. Afkhami stated but the crimes were not given serious attention by the that the task is possible because modern information police or the government for a decade. The victims were technologies make communication easier and network- assumed to be involved in prostitution and the murderers ing is therefore possible to build solidarity and work for went free because of prejudices in the community against change. There is also a new consciousness that women women who were economically empowered by an indus- should be involved in decision making, and the struggle trial boom in the city in the 1990s. Ms. Acosta discussed for change is also facilitated by the involvement of schol- the strategies that women’s groups and civil society ars and activists working together. Advancing Democracy: Justice, Pluralism, and Participation Pluralism, Justice, Democracy: Advancing

26 World Movement for Democracy | Istanbul, Turkey, April 2–5, 2006 Justice, Pluralism, and Participation

Recommendations: • Women’s rights are human rights, and they must be • Civil society provides a solid base for nurturing guaranteed and protected for women to be contribu- women political leaders. tors to development in their societies. Justice sys- • Women leaders must be equipped with knowledge tems should be overhauled to end impunity in cases of to take up the challenges of political leadership and violation of women’s rights. decision making. • Governments should be mobilized to provide real • Affirmative action and quotas for women leaders is solutions to women’s problems, rather than leaving important, but they should be designed to empower them to the market to solve; this can be done through women to act independently of male political leaders. the provision of social security nets to address some of the root causes for violence against women. • Women leaders should have clearly defined missions and goals. • Women’s issues are issues of the whole society; they are broad and deep and concern matters of justice, • Electoral systems can and should be designed to development, class, globalization, institutional devel- promote women’s effective participation at all levels. opment, culture, human rights, equity, and equality. • Open party primary elections enable more women to • Scientific progress has reshaped the roles of individ- participate as party candidates and mobilize women uals, families, and communities, and an equally ratio- to support authentic voices. nal social justice system should be designed for pro- • Proportional representation with open or partially gressive economic and political change. This requires open lists and moderately sized electoral districts give the best minds in all fields of human endeavor. women a better chance of participation. • There is a new consciousness of the need for wom- • Innovation of systems like the “single transferable en’s participation in the private and public spheres, vote” in Ireland support women’s participation. and change can be mobilized by scholars and activ- • Women need training and resources to participate ists working together. meaningfully.

Panel Discussion on “Perspectives on Democratization in Turkey”

Organizers: Moderator: Presenters: Turkish Economic and Social Studies Etyen Mahçupyan – Turkey Selma Acuner – Turkey Foundation (TESEV) Rapporteur: Ayhan Bilgen – Turkey Helsinki Citizens Assembly, Turkey Derya Demirler – Turkey Ümit Cizre – Turkey Murat Çelikkan – Turkey Arus Yumul – Turkey Bettina Luise Ruerup – Germany Michel Nawfal – Lebanon

This panel discussion began with a short evaluation by that must be met to mainstream the gender perspective AdvancingDemocracy: Justice, Pluralism, Participationand Etyen Mahçupyan of trends in the conceptualization of in Turkey. She emphasized that while the government democracy in Turkey. His main theme was that the very took significant steps towards fulfilling the Copenhagen existence of different ways of understanding democracy criteria by enacting a series of reforms, the democratiza- in Turkey contrasts with a narrow approach that focuses tion process will only be able to survive if the reforms are only on voting, since a more comprehensive understand- realized and the involvement of civil society in democra- ing includes the redefinition of identity and embraces tization efforts is encouraged. The women’s movement in human rights. Turkey illustrates one of the good practices of civil soci- The panel presenters included experts on different ety involvement, particularly concerning the law-making, problem areas of democratization in Turkey, such as and EU-accession processes. During the process of women’s issues, human rights, the security sector, and reforming the Civil and Penal Codes, the women’s move- minorities, as well as two speakers from outside Turkey ment achieved a voice for their demands, but, in addi- who presented their views on the Turkish experience in tion to other matters, such as violence against women, democratization. poverty, illiteracy, inadequate access to health services, Selma Acuner spoke about the women’s movement etc., the fulfillment of those demands will take a long time and its relations with the state. As she presented the and will thus remain on the women’s movement agenda. status of women in Turkey, many challenges emerged Although the women’s movement demonstrated involve-

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ment of civil society in the democratization process, the by the processes of reform and EU accession, but there response of the state is far from meeting the needs and are many things that need to be done for consolidation of demands of women. democracy to be successful. The most important steps Ayhan Bilgen criticized the democratization process are to guarantee accountability and transparency. The in Turkey, and called the result “so-called” democracy. media and Parliament have the potential of being the He claimed that threat perception has served as the leading entities for facilitating the process for normaliz- framework for the democratization vision, and that there ing civil-military relations. are many structural problems inhibiting the process. As Arus Yumul began her presentation with a critique of recent incidents in Diyarbakir and Batman in southeast- the entrenched understanding of the nation-state. The ern Turkey and the case of S¸emdinli, in which a bombing foundation of the Turkish Republic rests on efforts to incident reportedly demonstrated the involvement of the homogenize the people and create the nation, but efforts state apparatus in violent incidents, have vividly demon- to create a homogenous nation have led to discrimina- strated, a disconcerting atmosphere of fear, distrust, and tory behaviors towards non-Muslim and Muslim minori- despair remains. Exactly who is perceived to be a threat ties. According to Ms. Yumul, the alternative way to pur- is constantly changing, sometimes being Muslims (which sue democratization in Turkey should be based upon a is publicly visible in the headscarf controversy), some- comprehensive understanding of the idea and practices times being Kurds, and sometimes being non-Muslim of citizenship. minorities. He identified the threat perception framework The two speakers from outside Turkey, Bettina Luise- as the main obstacle to the consolidation of democracy Ruerap and Michel Nawal, emphasized the experience in Turkey. of democratization in Turkey as a good example of civil Ümit Cizre identified the mother of all problems con- society involvement in law- and policy-making process- cerning democratization in Turkey as the role of the es. As Mr. Nawal said, the EU-accession process has military in politics. According to Mr. Cizre, the military contributed to democratization in Turkey, and has helped in Turkey sees itself as the main establishment respon- make the country an example for transitional countries in sible for protecting the regime. The role of the military the Middle East. in determining the political agenda has been weakened

Topical Workshops How to Incorporate Minorities and Indigenous Peoples in Multi- Ethnic, Religiously Diverse Societies?

Organizers: Moderator: Presenters: Centre for Organization Research Anna Pinto – India Liljana Popovska – Macedonia and Education – India Rapporteur: Raul Gangotena – Ecuador Julie Anne Boudreaux – Poland Mahmut Ortakaya – Turkey Laith Kubba – Iraq

A working definition of “minority” was agreed upon for strengthening the civic capacity of the society and the purposes of discussion: “A minority is any group that increasing the cohesion of the country; one works is excluded.” It is thus not just a matter of numbers. The as a citizen, not as a member of a particular ethnic discussion began with the recognition that minorities can group. It is important to take a step-by-step approach, strengthen a democracy and consideration of the ways making allies, not enemies. in which they can do so. • One framework for indigenous inclusion that has worked well in Ecuador takes a hierarchical Key issues: approach. Indigenous groups first strive for political • The example of working with women and the dis- equality (full participation, representation in important abled in Macedonia shows that there are many decision-making institutions, influence on power and benefits to working together on issues of importance adoption of public policies that address appropriate across ethnic and religious divisions, including being concerns). This political equality is a prerequisite able to attain a critical mass when pressing on an for social-economic parity. But this approach was issue. Including all the minority groups of a country questioned by a participant from Iraq who empha- in an issue campaign increases democracy because sized the possibility of a parallel approach; perhaps a all groups are incorporated in the movement, thereby Advancing Democracy: Justice, Pluralism, and Participation Pluralism, Justice, Democracy: Advancing

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group need not achieve all earlier stages of inclusion end with support for democracy and its open space. in order to achieve a higher one. There is also the • Affirmative action and quotas for ethnic minorities possibility of reversal (that is, the danger of slipping was a controversial subject. The discussion looked at back). Part of the strategy adopted by the indigenous how a quota system can be used to increase political of Ecuador involved the creation of indigenous corpo- participation. On the one hand, it is an initial step that rations of their own to give them economic parity. stimulates participation, but on the other hand, it can • Social inclusion requires a degree of maturity on also be used to reinforce differences. It can certainly the part of the dominant group and awareness on the serve as a temporary instrument or tool whose use- part of the excluded group of its own responsibilities fulness depends on each country, case, and subject. and duties. Inclusion is thus a two-sided matter and Sometimes it can be used to force inclusion, but does may require concessions on both sides in the areas mere physical inclusion actually translate into true of rights, assets, opportunities, and access. This was representation of a discriminated group? And is this highlighted in the Ecuador case and reiterated in the really effective? One opinion is that it worked well for case of Kurds in Turkey. women’s issues and is quite transferable to the situa- • The non-violent approach has been effective in tion of minorities. Quotas make change happen more Ecuador where indigenous people have undertaken a quickly, and such a “corrective action arrangement” peaceful movement that in turn reduced discrimina- has worked well, for instance, in South Africa. tion. This strategy of non-violence, while an aim of • Federalism was also suggested as a possible way of the Kurdish movement, has been less successful in addressing the needs and rights of minorities. The con- Turkey and neighboring states where democracy has cept of democratic federalism and the various forms surrendered to arms as a result of forced integration. it might take were discussed (including the examples • A broad band of society needs to be involved in of India, South Africa, Iraq, and Turkey). There was no minority-rights movements. Responsibility lies on both consensus on this strategy, since it does not effectively sides, with each having an obligation to become civi- address the issue of very small minorities, and there is cally involved. a need to find effective means of giving them a voice; even the smallest groups must be recognized in a • The Iraqi presenter pointed out how special inter- democracy. How can one give their interests a hearing est groups operated, acting in reactive rather than without being reduced to “tokenism”? proactive modes. A successful strategy mandated the creation of shared space. NGOs should be inclusive, In conclusion, the participants agreed that in a rather than exclusive, and should put function above democracy diversity is the rule not the exception. No identity and integration above segregation. For exam- matter how small, minorities do not speak with one voice ple, a center in London providing services for women any more than a majority speaks with one voice. A way of various backgrounds emphasized their needs, not must be found for all voices to be heard, while at the their ethnic identities, and thus reduced their isolation. same time there must be a realistic functional process. There is much energy in marginalized groups that can We thus need a system that is effective and fair, even if drive NGOs. One can begin with needs, but should not perfect. The discussion must be anchored in realism. AdvancingDemocracy: Justice, Pluralism, Participationand

From left to right, the Mayor of Istanbul, Kadir Topbas¸, Can Paker, chairman of TESEV, and Carl Gershman, president of NED (secretariat of the World Movement), at the Cultural Evening and Dinner for participants hosted by the Mayor.

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Civic Experiences in Post-Conflict Reconciliation

Organizers: Moderator: Presenters: Helsinki Citizens Assembly, Turkey Ayo Obe – Nigeria Christophe Solioz – Switzerland African Democracy Forum Rapporteur: Ayse Betul Celik – Turkey Can Sezer – Turkey Alexandra Nerisanu – Romania Dismas Kitenge – Democratic Republic of Congo

This workshop focused on sharing the post-conflict expe- up initiatives. Another was the local ownership of the riences of civic initiatives in different localities, ranging causes of conflict; both the victims and the perpetrators from region-wide conflict in the Balkans to country-level should voice their experiences because they are the conflict in Turkey, to the post-civil war experience in the ones who have the most accurate knowledge of the Democratic Republic of Congo. The presentations and causes of conflict. The third tenet is addressing the discussion revealed both the unique circumstances of root causes of the conflict, which introduces the time each post-conflict situation and the common need to find element and thus a more holistic portrayal of it; how far a more or less unified, coherent methodology for achiev- back into history should the reconciliation process delve ing reconciliation in such situations. to address the injustice? In the case of East Timor, the Having worked extensively on former-Yugoslavian time element could cover injustices from the Indonesian countries over the past 15 years, Christophe Solioz ques- occupation to Portugese colonialism. tioned the compatibility of international NGOs and local Dismas Kitenge shared the experience of the truth civil society initiatives. These two kinds of initiatives, and reconciliation commission following the five-year while often bearing fruit, do not necessarily complement war in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The goal of each other. International NGOs, which usually pursue the commission was to bring all sides in the conflict a methodology of building governmental capabilities, to the discussion table. However, the discussion was simply cannot address the need for region-wide post- constrained because the transition authority formed conflict reconciliation, which can only begin when the in Congo rested on vesting political authority in the process takes account of the continuity of problems (that warlords of the conflict themselves. The problematic is, both pre- and post-conflict). What has been missing issue of bringing both perpetrators and victims to the from region-wide reconciliation processes in the former table was one of the most thoroughly discussed issues in Yugoslavia and other conflict zones is developing local the workshop. ownership of the issues and regional partnerships in reconciliation efforts. Without ensuring sustained local own- Challenges and Recommendations: ership, outside help cannot sustain a local civil society. Among the questions for discussion was, how many Ayse Betul Celik presented the Kurdish question in limited resources can a transitional government expend terms of a post-conflict environment; while analytical on the rehabilitation of victims and combatants from a work on the issue of conflict resolution strictly separates conflict? This is an especially crucial problem in envi- conflict and post-conflict environments, the transition ronments where both combatants and victims return to from violence to peace has not been clear cut. Classified the same communities. It was agreed that international as post-conflict, the Kurdish problem has frequently tribunals are too expensive and time consuming and turned into a cycle of peace and escalating violence. do not serve the immediate needs of victims, be they As in other conflict zones, issues specific to the Kurdish rape victims or peasants returning to their fields, who question have perpetuated the escalation of violence, try to adjust back into normal routines. Considering the but the major issue has to do with parliamentary scarcity of resources, the primary expense should be representation. With a threshold of 10 percent of the rehabilitation. national vote to attain representation, thus limiting the A question emerged as to how to manage “spoilers” representation of Kurds, the issues of the conflict cannot (i.e., perpetrators who may have joined a high echelon be sufficiently taken up at the parliamentary level. of government bureaucracy), while bringing both the However, without a “personal voice” at the local level, victims and the perpetrators to the discussion table? even such parliamentary representation cannot by itself This, for instance, was one of the primary issues faced address the fundamental problem. by the truth and reconciliation commission in Congo. Alexandra Nerisanu focused on common issues and Addressing this question requires listening to people, reconciliation methods with specific reference to East especially victims; the dialogue between a mediator and Timor. Among the three leading tenets of reconciliation victims usually indicates who to include and exclude was an integrated strategy with top-down and bottom- from the table. Advancing Democracy: Justice, Pluralism, and Participation Pluralism, Justice, Democracy: Advancing

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Another question arose from thinking about the generally unrealized) of civil society organizations (CSOs) Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the mistrust it entails. as region-wide actors in post-conflict reconciliation, Given the high level of mistrust, the two sides do not as opposed to national actors. Such CSOs possess the consider a dialogue, but depend on unilateral moves advantage of being able to work across different spheres and withdrawals, actions that are perpetrated without of activity, binding together both the social and the dialogue. Though constrained by mistrust, however, such political. If the expertise and knowledge of international dialogue might be initiated by those willing to take part NGOs could be transferred to local grassroots NGOs, and contribute until that mistrust is overcome. the latter might facilitate local ownership, which could Finally, the workshop participants discussed the further the development of local civil society. problem of local ownership and the potential (thus far

Political Engagement of Youth: What Works?

Organizers: Moderator: Presenters: World Youth Movement for Ryota Jonen – Japan Serdar Degirmencioglu – Turkey Democracy Rapporteur: Andrey Yurov – Russia Andrea des Marais – U.S. Polina Konovalova – Ukraine

This workshop examined the major challenges faced in in some countries, as it is strongly associated with bringing youth into democracy and human rights move- corruption and deception. In many countries, violent ments and instilling democratic values in the next gen- secessionist or extremist groups, corrupt govern- eration. It considered new methodologies for engaging ments, or the military offer more money, power, and youth more effectively. privilege to young people than do peace and democracy movements. Challenges: • Generational divide – Irrationality, short-sighted- • Lack of democratic spaces and experiences – Even ness, naiveté, and political apathy, traits intensified when a country’s schools include the concepts of by political exclusion, are frequently seen as natural democracy in their curricula, young people rarely, if characteristics of youth. This perception leaves ever, experience democracy. Many modern cities, many older activists and professionals unwilling to in which increasingly large percentages of popula- work closely with young people, and those who do tions are concentrated, lack true public spaces where often see the relationship as one-way: teaching val- diverse young people can gather and exchange ideas. ues to youth rather than engaging in dialogue. Such Many societies have lost the traditional spaces and attitudes are a major barrier to the sustainability of structures in which young people used to interact democracy movements; the younger generation very with each other and with community leaders, devel- much needs the wisdom and mentorship of experi- oping their sense of community and social respon- enced activists to develop their own skills and con- sibility. Furthermore, most of the institutions that sciousness, and established activists need the fresh children experience, such as school and family, are AdvancingDemocracy: Justice, Pluralism, Participationand perspectives of youth to adapt their movements to not democratic. Standard education in most countries new realities. focuses more on technical skills than critical thought. Exclusion has made many youth into consumers of • Social divisions – Though it is often easier to pop culture, goods, and ideas rather than producers, access and organize children and youth enrolled in that is, into objects rather than subjects. formal education, it is crucial to reach out to those outside of these institutions as well. Socially and eco- • Aversion to “politics” – For a variety of reasons, nomically excluded youth can be a great obstacle or many young people reject politics and activism. Many great asset in citizen movements, depending on their prioritize financial security and/or personal gain over opportunities and incentives. social or civic responsibility. Some young people do participate in activism or student government, yet do so to develop their own careers rather than Recommended Methodologies: to improve their communities. Other young people Working with young people requires focus on the para- do not participate in activism at all because it does digms of today’s youth. Experienced activists cannot not offer the promise of high salaries or prestige and expect the younger generation to be motivated by the might even result in blacklisting or exclusion from same concerns that motivated them when they were government positions. The very word “politics” is dirty young, or see the priorities and meaning of political

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action in the same way. The workshop explored ways to Such methodologies are useful even with younger create spaces and incentives for youth to set their own children who might not yet have the capacity to under- priorities and develop their own agency. stand abstract concepts such as human rights, but can Serdar Degirmencioglu of Turkey presented the Public internalize democratic values by practicing them. Some Achievement model used in his work, which builds civil participants also noted that such programs teach young consciousness in young people by stimulating them to people to be politically active without “politics,” which draw connections between their personal concerns and can be useful where participation in politics is unpopular. larger issues in their countries and set their own priori- However, others noted that extremist movements are ties for taking action. It then provides them with the skills very successful in recruiting young people for explicitly and opportunity to design and execute their own commu- political aims, and peace movements should not be afraid nity service projects: of being political. The real trick is to provide the proper • Youth participants identify real-life issues and con- skills, knowledge, and incentives for young people to use cerns that are important to them. democratic means to achieve their goals. • Volunteers form teams around the selected issues. Suggested Activities: • With guidance from a college student or adult • Contests (essays, flash animation, art, etc.) attract coach, the teams meet regularly to design non-violent, youth with the promise of a prize and recognition, legal projects towards a common good. while stimulating them to reflect on democracy issues. The contest entries, designed by youth, may be more • The coach facilitates the group dynamic and helps engaging for other youth than adult-designed materials. the young people develop the social and public skills they need to implement their project. • Community service—when voluntary, not forced— develops concepts of civic responsibility and com- • The teams execute their projects. munity engagement, particularly among younger Other participants described similar projects that children. empower youth and develop their civic consciousness • Developing groups of young professionals to com- by stimulating discussion on the linkages between per- bine career development assistance with broader sonal and public concerns, encouraging youth to identify discussions of the role of young people as members issues important to them, and providing opportunities of society. for young people to take action on the issues that they determine to be important. • Youth parliaments give young people space to In addition to building skills for political action, group debate policy and opportunities to directly engage work among diverse young people can stimulate their with official parliaments. concern for the problems of others, respect for diverse • Democracy fairs can provide young people with opinions, and ability to find common ground – necessary opportunities to express their feelings about issues skills for the citizens of functional democracies. Such and rights through dance, art, poetry, or other diverse solidarity may be built more easily at the local level, forms. where common ground is more obvious.

Barriers and Breakthroughs: Using Technology to Empower Women’s Participation

Organizers: Moderators: Presenters: Kabissa - Space for Change Rakhee Goyal – U.S. Lina Quorah – Jordan in Africa – U.S. Liz Trautman – U.S. Sakena Yacoobi – Afghanistan Women’s Learning Partnership Rapporteur: Sindi Medar Gould – Nigeria – U.S. Liz Trautman – U.S. Amina Lemrini – Morocco

Challenges: ity to use technology, and socio-cultural factors, among Access to technology entails far more than just having others. technological equipment or tools; real access depends However, women face additional challenges in gain- on a variety of factors to ensure people are truly able to ing real access to technology: use technology effectively to improve their lives. Any • They have less disposable income and are thus less technology strategy or initiative must address questions able to afford the relatively high cost of technology tools. of cost, availability of local and relevant content, capac- Advancing Democracy: Justice, Pluralism, and Participation Pluralism, Justice, Democracy: Advancing

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• Most Internet content is not created by or for Recommendations: women, and is often not available in local languages. The workshop participants shared technology strategies • Women are too often excluded around the world and solutions for supporting women in democracy work, from formal education, including formal computer particularly in campaigns to promote women’s political education and training. participation. They devised culturally-appropriate technology solutions, which include: • Many technology training workshops do not consider the needs of women who are single heads • Develop a campaign song and popularize it through of households or who cannot take time off work to the radio, make it a ring tone for cell phones, and sing attend them. it at support rallies. • Finding electronic content in local languages is chal- • Record campaign messages onto cassette tapes, lenging, particularly when non-Roman characters play them on public transportation, and distribute are used in writing. To create a Web site of Arabic them widely in rural areas where radios and cassette resources for women in Jordan, for example, develop- players are widely available. ers struggled to find technology tools that supported • Record messages from national celebrities and Arabic script, and had to begin by “Arabizing” soft- make them available on a Web site, through podcasts, ware to read right to left. (There are now more soft- and as voicemail messages. ware options available in local languages and charac- • Print symbols and candidates photos on flyers for ters, making Web content more accessible to women.) distribution to illiterate populations. These are just a few of the barriers women face in • Raise funds nationally and from diasporas through accessing technology, but women’s organizations around donation links on campaign Web sites. the world are finding creative solutions to improve access and empower women. • Develop a simple campaign message that can be shared through an e-mail network of friends, families, Observations: and supporters and posted as campaign banners and • In Afghanistan, women’s centers are being set up in “pop-up” windows on other Web sites. provinces across the country to provide safe spaces • Print and distribute posters with campaign mes- where women and girls can access computers, the sages, Web site and e-mail addresses, and toll-free Internet, and receive training. This enables them to telephone numbers (“hotlines”) so supporters can find better paying jobs, instills confidence, and cre- share their views with candidates. ates a network of women with shared experiences. In • Use mobile drama performances and cinema to addition, women can stay in contact with their fami- reach youth and illiterate populations. lies around the world who help support them through remittances. E-mail networking was an important factor in mobilizing women to vote in the recent elec- Outcomes: tions. Two of the workshop participants planned to employ these strategies in their campaigns. In Haiti, the second • E-mail facilitates solidarity among experts across round of legislative elections was to take place less borders, enabling information sharing on important or than three weeks after the Istanbul Assembly. The par- urgent campaigns. For example, in Liberia, during the ticipants’ organization, which was seeking to have 16 elections, cell phones played a critical role in help- women elected to the Senate and Chamber of Deputies, AdvancingDemocracy: Justice, Pluralism, Participationand ing the Minister of Women’s Affairs access e-mail: had focused the ICT strategy of their campaign on whenever the electricity generator failed, she would developing a Web site that was incomplete for lack of call partners in Nigeria who accessed her important resources. After the workshop, the organization planned e-mails and read them to her. to use several of the solutions recommended above to • “Technology” does not only mean the Internet and raise the profile of women candidates both in Haiti and in computer technology; in Nigeria, women record cas- the diaspora. sette tapes with information about important gender In Kenya, another participant’s organization is working issues and meet up to listen to them. to raise awareness of women candidates for a parlia- • In the Middle East, women were hungry for comput- mentary election using a three-pronged media approach: er training and skills, yet couldn’t easily travel to train- candidate profiles will be available on television, radio, ings because of a variety of restrictions. Distance and a Web site. learning courses provided a solution for one group of Middle Eastern women. Such courses are provided online and via e-mail, with regular assignments, dead- lines, and group discussions.

