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The Fifth Assembly Kyiv, Ukraine, April 6–9, 2008 Making Democracy Work: From Principles to Performance WORLD MOVEMENT FOR DEMOCRACY FIFTH ASSEMBLY 6–9 APRIL 2008 KYIV UKRAINE The World Movement for Democracy is a global network Steering Committee Members of democrats, including activists, practitioners, scholars, policy mak- ers, and funders, who have come together to cooperate in the promotion of Mariclaire Acosta – Mexico democracy. It is dedicated to strengthening democracy where it is weak, to Mahnaz Afkhami – Iran reforming and invigorating democracy even where it is longstanding, and to bolstering pro-democracy groups in countries that have not yet entered Genaro Arriagada – Chile* into a process of democratic transition. The Washington, D.C.-based National Igor Blaževic – Bosnia Endowment for Democracy (NED) serves as the Secretariat. Francesca Bomboko – Democratic How We Help to Promote Democracy Republic of Congo The World Movement seeks to offer new ways to give practical help to Kim Campbell – Canada (Chair) democrats who are struggling to open closed societies, challenge dicta- torships, democratize semi-authoritarian systems, consolidate emerging Kavi Chongkittavorn – Thailand democracies, and strengthen established democracies. It has the poten- Alicja Derkowska – Poland tial to do so in several ways… • as an of democrats in dangerous situations who need political Ivan Doherty – Ireland ally solidarity and moral support; Han Dongfang – China (Vice Chair) • as a lobby for the cause of democracy in international bodies and in Yuri Dzhibladze – Russia countries where democracy is under siege; • as a facilitator that can help link democrats from different countries João Carlos Espada – Portugal* and regions to exchange information more efficiently, work together, and help one another; Abdou Filaly-Ansari – Morocco* • as an innovator that can encourage the development of new ideas Hannah Forster – Gambia and effective approaches for overcoming obstacles to democracy; • as a big tent that can provide a meeting place for democrats who are David French – United Kingdom active in different professional areas, such as human rights, media, Carl Gershman – United States (ex-officio) law, political party development, workers’ rights, economic reform, research, and education; Paul Graham – South Africa • as a resource center that can make basic materials on democracy Jana Hybásková – Czech Republic available to groups around the world; • as a monitor that can convey the views of democracy activists on the Melinda Quintos de Jesus – Philippines efficacy of different forms of democracy support; and Asma Khader – Jordan • as a catalyst to stimulate new initiatives and help shape the priorities of the broader community of institutions concerned with the promotion Maina Kiai – Kenya of democracy. Ivan Krastev – Bulgaria* Reginald Matchabe-Hove – Zimbabwe Connecting Democracy Activists Worldwide • Networks. The World Movement Web site (www.wmd.org) provides links to George Mathew – India various regional and functional networks focused on advancing democracy. Roel von Meijenfeldt – Netherlands • DemocracyNews. As the monthly electronic newsletter of the World Movement, DemocracyNews enables participants to share information with Ayo Obe – Nigeria* their colleagues, announce events and publications, and request assistance Can Paker – Turkey (Treasurer) or collaboration in their work. To subscribe, send an e-mail message to [email protected]. Inna Pidluska – Ukraine • World Movement Assemblies. Global assemblies offer World Movement Jacqueline Pitanguy – Brazil participants the opportunity to take stock of the accomplishments they have achieved and the challenges they confront, and to build networks of mutual Carlos Ponce – Venezuela solidarity and support. Elisabeth Ungar – Colombia (Secretary) Project on Defending Civil Society. Launched in 2007, this project seeks to expose and address the increasingly restrictive environments for civil society Yevgeniy Zhovtis – Kazakhstan work in a growing number of countries around the world. In partnership with * Term expired with the Fifth Assembly. the International Center for Not-for-Profit Law (ICNL), the World Movement has produced the Defending Civil Society report to identify and promulgate international principles, already rooted in international law, to inform proper Secretariat: government-civil society relations, and to protect NGOs and other civil society National Endowment for Democracy groups. The report is available in Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian, and Spanish at www.wmd.org. Art Kaufman Project on State of Democracy Assistance. As a result of discussions at the Director Fifth Assembly, the World Movement is assessing through this project what has been accomplished in the field of democracy assistance over the past two ISBN 0-9821041-6-2 decades and how that work can be made more effective. Table of Contents MESSAGE FROM THE STEERING COMMITTEE ............................................................................................................3 WELCOMING REMARKS AND ADDRESSES Welcoming Remarks Ayo Obe, Chair, Steering Committee ..............................................................................................................................4 Inna Pidluska, Member (Ukraine), Steering Committee .............................................................................................4 Special Address The Honorable Victor Yushchenko, President of Ukraine ..........................................................................................4 Opening Address Kateryna Yushchenko, First Lady of Ukraine ................................................................................................................5 Keynote Addresses The Honorable Alejandro Toledo, former President of Peru .....................................................................................5 Maina Kiai, Former Chair, National Commission on Human Rights, Kenya ...........................................................6 Myroslava Gongadze, Founder of the Gongadze Foundation, Ukraine ...................................................................7 DEMOCRACY COURAGE TRIBUTES PRESENTATION and JOHN B. HURFORD MEMORIAL DINNER ............8 DEMOCRACY FAIR ..............................................................................................................................................................10 REPORTS Making Democracy Work › Plenary Session on Making Democracy Work ..........................................................................................................11 › Panel Discussion on Lessons from the “Fifth Wave”: Challenges to Democratic Transitions in Post-Communist States .........................................................................12 › Panel Discussion on Press Freedom: Challenges and Strategies ..........................................................................14 Workshops › Addressing Corruption: Civil Society Strategies to Strengthen Legislation, Enforcement, and the Role of the Judiciary ...............................................................................................................15 › Improving the Quality of Democracy: How can Women’s Economic Empowerment be Enhanced? ...............17 › How can Relationships between Leaders and Constituents be Strengthened in New Democracies? ..........18 › The Crucial Role of Migrant Worker Rights in a Vibrant Democracy ....................................................................19 › Role of the Media in Democratic Consolidation: Working Together for Transparency and Access to Information ......................................................................................................................... 21 › Democracy from the Bottom Up: How to Think Locally about Democratic Performance .................................23 › What Is the Role of the Emerging Private Sector in Post-Conflict, Democratic Reconstruction? ...................24 › From Principles to Performance: How can Europeans Enhance their Support for Democratic Transitions Worldwide? ......................................................................................................25 › Making Democracy Work: How to Build Platforms for Inter-Party Cooperation? ...............................................27 › Community of Democracies: How can Civil Society Work with Governments and Diplomats? .......................28 Defending Civil Society › Presentation of World Movement for Democracy Report, Defending Civil Society ...........................................30 › Panel Discussion on Promoting the “Defending Civil Society” Principles: Targets and Opportunities ..........31 Workshops › Securing Civil Society Space: How to Respond to Violations of Conventions, Treaties, and Declarations? ......33 › Association, Assembly, and Advocacy: What are the Best Strategies and Tactics for NGOs in Restrictive Legal Environments? ..............................................................................................35 › Effective Coalitions: How can National, Regional, and International Cooperation for Advocacy be Generated? .................................................................................................................36 › Freeing Prisoners of Conscience: What are the Effective Strategies? .................................................................38 www.wmd.org 1 Making Democracy Work: From Principles to Performance › Building Democracy
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