Moldova's
constitutional referendum, held on September 5, has failed due to lacking a
quorum of 33,33%, with only 30,29% of voter turnout. As a consequence of the non
valid referendum, the Moldovan Parliament is about to be dissolved and snap
parliamentary elections should take place most likely in November 2010. The result of
the constitutional referendum has exposed the limits of constitutional reform
as a mechanism to overcome a political deadlock. Indeed, the failure of the
constitutional referendum in Moldova proves that in a functioning democracy
there is not such a thing as partisan constitution-making (never mind how good
the proposal might be). Read the article
Please see also the article about the EPD co-funding of 7 projects in Moldova. Link.
The European Partnership Fair for Civil Society Organizations in Moldova took place for the first time in Chisinau, on June 15-16 2010. The event was organized by EPD in cooperation with East Europe Foundation (EEF) and „Promo-LEX" Association. More information.
On July 2 2010, the High Representative / Vice President Catherine Ashton and Commissioner for Development Andris Piebalgs met with a Ministerial Delegation from the Zimbabwean Government in the framework of the Political Dialogue, as foreseen in the Cotonou Agreement, which was relaunched in June last year. Read more.
The Press Freedom Consortium, a new collaboration of five Dutch development organisations (including the European Partnership for Democarcy) that support press freedom worldwide, has finalised and submitted its final programme application this Thursday to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in The Hague, in the context of the 'Co-Financing System II' (MFSII). Read more.
The European Partnership for Democracy (EPD) participated on the 1st of June in the panel discussion "Providing Experience on Democracy and Good Governance" during last week's (31 May-4 June) European Foundation Week. Although foundations are key players in supporting economic, cultural and social projects, their public profile is rather limited. For this reason, the European Foundation Centre (EFC) offered with the first-ever Foundation Week a platform where EU policymakers, NGOs, multilateral organizations, foundations and the general public could discuss the work of foundations in a series of seminars and debates, covering topics such as arts and culture, environment, health, international relations and development, philanthropic capacity building, research and education as well as socio-economic development. Read more.
The
European Partnership for Democracy (EPD), the East Europe Foundation
(EEF) and Promo-LEX have the pleasure to announce the organization of
European Partnership Fair for Civil Society Organizations in Moldova
which will take place in Chisinau, Moldova on June 15 and 16, 2010. The
three organizations joined their efforts with the goal of bringing more
European organizations and donors to Moldova to work with local partner
organizations in strengthening the country's fledgling democracy, show
support for its pro-European agenda and share valuable experience
gained from other European transitions to democracy. More info.
EPD welcomes the latest Council Conclusions on Zimbabwe for their emphasis on the Council's readiness to work closely with the Government of National Unity in Zimbabwe, recognizing what has already been achieved by the GNU so far, as well as for their expression of concerns of insufficient progress in the field of respect for human rights amongst others. In this context, EPD is particularly concerned to learn about the latest arrests of Zimbabwean civil society representatives of GAPWUZ, CIVNET and the Crisis in Zimbabwe Coalition. Link to the Council Conclusions on Zimbabwe.
The Eastern Partnership (EaP) Civil Society Forum is a
gathering of representatives of civil society from EaP countries and EU Member
States which will follow the agenda of the EaP and will prepare its comments,
input to discussion, recommendations and will also oversee the implementation
of EaP agreements. The Civil Society
Forum (CSF) is a great opportunity for NGOs from target countries but also from the
EU to participate in this process and to become a partner to the governments
and institutions. Link to article.
On 30 January, the EPD, in partnership with its principle sponsor, the Dutch Postcode Lottery, are advertising in the Dutch NRC Handelsblad newspaper to raise awareness of the work carried out by the European Partnership for Democracy and generously supported by Dutch Postcode Lottery players. For more information, click here . Voor meer informatie over de geplaatste advertentie en de activiteiten van EPD, klik hier.