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The Role of Decentralization and Local Governance in Democratic Consolidation

Organizers: Moderator: Presenters: Global Network on Local George Mathew – India Ruben Fernandez – Colombia Governance Rapporteurs: Rama Naidu – South Africa Turkish Economic and Social Studies Meltem Aslan – Turkey Fikret Toksoz – Turkey Foundation (TESEV) – Turkey Ash Narain Roy – India

A diverse group of some 40 people representing more still around 60 percent, and the unmet expectations to than 20 countries expressed equal degrees of skepticism reduce poverty through decentralization have led to frus- and confidence about the virtues of decentralization and tration about the whole process. Decentralization cannot local governance for democratic consolidation. Despite solve the problem of poverty by itself. the diverse views, there was a shared level of enthusiasm about the issue and a keen interest in learning from Challenges: each other’s experiences. • It is almost impossible to delineate clearly the areas After brief introductions, the moderator provided an of responsibility among levels of government. The overall framework by emphasizing the idea that decen- central state finds it very hard to delineate the powers tralization means giving power to the people. In this of the municipalities. context, decentralization is not delegating power that • Systems can sometimes create forgotten areas. can later be withdrawn, but real, permanent devolution Many municipalities may not be financially viable of power. He framed the central question as whether enough to deliver necessary services to citizens. the people (all people everywhere, even in remote areas) • Local government entities face the threat of capture have power. by illegal armed groups; i.e., what if the devolved The three workshop presenters shared their experi- power goes to the wrong people? ence with decentralization emphasizing the significance of establishing a normative framework upfront: legal • There is often a lack of enough participation by and constitutional reforms setting up the political and women. administrative mechanisms that allow for participation • There is often a lack of capacity and skills. is the first important step. In each country such reforms • Marginal groups have often been excluded, and there may have been driven by different internal and external has not been enough space for indigenous people. forces, which inevitably lead to emphasis on different aspects of decentralization. Given South Africa’s con- • Sometimes there is subversion of the process of text of having emerged from apartheid, for example, the public participation because while constitutions need to untangle the web of a racist regime led to the lay out the mechanisms, they often remain only on establishment of three very distinct levels of government: paper. People often do not have access to informa- national, provincial and local. Each level has its distinct tion enabling them to participate, and they thus feel set of powers thus leaving no ambivalence about the role disempowered. of local government. Public participation and hearing the • Local leaders are usually associated with a political voices of the people was a top priority. The roles of gov- party, which often creates an issue of trust (or lack ernment on different levels are not as clearly defined in thereof) and prevents broad-based participation. every country and this poses one of the major challenges. Many of the above challenges can be summed up in In Turkey, powers were delegated to the local authori- the “5F” framework that the moderator introduced during ties at different points in history only to be gradually the session: taken back. Recent reforms therefore emphasize the need to make local governments share power with the • Functions – Are enough functions provided? Are the people and empower the people to be active participants functions fundamental, effective, and important? in the decentralization process. The challenge in Turkey • Funds – Are enough funds provided? How much tax is how to overcome years of repressive attitudes toward revenue can be collected locally? Is there a budget civil society organizations and get them to truly partici- from the next higher level of government? pate in meaningful ways. • Functionaries – Are there enough people to imple- Perhaps there was too much expectation from the ment decentralization? decentralization process in Colombia, especially in the area of alleviating poverty. In fact, the poverty level is • Freedom – Are local governments given enough Advancing Democracy: Justice, Pluralism, and Participation Pluralism, Justice, Democracy: Advancing

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authority or is everything directed from above? • When outside experts arrive, there has to be a clear- • Follow-up – Are the efforts continuous? Is there ly written transfer of skills and a clear way of passing follow-up to monitor implementation? on what has been learned. • Cooperation among local governments is also criti- Recommendations: cal. They have to find ways and means to cooperate • In devolving power, the community itself must be on service delivery. involved in establishing its priorities. Outside consul- • Civil society has to get beyond criticism and protest tants create unrealistic expectations. and become a real partner with local government. • There must be genuine political will to devolve power. • Participatory structures that are close to the inte- • A clear delineation of roles and responsibilities rests of the people need to be built. among different levels (i.e. central, provincial, local) is • Inclusion of excluded communities (minorities, indi- needed. These have to be written into the constitution. genous people, etc.) in decision making is critical. • A normative framework has to be established • Inclusion of women is critical. In some cases (for upfront. A “body” must be created to serve as a for- example, in Ecuador), women have proven to be more mal mechanism for participation. trustworthy in councils. Quotas are one way of ensu- • Civil society must create space for creativity and ring women’s participation. A conference should be diversity. The role of civil society is to open up public held specifically on women and local governance. space, but once voices are heard, the people want to During the decentralization process, which can take see things happen—schools being built, health cen- years and is full of challenges, there is also a tendency ters being opened, etc. by the center to revert to old ways and take back the • There is no “waiting period” or “preparation stage” powers that have been given to local government and for decentralization. One must take the plunge and the people. So a central question becomes how to make learn how to swim. sure such powers are not, in fact, taken back? There is no easy answer, but the moderator drew the participants’ • For local governments to be truly effective the center attention to the point that the people have to claim their has to change its attitude about tutelage and shift to right to decentralization. They have to fight for it through partnership and a true sharing of power. unions, associations, active participation, etc. The road • Communities have to be given information that is to decentralization that will empower the people should relevant and meaningful to the people. be a rights-based approach. AdvancingDemocracy: Justice, Pluralism, Participationand

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Women and the Challenge of Democratic Transition

Organizer: Rapporteur: Oksana Holovach – Ukraine International Republican Institute Christopher Sands – U.S. Winifred Masiko – Uganda (IRI) – U.S. Presenters: Narmin Othman – Iraq Moderator: Sabah Chraibi-Bennouna – Morocco Lenka Surotchak – Slovakia Judy Van Rest – U.S. Cyd Ho – China

Challenges: enterprises remain the main entry point for women in There are particular challenges for women in demo- the economy, and entrepreneurial skills are critical for cratic transitions. There is the problem of skills not- all members of society. Women should be included in yet-acquired by women who are confronted with the the effort to provide business education. opportunities and challenges that come with democracy. Literacy was raised in the workshop discussion as There is also the problem, however, that some men a critical problem impeding women’s participation see the rise of women in politics and civil society as a in politics and the economy. Education reforms to manifestation of discomfiting change and see women as ensure women have this most basic skill—to reduce threatening rather than as partners. Just as important, any gaps in the quality of education for boys and talented women face the same challenges as men in girls—is therefore vital. In addition, where education learning to make democracy work, and these challenges has improved for today’s students, the generation of need to be addressed by men and women together: weak women who did not have educational opportunities infrastructure, underdeveloped institutions, and the lure merits special outreach from parties, candidates, and of opportunities outside politics. governments. It was suggested that radio can serve as a crucial information resource for such women Recommendations: in some societies, and civic education via radio and • Women must have training to master new roles. television may be an effective response. Computer Women elected to office need support to learn their literacy is just as important in today’s world, and for roles: how to be effective in the legislature; how to be business or political life basic computer skills should effective in constituent services; and how to be effec- be taught to students and older women. Access to tive in building coalitions of support within parties the Internet is also of great importance, but the skills and bridging to civil society. Parties often lack the in using it once access has been gained should be resources to provide training in these areas, and insti- developed on a parallel track. This is something that tutions do too little to orient new office holders to their NGOs in particular should take care to build into the jobs. NGOs can help fill this gap by providing training design of training curricula for women. with special emphasis on helping women to overcome the experiential knowledge gap with male office hold- • Quotas can work if designed carefully, but women ers who know the system better. However, this is at must be prepared. The role of quotas was discussed best a temporary solution; parties need assistance at length, with many participants supporting quotas in during democratic transitions to develop an internal, the initial stage of a democratic transition to prove the self-sustaining training capability to assist men and concept that women can be effective leaders to an women to master these skills. electorate that has never experienced female leadership. In fact, it was argued, quotas can serve as an In addition, voter education for women should be a indicator of probable success to encourage women to priority in democratic transitions. The goal of such come forward as candidates. Otherwise, women who education must be more than just to encourage par- are not activists might be reluctant to run. ticipation, but to teach women about citizen rights and responsibilities as well. Two recommendations concerning quotas received broad agreement from the workshop participants. • Women must succeed in the economy as well as in First, they agreed that the quality of women can- politics. The role of women in the economy is critical. didates and officeholders is more important over In some places (for example, Hong Kong, Ukraine), the time than quantity. Women must not take the votes civil service has been willing to adopt gender provi- of women for granted or seek only to fill the role of sions, and this has created economic opportunities tokens. Second, they agreed that winning office is for women, as well as opportunities for visible public just a first step, and that articulating a well-devel- leadership. Large firms should thus be pressured oped policy agenda that reflects what women want, to have women on their boards of directors and in why they want it, and how it would be achieved is senior management; yet small- and medium-sized essential. Quotas that bring women to office who Advancing Democracy: Justice, Pluralism, and Participation Pluralism, Justice, Democracy: Advancing

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have no developed policy proposals merely reinforce various roles can be attenuated by the emergence of the notion that women are less effective as repre- a more diverse set of agendas brought to the table sentatives than men. Still, when quotas are carefully by women who gain experience in their own right. In designed, and women who take office are well-pre- Uganda, for instance, women parliamentarians fell pared, citizen acceptance of, and even demand for, into fighting, which hurt women candidates in the women in political and governance roles can and will next election. A multiparty women’s parliamentary increase, as was the case in India. caucus, which was created in Kosovo, was suggested • Solidarity among women in politics is critical. as one way to counter this. International networks However, it cannot be assumed that solidarity among can provide additional support and can help women women will endure because it can also erode as a legislators or NGO leaders recover solidarity by draw- transition unfolds. The bonds formed by those women ing lessons from the experiences of other women like who first break through barriers to participation in themselves.

Best Practices in Nongovernmental Governance

Organizers: Moderators: Rapporteur: African Democracy Forum Ayesha Imam – Nigeria Ayesha Imam – Nigeria European Center for Not-for-Profit Nilda Bullain – Hungary Law – Hungary

After choosing four key issues on which to focus, the Values, Vision, Mission, and Strategic Planning group agreed that good governance characteristics are • Sharing values is fundamental; therefore, NGOs ideal principles that must be adapted by and embodied in should ensure that people who are involved—staff, vol- different NGOs given diverse mandates, sizes, missions, unteers, board members, etc.—share the same values. and stages of development, as well as political, econom- • NGOs should develop documents that state clearly ic, and social contexts, etc. Accordingly, there cannot their values, vision, and mission, as well as admin- be a single model of good governance for NGOs that all istrative procedure, etc. These should be used and must aspire to copy. Rather, there is a need to address referred to consistently, including in the orientation of principles and share concrete, possible best practices. new staff, board members, or volunteers. Recommendations: • The practices of an NGO should clearly embody its Adaptability stated values (e.g., a pro-democracy NGO should be • NGOs should recognize that there will inevitably be demonstrably democratic in its own internal operations). changes in their environment (including changes in • Values are permanent, but situations are not. It may funding, politics, etc.). thus be necessary to shut down an NGO if a given • NGOs should review their objectives, strategy and context does not permit its values to control its operations, or if it has outlived the situation to which it was tactics regularly. However, basic values must be kept AdvancingDemocracy: Justice, Pluralism, Participationand constant. It thus may be that following a review, an established to respond. NGO will refuse to change because the proposed • There should be periodic reviews of an NGO’s pro- change conflicts with its basic views. cedures and the correspondence of its stated values • If NGOs change their missions, objectives, strate- and its activities. gies, etc., it should be done through a process that is • NGOs should not spend so much time on detailed open, transparent, and publicly communicated. planning that it does not actually do anything. • NGOs should be open to cooperation with other • People who are knowledgeable about an organiza- organizations, coalitions, networks, etc. This can help tion’s values, vision, mission, and activities are neces- provide them with signals for when and how change sary to ensure continuity. This can be accomplished is needed and ideas for how to implement it. via board members, but it should be extended to • NGOs should have external and independent include all people involved. evaluations. • Values should not be compromised by the avail- • An NGO should bear in mind that in certain changed ability of resources, which should only be accepted situations the best option may be to close down. on the basis of an NGO’s mission and program. NGOs that define their non-negotiable principles, issues,

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and concerns are in a better position to negotiate for Governance and Management resources to carry out their missions. • Governance and management should be addressed through the structure of an NGO. Board, Executive, and Managerial Leadership • Developing good documentation (by-laws, guide- • The principle of separation of powers should be lines, policy manuals, procedure handbooks, etc.) borne in mind. helps ensure clear and effective succession. • There should be explicit and clear procedures and • Board and senior management should prepare mandates. for succession, including training of successors to • The larger the organization the clearer the need for leadership. formal separation of governance and management • Clear chains of authority and divisions of responsibil- structures (e.g., a membership body as the highest ity are important. level of governance, with a board of trustees following, and an executive officer responsible for manage- • Accountability and transparency facilitate leadership ment). Smaller organizations should delineate gov- and successful succession, especially audited finan- ernance and management, but may not have formal cial and narrative reports. separation of bodies. • An NGO’s leaders should bear in mind the organi- • In real life, there are bound to be tensions between zation’s interests, but should endeavor to motivate, governance and management (which may, in fact, be inspire, and keep committed people involved. creative). However, the use of clear procedures and • Good leadership requires dealing well with crises, practices helps to minimize conflict. but also includes a learning curve, since people do • Transparent, open discussion among board members make mistakes. and management is helpful. • Good leaders keep track of the values of an • Access to training and related resources can be organization. very helpful for many of the practices recommended • Good leadership takes time, patience, and above. sustained effort. • Finally, the workshop participants overwhelmingly • Leaders need management skills, and training to identified key defining issues for well-governed NGOs: instill them may be helpful. values (such as democracy) embodied in its practices; leadership (strong, effective, and inspiring); and accountability and transparency.

Ensuring Democracy in an Age of Economic Transition

Organizer: Moderator: Presenters: American Center for International Heba El-Shazli – U.S. Binnur Neidik – Turkey Labor Solidarity – U.S. Rapporteur: Thabo Tshabalala – South Africa Mark Hankin – U.S. Issa Aremu – Nigeria Hanad Mohamud – U.S.

There were 30 participants from 24 countries in this of production are lower and efficiencies of scale can be workshop, which used a case study, entitled “The achieved; others are fragile democracies that are strug- Economic and Political Impacts of the End of the gling towards a full transition to democratic practices. Multi-Fiber Agreement on Democracy in Developing While the formal presentations concentrated on the Countries,” to explore the effect of trade liberalization negative impacts of job loss on struggling democracies and economic globalization on country political systems. in the African region, participants representing almost The Multi-Fiber Agreement, which for years allocated every region of the world noted similar concerns. For garment/textile production among developing countries, example, one presenter noted that in Nigeria an upsurge resulted in an unprecedented dispersion of manufactur- of communal violence took place in those communities ing among some of the poorest countries in the world. In that had seen job loss because of an upsurge in Chinese doing so, desperately needed jobs were created. Now garment imports that had displaced local production. that the agreement has expired, jobs are beginning to More generally, participants said that young women who be concentrated in fewer countries, some of which are were recent migrants to cities had been thrown out of known human and labor rights violators, because costs work. These young victims who could have been the Advancing Democracy: Justice, Pluralism, and Participation Pluralism, Justice, Democracy: Advancing

38 World Movement for Democracy | Istanbul, Turkey, April 2–5, 2006 Justice, Pluralism, and Participation building blocks of a democratic society are now losing that can appeal to international brands that care faith in a system that had given them so much hope just a about corporate responsibility. few years ago. Participants also explained that the loss • Trade unions must adopt new modes of action, of jobs meant that trade unions so crucial to the function- including efforts to promote productivity, and not sim- ing of democracy were being emasculated. They were ply act in defensive ways to preserve jobs. Meanwhile, being replaced by other organizations that, rather than employers must be more creative in exploring market wanting to work within a democratic industrial relations niches based on comparative advantage. system and institutions, often had political agendas that went outside of them. • International trade union and NGO networks must Despite predictions that these negative impacts hold brands accountable so that product sourcing would occur with the end of the Multi-Fiber Agreement, decisions first seek to maintain production in current few governments, employers, and worker groups had countries, and if that is not possible, to ensure that developed positive action plans. Some actions to miti- phase-outs of production include provision for social gate these results have begun, but thus far they have safety nets and observance of legal requirements achieved only minimal results. regarding termination benefits. • Expanded efforts by governments are needed to Questions: harmonize labor law and labor standards so that deci- • What can unions do to mitigate the impacts of the sions on where to produce goods are made on the expiration of the Multi-Fiber Agreement? basis of quality and productivity considerations and • What role can employers play in addressing the not just on the ability to exploit workers. changed business environment? • International technical assistance organizations • Should government play an aggressive role in pro- have an obligation to promote best practices dissemi- tecting jobs and creating responses to economic nation across borders. adjustments? • Since the media has generally ignored the trade • As this challenge extends across borders, what role related impacts of globalization on democracy and should international organizations, NGOs, and multina- human rights, outreach needs to be expanded by all tional corporations play? stakeholders. Responses to these questions during the workshop • There is an urgent need to review trade prefer- discussion were especially noteworthy because partici- ence programs that specifically reward countries for pants represented unions, the business community, the observing labor rights and democratic practices. media, and NGOs. In conclusion, participants shared the view that the experience of the textile garment sector with trade lib- Recommendations: eralization illustrates a world trading system that has • Recent experience shows that tripartite cooperation emphasized macro-economic growth at the expense among business, unions, and government can help of other public goods, including the preservation and improve productivity, and therefore maintain garment expansion of democracy. It is urgent that tripartite dis- and textile orders. Such cooperation is an important cussions are held that revisit the original goals of the first step. General Agreement on Tariffs and Trade (GATT) that

• The development of industrial bargaining councils emphasized equitable economic growth objectives and AdvancingDemocracy: Justice, Pluralism, Participationand within countries can prevent a race to the bottom social outcomes that are underlined by the International among employers and promote best labor practices Labor Organization’s “Decent Work Principles.”

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Political Party Building and Elections

Plenary Session on “Developing Viable Democratic Arenas in Muslim Societies”

Organizer: Rapporteur: Murat Mercan – Turkey National Democratic Institute for Jeffrey England – U.S. Naha Mint Maknass – Mauritania International Affairs (NDI) – U.S. Presenters: Vali Nasr – U.S. Moderator: Anwar Ibrahim – Malaysia Hidayat Nur Wahid – Indonesia Les Campbell – U.S. Saad Eddin Ibrahim – Egypt

This session brought together several leading thinkers being included in the process. and politicians from across the Muslim world who are Dr. Nasr outlined several key elements to help address currently addressing the topic, which was particularly the challenge, all of which can be enhanced with inter- timely given political developments in, for instance, national attention and support: Palestine and Egypt. The participants discussed issues • Negotiations about the path to democratization mat- impacting the development of a democratic framework ter; they set out the rules, procedures, and boundaries to ensure the inclusion of political parties from across that lead to concessions and moderation on all sides. the political spectrum as equals while at the same time adhering to international standards of democracy (both • Including more points of view in the discussions pro- principles and practices). motes more negotiation and the creation of coalitions: Anwar Ibrahim began the discussion by asserting that The discussion moves beyond black and white to grey, there is no longer a need to debate the compatibility of which is where negotiations actually happen. Islam with democracy. Rather, he argued, the key issue • There should be a focus on building stronger politi- for democracy in the Muslim world right now is framing cal parties, a process that pushes the democratic a common agenda for progress that cuts across political agenda and promotes negotiation. affiliations and does not attempt to marginalize any one • The more voting and transfers of power, the bet- particular group. He also emphasized that any demo- ter; this process encourages moderation over time cratic transition will require clear constitutional guar- because parties want to be re-elected. antees of the freedoms of conscience and expression, as well as provisions protecting the sanctity of life and • There are many examples from around the world property. Dr. Ibrahim pointed out that while attention is of what has and has not worked (including within largely focused on issues related to the Middle East, the Muslim Asia), and these lessons should be leveraged, Muslim world is much bigger and broader than that, with but only in full recognition that a successful process four-fifths of the global Muslim population living outside will have to reflect the culture and realities of any that region. While the Muslim world must articulate its given society. own vision of democracy, he noted that it will not look Several political party leaders from predominantly much different from other democracies around the world Muslim countries also shared their insights: because of commonly held principles. Naha Mint Maknass discussed the case of Vali Nasr then outlined several critical points for nur- Mauritania, where a post-coup transition is in process. turing democracy in Muslim societies. The real focus, She noted that the key question for the transition there is he argued, should shift from Western assumptions about how the desired components of a democratic framework what Islamists might do if elected to the issue of what will fit with Mauritanian society. The transition must framework will enhance democracy more generally if focus on what people need and recognize the contextual there are commonly accepted values and agreement to limitations. Maknass pointed out that Mauritania is 100 compete according to established rules. The process of percent Muslim, but also multi-ethnic, so religion actu- finding a solution to the issue of Islamist participation, ally provides a bonding element for the country. Islamist and getting Islamist parties to become more moder- parties are thus not legal because the people will not ate, is, in fact, a part of the transition process itself; the accept the idea that the religion is “owned” by one group transition cannot be held in check until all of the rules or another when Islam is in fact the basis of the nation’s are determined. Discussions and negotiations establish- Constitution and laws. While democracy will be critical ing the rules are themselves part of the process. He for the future of the country, vigilance is necessary to also noted that Islamists are already moderating their ensure that anything voted for democratically will not platforms and ideologies in some places where they are contradict Islam. Advancing Democracy: Justice, Pluralism, and Participation Pluralism, Justice, Democracy: Advancing

40 World Movement for Democracy | Istanbul, Turkey, April 2–5, 2006 Political Party Building and Elections Political Party Building and Elections

Murat Mercan pointed to Turkey as demonstrative Recent political reforms in Indonesia have provoked of the principle that the more democracy a country a change in the nature of politics at all levels, and has the more prosperous and wealthy it will be. He have focused attention on the needs of constituents. also noted that Turkey’s integration into the West has Therefore, the Islamic affiliation of certain political actors provided opportunities for the country without creating does not limit their role in the process; they will cooper- any incompatibilities with Islam. Even in Turkey, where ate and enter into coalitions with other groups, including religious-based parties are outlawed, the democratic Christians, in order to fully participate. framework does not make the country any less religious. In closing, the well-known activist Saad Eddin Ibrahim Dr. Mercan argued that the key issue is not whether of Egypt asserted what he believes everyone across democracy is good or compatible with Islam, but wheth- the Muslim world now knows: Democracy is the only er the fact that the democratization process is unique to game in town. This idea is coming through loud and each place and requires sacrifices and trade-offs will clear from the people, he said, and political leaders are be recognized. Ultimately, he said, success will rest in taking note. Even if they aren’t always sincere when being able to move away from theoretical debates and they discuss it, leaders are beginning to take some steps toward addressing people’s daily concerns to ensure that are opening the way for people to continue pursuing popular support. the democratic ideal and making it as true, transparent, Hidayat Nur Wahid shared insights from Indonesia, and fair as possible. Dr. Ibrahim noted that the remarks which has the world’s largest Muslim population. He of the other panel members and other research reveal noted that democratic development depends on the a wide variation of practice, and a wide range of belief correct circumstances converging in a given society systems, within Islamic cultures. Therefore, he argued, based on the country’s history and political experience. the core issue is not about the compatibility of Islam Indonesia’s political experience, and its inclusion of and democracy, but about the ways in which to adopt Islamic parties, demonstrate that Islam and democracy democracy within diverse cultures and in accord with are compatible and that religious and political activities on-the-ground realities in each country. can work in parallel and actually support each other.

