Launch of the European Partnership for Democracy
European Commission president José Manuel Barroso held a keynote speech at Cercle Royal Gualois in Brussels on April 15, 2008 welcoming the idea of a new European initiative which should join governmental and non-governmental efforts in assisting democracy worldwide. The main patron of the Foundation, former president of the Czech Republic Václav Havel, was joined by the former president of Mozambique Joaquim Chissano and both supported the need for more involvement of Europeans in the democracy assistance worldwide but having respect for the local conditions and needs of each country concerned.
The European Partnership for Democracy (EPD) is an independent European foundation that aims to contribute to the advancement and strengthening of democracy outside of the European Union, and to complement existing democracy assistance programmes in the European Union. It was founded by some 15 European civil society organisations focusing on democracy assistance and will serve as a network.
Speakers:
Roel von Meijenfeldt, director of the Netherlands Institute for Multiparty Democracy and member of the Board of Directors of the EPD
“We know that democracy cannot be exported, that it has to grow from within to be sustainable. But whereas it cannot be exported, it can be supported. Based on experience obtained in providing democracy support at national levels, the European Partnership for Democracy wants to bring this experience together at the European level and closer to the policy makers at the European Parliament, the European Commission and the Council.”
Full speech Video speech
Václav Havel, former president of the Czech Republic
„From my own experience, I know how enormously important it is for those who in one way or another are fighting for human rights or against authoritarian regimes to receive attention or assistance from the democratic world. This is not just about material aid, although that is certainly also important, but assistance of an intellectual nature and the exchange of experiences as well as subsequent political and media support.”
Joaquim Chissano, former president of Mosambique
“For developing countries to reach the highest stages of democratic processes practiced in developed countries, Europe must support a gradual approach that takes into account the culture, values and the development stage of the country.”
Jose Manuel Barroso, European Commission President
“The launch of this foundation in the context of European support for democratisation and respect for human rights is very good news. This is an area in which everyone has a role to play - the European institutions, the Member States, political leaders, EU civil society, including political foundations, and third countries – and in which we all contribute to an important collective task of reflection, information, action and commitment. Each link in this chain is important in this work, which can change the lives of millions of citizens worldwide. I am therefore delighted that your foundation will be reinforcing Europe's visibility still more in our converging activities to promote democracy.”
Václav Havel Tribune
Václav Havel Tribune is a series of lectures inspired by the work of Václav Havel, playwright, former dissident, former president of the Czech Republic and defender of human rights and democracy worldwide. This series would like to touch upon key topics of today’s world in which Europe should play a strong role placing the emphasis on respect for basic rights of an individual and peace and stability brought through democratic principles. The series is organized by the European Partnership for Democracy (EPD) in cooperation with the European Parliament Democracy Caucus. The first lecture was held on April 15 on the occasion of the launch of the EPD.
Speakers:
Edward McMillan-Scott, Vice-president of the European Parliament and Chairman of the European Parliament Democracy Caucus
“So the plan [for the foundation] is partnership at the EU level with others in the field and of course partnership with actors outside Europe in countries desparately seeking for democratic process. And one of the elements that I think is unique in the foundation is its capacity to operate in difficult countries like Cuba.”
Václav Havel, former president of the Czech Republic
Part of a speech by Václav Havel in the European Parliament on the occasion of the first Václav Havel Tribune lecture for the EFDP website:
“I have had many meetings with human rights campaigners, dissidents and leaders of the democratic opposition from many, many countries such as Russia, China, Iran, Cuba and Burma. Time and again, I have always noticed one interesting thing – how these people understand one another. I have held joint meetings with them on several occasions and these encounters have proved to be encouraging because they have shown how these activists are actually all very closely aligned when it comes to matters of fundamental importance. This means that what is at issue in terms of the future structure of the globe is the need to create a multicultural, multipolar world where there are many equal partners on the one hand, but to also establish a world based on a kind of moral minimum or basic set of values, which we all share and which are common to everyone.”
Joaquim Chissano, former president of Mosambique
“…I wish to underscore that instead of trying to impose its culture of democracy Europe should support the study and valorization of African traditions and democratic practices, as well as efforts to adapt them to the modern forms of democracy. We must always be conscious that democracy is neither a ready made suit nor a finished product. It also can not be a one size fits all product. It is rather an evolutionary work in progress in which all citizens of the world have something to contribute to its shaping and consolidation.”
Selected articles in press:
The Guardian, United Kingdom
We need a benign European hydra to advance the cause of democracy
Author: Timothy Garton Ash
Our continent's diversity should let us promote freedom without the taint of Bush's neocon project imposed by force
European Voice, Belgium
Democracy promotion organisation established
Author: Mark Latham
European Commission president joins former Czech dissident and President Václav Havel in backing new group.
AD Netherlands
Onze taak is het om de democratie tot bloei te brengen, van Tibet tot Cuba’
De European Partnership for Democracy wil de democratie bevorderen. Vijf vragen aan ex-minister van Buitenlandse Zaken Ben Bot.
Lidové noviny, Czech Republic
Havel zaštítil novou nadaci
Pod patronátem bývalého prezidenta vznikla nadace na podporu opozice v totalitních zemích
SME, Slovakia
Havel chce rúcať totalitné režimy
Oponentom diktátorských režimov ako v Bielorusku či na Kube má pomôcť nová mimovládka. Pod záštitou bývalého českého prezidenta vznikla nadácia na podporu opozície v neslobodných krajinách.