At the end of an eventful and successful year in European democracy support, the holidays have arrived! The European Partnership for Democracy wishes you a very happy Christmas and a prosperous, successful 2010. (View your EPD Christmas card)
The European
Partnership for Democracy wishes to extend a very warm welcome to Dr Moumouni
Soumano, Executive Director of the Malian Centre for Interparty Dialogue and Democracy
(or CMDID, to give it its French acronym), who is on a fact-finding and
advocacy visit in Brussels. The CMDID is an organisation that serves a platform
on which to bring together both governing and opposition parties in Mali to
contribute to the consolidation of the country's democratic systems and
institutions. Read more about the work of the CMDID here.
The Council
of the European Union agreed on 17 November to adopt Council Conclusions on
Democracy Support in the EU's External Affairs. This important development in
the EU's External Relations has sparked a great deal of interest among civil
society organisations working in the field of democracy support beyond the EU's
borders, but those not directly involved in the process may well be asking what
all the fuss is about. The European Partnership for Democracy has just published a special edition of its newsletter, in which we explain the important parts of the Conclusions and
Agenda for Action and look at the challenges to implementation that lie ahead. Click here to read the newsletter.
The EPD has joined with four fellow Dutch organisations to cooperate on a common innovative plan called 'Press Freedom 2.0', which aims to strengthen the freedom of the press around
the world. The plan was presented earlier this week to the Dutch Minister of Development Aid, Mr
Koenders. The other alliance members are World Press Photo (WPP), European
Journalism Centre (EJC), Mensen met
een Missie (MM) and the secretariat of Free Voice. Read more about the project here.
The EPD's partner organisation, the Policy Association for an Open Society (PASOS), is organising a gathering of
young civic leaders from the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, and the Slovak
Republic, and democracy and human rights campaigners from EU Eastern
Partnership countries, with representatives of the European Commission,
European Council, European Parliament, and EU member governments to be held in Prague on 10 December on the
occasion of International Human Rights Day and to mark 20 years since the end of
the Cold War and the end of communist rule in Central Europe. Read more here.
Ever wondered what it is like being part of an international election observation mission? Well, now's your chance to find out! The EPD's Americas Programme Manager Carlos Hernandez is off to Honduras to observe the Presidential elections scheduled to take place this Sunday (29 Nov). Carlos will be bringing you regular updates of his experiences on the ground, giving you an insight into the ups and downs of life as an election observer in this hotly contested and crucial election. Return here from Friday onwards to read Carlos' blog.
The EU's new Eastern Partnership (EaP) Civil Society Forum held its first conference on Nov 16-17. The EPD's programme manager for the post-Soviet and Asia region, Kristina Prunerova, was elected by delegates from civil society organisations to become the coordinator of the first working group on democracy, good governance and stability on behalf of those CSOs participating in the EaP Civil Society Forum that are based in the EU. Kristina will support Mr Siarhej Mackievic in his role as principal coordinator. Click here to read Kristina's report on what happened in the forum.
The Council of Ministers revealed yesterday
evening (19 November) the names of those who will occupy the senior portfolios
created by the Lisbon Treaty, the ratification of which was completed on 2
October when Ireland voted ‘yes' in a national referendum. The Belgian Prime Minister Herman van Rompuy will become the first permanent President of the European Council, whilst Britain's Baroness Caroline Ashton will take on the role of the European Commission's first High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security. Read more here.
The Council of the
European Union approved yesterday (17 November) Conclusions on Democracy
Support in the EU's external relations. The Conclusions and accompanying Agenda
for Action affirm Europe's commitment to democracy as a core value in its
dealing with the outside world. The Conclusions recognise that ‘there is a need
for a broader and more coherent approach' to democracy building and strive to
improve the coherence, complementarity and coordination of existing EU
policies. The accompanying Agenda for Action sets out the approach that should
be taken to achieve this. The EPD has supported and contributed actively to the
process from the very beginning and celebrates this encouraging step forward.