Topical Workshops Best Practices in Multi-Party Cooperation

Organizer: Moderator: Presenters: Netherlands Institute for Multiparty Jan van Laarhoven Adrian Muunga – Zambia Democracy – The Netherlands Augustin Cissé – Mali Rapporteur: Njeri Kabeberi – Kenya Maarten van den Berg – The Netherlands

Dialogue and multi-party cooperation are essential ingre- manner and always as part of a wider effort to build and AdvancingDemocracy: Justice, Pluralism, Participationand dients for democratic development and political stability. improve democratic institutions. This is the shared experience of political party repre- In Zambia, inter-party dialogue helped political par- sentatives and others who participated in this workshop, ties to re-establish multi-party democracy after nearly which featured three African examples of multi-party two decades of one-party rule. According to Adrian cooperation: in Zambia, Mali, and Kenya. Experiences Muunga, this has led to a mutual agreement on the from Guatemala and Macedonia were also highlighted. need to redraft the Constitution and electoral legislation. From comments of Akashambatwa Mbikusita-Lewanika Background: of the Movement for Multi-Party Democracy, Zambia’s Jan van Laarhoven introduced the workshop by explain- current ruling party, and his political opponent, Tiens ing that in those countries where the Netherlands Kahenya of the United Party for National Development, Institute for Multiparty Democracy (IMD) operates (all these remain contentious issues, but both politicians of the aforementioned countries, except Macedonia), it affirmed their commitment to further inter-party dialogue promotes dialogue and multi-party cooperation on the and cooperation. premise that when parties work together, they can truly Likewise in Mali, which has had a multi-party system achieve something. The IMD, itself a multi-party orga- since 1992, political parties are also engaged in inter- nization, supports the development of political parties in party dialogue. However, as Augustin Cissé observed young democracies, and does so in a strictly nonpartisan in his presentation, constructive dialogue is a chal-

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lenge because there are currently 106 political parties and a youth program. The Centre also seeks to further in the country. Therefore, the parties involved in the expand its gender program. IMD program have agreed that they would stand to As these examples illustrate, various forms and benefit most from training to form alliances. To orga- degrees of multi-party cooperation are practiced, but in nize this, they established a “partnership for capacity” all cases such cooperation commenced with the recog- in support of alliance-building, leadership training, nition by party leaders of a shared responsibility to make and (with a view to the upcoming elections) training of democracy work. This was underscored by a participant election monitors. from a political party in Guatemala, where a standing In Kenya, the establishment of multi-party cooperation group of parties works to overcome declining public unfolded far more quickly than initially expected. Within confidence in both the government and parliament. In a year after its founding in 2004, the Centre for Multi- the end, any such effort requires the involvement of civil Party Democracy (CMD) adopted a five-year strategic society, including trade unions, women’s groups, and plan that clarifies its vision and mission, defines its goals, the media. Indeed, as all of the workshop participants and includes a detailed activity plan. Among the activi- acknowledged, without strong ties between political and ties highlighted by Njeri Kabeberi, director of the Centre, civil society, no democracy can flourish. are a computer refurbishment and training program

Political Parties and Civil Society: How to Build Better Relations?

Organizers: Moderator: Presenters: Alfred Mozer Foundation Elisabeth Ungar – Colombia Vlatko Sekulovic – Serbia – The Netherlands Rapporteur: Elisabeth Ungar – Colombia Congreso Visible – Colombia Rubén Fernández – Colombia André Gerrits – The Netherlands Graeme Herd – Germany

The purpose of this workshop was to explore the rela- experience: “We have to unify” is the first and most tionship between civil society and political parties; how important lesson; there is no room for divisions within the can this relationship contribute or fail to contribute to the opposition; there is no room for “messiahs”; there is no establishment and/or consolidation of democracy and to place for intolerance, including against people who work achieving the goals of a more democratic society? with the regime; there is no time for big expectations and The moderator introduced the discussion by empha- realism is important during periods of reconstruction. sizing that the relationship must always be understood Political parties and civil society organizations should within the specific context of each country; it is not coordinate with each other to help build a democratic possible to make hard-and-fast generalizations, but for regime. the daily work of democrats learning from experience In the case of Colombia, because of the armed is a very important step forward. The most important conflict, the relationships between political parties and effort must be to escape false dilemmas and to better civil society organizations are really complex. The state understand the role of each actor in the global context does not have a monopoly on the use of legitimate force of political crisis, growing conflict, acute national and and control of the territory. In some regions, there is international confrontations, and a great need for more reduced capacity in the provision of basic services, low democracy and justice. credibility and legitimacy of the government, and political parties and civil society organizations are fragmented Observations: and disperse. A clear indication of this situation is the In the case of Serbia, Milosevic won the elections in internal forced displacement of more than 2 million 1990 and controlled the most important institutions of persons with the Colombian government unable to stop the regime. A wave of assassinations and persecution it. Paramilitaries and guerrillas in Colombia have a big against the opposition began, and there were no distinc- influence on elections; they have either promoted or tions: NGOs, trade unions, independent media and politi- prohibited voting for some parties or candidates. Four cal parties were all treated as enemies. The regime was years ago a paramilitary leader said that his group had in power for more than ten years, and it was more of a influence over some 35 percent of members of Congress. mafia than a regime. Finally, the situation became a total Illegal armed groups frequently act as political actors crisis while democracy was nonexistent. NGOs, student and as members of civil society, thus creating confusion groups, and trade unions were very active in campaigns and difficulties in relations between political parties and for democracy. Some lessons were learned from this civil society in the country. Advancing Democracy: Justice, Pluralism, and Participation Pluralism, Justice, Democracy: Advancing

42 World Movement for Democracy | Istanbul, Turkey, April 2–5, 2006 Political Party Building and Elections Political Party Building and Elections

In the former Soviet Union, after several decades the presence of both is necessary, as is the coexis- some electoral and secular revolutions have occurred, tence of representative democracy with participative but democracy must be clearly reinforced, especially in democracy. A spirit of permanent agreement and col- the spirit of the society. Strengthening the role of inde- laboration between political parties and civil society pendent media and youth is indispensable. These young organizations is advisable, and they should be seen as democracies need their skill and talent, and they have complementary. the responsibility, for instance, for creating a democracy • The international agenda should have an increasing with a Russian face. concern for relations between civil society organizations and political parties. In this connection, reform Recommendations: of the United Nations is particularly relevant. • In many cases, authoritarian regimes can fall while “authoritarianisms” in the society stay alive. Serbia • The human rights agenda is open all over the world and Georgia are examples of this. The work of civil because everywhere there are critical violations of society is thus central in spreading democratic cultu- its precepts; for this reason democratic civil society re as an ethos within all social spheres. organizations and democratic political parties should stay close. We can only have human rights with the • A democratic society needs a democratic state, right human beings. which means that it is important to have enough managers and officials to direct the state in this • In transitional societies, which by definition do not direction. In this, the role of political parties is cru- have a strong network of civil society organizations, cial. They can serve to train such officials and deve- international cooperation can help greatly to prevent lop their capacity. On the other hand, both political individualism in the leadership. parties and civil society have responsibility for pro- • The most important conclusion is that both political moting civic education since good voters make good parties and civil society organizations are necessary elections. for democratization; each has a particular role and • Political parties are closer to political decision- cooperation between them is the best way to contri- making processes, which is why to some people the bute to deepening democracy. They are allies, not existence of parties is much more important than the enemies, in promoting democratic change. existence of civil society organizations. For others,

Islamic-Oriented Political Parties and Democratic Reform

Organizer: Moderator: Presenters: National Democratic Institute for Les Campbell – U.S. Amr Hamzawy – Egypt International Affairs (NDI) – U.S. Rapporteur: Lehcen Daoudi – Morocco Jeffrey England – U.S. Sheikh Ali Salman – Bahrain Syed Ahmad – Malaysia AdvancingDemocracy: Justice, Pluralism, Participationand With dynamic political developments unfolding across Presenters included party leaders from Islamic-oriented the Muslim world, this workshop proved equally lively. parties in Bahrain, Malaysia and Morocco, along with an Continuing calls have been made for increased political Egyptian academic researcher taking a broader regional competition from across an ideological spectrum, trans- view of party trends. Issues that they explored included parent and representative elections, and other hallmarks the shape of a meaningful constitution; protections of democracy. Among the issues affecting this process for individual and minority rights; an effective judicial is the continuing debate over the role of Islamic-oriented system that backs up those rights; the nature of fair parties in the political life of predominantly Muslim coun- electoral laws; and the development of effective political tries. The workshop thus provided an opportunity for the party laws. participants, some of whom are party leaders, to engage Among the various points discussed were the need in an open dialogue on visions of democratic reform in for consensus on creating a level playing field where all predominantly Muslim societies. political actors can compete equally; the need for sys- Workshop presenters began the session by providing tems that encourage the development of a manageable political party perspectives on the key structural issues set of strong parties rather than a large number of weak that need to be addressed for a successful democratic ones; the need to fight corruption; and the establishment framework that includes all parties as equal participants. of an independent judiciary. The need for a constitution

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was also debated, with some participants arguing that • A request was made for more sharing on Southeast political will and balance of power would be the ultimate Asian experiences, given the example of the long guarantor, while others argued that a solid framework and continued participation of the Islamic parties in requires an agreed upon constitution that is flexible Malaysia and Indonesia and the need to start looking and has a system for amendment. It was noted several for examples and lessons in Muslim societies beyond times that the strongest sign of democratic values, the Arab world. One participant noted that there whether among Islamic or secular parties, is the holding should be continued interaction and learning from a of regular elections administered by professional inde- range of external actors to help establish mechanisms pendent bodies. for plurality (and this does not inherently result in a loss of faith or national identity). Observations: • Related to this, a number of participants noted that • A number of participants argued that there is no there should be increased dialogue between secular question of whether Islamic-oriented parties should and Islamic parties to better understand one another. participate in the political landscape, since it is a real- This would foster a better understanding that Islamist ity on the ground. Several noted that the failure of parties do not have exclusive ownership of Islam and secular parties have allowed Islamists to become the recognition among secular parties that religion is an only viable alternative in the absence of strong oppo- important element in the lives of large numbers of sition movements and fragile civil societies. people. • The question arose about guarantees that can be • Acknowledging that it is inherently good for a sys- put in place to ensure that rights are not overturned or tem, participants suggested that pluralism among diminished when there is a power shift. One partici- Islamic parties within a country would itself create pant noted that the real guarantee in any situation is greater debate and competition among Islamists. to have an opposition that provides a counterweight to the ruling party, whether secular or Islamist. • However, a number of participants also advocated that religion and politics should be kept separate from • A number of grey zones were noted in the platforms one another. of Islamic-oriented parties that raised legitimate concerns for some participants, and the way they would • Several participants noted that the fundamental be addressed would impact the nature of the parties’ distinction among all political forces should be the participation. These included the limits of political issues of violence versus non-violence. Some politi- pluralism; the implementation of Sharia’; the role of cal Islamic movements have shifted from a base in women; limits on civil and personal liberties; and the violence to one of platforms and participation in the rights of minorities. It was noted, however, that other political process; one participant noted that even if political actors also regularly have grey zones that Islamists “don’t feel it in their souls,” it is still move- affect the political system. ment in the right direction.

Building Political Parties in New Democracies

Organizers: Moderator: Presenters: Conservative Party – UK Philippa Broom – UK Gary Streeter – UK Labour Party – UK Rapporteur: Anne Linde – Sweden Liberal Democrats – UK Karla Hatrick – UK Tomislov Damnjanovic – Serbia Jasper Veen – UK

The aim of this workshop was to look at strength- cal parties for such party development work. The other ening political parties in new democracies and spe- half of the funding is used by WFD to undertake mainly cifically at the value of sister party-based political civil society work. party building. The background to the workshop was a concern that although political parties are an essen- Observations: tial part of any democracy, they often do not appear Ann Linde began by noting that political parties are a high enough up on the democracy-building agenda. In key part of a democracy, and therefore in strengthen- the UK, the Westminster Foundation for Democracy ing a democracy it is important to strengthen political (WFD), established in 1992, enables the UK political par- parties—yet this remains controversial for two main ties to work with their sister parties around the world. reasons: governments remain reluctant to meddle in Half of the funding of the WFD goes directly to the politi- other countries’ internal affairs, and civil servants and Advancing Democracy: Justice, Pluralism, and Participation Pluralism, Justice, Democracy: Advancing

44 World Movement for Democracy | Istanbul, Turkey, April 2–5, 2006 Political Party Building and Elections Political Party Building and Elections

NGOs are not used to political party work and are thus nationals and the political parties within them. As orga- unsure how to approach it or evaluate the activities nizations of like-minded parties around the world who undertaken. In addition, when a partner party loses an subscribe to the same principles and values, political election some see it as a failed party and view their work internationals undertake activities similar to political par- with it in those terms, but in a functioning democracy ties: they campaign, form and agree upon policy, com- the role of a strong opposition is key, and the peaceful municate their messages with a view to spreading their change of governments is evidence that the system is ideas and values, and bring like-minded people together. working. It was noted that there is a kind of snobbery While the internationals do not seek to elect politicians in the democracy-building world where it is fashionable to any supra-national parliament, they do seek to pro- to say that a support organization is non-partisan or to mote their members into governments and positions of say it is “clean” and not tainted by politics or by working power. Political parties thus have a great amount to gain with political parties. Yet this view should be challenged. from participating in political internationals. Politics in In democracy building, politicians and parties must be this globalized world has repercussions beyond borders. strengthened in cooperation and dialogue with NGOs. While labels may seem false, the principles and plat- A second problem arises when people accept the forms work to bring parties together. Political interna- need for political party work, but only if it is cross-party. tionals provide the only forum where parties of both gov- But this often does not work because, for instance, par- ernment and opposition can meet and exchange ideas. ties may be reluctant to discuss weaknesses openly in The solidarity gained from being within an international a cross-party environment. It is important to have the family means that pressure can be applied globally with trust and respect of parties with which an organization is members morally obliged to help one another. working, and experience that is learned from polling, pol- Tomislav Damnjanovic presented an example of the icies, etc, are often better learned within the framework very practical effect that party-to-party work can have. of sister party-to-party work, where strategy, positions, G17 was formed as a union of independent economists etc. are not being revealed to others. to remove Milosevic from power in Serbia, growing into Gary Streeter noted the current fashion of criticizing G17 Plus, a union of citizens to help Serbia. Promoting politicians, with politics becoming a dirty word. Most and organizing rallies across the country, G17 Plus, as politicians are indeed good and decent people doing an NGO, was offered and accepted government posts their best for their communities and countries, however. following Milosevic’s fall. However, this experience in To actually take part to make something happen takes government led G17 Plus to face up to its future—as much courage and, indeed, hard work. The NGO com- an NGO or as a political party? It chose to become a munity should therefore engage more fully and actively political party and with contacts in the international com- with the political process. Politicians are key to democ- munity it began work with the Conservatives in 2005. The racy and you cannot have politicians without political work involved a visit to the Conservative Party’s General parties. People need to gather around a set of political Election campaign from which it took ideas and experi- ideas and then distill policies from them, and the elector- ences to be incorporated into its own situation. The ate should know what to expect from their politicians change in campaign methods, party organization, and, and parties. There is a great need to build the capacity indeed, in the evident increase in votes, appears to show of parties so they can identify what they stand for, distill just how sister party-to-party work can have impact and their principles into policy, write their manifestos and results. get their messages across, run a campaign, recruit can- AdvancingDemocracy: Justice, Pluralism, Participationand didates and members, and convert manifestos into pro- Challenges and recommendations: grams for governing. Parties need help with all of this, • What approach can be taken when parties are in and the best help may be from politicians and political the pre-transition stage (that is, when no political par- parties themselves. Mr. Streeter noted his own time as a ties or opposition parties are allowed and debate is minister and the unique character of being a politician; it difficult to start or influence)? Workshop participants is an unusual job and takes much learning. Political par- from Jordan, Cuba, and Bhutan noted the difficulties ties, politicians, and activists who have been through the inherent in these problems. It was emphasized that process are best placed to share their experiences and pressure from international political families, sister learn from one another. Politicians and parties are more parties, and other organizations is vital, but the people comfortable, and indeed better at, sharing their vision on the ground in the particular country must take the and experiences with those with similar views; thus lead. The possibility of forming organizations that act party-to-party work of likeminded parties is highly effec- more or less as political parties was also noted, as tive. The in-depth and long-term partnerships that come was the potential to work with parties in exile despite with such work can give a more effective outcome than the restrictions that can entail. cross-party approaches. • What is the best approach when parties are trying Jasper Veen noted the role of the political party inter- to topple a dictator? The situation in Zimbabwe was

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raised, and encouraging parties to come together for Participants from Turkey noted some innovative ways a common goal was emphasized, seen most recently, of using new technologies to encourage youth partici- though unfortunately not as successfully as hoped, pation, and different models of promoting the partici- in Belarus. The Serbian experience provides a very pation of women were noted from Kosovo, Sweden, relevant example of parties having come together and the UK. in coalition to topple a dictator, and the more recent • The relationship between NGOs and political parties experience in Kenya was also noted. The breakup of was discussed, including the need to work construc- such coalitions following a transition was also noted, tively together, but also to call on NGOs to be more however, and the need to prevent negative effects of active in supporting the political process and if they such breakups was highlighted. find themselves unhappy with it to take the next step • What is the best way of instituting checks and bal- and become political parties themselves. The benefits ances within a party? How do parties ensure internal and drawbacks of NGOs forming parties and NGO democracy? Different approaches and options were activists serving as politicians were also discussed noted. Parties should be encouraged to find their own with a common theme being the need to remain true means to secure internal democracy, but ensuring to principles and values. that they are based upon the grassroots and on more Finally, the workshop participants agreed to call upon than one or two leading personalities are two leading the World Movement Steering Committee to advance the recommendations. issue of developing political parties on the international • How can the participation of women and youth democracy-promotion agenda. in politics and political parties be promoted?

Election Campaigning in Countries in Transition

Organizers: Moderator: Presenters: Centre Party International Åke Pettersson – Sweden Abid Faisal Ihmaid – Iraq Foundation – Sweden Kingsley Rodrigo – Sri Lanka Olga Karatch – Belarus People’s Action for Free & Fair Rapporteurs: Pär Granstedt – Sweden Elections (PAFFREL) – Sri Lanka Anselmo Seonghoon Lee – South Korea Lukas Forslund – Sweden

The workshop presenters focused on issues connected • Good elections create good parliaments, and bad to elections and election campaigning in Sri Lanka, Iraq, elections create bad parliaments. Belarus, and various parts of Africa. The presenters • Elections can themselves generate conflict. highlighted the importance of well functioning electoral systems, the problem with violations affecting opposition • Capacity building, training (including organizational parties, and elections in general. The workshop also management training), and exchange of experiences covered the issue of election campaigning in a society are vital for countries in transition. affected by terrorist attacks and sectarian and religious conflict, as well as “elections as a threat to democracy Questions: and peace.” • How should opposition parties act when a dictatorial regime is making it impossible to campaign? Observations: • From where do opposition parties get their finances • Elections are a vital part of democracy. Even though and how do they account for them? they are not always respected and fair, they put an external pressure on regimes that disrespect them. • How can we assure that an electoral code of conduct is followed? • The will of achieving democracy can be stronger than the fear of severe violations committed by dictators. • How do you define the independence of an electoral commission? • When regimes violate the electoral rights of the opposition or stop it from campaigning, it is important • What is the role of media in a multi-party democracy? to respond in a nonviolent manner. It is also important to show solidarity when an individual’s rights are Recommendations: violated. • Freedom of speech and a free and independent Advancing Democracy: Justice, Pluralism, and Participation Pluralism, Justice, Democracy: Advancing

46 World Movement for Democracy | Istanbul, Turkey, April 2–5, 2006 Political Party Building and Elections Democracy Research and Education

electoral commission are of great importance for of power by ensuring reasonable conditions for the democratic elections. opposition; change of power must not be a catastro- • Monitoring both elections and campaigns is needed. phe for the majority. • A combination of domestic and international observ- • A code of conduct in election campaigning is neces- ers is important to achieve free and fair elections. sary. • To enhance democracy, there is a need to avoid • Gender perspective in the nomination process is dividing democratic forces. necessary. • All groups in a society must feel that they are rep- • A system of transparent and public party financing resented; therefore, a proportional or mixed electoral should be preferred. system should be considered. • A dialogue should be sought with religious groups in • It is important to have a system that allows a change democratization work.

Democracy Research and Education Topical Workshops Measuring Democracy

Organizer: Moderator: Presenters: Network of Democracy Research Larry Diamond – U.S. Asher Arian – Israel Institutes (NDRI) Rapporteur: Ghia Nodia – Georgia Sabine Donner – Germany Hauke Hartmann – Germany Christopher Walker – U.S.

The workshop presenters provided an overview of two • There is a rising demand for and a growing impor- global, cross-national indices on democracy based on tance of democracy measurement. Reform actors experts’ analyses (Freedom of the World by Freedom from countries in transition and the increasing amount House and the Bertelsmann Transformation Index by of money spent on democracy promotion trigger this the Bertelsmann Foundation), and a national democracy demand to a certain extent. The indices are used audit conducted by gathering empirical data and con- more and more to justify the spending. The level of ducting public opinion surveys (Israel Democracy Index responsibility for the producers of indices rises with by the Israel Democracy Institute). The goals of the the attention paid to them. Therefore, questions of data three indices are comparisons with other countries and reliability and validity have to be taken very seriously. monitoring the development of democracy within a cer- • Many participants shared a concern for the impact tain country over time. that measurement efforts have on policy makers. While some stated that measuring democracy in a Key questions: AdvancingDemocracy: Justice, Pluralism, Participationand country can be used as a tool for shaming or encour- • Is cross-country comparison legitimate? aging political actors, others emphasized the danger • Subjective versus objective measures: How to that the findings could be instrumentalized by decision ensure the reliability of measurement? makers for their own ends. • Is there a conceptual validity to the definition of • Rankings and indices support the view that building democracy? democracy is a long-term commitment and therefore • Should the findings be aggregated in a single measure? needs continuous monitoring. The pluralism of democracy measurement can help foster the ongoing debate • Do the different indices complement each other? on different concepts and definitions of democracy. • Do the results bear comparison with the real situa- • Some participants suggested that the indices should tion in a country? make a clearer distinction between established and new democracies or countries in transition. In fact, Observations: distinguishing between transformation and democ- • Participants agreed that serious efforts to measure racy consolidation, the Bertelsmann Foundation will democracy are indispensable as complex and prob- publish a separate index on established democracies lematic as they might be. in the fall of 2007.

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• A stronger comparison of the results and concepts the scores is inevitable in order to explain the various of existing indices was suggested. aspects of democracy in detail. While the Israel • Aggregating the findings in a single score was seen Democracy Index does not aggregate its data in the as a means of attracting attention and facilitating first place, the Bertelsmann Transformation Index comparison, although it poses several questions about offers access to all disaggregated scores. In addition, the weighting of different dimensions. Disaggregating Freedom House will publish its sub-data for the first time in its next Freedom in the World survey.

Democracy and Human Development: Grasping the Linkages and Addressing the Disappointments

Organizers: Moderators: Presenters: International IDEA – Sweden E. Gyimah-Boadi – Ghana Paul Graham – South Africa Center for Democracy and Goran Fejic – Sweden Daniel Zovatto – Argentina Development – Ghana Judith Large – Sweden Margaret Dongo – Zimbabwe Rapporteur: Mikael Bostrom – Sweden Anna Pinto – India

Some 40 participants representing civil society orga- processes of economic reform, post-conflict recov- nizations, governments, research groups, foundations, ery, and democratic transition. Democracy in these and donor agencies discussed various challenges and countries is expected to produce multiple “dividends” recommendations related to the issue of democracy and in development, peace, and human security. At the human development. same time, even in countries with established democratic institutions, poverty, social exclusion, and low Challenges: levels of human security may hamper the real power • There has been a weakening of trust in democratic of citizens to influence political developments. These institutions in some parts of the world due to the are huge challenges for democracy that should be perception that democracy does not “deliver” on eco- addressed in more coherent and effective ways. nomic development and social needs. • Globalization has both positive and negative effects • There has been declining political participation of from the perspective of democracy building. But it is citizens in some countries due to the perception that clear that when economic liberalization occurs with- national governments are losing control over impor- out any social regulation, the power shifts from the tant aspects of social and economic life (in particular, state to corporate structures; this may lead to citizens, effects of globalization, changing terms of trade, etc.). elected leaders, and democratic institutions losing • The understanding in international fora about the power. complex linkages between democracy and develop- • Democratization and economic reform need to be ment has been increasing, along with new emphasis balanced. Both are needed and the demand for both on poverty reduction, social inclusiveness, and demo- should be encouraged and supported in the process cratic governance as conflict-prevention and peace- of democratic change. building tools. • In Latin America, in particular, the effectiveness • Both democracy building and conflict management of democratic institutions and the trust they enjoy involve gender issues, and women’s participation is a appear to be closely related to development issues sine qua non of sustainable peace and genuine demo- and to the “delivery” of democracy on social and eco- cratic practice. nomic rights. The slow and uneven progress towards • Support to democratic transitions has become a the attainment of the Millennium Development Goals major component of international peace-keeping and has weakened confidence in democratic institutions peace-building efforts, yet there is still a weak under- and produced repeated crises of governance in sev- standing of the essential features of an effective eral countries of the region. Latin America not only democracy-building strategy and how it should take needs to increase its economic competitiveness to the human development dimension into account. integrate current globalization processes more effectively, but it also needs to carry out political reforms Recommendations: and adopt public policies that will boost employment • Many countries today are undergoing simultaneous and reduce social inequalities. Advancing Democracy: Justice, Pluralism, and Participation Pluralism, Justice, Democracy: Advancing

48 World Movement for Democracy | Istanbul, Turkey, April 2–5, 2006 Democracy Research and Education Democracy Research and Education

• Political parties and parliaments are key actors in society actors, in particular, should be empowered to democracy and have major roles to play in the strug- understand complex economic development issues gle against poverty and inequality. It is important that and enabled to acquire necessary advocacy skills. their institutional roles be strengthened and that they • While the sustainability and vitality of democracy recover the trust and confidence of citizens. depend on its social and economic performance, • No democratic reform will be able to address sound democratic governance is an important factor human development challenges effectively if women contributing to development. are not given the opportunity to become real agents • Donors’ policies increasingly include democracy of the democratization process. Women and men assistance as a key component of development assis- have fought against oppression side by side, but in tance and conflict resolution strategies. The Swedish post-conflict transitions, there is often a tendency to International Development Cooperation Agency push women “back into the kitchen.” Democratic (Sida), for instance, prioritizes support to democracy institutions and processes alone are not sufficient to based on the following principles: poor people are promote the participation of women. Specific public considered as subjects, not objects, of development policies and measures are necessary. policies; support to democracy is not a separate field • Democracy and human rights should not be seen as but a fully integrated part of development assistance; separate areas of work. supporting good public administration is an essential • The international community should support in a feature of an effective democracy-building strategy. balanced way all key aspects of democratic change: • Finally, democracy building is an important aspect of parliaments, political parties, and civil society. Civil conflict prevention and conflict resolution strategies.

Teaching Human Rights and Democracy to High School Children

Organizers: Moderator: Presenters: Street Law-South Africa, University Robert LaGamma – U.S. David McQuoid-Mason of KwaZulu-Natal – South Africa Rapporteur: – South Africa Council for a Community of Sybille Renke de Buitrago – Germany Dog˘u Ergil – Turkey Democracies – U.S. Beata Budzik – Poland

This workshop was intended to illustrate and develop on democracy using popular tunes, art and drawings; best practices and strategies to teach human rights and • Community research through which students discov- democracy to high school children. Participants from er problems around them and discuss these, or street more than 15 countries participated in the discussions. interviews in teams from different backgrounds; Several presentations served to open the discussion, during which the importance and role of interactive • School elections, constitutional assemblies, and teaching methods was highlighted. Participants consid- mock trials;

ered the challenges of people feeling superior to others • Democratic practices in the classroom, training in AdvancingDemocracy: Justice, Pluralism, Participationand and how to prevent children from assuming the hatred problem-solving, teaching tolerance and dialogue; held by some in older generations. It was suggested • Question-and-answer methods and opinion polls to that students consider the points of view and feelings of uncover prejudices; others, that ideas proffered as absolute truths be questioned, and that in democracy and human rights educa- • Concrete action education using dialogue across tion, methods are as important as content. backgrounds or states; • Debate fora; Suggestions: • Electronic and online discussion and media; The following interactive methods have been used in different countries and settings for democracy and human • Taking stands on statements and issues and clarify- rights education: ing them; • Case studies; • Development of radio programs (“edu-communication”); • Role playing that draws on the experience of students teaching and developing empathy for others; • Community service and public achievement linking students with professionals and local government • Theater and development of scripts, poems and songs officials;

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• Students training students in peer seminars; and ing learned knowledge, ensuring that all points of view • Experiential learning. are heard and included, demonstrating the need to have respect, seeing and treating others as equals, and teach- Participants also highlighted the importance of applying in the form of dialogue.

Democracy Education in Challenging Cultural and Religious Contexts

Organizers: Moderator: Presenters: Education for Democracy Foundation Krzysztof Stanowski – Poland Amina Lemrini – Morocco – Poland Rebecca Sako-John – Nigeria Festus Okoye – Nigeria League of Democratic Women Rapporteur: Undral Gombodorj – Mongolia – Nigeria Alicja Derkowska – Poland Lutfi Osmanov – Ukraine

There were 59 participants in this workshop from 35 institutions that may appear to be democratic (as in countries. After individual introductions, five discussion the case of Pakistan, where women sit in Parliament, groups were created. yet many laws completely disregard women’s rights). Since many of the participants came from regions • Although traditions may be different from country where democracy is new or just introduced, or from to country, there should be a consensus on universal countries under the danger of oppression, they do not democratic values. In cases where traditions and have immediate models for democracy, so it is important values seem opposed to democracy, they should be to find ways to educate for democracy. Their view is that re-evaluated and put into a modern context (as in the this process must use existing institutions and behaviors case of eliminating polygamy in Tunisia). that belong to their communities. For example, when talking about community foundations, they can ask villa- • Democracy is only as safe as the rights of the minor- gers, “Do you remember when the whole village sent a ity. In designing messages about democracy, we poor boy to the city for education? We can now do the should be sensitive to ethnic and religious diversity in same thing, but the difference is that the child doesn’t each country. have to be a boy!” It is possible to build on what is • Many activists believe that democracy means a important and already part of the community. mechanism, but democracy is also a culture, and The task of each break-out group was to examine cul- without a cultural process democracy will not func- tures and traditions to determine where democratic roots tion properly, in which case a re-structuring is neces- can be found and built upon, that is, to think about such sary so it becomes part of the culture. institutions and traditions in one’s own personal history • In developing school curricula, one builds on what and the history of one’s community that can be used to science can contribute, thus developing critical practice democracy instead of importing concepts and thought within democratic thought. practices from abroad. The group presentations not surprisingly revealed very diverse experiences in using • As democracy advocates, our role is to recognize local traditions to build democracy. the difference between what and how one teaches, that is, putting theory into practice, but it is the prac- Recommendations: tice that is difficult. The behavior of teachers serves • It is important to respect culture and religious values as a model for their students. in democracy education. One participant countered, • Building trust among people is crucial to the creation however, that while there are good examples, there of the basics of democracy, as can be seen by the are others that would impede democracy education; situation in Somalia. not every tradition and religious practice is good, In conclusion, educators should be discerning in but some elements of tradition can be used to teach using traditions to build democracy. They can be proud democracy. of some traditions, and should do their best to use them • It is important to remember that democracy goes while avoiding those that would damage the develop- below the surface and is not defined entirely by the ment of democratic values. Advancing Democracy: Justice, Pluralism, and Participation Pluralism, Justice, Democracy: Advancing

50 World Movement for Democracy | Istanbul, Turkey, April 2–5, 2006 Democracy Research and Education Democracy Research and Education

Interactive Assessment of Political Organizations: Example of Georgia

Organizer: Moderator: Presenters: Netherlands Institute for Multiparty Ivan Doherty – Ireland Ghia Nodia – Georgia Democracy (IMD) Rapporteur: Álvaro Pinto Scholtbach Maarten van den Berg – The Netherlands – The Netherlands

In this workshop, Dr. Ghia Nodia of the Caucasian is to turn political parties into stronger, more sustain- Institute for Peace, Democracy, and Development able organizations. The report also observes that the (CIPDD) in Georgia and Mr. Álvaro Pinto Scholtbach of level of cooperation among political parties is very low. the Netherlands Institute for Multiparty Democracy (IMD) Consequently, the report recommends that: presented the final draft of their report, “The Political • Democracy assistance in Georgia should include Landscape of Georgia’s Political Parties: Achievements, support for party building and capacity development Challenges and Prospects.” The report is the product aimed at strengthening the parties internal organiza- of an interactive assessment conducted in 2005 by tion and enhancing the participation of their members IMD, CIPDD, and the Office for Democratic Institutions in decision making; and Human Rights of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE-ODIHR), with active partici- • Inter-party dialogue and cooperation should aim at pation of the six leading Georgian political parties. The enhancing the rules of political competition and the report provides a detailed picture and analysis of the overall legitimacy of the political process; and Georgian political system, elaborated by IMD and CIPDD • Georgian political parties should establish more on the basis of data produced mainly by the parties international contacts to develop ideas on organiza- themselves through a series of 24 workshops and two tion, ideology, policies, electoral strategies, and inter- multi-party conferences. nal procedures. In the workshops, ordinary members, local leaders, All parties participating in the assessment expressed and the national leaderships of political parties were eagerness to exchange experiences with European party invited to discuss the following topics: leaders, activists and members. • Ideological identity of party and policy making; During the workshop discussion, there was agree- • Organizational structure and human and financial ment that the interactive approach pursued in Georgia is resources; replicable and should be adopted elsewhere. In fact, a participant from Moldova, who observed striking similari- • Internal democracy; ties between the state of political affairs in Georgia and • Public relations and election campaigning. in his own country, proposed that a team of assessors Discussions during the multi-party conferences should conduct an interactive analysis of political parties focused on such issues as relations between political there. Indeed, it seems that the pioneering work of IMD, parties and the state and the role of women in Georgian CIPDD, and OSCE-ODIHR in Georgia is a trend-setting example of the participatory, politically savvy analysis politics. AdvancingDemocracy: Justice, Pluralism, Participationand By way of introducing the report, Ivan Doherty that is needed to make democracy assistance more observed that there is a great need for in-depth politi- effective, inclusive, and sustainable. cal assessments to make democracy assistance more Publication: effective. Mr. Childerik Schaapveld of OSCE-ODIHR, The report discussed in the workshop, ‘The Political who commissioned the report, confirmed this, adding Landscape of Georgia’s Political Parties: Achievements, that when political parties are involved directly in such Challenges and Prospects’, can be downloaded from: assessments, they are given the opportunity to identify http://www.nimd.org/default.aspx?menuid=17&type= ways of advancing democratic practices within their own publicationlist&contentid=&archive=1 organizations and in relation to each other. One challenge for democratic development in Georgia that became apparent in the presentation of the report

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Regional Workshops

Africa: (Part I) Assessing NEPAD and the African Peer Review Mechanism; (Part II) Violations of Constitutions and Advancing Constitutional Reforms

Organizer: Rapporteurs: African Democracy Forum (ADF) Wanjala Yona – Uganda Ryota Jonen – Japan

Part I: Assessing the New Partnership for Africa’s Part II: Violations of Constitutions and Advancing Development (NEPAD) and the African Peer Review Constitutional Reforms Mechanism (APRM) The second part of the regional workshop, covering This part of the African Regional Workshop commenced constitution violations in African countries, particu- with remarks from the chairperson of the African larly in Uganda, Kenya, and Nigeria, was moderated by Democracy Forum (ADF) management committee, Margaret Dongo of Zimbabwe. Ayesha Imam of Nigeria, and was moderated by Lucie Livingston Sewanyana of the Foundation for Human Coulibaly from Côte d’Ivoire. Rights Initiative (Uganda) presented the Ugandan experi- Juliet Ume-Ezeoke of the International Association ence in which the country has had several constitutional of Criminal Justice Practitioners (Nigeria) presented reviews. He noted that the 1995 Constitution is as demo- Nigeria’s APRM process and noted that although the cratic as that of South Africa, in that it recognizes funda- NEPAD/APRM Secretariat has been established, ques- mental human rights as inherent and not granted by the tionnaires formulated and distributed to the people for state, but as has been said, while this is stated on paper, response, little else has been done to create public it is not reflected in practice. Human rights have been awareness. Civil society, too, has been sidelined in the trampled upon by state actors, and Sewanyana reflected process. on the grave deficits concerning the rule of law and the E. Gyimah-Boadi of the Ghana Center for Democratic doctrine of separation of powers, which the Constitution Development presented Ghana’s experience and noted provides for but has not been established. that, unlike Nigeria, it was quite inclusive. Civil society The Nigerian perspective was presented by Okoye has been involved in the whole process, and there is good Festus of Human Rights Monitors (Nigeria) who pointed public awareness about what NEPAD is. He did express out the fraudulent process that the President used for concern about whether the Peer Review Committee pre- establishing a National Commission to take charge of sented the real issues to the Ghana APRM panel because the reform process contrary to a decision of Parliament. upon receipt of the Committee’s report the panel had no The Parliament took the prudent decision not to allocate negative comments despite some gaps in the report in funding to the Commission, but the President funded it in several main thematic areas: democracy and good gov- any case without declaring the source of the funding to ernance, economic governance and management, and Parliament. The whole constitutional process in Nigeria corporate governance and socio-economic development. also lacks transparency because the President wanted to change provisions in the Constitution to ensure the Recommendations: possibility of a third term in office. • The ADF should identify gaps in the NEPAD/APRM Maina Kiai of the National Commission on Human and design measures to strengthen the APRM to Rights (Kenya) presented on Kenya’s constitutional reform address them. process and said that the coalition government had prom- • There is a need for the APRM to address women’s rights. ised Kenyans a constitution within 100 days, but to date there is none. The would-be constitution was rejected • Civil society should not wait to be invited into the pro- by 56 percent of the Kenyans in a referendum, mainly cess, but should demonstrate vigilance in getting involved. because it was not for the people, contrary to the memo- • The ADF should disseminate information about randum of understanding that was agreed upon by the NEPAD/APRM to its member organizations. coalition parties before the elections, and because of a • Based on Ghana’s experiences, the ADF should total lack of trust in the government. develop a template for general civil society involvement in the APRM process throughout the continent. Advancing Democracy: Justice, Pluralism, and Participation Pluralism, Justice, Democracy: Advancing

52 World Movement for Democracy | Istanbul, Turkey, April 2–5, 2006 Regional Workshops Regional Workshops

Recommendations: who follow through on their commitments. • Find an exit package for politicians who violate a • Build public capacity in matters of national concern, constitution for their own selfish gain. such as the constitutional reform process. • Get involved in challenging negative constitutional • Promote constitutionalism. reforms. • Members of civil society should take up leadership • Design programs to encourage the emergence of positions and set good precedents. politicians whose hearts are in the right place and

Asia: Does Profit Come Before Democracy?

Organizer: Moderator: Presenters: World Forum for Democratization in Anselmo Seonghoon Lee George Mathew – India Asia (WFDA) – South Korea Nai-teh Wu – Taiwan Rapporteur: Han Dongfang Bo Tedards – U.S. – China (Hong Kong-based)

Presenters and other participants in this workshop con- In contrast to these “traditional” arguments, the case sidered the ways in which economic arguments have of India was presented as an example of recent acceler- commonly been used to justify constraints on democra- ating economic growth that puts the lie to the idea that tization in Asia by ruling powers, as well as the ways in democracies cannot perform as well as authoritarian which international actors have muted their advocacy regimes. A vibrant civil society and community empow- of democracy because of economic considerations. erment ensures that there is continuous pressure on Participants also recognized the need to grapple with a elected governments to take care of the people’s needs. sense of disillusionment in some Asian democracies due Participants also recognized the urgent need to to a perceived lack of economic performance, especially establish linkages between the ideals of democracy and since those countries have been used by non-democratic the daily lives of ordinary people. While advocates for forces as cautionary examples, even as examples of “too democracy should establish a solid “knowledge base” much democracy.” on development issues, they also should avoid “over- Participants considered the old argument that eco- intellectualizing” the concepts of democracy; rather, nomic development is a prerequisite for democracy, and they should make a case for how they will provide direct there was consensus that it is necessary to separate benefits to workers who are exploited, farmers who have the two concepts analytically: Democracy is necessary lost their land, etc. for its own sake, as one participant put it, because it is The international dimension of the workshop subject the way to produce freedom. The state has a necessary was also taken up. Participants considered how the role in regulating the effects of the market, especially in rise of China as an economic power impedes regional reducing poverty and meeting people’s basic needs. On solidarity for democracy and how China provides sup- the other hand, democracy is necessary to regulate the port, both directly and through the power of example, to AdvancingDemocracy: Justice, Pluralism, Participationand state; it does this both directly, through the granting of non-democratic regimes. In addition, they discussed the governing mandates by the public, and also through its willingness of democratic countries to overlook abuses essential companion institutions, such as the rule of law, for the sake of access to natural resources or invest- independent media, and an active civil society. ment opportunities. At the same time, as one participant The classic justifications offered by authoritarians on pointed out, democracies do allow for the possibility of the relationship between economic development and lobbying for improvement in such foreign policies, and democracy were presented, and reference was made advocates should strengthen their capacity for doing so. to the actual experience in pre-democratic Taiwan. Publicizing their countries’ voting records in the UN and These justifications include “perversity”(meaning other international actions is one example. efforts to reform will worsen economic conditions) and The participants also emphasized the need to encour- “futility”(meaning reforms won’t achieve anything). It age the region’s democracies to take more pro-active was noted, however, that empirical evidence does not in stances, especially those countries that have strong or fact show a clear advantage for authoritarians because growing economies. In addition to taking greater action the long-term instability of authoritarian regimes negates in international forums, such as the UN, the Community most of the economic benefits, even in those rare cases of Democracies (CD), and the International Conference of in which such regimes actually have an effective devel- New and Restored Democracies, such countries should opment strategy. target their overseas assistance more carefully, includ-

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ing instituting some forms of conditionality related to Civil Society Forum for Democracy is another, with its democracy and human rights. They should also be urged regional meeting to be held in Mongolia and the global to establish democracy assistance mechanisms like the meeting in Qatar, both in 2006. The participants also Taiwan Foundation for Democracy. called for continued action towards a regional human Participants agreed that advocates in Asia should rights mechanism. work harder within existing global forums for democracy. Finally, the group recognized the need to enhance The CD’s Non-Governmental Process is one forum, espe- communication at the regional level, for example, by cially given its theme of “democracy and development” developing e-groups or other means to facilitate stronger for the next ministerial meeting (2007). The International networking.

Central and Eastern Europe and Eurasia: Promoting Regional Cross-Border Activities in Europe and Eurasia

Moderators: Rapporteur: Krzyszstof Stanowski – Poland Inna Pidluska – Ukraine Yuri Dzhibladze – Russia Rodger Potocki – U.S.