The EPD congratulates in particular the Czech and Swedish Presidencies, under
whose leadership the Conclusions were drafted, and looks forward to continue
working with the European institutions, Member States and all stakeholders in
implementing the Agenda for Action. The Conclusions and Agenda for Action
can be read here.
The Lithuanian presidency of the Community of Democracies organised a lively and engaging debate in Brussels on Monday 16 November on New Partnerships in Democracy Building. The informal round table meeting was attended by a large number of representatives from the European Parliament, the Commission, diplomatic missions and civil society organisations, who discussed ways to achieve increased coherence and effectiveness in the support of democracy building processes in the EU's external relations, the subject of Council Conclusions published the following day. Read more here.
The video of Dutch MEP Jan Marinus Wiersma, the recent recipient of the Dutch Democracy Ribbon for services to European democracy over the last twenty years, can now be viewed with full English subtitles here.
Vaclav Havel delivered a speech to the European Parliament on 11
November to commemorate the twentieth anniversary of the fall of the
Iron Cutrain in Central and Eastern Europe. In his speech, the former
Czech President and freedom fighter Havel called on Europe to unite and
show 'clear and unequivocal solidarity with all those confronted by
totalitarian or authoritarian regimes wherever they are in the world'.
The full text of the President's speech can be read here.
Click here to view photos from the latest public events on democracy support in the EPD's gallery.
Tom Carothers, vice president for studies at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace and one of the world's leading opinion-formers in the field of democracy support, visited Brussels this week to deliver a special lecture on 'Democracy and Human Rights Promotion under Obama: the Complexities of Reengagement' and, to our delight, included a visit to the EPD's headquarters. The lecture followed an article Mr Carothers wrote earlier this year in the Journal of Democracy (January, vol.20, no.1) entitled 'Democracy Assistance: Political vs. Developmental' in which he tackled head-on the perceived differences in approach to supporting democracy between European actors and the USA. Mr Carothers' latest work looks at the future of USAID's provision of democracy assistance and can be found here at the Carnegie website.
Jan Marinus Wiersma, a long-standing Dutch MEP, has been awarded in the parliament of his home country for services to European democracy. Mr Marinus Wiersma has spent much of the last twenty years as an MEP actively supporting Central and Eastern European nations as they build and maintain proper democratic systems of governance. Indeed, his commitment continues to this day, such that he had to accept his award in a film due to ongoing business in Central Europe. The film reflected on Europe's democratic transition over his time in office and can be viewed here. Also recognised was Kenyan human rights defender Njeri Kabeberi for her outstanding efforts to reunite her country after the division and violence that followed the 2008 general election. Read more about her work here or view photos of the event in the EPD's gallery.
The EPD is just back from an excellent European Development Days conference, held this year in Stockholm. In partnership with the Association of Charity Lotteries in the European Union (ACLEU) of which our principle donor the Dutch National Postcode Lottery is a member, the EPD ran a stall in the development village to raise awareness and support for democracy development projects. Over the course of just two days we received some 100 visitors, which culminated in a highly successful Development Days business card raffle draw in which copies of former Czech President and EPD patron Vaclav Havel's latest book and energy efficient gadgets were won. A number of important, centrally-organised speaker events were also held in support of democracy and development, including a plenary session involving nine top-level panellists and a fringe debate led by Simon Panek (of People in Need and EPD Board Member). Click here to read our reports on these events.
A debate on democracy and development kicked off Friday's session at the European Development Days, currently taking place in Stockholm until Saturday. Panelists included the President Sirleaf-Johnson of Liberia, Jerzy Buzek, President of the European Parliament, Karel de Gucht, European Commissioner for Development, Amr Moussa, Secretary General of the League of Arab States, Helen Clark, former Prime Minister of New Zealand and currently Administrator of the UN Development Programme and a number of other distinguished guests from governments and NGOs. Ninety minutes of discussionon democracy aid, the role of international institutions, alternative approaches, the impact of the financial crisis and possible reforms ensued. A full report will be posted here on Monday. In the meantime, Click here for further details of the EPD's participation in the European Development Days.