This workshop aimed at generating practical strategies • Arrange and encourage visits to and from “difficult” and ideas for cross-border programs in the region. It neighbors, giving people in such countries the possi- originated from an effort made at the World Movement’s bility of learning from each other. Third Assembly in Durban to develop an electronic dis- • Facilitate communication via mass media, particu- cussion list to help democracy advocates in the region larly foreign media and media in neighboring coun- exchange ideas, news, and proposals, and to seek and tries that broadcast abroad, about violations of human give support and solidarity to each other, particularly rights and democracy principles. Employ a broader in cases of persecution. The listserv was expected to use of radio, and host on the Internet the Web sites form a basis for a future regional democracy network. of NGOs in “difficult” regions that cannot be hosted Considering that the initiative should develop further, the within their own countries. Printing information, workshop in Istanbul focused on concrete initiatives and leaflets, newspapers, and other communications and specific ideas that can be taken back to the participants’ information is critical, since the people in “difficult” home countries and developed before the next Assembly. countries too often have access only to distorted The workshop was divided into three subgroups official information and democrats lack channels for that addressed working in “difficult” regions, cross- communicating their views. border cooperation in the Black Sea region, and linking Ukrainian and Russian NGOs with partner organizations • Assist with the arrangement of sociological surveys in the region to encourage joint efforts that could go and monitoring, not necessarily by sociologists within beyond their own groups and countries. The participants the “difficult” countries, but with the help of research- were encouraged to focus less on specific problems of ers from other countries. their respective countries and the work they have been • Continually update blacklists of public officials doing, and more on what they could do together to coun- personally responsible for violations of human rights ter obstacles and promote democracy. (such a blacklist already exists in Belarus). For instance, if a student is expelled from a university for Recommendations: expressing a political position, the rector should be Working in “Difficult” Regions put on the blacklist so that governments of the EU, the The subgroup on working in “difficult” regions addressed U.S., and other democracies can have that informa- challenges in Belarus, Azerbaijan, and Central Asian tion when considering requests for entrance visas. countries where democracy and democrats are con- The same should apply to judges, prosecutors, etc. stantly at risk. Proposals and recommendations from the Put pressure on the EU and other international forums group included: to attract attention to the most sensitive issues. • Extend cross-border networking and use the experi- • Explore possibilities for registering NGOs in other ence of the Ferghana Valley where three countries countries (i.e., following the Slovakian, Ukrainian, and (Uzbekistan, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan) collaborated Lithuanian experiences). successfully to resolve a major crisis. • Arrange more training and other events abroad for Advancing Democracy: Justice, Pluralism, and Participation Pluralism, Justice, Democracy: Advancing

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democracy activists from “difficult” regions to draw Caucasus, and other places in the region. The orga- upon resources of the neighboring countries (e.g., nizations represented in this subgroup had substantial Ukraine, Lithuania, Poland). experience engaging in or focusing on educational • Think about new procedures for providing financial activities, enhancing NGO capacity, promoting access to support to NGOs in “difficult” countries. information, democratization research, human rights and democracy advocacy, countering abuse of power by law- • Create an international coalition, to include not just enforcement authorities, anti-corruption work, women’s CIS states but other countries and international NGOs, issues, drafting legislation, working with judges and to help shape international public opinion, and to lawyers for implementation of international human rights facilitate information sharing and the dissemination of standards in legal work, development of local self-gov- democracy alerts. ernance (through training and information sharing), and Cross-Border Cooperation in the Black Sea Region working with local media. Their experiences should be • Disseminate and learn from good examples of com- gathered, analyzed, and shared to help build the capacity munity-building projects, such as uniting a community of democracy activists and to ensure the emergence of around schools, and joint applications for projects a new generation of democrats in the region. Among the (e.g., based on the Polish experience). recommendations: • Create networks of political integrity “watchdogs” to • There should be closer cooperation between monitor the integrity of candidates for parliament, to Ukrainian and Russian NGOs following a study to negotiate with political parties to drop corrupt candi- identify common problems that NGOs in the region dates, and to expose them if this fails. A model of this want to address jointly. worked in Romania in 2004. • There should be information exchanges on NGO • Transfer best practices from the Baltic countries to work, youth, teachers, and journalists, particularly the Black Sea countries by establishing a network of outside the main cities, to help NGOs become more NGOs. aware of events in the region. • Facilitate internships and study visits. For example, • NGOs should form a civic platform for cooperation the Academy of Young Social Entrepreneurs invites and look for and unite local initiatives to encourage students from the region to a camp in Poland, fol- them to exchange experiences and information and to lowed by an internship with a Polish organization. The help each other. students are then encouraged to start their own proj- • There should be mutual exchange internships for ects to address a problem they themselves identify. NGOs in Russia and Ukraine, youth summer schools on • Learn from successful projects, such as a cross- different issues, training programs for local self-gover- border project in which magistrates from one former nance representatives, better communication between Yugoslav country monitor the war crimes court in NGOs and local governments; there is some potentially another, and an Armenian/Azerbaijani/Georgian useful Ukrainian experience in such projects. project to help journalists cross-check for ethnic ste- • NGOs should work with judges and schools on reotypes, etc. In addition, “post-revolution” projects democracy education, and build information bridges might monitor the progress of civil society and state among networks in individual countries to help NGOs reforms after an electoral “revolution.” working on specific issues acquire information on • Create a network of regional organizations in the what is going on in other countries and to enable AdvancingDemocracy: Justice, Pluralism, Participationand Black Sea region that can exchange information and them to participate in the activities of similar NGOs help develop joint projects and a common fundraising across the region. and development strategy to address common issues. • Ukrainian and Russian NGOs should develop stra- A newsletter for the network, possibly called the tegies for working together in other countries in the Black Sea Monitor, might regularly publish a selection region. of legislative and civil society developments. Finally, since the World Movement’s Third Assembly Linking Ukrainian and Russian NGOs with Partner in 2004, pressure on democracy activists in Russia has Organizations in the Region increased, and new, effective ways to counter the backs- It was observed that there have been few joint projects liding on democracy and freedom should be developed in between Russian and Ukrainian NGOs that could build the region. NGOs should develop substantial long-term on useful experiences and lessons, and that could be projects to engage local communities through civic edu- shared beyond those two countries, for instance, with cation and thus increase the chances for democracy to NGOs and democratic activists in Central Asia, the take hold in the society.

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Latin America/Caribbean: Political Parties and Women’s Participation

Moderator: Rapporteurs: Presenters: Elisabeth Ungar – Colombia Cirila Quintero – Mexico Rosa M. Zelaya – Nicaragua Malena de Montis – Nicaragua Cirila Quintero – Mexico Steve Griner – U.S.

The workshop focused on the current situation of politi- • As women’s participation in politics increases, their cal parties and women’s participation in political and contributions to politics should be considered. democratic processes. • Women should not be viewed as victims of the current system, but as proactive actors; they should fight Challenges: to secure more spaces for participation. Political Parties • Political parties in Latin America lack credibility, • What we understand as politics should be which is part of a global trend. reconsidered, especially from a gender perspective, and men should not be excluded from this process. • Political parties are sources of power or brokers for accessing power, and males continue to play central • Quota systems have advanced women’s roles in their leadership. participation, but there is a need to continue to work to fully integrate women into politics. • There should be an effort to increase the internal democratization of parties. Recommendations: • The relationship between political parties and civil • Political parties should be strengthened, especially society should be re-thought. with regard to their internal modernization, the • Political participation should not be limited to elec- training of new leaders, and their rapprochement with tions, and should thus include social and economic the larger society. aspects. • Best practices among political parties should be Women’s Political Participation identified, with a view to those systems that have • In some countries democracy is considered the worked well and have brought women to power, such domain of men and a process in which women have as the system in Chile. been largely excluded. • All discriminatory policies and practices within • If parties lack legitimacy, are they the best vehicles political parties should be ended. for women’s participation? Or should we think about • Association and coordination among different alternative forms of political participation? parties to promote women’s inclusion should be • Women have long been active in NGOs, so it is encouraged. important to recognize their new role in appointed and • Women’s education should be promoted, both formal elected positions. and within political parties, to seek a more just and • Social activism is not much different from political egalitarian society. activism. Work needs to be done to bring the two • Women candidates who can really reach elected together and overcome their apparent mutual exclu- office should be promoted, but not just to symbolic sivity. Political parties and civil society should be positions or just to attract voters. brought closer together. • It is important to create networks of women to learn, • Current laws to ensure women’s political participa- share, and analyze best advocacy tactics. tion are the result of long struggles led by women • Public policies that support women once in office from social, economic, and, of course, political sec- should be instituted. tors. • There is great diversity among women’s • Continuing work is needed to ensure women candi- perspectives and we should work to respect these dates for leading positions, including important dis- views if we want to be more successful in promoting tricts and as main candidates, and to leave behind the women’s political participation. regular practices of having women only in secondary and alternate positions. Advancing Democracy: Justice, Pluralism, and Participation Pluralism, Justice, Democracy: Advancing

56 World Movement for Democracy | Istanbul, Turkey, April 2–5, 2006 Regional Workshops Regional Workshops

Democracy Building in the Middle East and North Africa – The Role of the Democracy Assistance Dialogue (DAD)

Organizers: Moderator: Presenters: Turkish Economic and Social Studies Jonathan Levack – Turkey Niccolo Figa Talamanca – Italy Foundation (TESEV) Rapporteur: Ömür Orhun – Turkey No Peace Without Justice – Italy Alison Smith – Italy Ezzadin Al-Asbahy – Yemen Human Rights Training and Rola Dashti – Kuwait Information Center – Yemen Saad Eddin Ibrahim – Egypt AdvancingDemocracy: Justice, Pluralism, Participationand

Background: do their job in the transition to democracy. This workshop featured presentations by a number The conceptual rationale of the DAD is to assist in of governmental and nongovernmental partners and preventing and countering that barrier by making it clear NGO representatives who have been involved with the (both within the region and to the West) that civil society Democracy Assistance Dialogue (DAD) since its incep- should be the legitimate counterpart to governments, and tion. The broader Middle East/North Africa (bMENA) any political pressure from the outside should reinforce region lacks democracy, and democracy should mainly that work rather than undermine it. The DAD process is be promoted there as a value per se, a central compo- driven by a number of different factors, including in par- nent of which is the right and opportunity of civil society ticular: the urge for change in the Middle East as more to have an impact on political processes. The lack of pronounced than in other global regions; regional coun- effective interaction between governments and civil tries, while stressing the home-grown aspect of change, society, combined with increasing pressure from outside recognize and accept that outside actors can play a agencies, combines to create a real barrier to regional constructive role in this process; and the forces trigger- non-state actors gaining legitimacy, as well as to their ing change and reform in the region is multi-faceted and ability, opportunity, and power to interact effectively and involves both government and civil society. The DAD is

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intended to address this by promoting dialogue, coopera- • The major criticism offered of the DAD process tion, and interaction, with dialogue between government (aside from the need for more extensive publicity) is and civil society focusing on finding mutually accom- the failure so far to translate the format and content of modating rules of interaction in areas where it could the discussions on the two priority themes into effec- produce tangible results. tive action and dialogue at the national level within The DAD operates through regionally-based work- the bMENA region. shops and conferences designed to promote non-state actors as the legitimate counterpart for governments in Recommendations: discussions of democratic reform. The DAD is therefore The participants offered a number of recommendations a framework aimed at fostering partnerships between for the future work of the DAD: governments and civil society, not just on a symbolic • In terms of making the DAD process more effective: basis, but through active participation. The important • The DAD should not be limited to modest aspect of this work is not so much the political commit- exchanges of information and experience, but ments made by governments during regional events, but should explore new areas to ensure greater impact that increasingly the DAD work is the joint work of civil and effectiveness; society and governments and the format carries the message: it is meaningful when government and civil society • A joint and systematic “lessons learned” exercise can sit together and agree at least on the need for dia- should be undertaken to help develop more sophis- logue and consultation about political reform. ticated initiatives; • Closer and more high level coordination among Discussion: different actors within the DAD would be very ben- The workshop discussion raised a number of points: eficial; • The participants spoke about the impact of the DAD on the two priority themes on which it focused in the • There should be greater networking of organiza- first year: participation of women in public life and polit- tions from the region to share experiences and ical pluralism and electoral processes. On women’s empower each other to keep moving the process participation, there have been improvements, but often forward; based on a desire by governments to present them- • There should be more participation of civil society selves in a positive light to the outside world. There is organizations in populist movements, as well as still room for improvement in the region, therefore, par- more integration into the DAD process, which also ticularly in relation to the media, education, family law, needs to widen participation of nongovernmental and strengthening the Convention on the Elimination of actors, such as parliamentarians. All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW). • Many participants spoke about the impact of exter- Activists and civil society should take the successes nal actors, particularly from the West, and how they and achievements to date and move forward, a pro- might be useful in moving the democratic reform cess to which the DAD has contributed. process ahead in the region. The main issue raised in • There has also been progress on political plural- this respect is the need for external actors to accept ism—2005 can be characterized as the year of “the the consequences of democratic processes, having discovery of the magic of the ballot,” with 11 elec- pushed for those processes to be implemented. One tions in the region, including Palestine, Iraq, Lebanon, example repeatedly raised is the Palestinian elections: Egypt, and Saudi Arabia. The DAD has made a useful it is counter-productive for external actors to refuse to symbolic contribution by supporting and reinforcing accept the results of the elections by refusing to deal democratic forces in the region, although organiza- with the winners, and doing so de-legitimizes democ- tionally there is still a long way to go. racy advocates and reformers in the region. • One of the major points made about the DAD is the • It was also noted that the international community need for some kind of “stock-taking process” regard- has a responsibility to be transparent, to talk to gov- ing the concrete contributions the DAD has made to ernments in the region and hold them accountable for democratic reform in the region and how it can take their actions. For example, external actors should not the process further. This suggestion was welcomed be satisfied with the election of two female members of by all DAD partners present, although it was noted parliament as evidence of the participation of women that one concrete indicator of progress so far is the in public life, but should push for more progress. effective integration of civil society participation in the • An additional issue that arose in this context is the Bahrain meeting of the Forum for the Future, an inter- so-called “clash of civilizations” idea, which has been governmental meeting, particularly when measured adopted by some groups in the region and was high- against the complete lack of participation in the previ- lighted in the workshop as an impediment to progress. ous Forum for the Future meeting in Morocco. There was general agreement that this needs to be Advancing Democracy: Justice, Pluralism, and Participation Pluralism, Justice, Democracy: Advancing

58 World Movement for Democracy | Istanbul, Turkey, April 2–5, 2006 Regional Workshops

countered, and in that respect it was suggested that • Another issue discussed by participants is account- the joint initiative of the Spanish and Turkish prime ability both of governments and civil society, particu- ministers to create an “alliance of civilizations” under larly in terms of adopting democratic practices. It the general umbrella of the UN be supported by gov- was noted that if civil society organizations (CSOs) ernments and civil society in all countries. do not empower women and instill equality within • The participants in the workshop expressed a gen- their own organizations, it becomes difficult for them eral sense of a lack of progress in democratic reforms to demand democracy in the state. In addition, the in the region and a widely-shared frustration in not transparent accounting of the receipt and spending of seeing reform initiatives move fast or far enough. funds by governments, CSOs, and by the Foundation They recognized that people who are working for for the Future was emphasized. In relation to govern- democratic reforms are not and should not be satis- ments, civil society has a role to play in empowering fied with the gains. Nonetheless, it was noted that people by educating them about where public funds when activists meet together it is important to see if are going and the extent to which governments there has been any movement. While it is important are creating jobs and providing services. For the to criticize the lack of progress, it is also important to Foundation and the DAD, one concrete proposal is recognize achievements, however small, to ensure a to host a conference for all NGOs to make a public proper analysis of what has and has not worked and accounting of the allocation and spending of funds to promote transparency and credibility. how to move forward. AdvancingDemocracy: Justice, Pluralism, Participationand • The issue of security was discussed, particularly in • Freedom of the media emerged as perhaps the the context of how the Helsinki model from the 1970s most critical issue facing the region at the moment in might be used to move things forward in the broader terms of furthering democratic reform. It was noted Middle East and North Africa region. The specific that the tightening of access to mass media has cre- model may not necessarily be appropriate, given that ated a situation in which the most effective venue for conditions in Eastern Europe at the time were very getting messages across has become the mosque, different from the conditions in the Middle East today. which sometimes gives a platform to radical Islamists There was general agreement, however, that the spirit while leaving little space for democrats. Public space of the Helsinki process could be a useful framework should be opened up so there can be free media, to promote cooperation and to support the democra- which must also be responsible, to enable civil society tization process. Participants noted that this is par- to reach the grassroots and empower them to push ticularly pertinent in the post-September 11 world, and for democratic change based on their needs and aspi- that there is growing momentum within regional civil rations. Participants highlighted the role that external society to address security issues in ways that would actors can play in providing a platform and helping come from civil society as proposals to the govern- the development of free media in the region. ments, much like the DAD.

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LusoForum for Democracy

Moderator: Rapporteurs: João Carlos Espada – Portugal Eugénia Gamboa – Portugal Elisabete Azevedo – Portugal

The LusoForum for Democracy is a network of One of the concerns expressed by participants at the Portuguese-speaking people committed to the promo- World Movement’s Fourth Assembly is the importance tion of democracy in eight Lusophone countries (Angola, of “translating democracy,” not just in literary terms Mozambique, São Tomé & Principe, Cape Verde, Guinea but above all in terms of behavior, beliefs, and common Bissau, Brazil, East Timor, and Portugal). It was created understanding. The participants in this workshop thus in 2002 and is based at the Institute for Political Studies committed themselves to work toward this goal—to at the Catholic University of Lisbon, Portugal. convey the concept that democracy is itself a human The LusoForum met for the first time at the World right to the more than 200 million Portuguese speakers Movement’s Third Assembly in Durban, South Africa, in around the world. In this connection, the participants 2004. At that Assembly the members agreed to under- were pleased with the election of a Portuguese speaker take an initial task of developing a Web site to facilitate to the management committee of the World Movement’s communications among the members, and to enable the African Democracy Forum. The LusoForum members involvement of other individuals and institutions in the also reiterated their commitment to cooperate with all LusoForum. This goal has been successfully accom- of the newly elected members of this African network’s plished, but members of the LusoForum have expressed leadership body. the hope that the site can be made more interactive and translated into English to strength potential linkages with Recommendations: others active in the World Movement for Democracy. The participants made the following recommendations In addition to those of Portuguese-speaking partici- for further development of the LusoForum: pants, this workshop included contributions of English- • Improve the Web site to be more interactive and speaking participants who share the goal of promoting user friendly; the LusoForum on the African continent. The meeting • Study the prospect of developing training courses in was for this reason conducted in both Portuguese and political research and journalism in African countries English. based on the experience of conducting such courses All the participants sought to reinforce the sig- at the Institute of Political Studies in Lisbon; nificance of having a network such as the LusoForum, particularly because not all the countries in which • Increase the number and variety of individual and Lusophone citizens live are democratic. In the last organizational members of the LusoForum; and decade, some Portuguese-speaking countries have • Assure the participation of the LusoForum in the next engaged in political liberalization, but their efforts have World Movement Assembly. not led directly to full democracy. Advancing Democracy: Justice, Pluralism, and Participation Pluralism, Justice, Democracy: Advancing

60 World Movement for Democracy | Istanbul, Turkey, April 2–5, 2006 Regional Workshops Regional Workshops

Regional Democracy Charters

Organizers: Moderator: Presenters: Steve Griner – U.S. Mariclaire Acosta – Mexico Steve Griner – U.S. Institute for Democracy in South Rapporteur: Debbie Stothard – Malaysia Africa (Idasa) – South Africa Elisabete Azevedo – Portugal Paul Graham – South Africa Festus Okoye – Nigeria Ted Piccone – U.S.

There was a common understanding among all partici- charter or a constitution, and does not have any official pants in the workshop that regional democracy charters pact to promote democracy. On the contrary, the lack have an undeniable significance in strengthening democ- of specific guidelines has allowed manipulation and ratization. With valuable contributions from the other par- inconsistency in the promotion or application of the ticipants, the presenters focused the discussion on three principles of good governance. The member states regional institutional experiences: the OAS (Organization have used ASEAN as an excuse for their lack of respect of American States), ASEAN (the Association of for democratic values, often adopting a relativistic Southeast Asian Nations), and the AU (African Union). perspective (e.g., “yes, in Singapore we don’t have The first revelation drawn from these experiences is that freedom of expression, but it is still worse in Vietnam”). they are significantly different in their histories, their link- There has been broad international and regional criticism ages with civil society, the level of democracy of their of ASEAN on this point and civil society and national member countries, and on the establishment of charters. assemblies have been demanding that ASEAN adopt a The OAS, originally founded in 1948, is at present charter of democratic values. constituted by 34 American states, including Canada, the The AU, established in 2002, has been developing Caribbean, all Latin America (with the exception of Cuba) important pacts, such as the African Charter for Human and the United States. In 2001, the members approved a and People’s Rights, and a pact defining free and fair new charter providing a comprehensive definition of the elections, but there is no democratic charter. There essential elements of democracy. The Asian and African is some indication of progress toward a charter for experiences differ significantly. democracy, but civil society participation has been ASEAN was established on August 8, 1967, without a blocked. AdvancingDemocracy: Justice, Pluralism, Participationand

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Observations: achievement, but it is the beginning, not the end, of • Regional democracy charters generate a space the process. Demands from civil society require a for civil society within their respective regions, and continuous evaluation of countries’ behavior and the nations can demand accountability from their govern- will and capacity to adapt to new challenges (for ments once such democratic treaties are ratified. example, participants from Latin America expressed • A country’s civil society can play a crucial role in their hope for movement beyond “free and fair elec- bringing to bear on a practical level the principles that tions” to the need for democracies in which checks their government ratified on the regional level; this and balances are respected). can be accomplished through demands for implementation of such principles through national and local Recommendations: law, but also by translating the content of charters • Resources are needed to enable civil society to par- into local languages, thus generating awareness of ticipate at the national level, especially in non-demo- citizens’ rights. cratic societies or “hybrid” regimes, in the formulation and implementation of democracy charters. • Efficient mechanisms are needed to assure that once a regional charter is established either no viola- • The World Movement for Democracy should tions are made by member states, or in the case of provide via its Web site information about existing violations such mechanisms address such behavior. regional democracy charters and efforts to establish new ones. • A regional democracy charter is an important Advancing Democracy: Justice, Pluralism, and Participation Pluralism, Justice, Democracy: Advancing

62 World Movement for Democracy | Istanbul, Turkey, April 2–5, 2006 Regional Workshops Functional Networking

Functional Networking

World Youth Movement for Democracy

Moderator: Rapporteur: Cristina de Miranda Costa – Brazil Andrea des Marais – U.S.

Background: promoting collaboration among members. Because This workshop was intended to share information about its membership structure is closely linked to the World the World Youth Movement for Democracy, affiliated Movement, the Youth Movement is especially looking with the World Movement for Democracy, and to build for partners within the World Movement who have partnerships to develop the Youth Movement further in strong commitments to networking and youth programs. the coming years. The idea of the Youth Movement came • All interested participants in the Youth Movement from discussions at the World Movement’s Assembly will send information about their programs, upcoming in São Paulo, Brazil, in 2000, but it began to take shape events, opportunities, and ideas for collaboration to when the South American Regional Office of the Global the Secretariat to build the online information hub. Youth Action Network (GYAN) was selected to serve as the Secretariat and the Youth Movement’s working group • The Youth Movement will work to develop an agenda met to clarify its mission and structure. for advocacy within the World Movement to give more The Youth Movement is a “network of networks” that priority to youth issues and participation. A central was created to support and complement the work of its proposal would be to increase youth presence at participants based on the belief that an effective and future assemblies. sustainable movement for democracy and human rights • Members will organize around the World Youth Day depends on the active participation of young people. for Democracy each year (October 18) as a way to Working with young people means working with three highlight youth participation in democracy and human generations at once: the youth themselves, their parents rights movements and to reach out to youth on these and relatives who may be affected by new ways of think- issues. This can be done by hosting discussions, ing, and their future children. In recent years, many trainings, rallies, concerts, solidarity vigils, or any organizations within the World Movement have found other activity within with the focus of participating that their objectives would be well served by working organizations. with young people and they are therefore looking for Collaborative Projects ideas and tactics for involving them. Since a primary purpose of the Youth Movement is to The Youth Movement seeks to serve as a platform for share ideas for collaborative action, participants began young leaders to advocate for the importance of involv- the process in the workshop itself. The following ideas ing young people in democracy building; as a forum emerged: for sharing information, strategies, training materials, and other resources; and as an action-oriented solidar- • Develop national-level Web sites (and printed mate-

ity movement. The Secretariat has developed a Web rials) aimed at young people with information about AdvancingDemocracy: Justice, Pluralism, Participationand site (www.ymd.youthlink.org) and mailing list to provide democracy issues for the respective country and a central source of information for young democracy listings of active groups, projects, events, and oppor- and human rights activists and for people working with tunities. young people to build democracy. The tools provided • Host regional youth assemblies in 2007 or 2008 to will develop further as members share information and bring young people together from different areas of resources. democracy work to engage in capacity building and networking. Action Plan: The workshop participants committed themselves to act- • Establish a solidarity alert and information system, ing as a “nucleus” of the Youth Movement’s membership, integrated with the World Movement, to call attention and will share resources and undertake efforts to reach to the struggles of Youth Movement member organiza- out to other organizations. tions and to initiate actions. • Establish a system for channeling funding to youth Immediate Actions engagement projects. • International coordination will focus on reaching out to new members and stimulating idea exchanges and • Develop a “Youth Participation Index” and undertake a survey to evaluate the degree to which different

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countries open avenues for youth engagement. involved in the Youth Movement, and encourage the • Conduct a global survey of the roles youth play in formation of youth wings where they do not yet exist. developing democracy in societies at different lev- Anyone interested in participating in the Youth els of democratic development (closed, transitional, Movement is strongly encouraged to get in contact with established, etc.), and develop a report to serve as a the Secretariat by sending an email to ymdsecretariat@ guide, reference, and advocacy tool. youthlink.org and checking the Web site at www.ymd. • Contact political parties with youth wings to get them youthlink.org.

Network of Democracy Research Institutes: Translating Democracy

Moderators: Rapporteur: Presenters: Marc F. Plattner – U.S. Vitali Silitski – Belarus Abdu Filali-Ansary – Morocco Oussama K. Safa – Lebanon Adel Abdellatif – Lebanon Daniel Zovatto – Argentina Olga Gyarfasova – Slovakia

There is an ongoing battle of ideas between democratic ing democracy often enjoys substantial official and and anti-democratic alternatives in many regions of the private support. world where democracy has yet to take root. The resil- • There are certain problems in translating literature ience of authoritarian trends in the Islamic world and the on democracy into local languages because of lin- former Soviet Union, the emergence of populist regimes guistic problems and the incompatibility of certain that have a high propensity to turn increasingly anti- terminology; many languages in developing democra- democratic, the popularity of ideologies that denounce cies lack proper equivalents for such terms as “rule of the principles of democracy, and the active encourage- law,” “policy,” etc.. Therefore, the quality of transla- ment by governments and radical movements of all of tion is often substandard. Moreover, there are many this means that democracy is far from winning the battle. other peculiar linguistic issues, such as differences in Given this, providing sources of information and intellec- spoken and written languages (for many in the Arab tual thought on democracy for the general public and uni- world, for instance, even the Koran is difficult to read, versities around the world may be critical for promoting and as a consequence “interpretations” are tailored democracy in such regions as the Middle East, Eastern to political agendas). Europe, and the former Soviet Union, among others. Conversely, a deficit of knowledge will only deepen the • Translated foreign books may be prohibitively expen- deficit of freedom. sive for the intended audiences in countries where living standards are low (and most of the countries and Challenges: regions in question fall into this category). Participants in this workshop emphasized the acute lack • Printed media, and especially books, can hardly of literature on democracy and rule of law, particularly compete with TV for attention in today’s world, which in the Arab world, and outlined the following major prob- means that state-controlled TV channels have a much lems in “translating democracy.” greater power in defining attitudes of citizens. • While there is an extreme shortage of literature on At the same time, participants in the workshop democracy, there is an abundance of easily available emphasized the importance of spreading to broader sources of information provided by radical anti-demo- audiences the knowledge produced and accumulated cratic movements. by democracy activists, intellectuals, and think-tank • While information about democracy is often avail- researchers who have worked on democracy and rule able in foreign languages such as French and English, of law issues. The problems here are often prohibitively the increasing trend toward the exclusive use of high costs of translation and publishing for the relatively Arabic at local universities makes these sources small potential audience. The quality of translation is unsuitable for use in the curriculum. also often very problematic; the meaning and substance of the material is often lost in translation when done by • There is a lack of local support for translating those who do not have combined expertise in the subject and publishing literature on democracy because matter and the language, whether translating from or to some national governments are either uninterested local languages. in circulating this information or ban it altogether. Meanwhile, radical and extremist literature denounc- Advancing Democracy: Justice, Pluralism, and Participation Pluralism, Justice, Democracy: Advancing

64 World Movement for Democracy | Istanbul, Turkey, April 2–5, 2006 Functional Networking

Recommendations: • There is a window of opportunity for getting democ- • A careful review should be undertaken of the litera- racy-related literature into university curricula since ture already available in the various regions and what there is currently an acute lack of basic textbooks remains most pressing to translate and publish. and other sources of information in many educational • Assemble teams of experts and intellectuals to establishments. establish plans of action for ongoing work and to help • Translation efforts should address the key misun- with definitions and solving complex linguistic issues. derstandings about democracy that are widespread • Multiple sources are needed for distributing knowl- in the societies in question (for instance, whether edge; while book publishing is important, it is also democracy is a competitor of religion or a panacea for critical to use other media, particularly printed media, all social and political ills) and are masterfully used by to ensure a speedy and widespread dissemination of anti-democratic forces to denounce democracy. certain basic concepts and ideas. • Electronic databases should be established to make • “Translating democracy” is in great need of funding, literature on democracy available online. since the political, social, and economic contexts of Finally, the workshop participants shared experiences the regions in question make local sources of funding in successful translation work (such as Idea Access), negligible. and urged greater information sharing and cooperation.

Global Forum for Media Development

Moderator: Rapporteur: Eric Johnson – U.S. Daoud Kuttab – Jordan

The Global Forum for Media Development (GFMD) is development programs. one of the newest initiatives to emerge within the World Ultimately, there were four key rationales for creating Movement for Democracy and has been in process the GFMD: for the past two years. Most of the participants were • Promoting media assistance among donors; new to or unfamiliar with the purpose and nature of the GFMD. The workshop moderator, Eric Johnson, • Studying and improving the monitoring and evalua- Program Director of Internews and a member of the tion systems for media development; GFMD steering committee, therefore explained that the • Professionalizing the media development/media NGO GFMD was created to bring together both the world’s field; media development groups and media NGOs. From the • Encouraging exchanges of best practices, research, biggest organizations, such as Internews, IREX, and BBC lobbying, bridging resources, etc. World Service Trust, to national organizations working for free and independent media, the GFMD first gathered An 18-person steering committee spearheaded the in Amman, Jordan, in October 2005. More than 425 dele- first GFMD meeting in Jordan, but from the beginning it AdvancingDemocracy: Justice, Pluralism, Participationand gates—implementers and donors—attended the meeting was conscious of pitfalls and issues that needed to be to discuss their common concerns. resolved. There was the matter of the committee being One of the original main premises for the GFMD was “self-appointed” and composed mostly of bigger orga- the recognition that media development is not given nizations. According to Mr. Johnson, the effort from the much weight by donors, or is at least not appreciated start was to make the committee more representative, as a sector and concern separate from the broader but smaller organizations with fewer resources tended issues of, for example, human rights, democracy, and to fail to participate even when resources for attending governance. Following the meeting in Amman, the Knight meetings were offered. Nonetheless, the GFMD meeting Foundation commissioned a study to determine how took place in Amman with wide participation and deep much funding is actually allocated for media develop- interest, and the delegates discussed common problems ment annually and globally, and the figure came to in the implementation and funding of media programs: around $1 billion per year, almost entirely from Europe How do we demonstrate that what we’re doing is really and North America. Related to this, it was suggested that useful? How do we measure our impact? What is an one of the barriers to convincing donors to take a more effective intervention? What works? What doesn’t? Etc. serious look at media development is the absence of any Following the Amman meeting, delegates asked solid methodology for evaluating the impact of media themselves if it is viable to institutionalize the GFMD as

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an organization since they and even steering committee steering committee, and Mr. Johnson reiterated that this members were conscious that the GFMD might end up would be possible if the smaller organizations in fact competing with its own members. There was also the found it practicable to be more active in the GFMD pro- question of resources, since a new organization would cess; it’s no less interesting for smaller organizations to need its own. There was much discussion, therefore, be involved than for larger ones, he said. The only reason but no consensus on how to move forward. On the other the big organizations are leading the network is because hand, there was consensus on the sentiment that “we they are the only ones who have the resources to bring just know we need to work together.” the global sector together. Striking a balance remains a At this workshop, participants raised concerns based constant challenge and process for the GFMD. on their impressions of the GFMD. Some were confused The Jordanian participant also asked if the GFMD about its mandate. A participant from China asked if the would have any ideological bias toward either for-profit GFMD could help to network individual journalists in or nonprofit media development. Mr. Johnson responded China or anywhere else such networks do not yet exist. that there is no such intrinsic bias either way. Moreover, Mr. Johnson explained that this is not GFMD’s intended an instructive consensus that emerged from the Amman mandate; rather, its aim is to network existing groups, meeting was that in principle media assistance should match needs with capacities, and facilitate collective be about strengthening the practice of journalism, not discussion of common issues. He emphasized, however, strengthening media. that the individual groups that comprise the GFMD do A Pakistani participant questioned the need to cre- have their own resources, sets of skills, and mandates ate a whole new organization such as the GFMD. If the to respond to such calls for network building. The value intention is merely to promote the media development of the GFMD is its ability to highlight the ways different agenda among donors, there is no need for an organiza- organizations can contribute to improving work in the tion. It may be possible to simply form a delegation and media field. In the meantime, the GFMD is keeping its send them out to educate donors. Mr. Johnson replied focus on the need to promote the entire sector in the that the GFMD process is not simply about raising funds, eyes of donors. and referred to the four rationales listed above. He also A participant from Jordan expressed his concern that emphasized that the GFMD as a process is precisely there is a conceptual problem with the GFMD because about getting some consensus on issues that confront its founders are more worried about keeping its mem- media and media development organizations aside from ber organizations healthy than serving the actual needs funding concerns. In this light, he noted that there are of media constituents on the national and community regional initiatives and models for figuring out how the levels. The GFMD, he said, has yet to clarify how it can GFMD, as a process, can continue to move forward. He strike a balance between the funding interests of the big said that regional forums are being organized for Africa organizations leading the network, and smaller groups’ and Eurasia. Those in Latin America have yet to map out resources and interests. He also raised the issue again the options there, and those in Asia are waiting for an of why small organizations are not represented on the organization to take the lead.

International Women’s Democracy Network

Moderator: Rapporteur: Anne Mugisha – Uganda Juliet Ume-Ezeoke – Nigeria

The International Women’s Democracy Network was • building solidarity and support for individuals and established at the World Movement’s Third Assembly in organizations engaged in democracy activism; and Durban, South Africa, in 2004 to support and enhance • increasing interaction and communication among women’s roles and agency in the development of and between various transnational networks, includ- democratic practices and institutions at the community, ing those working on women’s rights, human rights, national, and international levels. These purposes are peace, and environmental issues. intended to be realized through The Women’s Learning Partnership for Rights, • exchanging experiences and best practices; Development and Peace (WLP) was asked to serve as • providing training in democracy work; the Secretariat and to coordinate the activities of the • developing and supporting advocacy campaigns network. Since the World Movement’s Third Assembly, initiated by members at the local, national, and inter- the WLP has initiated several informal consultations national levels; and discussions at various international gatherings to Advancing Democracy: Justice, Pluralism, and Participation Pluralism, Justice, Democracy: Advancing

66 World Movement for Democracy | Istanbul, Turkey, April 2–5, 2006 Functional Networking engage a wider group of women activists in the Women’s to Ms. de Montis, there is a lack of consistency and Democracy Network and to confer on practical and inno- unity, and women’s groups are always splintering. vative strategies to expand its impact. In addition, WLP The challenge is to achieve unity in diversity and to worked closely with the World Movement Secretariat move beyond the tiny spaces in which such groups staff to initiate a Web site for the network (http://www. operate in order to break away from a history of sup- wmd.org/women/womensdemocracy.html), and WLP pression. Another problem is that resources are not launched an e-mail listserv for the network based on a available to women who are impoverished and strug- list of all female individuals invited to attend the Fourth gling to feed their families. Cultural laws, economic Assembly in Istanbul. The listserv had some 78 members disempowerment, and a lack of skills and social at the time of the Assembly, and was used by partici- services conspire to deny women their opportunities pants to identify presenters for various Assembly work- to participate in politics. She pointed to the need to shops and to exchange information among activists from build trust among networks. different regions. The listserv has great potential if fully • Olexander Rudneva discussed the challenges faced utilized by participants to achieve the network’s goals. by women in Ukraine, and said her organization was The workshop participants focused on the next steps struggling to develop policies concerning women in to realize the network’s potential by addressing the chal- an environment in which they are perceived as unim- lenges that civil society organizations face in promoting portant. She also stated that there is under-represen- women’s involvement in democratic development in their tation of women in Parliament. regions, the strategies that member organizations were taking to overcome those challenges, and recommenda- Recommendations: tions on how the network itself can respond to those The following strategies and recommendations were challenges. made for moving the network forward: Challenges: • Learn from the experiences of countries within • Enkhtuya Oidov of Mongolia discussed the challeng- regions by establishing regional offices for the net- es faced by her organization following a democratic work. Several individuals volunteered their organiza- revolution. The organization worked in an environment tions to take up this responsibility within their regions. with no democratic institutions and no experience. • Work with other international organizations and While Mongolian women have had a high literacy social justice movements. level, they did not have resources and had been living in a closed society. The government resisted the entry • Strengthen leadership skills and develop members’ of women into politics and was hostile toward their self-reliance. struggle for emancipation. • Establish regional networks and ask them to train • Rose Shomali spoke about a Palestinian women’s women candidates. coalition. Palestinian women face traditional barriers • Identify and train potential women leaders. that exist alongside a patriarchal culture. They need • Support women leaders through solidarity to understand that they can overcome the stereotypes networking and international pressure to create that prevent them from participating, and men need awareness of the threat faced by democrats. to be enlightened and become involved in promoting • Train media representatives on women’s and

women’s participation in decision making. Cultural AdvancingDemocracy: Justice, Pluralism, Participationand norms and laws often prevent women from acquir- democracy issues as part of advocacy and lobbying, ing decision-making positions, and quota systems for and raise community awareness more generally of women’s participation is often resisted by men. The such issues. media is also not supportive nor gender sensitive. • Conduct studies of the challenges to and potential • Sindi Medar-Gould discussed the challenges faced for women’s leadership in democratic development. by women in Nigeria, which include patriarchal domi- • Provide resources and information on best practices. nation in the private and public spheres and a shrink- • Raise awareness of the women’s agenda in ing space where women and men compete for only a democracy meetings. few positions. She added that society does not recognize the importance of women participating in politics • Change women’s perception of stereotypes in and decision making because traditional cultures tend leadership. to inhibit such participation. • Empower women and provide opportunities for their • Malena de Montis discussed the challenges in work through training and information sharing. Nicaragua and the Latin America region more gener- • Train men and women on how to collaborate. ally, in which the patriarchal system inhibits women • Provide mentoring for young women. from participating in the public sphere. According

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• Coordinate with other World Movement regional • Conduct research to define the problems to be and functional networks at the local, national, and addressed and ways to address them. international levels. • Develop programs for legislative reform, and raise • Share power, skills, and experiences for success. issues of equality on political agendas. • Keep the agenda of the Women’s Network on the • Train young women in leadership skills and connect agendas of relevant movements, such as the Youth them to the women’s and democracy movements. Movement for Democracy. • Create an online resource center to provide • Develop a neutral forum that admits different shades information and knowledge on priority areas of the of opinion for discussing women’s issues related to network. political participation. • Through a participatory process, develop, circulate, • Enhance communication through seminars with and finalize a draft vision statement and plan of action women journalists. to define the character and structure of the network.

Global Network on Local Governance

Moderator: Rapporteur: Presenters: George Mathew – India Sadun Emrealp – Turkey Ash Narain Roy – India Rama Naidu – South Africa

The workshop on the Global Network on Local political life; as a result, women have been empowered Governance (GNLG) included 17 participants from 10 and have become “new stakeholders” in Indian politics. different countries, including Colombia, Ecuador, India, He thus emphasized the importance of the less-rec- Liberia, Morocco, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, ognized “revolution of decentralization” that India has Sweden, and Turkey. Following presentations providing been undergoing alongside its “economic revolution.” the background and basic framework of the GNLG, the A primary lesson learned from India’s experience, he discussion among the participants reflected a consen- said, is that to empower local communities, the central sus on the necessity of the network. It was emphasized government must devolve its powers rather than merely that the GNLG is not intended to be a network on local “delegate” them. government, but a network on local governance, bringing Returning to the history of the GNLG, Dr. Roy together those who are concerned with the local govern- explained how the idea of the network emerged at the ment system and democratic decentralization. As part of World Movement’s Second Assembly in São Paulo, the background presentations, progress of the network Brazil, in late 2000, and developed further as a result to date was summarized, including: of discussions in a workshop at the Third Assembly • Establishment of a Web site (www.gnlg.com). in Durban, South Africa, in 2004, co-organized by the ISS and the Democracy Development Program (DDP) • Establishment of a Secretariat under the umbrella in South Africa. More recently, the GNLG Steering of the Institute of Social Sciences (ISS) in New Delhi, Committee met in Delhi in February 2006, at which time India. the focus and work of the GNLG was defined. • Establishment of two committees, an Executive In his presentation, Mr. Rama Naidu of the DDP reit- Committee (with nine members from a variety of coun- erated the framework of the GNLG and its history, and tries) and a Fundraising Committee. described how what he called the “Durban sprit” at the Dr. Ash Narain Roy of the Institute of Social Sciences Third Assembly motivated those involved and enabled (ISS) shared his views on the context giving rise to the them to proceed with the establishment of the network. GNLG. He drew attention to the “globalization of democ- As a result of synopses presented by participants of racy” based on the acceptance of democracy as a uni- the relevant experiences in their countries, the expecta- versally applicable system. He emphasized that through tions of the GNLG were discussed. Among the leading democratic decentralization democracy can become ideas to emerge were the following: deep-rooted and sustainable. Besides, full participa- • The GNLG should serve its constituents by “opening tory democracy is only possible at the local level. He up new horizons” with relevant examples of local gov- focused, in particular, on the model of India’s democratic ernance from around the world, both good and bad. decentralization, which includes quotas for women, There is also a need for a monitoring mechanism. those in the lower castes, and indigenous people in Advancing Democracy: Justice, Pluralism, and Participation Pluralism, Justice, Democracy: Advancing

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• The network can be of particular value and rel- rized a number of suggestions voiced by the participants evance for sharing ideas, experiences, and good for taking the GNLG forward: practices. Participants therefore urged the creation • The GNLG Web site should include profiles of peo- of some means to profile “success stories.” ple working successfully in local government institu- • By efficiently utilizing new information and com- tions. munication technologies (ICTs), the GNLG can provide • Information on local governance systems in different innovative ways of exchanging information and expe- countries should be provided on the Web site. riences rather than through the organization of international meetings, which are very costly. • Members of the network should be able to pose practical questions for response by experts via the • The network should promote and contribute to the Web site. For this purpose, the network should devise inclusion of the “excluded” in different countries, in a plan for accessing experts around the world. particular by including networks of indigenous people. • Fundraising for the GNLG should include raising • The GNLG should help develop the essential capac- funds for conducting “research” in pertinent areas of ity of local people, particularly in facilitating the pro- work. cess of decentralization. • The Web site should acknowledge “the champions” • The GNLG can be instrumental in “demystifying” by identifying “local heroes” and sharing their stories government by serving as a clearinghouse for infor- so members will become aware that they are not mation related to decentralization and democratic alone. local governance. • Regional local governance networks should become • The network should help develop global solidarity more operational. around the importance of local governance. • Advocacy should become an integral aspect of the At the conclusion of the workshop, Mr. Naidu summa- network’s activities.

International Movement of Parliamentarians for Democracy

Moderator: Rapporteur: Presenters: David Lowe – U.S. Michael Allen – U.K. Urban Ahlin, MP – Sweden Michael Danby, MP – Australia Nadezhda Mikhailova, MP – Bulgaria

The participants in this workshop agreed that a revived dangers of populist, anti-democratic ideologies. international network of parliamentarians would share A network of parliamentarians can perform a par- experience with new democracies, respond to attacks ticularly useful role for the civil society-oriented World on civil society, and organize solidarity with belea- Movement for Democracy, Australian MP Michael Danby guered democracy activists. Recognizing the need to said, because politicians understand the practical limi- avoid duplicating the work of existing parliamentary tations of voluntarism and the intricacies of electoral AdvancingDemocracy: Justice, Pluralism, Participationand networks, the participants nonetheless held that if the systems, have hands-on experience confronting corrup- Inter-Parliamentary Union, for instance, recognized such tion, and understand the importance of a vibrant political false parliamentarians as those in China, and other net- opposition. Concurring with the need to stress practi- works focused on geographical regions such as Africa, cal considerations for busy politicians, Ivan Doherty of there is indeed a space—and a need—for a rigorous Ireland highlighted the importance of engaging regional network that would give parliamentarians access to the legislative networks around the likes of the OAS and resources and expertise of the World Movement itself as SADCC. a “network of networks.” Jesper Olsen drew attention to the facilities that could Describing himself as a “democratic fundamentalist,” be made available through the innovative E-parliament Swedish MP Urban Ahlin, who chairs his Parliament’s initiative that is producing a database of 25,000 parlia- foreign affairs committee, argued the case for par- mentarians. He indicated that E-parliament will gladly liamentarians to coordinate opinion/editorial articles circulate IMPD statements to its current list of 4,000, and in response to ill-informed and partisan coverage of that it may be possible to convene an e-parliament lim- democracy promotion. Former Bulgarian foreign minis- ited to democratically-elected politicians. E-parliament ter, Nadezhda Milhaylova, drew on her family’s experi- could also facilitate the network’s rapid action alerts. ence of repression under communism to highlight the Participants discussed the possibility of creating a sec-

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retariat for the parliamentarians network, with several The participants agreed that a plan of action for the European forums suggested as possible sites. network should identify priority needs and issues, at least Many parliamentarians lack essential information on, including an action alerts facility to assist democrats for example, the democratic credentials and credibility of (especially parliamentarians or aspiring parliamentarians certain groups and movements, said Jana Hyboskova, a whose human rights are being violated). The network Czech member of the European Parliament. A research- would also benefit from having a specific concrete focus, based information service and a database of best prac- such as combating the current international backlash tices on such issues as political party financing would be against democracy assistance. valuable. She indicated that she would raise the network within the European People’s Party.