As part of the EPD's close monitoring of the current situation in the Republic of Moldova we produce a weekly round-up of the most important news stories to help keep decision makers and interested parties informed. Click here to catch up on past editions.
On July 29 the Republic of Moldova held early parliamentary elections. The Communist Party of the Republic of Moldova has gained the largest share of votes of 44.69%, followed by the Liberal Democratic Party with 16.7%; the Liberal Party with 14.68% and the Democratic Party with 12.54%. The fifth party to overcome the threshold of 5 percent is Moldova Noastra Alliance with 7.35% and these 5 forces will be present in the new Parliament. Full report.
On Monday Jul 20th, 2009 ALDE group of the
European Parliament organized an event, into which EPD took part, on the situation in Moldova in the light
of upcoming early elections to be held on July 29th 2009. Over 80
people gathered on this occasion to hear some of the voices coming from Moldova
commenting on the current political situation in Moldova which is part of both
the European Neighborhood Policy and Eastern Partnership - two significant
policies of the EU towards its neighboring countries. More...
Four representatives of Moldovan civil society organizations visited Brussel between June 16 and 18 and held meetings with various European institutions' representatives about the current political crisis in Moldova. The EPD has supported their initiative and organized their meetings in Brussels. Please see memorandum from their visit here.
Prime Minister Tsvangirai has been
touring European capitals to raise funds and re-establish relations between the
unity government and the EU, normalizing the frozen relations of the past 10
years.
Zimbabwean
civil society leaders travelled European capitals as well, preparing the ground
for the official delegation's visit, on a tour prepared by the Zimbabwe Europe
Network. The European Partnership for Democracy co-organised a Roundtable for
Brussels-based civil society, European and African governments and EU
institutions, at which four Zimbabwean civil society leaders. To the article...
Zimbabwe's Prime Minister Morgan
Tsvangirai starts a three weeks tour visiting Western capitals to inform
governments about the progress of his Inclusive Government in order to persuade
international donors to re-engage with Zimbabwe. At his first stop in The Netherlands, the
European Partnership for Democracy and the Netherlands Institute for Multiparty
Democracy met with Prime Minister Tsvangirai and Minister of Economic Planning
Elton Mangoma. More...
The EPD has the honour of presenting you with the final report from the
conference entitled “Building Consensus about EU Policies on Democracy
Support”, which was organized by the Czech Ministry of Foreign Affairs
and the European Commission on March 9th and 10th, 2009, in Prague in
collaboration with the European Partnership for Democracy (EPD) and the
Czech Association for Democracy Assistance and Human Rights (DEMAS). On
the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall, the Czech Republic
hosted this international gathering in order to address the issue of
the European approach to democracy assistance. The event was held under
the auspices of Karel Schwarzenberg, Czech Minister of Foreign Affairs,
and Václav Havel, former President of the Czech Republic. Discover the report.
While some of the EU Member States are preparing their
commemorations of the 20th anniversary of transition to democracy,
Zimbabwe’s Inclusive Government is preparing to start a revision of the
current constitution in a complicated transitional context with ongoing
violence, a widespread political culture of fear and mistrust and a
devastated economy. Zimbabwe cannot afford a failure of this Inclusive
Government and Europe should do its utmost to support the transitional
work where possible. Please read the article.
On April 17, representatives from Youth Wings of Political Parties in Latin America met with leaders from the Youth Wings of European Political Parties in Brussels. The Round Table was the result of a joint effort by European Partnership for Democracy (EPD) and Fundación Internacional y para Iberoamérica de Administración y Políticas Públicas (FIIAPP). The Round Table focused on the role of political parties in the processes of supranational integration and creating a space for the exchange of experiences between Leaders from Youth Wings of European Political Parties and Young Latin American Leaders. Read the article.
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.
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