Promoting Human Rights and Democracy: Supporting the Role of the Democracy Caucus in UN Reform

Organizers: Moderator: Presenters: Democracy Coalition Project – U.S. Ted Piccone – U.S. Debbie Stothard – Malaysia Freedom House – U.S. Rapporteur: Ayesha Imam – Nigeria Transnational Radical Party – Italy Dokhi Fassihian – U.S. Oumar Makalou – Mali

This functional workshop focused on the role of the countries, shared advocacy strategies successfully UN Democracy Caucus in UN reform, specifically in used at the Commission and in specific regional bodies, strengthening the new UN Human Rights Council. such as the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Participants discussed efforts to date to create a UN Rights, to expose human rights violations and exclude Democracy Caucus, composed of those governments abusive countries from leadership positions. The activ- invited to participate in the Community of Democracies, ists also discussed ideas for civil society strategies to to serve as a focal point on human rights and democracy strengthen the new UN Human Rights Council through issues within the UN’s long-established regional bloc the UN Democracy Caucus, particularly with regard to system. Differences between the new Human Rights the election of the 47 members to the new Council who Council and the old Commission on Human Rights were will play critical roles in determining the rules and regu- discussed, including new requirements that Council lations of the new body. members uphold the highest standards of human rights, cooperate with the body, make pledges and commit- Recommendations: ments as candidates, and be elected by an individual • Civil society campaign strategies should be inter- and direct vote of an absolute majority of the UN General national and regional, and should focus on the Assembly. Participants agreed that the Democracy Democracy Caucus’ commitment to support countries Caucus should play a more serious role in the UN human for election to the Council that have good records on rights system. human rights protection and promotion. Participants Participants described the role of the old UN discussed various criteria in determining the human Commission on Human Rights as “formidable,” even in rights credentials of countries, including voting cases where little change was visible within a country records at the UN on human rights resolutions, avail- as a result of the Commission’s actions. Governments able assessments of countries’ human rights records, took such actions seriously, participants said, which is openness and accessibility of delegations to human precisely why the Commission had become so politicized rights organizations, countries’ positions on NGO par- and concerted efforts were made by governments to ticipation at the Council, cooperation with UN special avoid scrutiny and censure. Participants also said that mechanisms, and ratification of human rights treaties. resolutions on human rights violations served as impor- • Smaller countries with good records that have been tant symbols and tools for human rights defenders work- sidelined by powerful neighbors should be encour- ing to expose abuses within a country, at the regional aged and supported for election to the Council. level, and in other international bodies. The Commission Participants said that it was important for countries also served as an important forum for affording interna- with poor records to not be completely excluded from tional protection to human rights defenders. the human rights system, since that would make it Human rights defenders in the workshop, from Asia, harder to influence their governments. Africa, the Middle East, Latin America, and Western • Civil society should launch an international advoca- Advancing Democracy: Justice, Pluralism, and Participation Pluralism, Justice, Democracy: Advancing

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cy campaign to rotate meetings of the Human Rights and share resources, accreditation, credit, and time Council to “southern” countries and regions outside available at sessions of the Human Rights Council to the Western world to provide opportunities for south- address pressing human rights concerns effectively. ern human rights defenders to attend sessions and • Human rights groups should first lobby governments to blunt claims by abusive governments that the UN in capitals and respective regional forums as the first human rights system is promoting and imposing the place where policies are made, and then lobby del- values, concepts, and interests of Western (or “north- egations in New York and Geneva where they largely ern”) countries. Sessions held in Geneva or elsewhere carry out instructions from their home governments. in the north should make Web casting available for Participants said that actions by governments at the participants in the south who cannot attend sessions UN are important and symbolic, but actions by local physically. citizens and NGOs at home and in regional institutions • NGOs should seek increased participation and are taken seriously by governments and are thus more access to the Human Rights Council by urging the effective in getting abusive countries censured and UN Democracy Caucus to support their full and equal shamed at the regional level. participation (i.e., NGOs should sit at the table with • Intensive training programs should be carried out to governments), as demonstrated by the Community of educate governments, as well as nongovernmental Democracies itself at its ministerial meeting in Chile. actors, on how democracy and human rights issues • The UN Democracy Caucus should meet formally can be better addressed through international organi- and in a public framework as often as possible with zations. human rights and democracy organizations from • Civil society campaigns should encourage the around the world to give defenders international rec- Human Rights Council to promote all human rights ognition by the Caucus, which can serve as protection equally, including political, civil, economic, social, and for groups and activists at home. cultural rights. • As much as possible, NGOs should work together, adopt common positions, strategies, and tactics,

Creating a Higher Education Network for Democracy

Organizer: Rapporteur: Presenters: Europeaeum Uri Dromi – Israel Paul Flather – U.K. Moderator: Serdar Degirmencioglu – Turkey João Carlos Espada – Portugal Michael Pinto-Duschinsky – U.K. Uri Dromi – Israel

The moderator introduced the participants to the goal of ment as a tool both to promote democracy in the universi- this workshop: To explore the possibilities of establish- ties themselves and to persuade them to join the network.

ing a network of higher-learning institutions to promote Michael Pinto-Duschinsky stated that he fully sup- AdvancingDemocracy: Justice, Pluralism, Participationand democracy together. ported the idea of the network, and pointed to the fact Paul Flather of Europeaeum (an association of that politicians who decide about our lives lack the skills European universities), who initiated the idea, began by required for fulfilling their missions; educating them to do expressing his belief that universities should be engaged so can only be accomplished through universities. He in democracy-promotion, have an international commit- proposed a model for the network that would be based ment, act as homes for free ideas, and disseminate good partly on communication via the Internet, but he empha- and reliable information. He advocated the creation of a sized that this should be supplemental to, not a substitute network open to all, with a database shared by all partici- for, face-to-face interaction. His proposed model would pants to include information on how each participating feature three phases: university or think tank promotes democracy, as well as • A two-week course on democracy, but not in com- lists of experts who are available and willing to contrib- monly thought of places, such as Oxford or Stanford ute to the network’s goals. The activities of the network Universities, etc.; would include a virtual “global seminar room” on teaching democracy, short exchange visits of experts on democ- • Six months of follow-up education via the Internet, racy, graduate civic education programs, support for with an evaluation process to determine whether the suppressed universities, and improving university manage- graduates fulfilled the expectations of the program;

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• A one-month seminar together with other graduates expressed his hope that the network would address the of the program, to be held in a participating university following issues: private universities, many of which with an option of receiving a diploma. have become “degree factories” and are uninterested in He also said that he believed funding for this model the community; the question of elitism, which motivates was feasible. university graduates to drift away from the real concerns In his presentation, Uri Dromi said that while he of the community; awards to professors who distinguish embraces the idea of the network, he believed that it themselves in promoting democracy seminars for under- should include not just universities, but think tanks as graduate students, not only for graduate students; and well, because universities often find it difficult to respond the need to emphasize the needs of students, not just to such an initiative while individual professors who are faculty. also fellows at democracy-promotion think tanks would Other participants in the workshop responded to be more ready to contribute. He offered the case of these proposed ideas and concerns. One participant his own think tank (Israel Democracy Institute) as an expressed doubts about the proposed plan because example: There are six senior fellows, each of whom is universities have other missions and challenges. Other a leading professor in his or her field, who have decided participants disagreed, pointing out that there already to step out of the “ivory tower” and engage in promoting are courses on democracy at various universities, democracy. These six professors and their 40 research and one university, the University of Warrick, has a assistants are part of a broader team that for four years Democratization Center that cooperates with FRIDES worked on a draft constitution for Israel. Apart from their (associated with the Club of Madrid), and the students scholarly contributions, they were also involved in an are very enthusiastic about going out into the community extensive educational program, called “The Education and implementing what they have studied, thus already System Writes a Constitution,” in which some 100 high comprising a mini-network. schools in Israel ran simulated constitutional assemblies Yitzhak Galnoor from Israel shared information about a with the professors serving as mentors and their assis- project begun some years ago at the Hebrew University tants actually running those assemblies. Based on this in Jerusalem in which professors from the political sci- experience, he suggested that the proposed network ence department undertook to teach democracy to civ- should include think tanks, preferably members of the ics teachers with the idea that each of them influences World Movement’s Network of Democracy Research some 30 students every year. But Alicia Derkowska of Institutes (NDRI), because they already mobilize profes- Poland argued that the proposed network not be restrict- sors interested in promoting democracy and because ed to civics teachers only, and shared her personal expe- they serve as information centers and have logistical rience as a math teacher. resources. One participant from Germany expressed interest in Serdar Degirmencioglu supported the idea of a engaging not only university students, but high-school network in his presentation, but cautioned against a students as well, and a participant from Zambia cau- too “Western” approach that might lead to ignorance tioned against a “northern” kind of network in which about “peripheral areas” of democracy promotion. He Africans and Southeast Asians, for instance, would play only secondary roles.

New Tactics in Human Rights Network

Organizers: Moderator: Rapporteur: Center for Victims of Torture – U.S. Emel Kurma – Turkey Tolekan Ismailova – Kyrgyzstan Helsinki Citizens Assembly, Turkey

Nancy Pearson from the Center for Victims of Torture addressing a broad range of human rights issues. As a (CVT) reminded the participants of how the New Tactics result of the achievements to date, as well as new oppor- in Human Rights Network was created. More than 600 tunities and lessons learned from project partners and well-known human rights activists participated in the participants, the focus in 2006 was to connect practitio- New Tactics in Human Rights Symposium in Ankara, ners with each other and to inform them about enhanced Turkey, in 2004. The New Tactics Project was created to methods of communication; to develop, translate, and promote methods of tactical innovation, strategic think- distribute project products and materials; to increase ing, and collaboration among diverse rights advocates program and technical support to local NGO initiatives; to worldwide, thus enabling them to be more effective in conduct additional country-specific and regional work- Advancing Democracy: Justice, Pluralism, and Participation Pluralism, Justice, Democracy: Advancing

72 World Movement for Democracy | Istanbul, Turkey, April 2–5, 2006 Functional Networking Functional Networking

shops; and to consult and collaborate with project part- A human rights defender from Uzbekistan suggested ners and continue online discussions. (Information about that efforts of human rights defenders be unified to the New Tactics in Human Rights Network can be found change legislation on torture prevention. She suggested at www.newtactics.org.) network efforts to lobby for changes in legislation in The main topic of the discussion was the unchanging post-Soviet countries so that, for instance, a medical status quo of the human rights situation (for example, conclusion of a doctor can be taken as evidence of regarding torture) despite all the efforts of human rights torture. Currently, the courts do not accept such medical defenders at the local and international levels. The conclusions. Tortured convicts are not transferred to executive director of the Center for Victims of Torture, prisons, but are kept in detention centers until signs of Douglas Johnson, provided a picture of the situation torture become invisible. She therefore suggested the concerning torture. He said that torture cases are use of New Tactics in post-Soviet countries through a increasing year by year, but there are not enough network for the prevention of torture. new tactics and strategies for changing the situation. Participants from Turkey emphasized the importance Previously, the human rights movement used only three of having an effective network by establishing criteria types of tactics: developing international norms and for mutual cooperation and support, and one participant a system of conventions, agreements, and standards; offered the principles of the Centers for Pluralism monitoring compliance with those norms; and criticizing network in Central and Eastern Europe for such criteria: state action or inaction regarding violations. openness, pluralism, non-imposition, and informal (i.e., With time these tactics demanded new approaches no formal organization). A participant from Kyrgyzstan and solutions, the development of infrastructure, the use supported these principles because, she said, networks of new technology, and professional staff. For example, established by donors often create problems, conflicts, in the case of Amnesty International, when it launched barriers, and divisions. She emphasized that a local its third campaign against torture, it concluded that the network can choose to adapt new effective instruments issue of torture was as important and relevant as it was from the New Tactics project for its work, and it is in 1974 when the first global campaign against torture possible to use New Tactics effectively without allocating was launched. This was confirmed by a human rights any money to do so. defender from Azerbaijan who provided some facts about Finally, a Colombian human rights activist provided torture and said international organizations do not pay some examples of innovative approaches his enough attention to post-election human rights violations organization used in their work following the New Tactics and the use of torture by officials. She emphasized the Symposium in Ankara in 2004. necessity of having the support of a network of human rights organizations in such situations. AdvancingDemocracy: Justice, Pluralism, Participationand

www.wmd.org 73 Participants

Mountaga Tall David McQuoid-Mason early 600 participants came together at the World Le Comité national Centre for Socio- d’initiative démocra- Legal Studies/Street Movement’s Fourth Assembly to show their com- tique /Assemblée Law South Africa Nationale du Mali mitment to democracy promotion. These democ- Rama Naidu Dioncounda Traore Democracy Development racy activists, practitioners, and scholars from Alliance pour la Démocratie Program approximately 120 countries in every region of en Mali-Parti Pan-Africain pour la Liberté, la Thabo Tshabalala the world, gathered to discuss practical solutions to a wide range Solidarité et la Justice The International Textile, N Garment and Leather of challenges. Mauritania Workers’ Federation Africa In the following pages, participants are listed according to Aminetou Mint El Mokhtar Sudan region, country, and then alphabetically by last name. Those who Associations des Femmes Samia El Hashmi attended are but a small fraction of the thousands of activists Chefs de Famille Mutawinat around the world who could not be included in this Assembly. Naha M. H. Maknass Bona Malwal Presidency of the Republic However, they are as much participants in the World Movement Nigeria Uganda as those who attended. Many of the participants took great per- Issa Aremu National Union of Textile Nakaweesi Solome sonal risks to attend the Assembly and some cannot be listed here Garment and Tailoring Kimbugwe Workers of Nigeria Uganda Women’s Network for that reason. We wish to thank both those who attended and Ayesha M. Imam Winifred Masiko those who were not able to attend for their support, dedication, African Democracy Forum Member of Parliament and commitment. You can also find participant information in Sindi Medar-Gould Miria Matembe the World Movement’s searchable online Participant Database at BAOBAB for Women’s Reagan-Fascell Fellow Human Rights www.wmd.org. Anne Mugisha Ayo Obe Women’s Learning Ernest Mpararo Emmanuel Kituku Steering Committee of Partnership Africa Comite d’Action pur le Constitution & Reform the World Movement Developement Integral Education Consortium for Democracy Livingstone Sewanyana Cameroon Foundation for Human Ethiopia Betty Maina Festus O. Okoye Rights Initiative Dieudonne Zognong Kenya Association of Africa Governance Alert Eyessus Zafu Human Rights Monitor Addis Ababa Chamber Manufacturers Wanjala Yona Cape Verde of Commerce Rebecca Z. Sako-John Liberia League of Democratic Zambia Roselma Evora Gambia Daniel Towalid Women Tiens Kahenya Ministry of State Reform and Hannah Forster Association of Liberian United Party for National Public Administration Professional Organizations Juliet Ume-Ezeoke Development African Centre for International Association of Côte d’Ivoire Democracy and Human Criminal Justice Practitioners Akashambatwa Rights Studies Malawi Lucie Coulibaly Mbikusita- Lewanika Janet Laura Banda Rwanda Movement for Multiparty Ivorian League for Ghana Women Lawyers Association Human Rights Telesphore Kagaba Democracy Emmanuel Mali US Embassy Kigali Baba Diaby Gyimah-Boadi Adrian Muunga Regroupement des Acteurs Ghana Center for Ahmed Mohamed Sierra Leone Zambian Center for A. Alla Ivoiriens des Droits Humains Democratic Development Alfred Carew Interparty Dialogue National Human Rights Committee Centre for Human Rights Zimbabwe Justine N’Gapele Guinea & Democratic Reforms Centre pour la Promotion Margaret Dongo Thierno Sow Augustin Cisse de la Democratic et Organisation Guineenne Sheikh A. Kamara Zimbabwe Union des Droits Humains Delta-C, Le Projet parte- of Democrats de Defense des Droits nariat pour le renforce- Interfaith Community de l’Homme Amourlaye Toure ment des capacités Somaliland Reginald Mouvement Ivoirien des Guinea-Bissau des partis politiques Matchaba-Hove Droits Humains Asmahan Abdelsalam Zimbabwe Election Leopoldo Amado Djingarey Maiga Nagaad Umbrella Support Network Democractic Universidade de Women and Human Rights Organization Republic of Congo Lisboa - Lusoforum Gorden Moyo Oumar Makalou Shukri H. Ismail Bulawayo Agenda Kitenge Dismas João S. Jamel Centre d’Etudes et Candlelight NGO/ National Group Lotus PLANCO-GB de Recherche pour Electoral Commission la Democratie et David Kwibe Kenya le Developpment South Africa Asia/Pacific Congolese League Maina Kiai Economique et Social Paul Graham Against Corruption National Commission Institute for Democracy Australia on Human Rights in South Africa - Idasa Michael Danby Member of Parliament Advancing Democracy: Justice, Pluralism, and Participation Pluralism, Justice, Democracy: Advancing

74 World Movement for Democracy | Istanbul, Turkey, April 2–5, 2006 Participants

Bangladesh Ash Narain Roy Philippines Armenia Violeta Toncheva Ferdaus Ara Begum Institute of Social Sciences Roby Alampay Anahit Bayandur Light Industry Trade Union Organizations’ Federation Dhaka Chamber of Indonesia Southeast Asian Armenian National Commerce and Industry Press Alliance Committee of the Helsinki Croatia Fachry Ali Citizens Assembly AKM Nasim Lembaga Studi dan Jesus Estanislao Drazen Komarica American Center for Pergembangan Etika Usaha Institute for Solidarity in Asia Mikael Danielyan Judges’ Web NGO International Labor Solidarity Helsinki Association Hidayat Nur Wahid Melinda Quintos Czech Republic Ziaur Rahman Khan People’s Consultative Assembly de Jesus Azerbaijan Igor Blazevic Bangladesh Nationalist Party Japan Center for Media Freedom Shahin Abbasov People In Need and Responsibility International Research Bhutan Ryota Jonen and Exchanges Board Jana Hybaskova Narad Adhikari World Movement for Gus Miclat Member of European National Front for Democracy, National Initiatives for Intigam Aliyev Parliament Democracy in Bhutan Endowment for Democracy International Dialogue Legal Education Society Otakar Kucera Burma Laos South Korea Hikmat Haji-zada Consulate General of the Thin Thin Aung Baramy Mitthiviong Young Howard Center for Economic and Czech Republic in Istanbul Women Rights and Welfare United League for Open Radio for North Korea Political Research Democracy in Laos Tomas Pojar Association of Burma Anselmo Lee Novella Jafarova Ministry of Foreign Affairs Malaysia Asian Forum For Human Dilara Alijeva Association Charm Tong Zuzana Tornikidis Shan Women’s Syed Ahmad Rights And Development for the Protection of Women’s Rights Embassy of Czech Action Network Islamic Party of Malaysia Kie-Duck Park Republic in Turkey Sejong Institute Elchin Mammad Cambodia Omar al-Barzinji Georgia Aide to Anwar Ibrahim Social Union of Yeng Virak Sri Lanka Sumgait Youth Ivliane Khaindrava Community Legal Steven Gan Kingsley W. Rodrigo Center for Development Education Center Malaysiakini.com People’s Action for Free Asim Mollazada and Cooperation & Fair Elections Democratic Reforms Party In Vuthy Anwar Ibrahim Julia Kharashvili Cambodian Human Former Deputy Taiwan Leyla Yunusova The Internally Displaced Rights Task Force Prime Minister Institute for Peace Persons Women’s Russell Hsiao and Democracy Association China Boon-Chye Lee Taiwan Foundation Maiping Chen People’s Justice Party for Democracy Belarus Ghia Nodia Independent Chinese Dzmitry Babicki The Caucasian Institute PEN Center Teresa Kok Suh Sim Mab Huan for Peace, Democracy Soochow University Westminster Foundation Alternative ASEAN for Democracy and Development Dongfang Han Network on Burma China Labour Bulletin Bajack Kao Hungary Taiwan Foundation Siarhiej Mackievic Debbie Stothard Assembly of Pro- Cyd Ho Alternative ASEAN for Democracy Nilda Bullain Democratic NGOs European Center for Hong Kong Human Network on Burma Not-for-Profit Law Rights Monitor Ying-mao Michael Kau Taiwan Foundation Vitali Silitski Chua Tian Stanford University Liu Junning People’s Justice Party for Democracy Kazakhstan Institute for Chinese Studies Sergey Duvanov Naiteh Wu Iryna Vidanava Mongolia Assembly of Pro- Bureau of Human Rights Xiaorong Li Institute of Sociology, and Rule of Law Undral Gombodorj Academia Sinica Democratic NGOs Institute for Philosophy Democracy Education Center and Public Policy, Olga Karatch Nurbulat Massanov University of Maryland Raymond Wu Independent Information Enkhtuya Oidov Foundation on International Seventh Side National Council - Agency "Polyton" and Cross-strait Studies Xiao Qiang Millennium Challenge Bosnia - Herzegovina China Internet Project, Account - Mongolia Kosovo

Srdjan Dizdarevic AdvancingDemocracy: Justice, Pluralism, Participationand University of California Tibet Helsinki Committee Kelmend Hapciu at Berkeley Nyamosor Tuya Tseten Norbu Lama Kosovo Live Tibetan Youth Congress for Human Rights in Mongolian National Bosnia/Herzegovina Wu Qing Democratic Party Muhamet Mustafa Vietnam Beijing Foreign Sonja Garic Riinvest Institute for Studies University Nepal Vo Van Ai Center for Civic Cooperation Developmental Research Puspa Bhusal Que Me: Action for East Turkestan/Xinjiang Nepali Congress Party Democracy in Vietnam Branko Todorovic Teuta Sahatqija Erkin Alptekin entral Helsinki Committee Ora (Reform Party) World Uyghur Congress Pakistan for Human Rights in Kyrgyzstan Owais A. Ali Central and Republika Srpska Nury Turkel Pakistan Press Foundation Edil Baisalov Uyghur American Association Eastern Bulgaria Coalition for Democracy Tanveer Jahan Europe & Ivan Krastev and Civil Society India Democratic Commission Center for Liberal Strategies Tolekan Ismailova Rakhee Goyal for Human Development Eurasia Svetlana Lomeva Civil Society Against Women’s Learning Zarfullah Khan Albania Corruption Partnership for Rights, Bulgarian School of Politics Centre for Civic Jeta K. Beluli Development, and Peace Education Pakistan Nadezhda Mikhailova Maria Lisitsyna Women in Development Youth Human Rights Group George Mathew Association Institute for Democracy Zerxes Spencer and Stability Institute of Social Sciences Reagan-Fascell Fellowship Valery S Uleev Program, National Sotiraq Hroni Spravedlivost Ana Pinto Endowment for Democracy Institute for Democracy and Mediation

www.wmd.org 75 Participants Participants

Lithuania Yuri Dzhibladze Nigina Bakhrieva Gaye Çön S¸akar Güray Karacar Jolanta Taruskiene Centre for the Development Republican Bureau Gökova Permanent Corporate Governance of Democracy and on Human Rights Action Commission Association of Lithuanian and Human Rights and Rule of Law Turkey (COGAT) U.S. Initiatives Mustafa Cos¸kun Valentin Gefter Gulchehra Mirzoeva Sivas Bar Association Engin Sedat Kaya Macedonia Human Rights Institute NGO Modar TEKSIF (Textile, Knitting Darko Aleksov Özlem Dalkıran and Clothing Workers’ Citizen’s Association MOST Pavel Isaev Turkey Helsinki Citizens Union of Turkey) Center for Social Partnership Assembly, Turkey Liljana Popovska Selma Acuner Association for the Erol Kaya Inter Party Parliamentary Tanya Lokshina Serdar Deg˘irmenciog˘lu Support of Women Mayor of Pendik Lobby Group Center "Demos" Public Achievement - Turkey Candidates (KADER) Temel Kotil Moldova Ivan Pavlov Derya Demirler Turkish Airlines Institute for Development Ebru Ag˘duk Turkish Economic and Social Igor Munteanu National Democratic Institute Viitorul Foundation of Freedom of Information Studies Foundation (TESEV) Utku Kundakçı for International Affairs Turkish Economic and Social Maria Praporsic Natalia Taubina S¸ükrü Devrimoz Studies Foundation (TESEV) Foundation for Civil Zekeriya Akçam TEKSIF (Textile, Knitting Independent AK Party Journalism Center Society and Public and Clothing Workers’ Dilek Kurban Verdict Foundation S¸engül Akçar Union of Turkey Turkish Economic and Social Montenegro Studies Foundation (TESEV) Andrey Yurov Women’s Labor Foundation Mustafa Durna Srdjan Darmanovic Youth Human Rights Comittee for Monitoring Emel Kurma Center for Democracy Aycan Akdeniz Movement Delegation of the European MPs and Elected Helsinki Citizens and Human Rights Administrators (TÜM˙IKOM) Assembly, Turkey Serbia Commission to Turkey Stevo Muk Boris Begovic Mensur Akgün Sadun Emrealp Ülkü Zümray Kutlu Center for Development Local Agenda 21 Turkish Economic and Social of NGOs Center for Liberal- Turkish Economic and Social Democratic Studies Studies Foundation (TESEV) (International Union of Studies Foundation (TESEV) Poland Local Authorities) Tomislav Damnjanovic Ays¸e Arkis Etyen Mahçupyan Julie Ann Boudreaux Association of Independent International Bas¸ak Er Turkish Economic and Social Education Society Electronic Media Republican Institute Turkish Economic and Social Studies Foundation (TESEV) of Malopolska Studies Foundation (TESEV) Jovan Jovanovic Meltem Aslan Cigdem Mater Beata Budzik Foreign Policy Advisor Turkish Economic and Social Dog˘u Ergil Anatolia Culture Association Education Society Studies Foundation (TESEV) Centre for the Research of of Malopolska Dragan Mladenovic Societal Problems (TOSAM) Murat Mercan Civic Library PIRGOS Engin Avcı AK Party MP Alicja Derkowska Türkiye Sakatlar Derneg˘i Didem Ermi Education Society Vesna Pesic Helsinki Citizens Çoker Muhtar (Turkey Disabled ˙Insan Kaynag˘ını Gelis¸tirme of Malopolska Centre for Peace and Persons Association) Assembly, Turkey Democracy Development Vakfı (Human Resource Pawel Kazanecki Volkan Aytar Ümit Fırat Development Foundation) Eastern European Democracy Vlatko Sekulovic Helsinki Citizens Turkish Economic and Social Mehmet-Ali Nebiog˘lu Secretary of State Studies Foundation (TESEV) Assembly, Turkey Irena Lasota on Foreign Trade DISK/Tekstil - Textile Institute for Democracy Ferda Balancar Levent Gümrükçü Workers’ Union in Eastern Europe Ivan Vejvoda Department Of Policy Turkish Economic and Social Binnur Neidik German Marshall Fund of Studies Foundation (TESEV) Planning, Ministry of Anna Pawlowska the United States -Balkan Foreign Affairs American Center for Education Society Trust for Democracy Hande Bayrak International Labor Solidarity of Malopolska Gökçe Günel Turkish Economic and Social Olgu Okumus¸ Slovakia Studies Foundation (TESEV) Helsinki Citizens Krzysztof Stanowski Assembly, Turkey Turkish Economic and Social Nora Benakova Education for Democracy Murat Belge Studies Foundation (TESEV) Foundation People in Peril Halime Güner Helsinki Citizens Sanem Onat Assembly, Turkey Flying Broom Jaroslaw Szostakowski Pavol Demes Turkish Economic and Social Polish-Czech-Slovak German Marshall Fund Sanem Güner Studies Foundation (TESEV) of the United States Neyyir Berktay Solidarity Foundation Education Reform Turkish Economic and Social Studies Foundation (TESEV) Ömür Orhun Romania Olga Gyarfasova Initiative Project BMENA Coordinator - Institute for Public Affairs Alexandra Nerisanu ˙Ibrahim Betil Fahri Huvaj Ministry of Foreign Affairs Ankara Caucasus Association Transcend Balazs Jarabik Community Volunteers Mahmut Ortakaya Pontis Foundation Foundation (TOG) ˙ Alina Mungiu Pippidi Selçuk Ikizog˘lu Diyarbakır Chamber of TEKSIF (Textile, Knitting Medical Doctors Romanian Academic Society Arif Çarkçı Milan Nic and Clothing Workers’ Pontis Foundation Journalist, Pendik Ilie Rosu Union of Turkey) Ergun Özbudun Municipality Bilkent University Federatia Craimodex Peter Novotny Fikret Ilkiz Civic Eye/European Ays¸e Betül Çelik Sevgi Özçelik Russia Network of Election Sabancı University S¸ükran ˙Irençin Helsinki Citizens Monitoring Organizations Zuleikhan Bagalova Selvet Çetin Human Rights Assembly, Turkey LAM - The International ˙ MAZLUMDER Foundation (TIHV) Center for Complex Research Lenka Surotchak Cemile Özeker Pontis Foundation and Popularization of Ümit Cizre Agah Kafkas University of Thrace the Chechen culture Tajikistan Bilkent University AK Party Çorum MP Rectorship Fatimakhon Ahadovna Kemal Öztürk Ahmedova Center for Democratic Transformations Advancing Democracy: Justice, Pluralism, and Participation Pluralism, Justice, Democracy: Advancing

76 World Movement for Democracy | Istanbul, Turkey, April 2–5, 2006 Participants

Can Paker Esra Çuhadar Brazil Hans Tippenhauer Algeria Turkish Economic and Social Gürkaynak Heloize Helena de Fondation Espoir Rachid Tlemçani Studies Foundation (TESEV) Sabancı University Campos Honduras University of Algiers Instituto Pro-Acao Pela Kerim Paker Ukraine Manuel Torres Calderon Community Volunteers Cidadania Jovem Bahrain Mustafa Djemilev C-Libre Wajeeha Al-Baharna Foundation (TOG) Mejlis of Crimean Tatars, Cristina d. Costa Mexico Bahrain Women Society Haluk Payaslıog˘lu Supreme Soviet of Ukraine Youth Movement Civil Society for Democracy Mariclaire Acosta Abdulhadi A. Oksana Holovach Organization of Alkhawaja Development Program Democracy Development Luciana D. Martinelli American States Bahrain Center for Foundation Zeki Polat Instituto Pro-Acao para Human Rights TEKSIF (Textile, Knitting Cidadania Jovem Adriana Polina Konovalova Gonzalez Carrillo Ali Salman and Clothing Workers’ Kharkiv Center for Leonardo Shinohara Union of Turkey) Foreign Affairs Committee National Islamic Society Women’s Studies World Movement for of the Mexican Congress Kadri Salaz Democracy, National Egypt Ilko Kucheriv Endowment for Democracy Helsinki Citizens Cirila Quintero Amr Hamzawy Democratic Initiative El Colegio de la Assembly, Turkey Carnegie Endowment for Foundation Colombia Frontera Norte International Peace Yasemin S¸an Ruben Fernandez Andrij Nechyporuk Nicaragua Helsinki Citizens Lion Society Corporacion Region George Ishak Assembly, Turkey Malena de Montis Kifaya Movement Lutfi Osmanov Eugenio Center for Democratic Sabiha Senyücel Rebirth of Crimea Foundation Marulanda Gomez Participation & Development Saad Eddin Ibrahim Turkish Economic and Social Colombian Confederation and the Women’s Ibn Khaldoun Center for Studies Foundation (TESEV) Inna Pidluska of Chambers of Commerce Development Fund Development Studies Europe XXI Foundation - Confecámar Hasan Can Sezer Rosa M. Zelaya Maye Kassem Helsinki Citizens Olexandra Rudnyeva Patricia Guerrero Movimiento por Nicaragua American University in Cairo Assembly, Turkey Kharkiv Center for Liga de Mujeres Desplazadas Women’s Studies Peru Salal Khalil Ays¸egül Tansen Luis Fernando Murillo Ibn Khaldoun Center for Turkish Economic and Social Afro-American XXI Rocio Franco Volodymyr Zavyalov Instituto Defensa Legal Development Studies Studies Foundation (TESEV) Bukovyna Partnership Agency Harvey Rodriguez Venezuela Nada Mobarak Avniye Tansug˘ Uzbekistan Colombian Confederation Arab Learning Initiative Bilgiedinme.org (Freedom of Chambers of Commerce Luz Angel Aldazoro of Information Website) Pulatjan Ahunov - Confecámar Momento de la Gente Saber Ahmae Mahmoud Central Asia Associates Ahmed Nayel Lale Tayla Elisabeth Ungar Rocio Guijarro Tamara Chikunova Arab Program for Human Helsinki Citizens Congreso Visible / Cedice Libertad Rights Activists Assembly, Turkey Mothers Against Death Universidad de los Andes Penalty and Torture Carlos E. Ponce Karam Saber Sylvia Tiryaki Asociacion Civil Vasila Inoyatova Cuba Land Center for Turkish Economic and Social Manuel Desdin Consorcio Justicia Human Rights Studies Foundation (TESEV) Ezgulik Asociación Encuentro Deborah Van Berkel Inera Safargalieva de la Cultura Cubana Ayman Salah Fikret Toksöz The Centro al Servicio Egyptian Junior Turkish Economic and Social Committee on Freedom of de la Accion Popular Speech and Expression Anna Isabelle Business Association Studies Foundation (TESEV) Rodriguez Muborak Tashpulatova Asociación Encuentro Emad Shahin Servet Yalçınkaya American University in Cairo Retired Academic Tashkent Public Education de la Cultura Cubana Middle East/ Center Iran Aslı Yaman Ecuador North Africa Young Leaders of Anatolia Raul Gangotena Mahnaz Afkhami Latin Enlace Andino LLC Afghanistan Women’s Learning Sinan Yazicioglu Mr. Abdullah Partnership AdvancingDemocracy: Justice, Pluralism, Participationand Trade Union Consultant America/ Angel Medina Afghans for Civil Society Fundación Q’ellkaj Iraq Burcu Yig˘iter Caribbean Rangina Hamidi Hassan H. Al-Ukaili Turkish Economic and Social Mae Montano Afghans for Civil Society Iraqi Organization for Human Studies Foundation (TESEV) Argentina Fundacion Accion para el Rights Coordination Marcela Donadío Desarrollo Comunitario Mohammad S. Hussaini Çetin Yılmaz SER 2000 Cooperation Center Bakhtiar Amin Human Rights Guatemala BMENA Foundation ˙ for Afghanistan Association (IHD) Daniel Zovatto Paula Rodriguez for the Future Fawzia Koofi ˙ International IDEA de Castellanos Ilhan Yüksel Patriota Parliament Nuha A. Darwish ˙Istanbul Technical University Bolivia Model Iraqi Society Faculty of Architecture Violeta Carolina Mohammed Nasib Miguel A. Buitrago Welfare Association for the Amena Mahmod Institute for Moreno Perez Ug˘ur Yüksel Unionista Development of Afghanistan Kurdish Institute KAOS GL Iberoamerican Studies for Elections Haiti Sayed Fazlullah Wahidi Arus Yumel Maria Romero Afghan NGOs’ Ahmed Shames Bilgi University de Campero Yanick Lahens Coordination Bureau Iraqi Prospect Organization Fundación Unir Bolivia Group of 184 S¸anar Yurdatapan Sakena Yacoobi Israel Fabiola Cordova Danielle St-Lot Initiative Against Afghan Institute of Asher Arian Thought Crime National Endowment Femmes en Democratie Learning International for Democracy Israel Democracy Institute

www.wmd.org 77 Participants Participants

Gershon Baskin Morocco Mohamed Shimi Les Campbell Steve Griner Israel/Palestine Center for Sabah Chraibi- Secretary General Adjoint National Democratic Institute Organization of Research and Information for International Affairs American States Bennouna UAE Uri Dromi l’Association pour Victoria Canavor Barbara Haig la Promotion de Abdelkhaleq Abdullah Israel Democracy Institute Gulf Development Forum National Democratic Institute National Endowment l’Entreprise Féminine for International Affairs for Democracy Itzhak Galnoor Yemen Herbrew University Rahma Bourqia Sean Carroll Mark Hankin of Jerusalem University Hassan Yousuf Abdallah Aburas Club of Madrid American Center for II Mahommedia Human Rights Training International Labor Solidarity Rolly Rosen and Information Center Eric Chenoweth Shatil Lahcen Daoudi Institute for Democracy Melanie Huckstep Justice and Ezzadin S. Al-Asbahy in Eastern Europe World Movement for Jordan Development Party Human Rights Training Democracy, National and Information Center Joseph Cooper, Jr. Anbara Abu Ayyash Abdou Filali-Ansary Endowment for Democracy Amman Center for National Endowment Prologues Amal Al Basha for Democracy Eric Johnson Human Rights Studies Sisters’ Arabic Forum Driss Lachguar Global Forum for Media Eman Hassan Hussein for Human Rights Catherine Cosman Development United Popular U.S. Commission El Haj Hussein Socialist Front Abdul Majid F. Al-Fahed Jordanian Trade Union on International Douglas A. Johnson Civic Democratic Initiatives Religious Freedom Center for Victims of Torture of Workers in Textile, Amina Lemrini Support Foundation Garment & Cloth Asociaciation Democratique Larry Diamond Brian Joseph des Femine du Maroc Ahmed Al Wahishi Hoover Institution, National Endowment Asma Khader Ministry of Foreign Affairs Sisterhood is Global Nouzha Skalli Stanford University for Democracy Institute/Jordan Party of Progress Ali Saif Hasan Saleh Nadia Diuk Art Kaufman and Socialism Yemeni Organization National Endowment World Movement for Daoud Kuttab for Defense of Human AmmanNet for Democracy Democracy, National Oman Rights and Democracy Endowment for Democracy Nuha Maayta Mohamed Al-Yahyai David Dorn Pioneer Women Center Middle East Broadcasting American Federation Scott Kearin Network-Alhurra TV North of Teachers National Democratic Institute Fathallah (Abou Khaled) for International Affairs Omrani Palestine America João M. Escodi Garment and Textile Ahmed Ghnaim United States John Knaus Workers Union Palestinian National Canada Department of State National Endowment for Democracy Liberation Movement Kim Campbell Tobias Eigen Lina Quora Club of Madrid Sisterhood is Global Aref Jaffal Kabissa Laith Kubba Institute/Jordan Civic Forum Institute Maxime Longangué National Endowment Heba El-Shazli for Democracy Rights & Democracy Kuwait Riad Malki American Center for Panorama Center Lauryn Oates International Labor Solidarity Robert R. LaGamma Nada Al-Mutawa Council for a Community Rights & Democracy University of Kuwait Rose Shomali Jeffrey England of Democracies Women’s Affairs Michael Wodzicki National Democratic Institute Rola Dashti for International Affairs Technical Committee Rights & Democracy Miriam Lanskoy Women Network National Endowment Hanna Siniora Charles H. Fairbanks for Democracy Lebanon United States School for Advanced Israel/Palestine Center for Abdulwahab Alkebsi Hikmet Faour Research and Information International Studies Debra Liang-Fenton Development of People National Endowment - John Hopkins University United States Committee on and Nature Association Qatar for Democracy Human Rights in North Korea Karen Farrell Fadlallah Hassona Ahmed Mohamed Hannah Arnold National Endowment Milburn Line Development of People A. Alla National Democratic Institute for Democracy Club of Madrid and Nature Association National Human for International Affairs Rights Committee Maureen Farrell Kristina Lively Joyce Kawkabani Melissa Aten International Democracy Resource Center, Saudi Arabia International Forum for Republican Institute National Endowment Badri El Meouchi Jafar M. Al-Shayeb Democratic Studies, National for Democracy Lebanese Transparency BizLink Group Endowment for Democracy Dokhi Fassihian Association Democracy Coalition Project David Lowe Syria Emad Mohammed National Endowment Antoine Nasri Messarra Awad Joaquin Ferrao for Democracy Lebanese Foundation for Ma’an Abdusalam United States Permanent Civil Peace Etana Press Peter Benda Department of State Nicolette Madanat Tunisia United States National Endowment Gerard Zovighian Department of State Andrew Finkel for Democracy Lebanese Transparency Ahmed Chebbi Journalist Association Progressive Democratic Party Gretchen Birkle Andrea des Marais United States Carl Gershman Global Youth Action Network Libya Lotfi Hajji Department of State National Endowment Independent journalist for Democracy Paul McCarthy Aly R. Abuzaakouk Paul Bonicelli International Libya Forum for Human and Slaheddine Jourchi U.S. Agency for International Katie Gjeldum Republican Institute Political Development Tunisian Human Development International Rights League Republican Institute Michael McFaul Ashour Al-Shamis Charles J. Brown Hoover Institution, Libya Human and Political Radwan Masmoudi Citizens for Global Solutions Louisa Coan Greve Stanford University Development Forum Center for the Study of National Endowment Islam and Democracy for Democracy Advancing Democracy: Justice, Pluralism, and Participation Pluralism, Justice, Democracy: Advancing

78 World Movement for Democracy | Istanbul, Turkey, April 2–5, 2006 Participants Participants

Robert Miller Elizabeth Trautman Niccolo Figa- Svejtlana Duric Alexandra Hall The Hurford Foundation Kabissa Talamanca Olof Palmes Foreign and No Peace Without Justice International Center Commonwealth Office Hanad Mohamud Joe Tucker American Center for Reagan-Fascell Fellowship Alison Smith Lukas Forslund Karla Hatrick International Labor Solidarity Program, National No Peace Without Justice Centre Party International Liberal Democratic Party Endowment for Democracy Foundation Vali Nasr Massimo Tommasoli Iain King Council on Foreign Relations Dorin Tudoran International IDEA Viola Furubjelke Westminster Foundation IFES Olof Palmes for Democracy Allen Overland Netherlands International Center Democracy Resource Center, Peter Van Praagh A.W.M. Gerrits Judith Large National Endowment National Endowment Alfred Mozer Stichting Par Granstedt International IDEA for Democracy for Democracy European Parliamentarians Alvaro P. Scholtbach for Africa Jonathan Levack Nancy Pearson Judy Van Rest Netherlands Institute for Turkish Economic and Social Center for Victims of Torture International Multiparty Democracy Eva Gustavsson Studies Foundation (TESEV) Republican Institute Jarl Hjalmarson Foundation Dave Peterson Maarten van den Berg Michael Pinto- National Endowment Christopher Walker Netherlands Institute for Thair Ismail Duschinsky for Democracy Freedom House Multiparty Democracy Olof Palmes Brunel University International Center Theodore Piccone Christopher Wyrod Marieke van Doorn Shaha Riza Democracy Coalition Project National Endowment Netherlands Institute for Sanna Johnson Foundation for the Future for Democracy Multiparty Democracy Olof Palmes Marc Plattner International Center Gary Streeter Journal of Democracy/ Jan Van Laarhoven Conservative Party International Forum for Katarina Jorgensen Western Netherlands Institute for David Thirlby Democratic Studies, National Multiparty Democracy International IDEA Endowment for Democracy Europe Westminster Foundation Roel von Meijenfeldt Lennart Karlsson for Democracy Rodger Potocki Centre Party International France Netherlands Institute for Jasper Veen National Endowment Multiparty Democracy Foundation for Democracy Goran Fejic Liberal International International IDEA Norway Ann Linde Jennifer Reutershan Social Democratic Party Carla Welch Center for International Daniel Vernet Therese Jebsen Westminster Foundation Private Enterprise Le Monde Rafto Human Rights House Aake Pettersson for Democracy Centre Party International Jane Riley-Jacobsen Germany Tor-Hugne Olsen Foundation Zaya Yeebo National Endowment Sybille Reinke Zimbabwe Human Westminster Foundation for Democracy de Buitrago Rights NGO Forum Nivin Yosef for Democracy University of Hamburg Olof Palmes Cynthia Romero Portugal International Center Richard Youngs Institute for Democracy in Sabine Donner Elisabete Azevedo La Fundación para las Cuba and Latin America Bertelsmann Stiftung African Legislatures Project, Switzerland Relaciones Internacionales University of Cape Town Cyril Ritchie y el Diálogo Exterior Richard Rowson Hauke Hartmann International Civil Society Council for a Community Bertelsmann Stiftung Claudia Caldeirinha Forum for Democracy of Democracies Democracy Coalition Project Graeme Herd Christophe Solioz Christopher Sands George C. Marshall European João Carlos Espada Center for European International Center for Security Studies Institute of Political Integration Strategies Republican Institute Studies, Portuguese Olaf Hillenbrand Catholic University United Kingdom Laura A. Schulz Center for Applied United States Policy Research, Maria Eugénia Michael Allen National Endowment Department of State University of Munich Nobre Gamboa Institute of Political for Democracy Paula Schriefer Luise Rurup Studies, Portuguese AdvancingDemocracy: Justice, Pluralism, Participationand Freedom House Friedrich-Ebert Stiftung Philippa Broom Catholic University Conservative Party Judy Shelton Frank Spengler Spain Economist Konrad Adenauer Turkey Penelope Faulkner Eduardo N. Blanco Que Me: Action for Sabina Silkworth Ireland Universidad San Pablo-CEU Democracy in Vietnam National Endowment for Democracy Ivan Doherty Manuel Herrera Paul Flather National Democratic Institute Fundación FAES Europaeum Thomas Skladony for International Affairs International Forum for Sweden David French Democratic Studies, National Yvonne O’Callaghan Urban Ahlin Westminster Foundation Endowment for Democracy International Union Social Democratic Party for Democracy of Socialist Youth John Squier Mikael Bostrom Kevin Garvey National Endowment Italy Swedish International Foreign and for Democracy Maria Elena Aguero Development Commonwealth Office Club of Madrid Cooperation Agency John Sullivan Jesper Grolin Center for International Anna Maria Cervone Mats Denninger E-Parliament Private Enterprise Centrist Democrat Centre Party International International Foundation Bo Tedards Taiwan Foundation for Democracy

www.wmd.org 79 Press Advancing Democracy: Justice, Pluralism, and Participation Pluralism, Justice, Democracy: Advancing

80 World Movement for Democracy | Istanbul, Turkey, April 2–5, 2006 World Movement for Democracy Tel: 202-378-9700 National Endowment for Democracy Fax: 202-378-9889 1025 F Street, N.W., Suite 800 Washington, D.C. 20004 Email: [email protected] USA Web site: http://www.wmd.org

“... the time has come for democrats throughout the world to develop new forms of cooperation to promote the development of democracy. Such cooperation is needed to strengthen democracy where it is weak, to reform and invigorate democracy even where it is longstanding, and to bolster pro-democracy groups in countries that have not yet entered into a process of democratic transition.” — from the Founding Statement of the World Movement for Democracy