Specialist conference
Details
Political parties contribute significantly to the consolidation of democracy by serving as crucial intermediaries between the public and the government. They play a crucial role by organizing and representing diverse interests and viewpoints by offering a structured platform for debate and discussion as well as facilitating the development and articulation of policy ideas. By competing in elections, parties provide voters with clear choices and help ensure government accountability. Parties also promote political participation, mobilizing citizens to engage in the democratic process and influencing policy decisions.
However, parties sometimes fail today due to issues such as lack of resources and ideological divergences within party lines, and failure to adapt to changing societal needs such as integrating youth in their structures adequately. This leads to the emergence of new parties that better address contemporary concerns and offer fresh perspectives. To survive cutthroat competition, parties must remain adaptable, responsive to their constituents, and committed to ethical governance.
This roundtable event, organized with a focus on the New EU Commission's commitment to democracy promotion, brings together selected representatives of political parties from around the globe. Against the backdrop of the 2024 elections in the EU, India, Georgia as well as intersting case studies such as Colombia or Nigeria to name some examples, it offers a unique platform for networking and exchanging experiences, fostering a deeper understanding among like-minded political entities. This initiative is crucial for enhancing international party dialogue, promoting collaboration and mutual learning among diverse political groups. Additionally, it signifies a significant step forward for the EU institutions in their efforts to engage with political parties worldwide, strengthening democratic processes and governance globally.
This event underscores the EU's role in facilitating constructive political discourse and cooperation internationally. Through two of moderated topical discussions, participants will explore themes that build on one another. By examining diverse country-specific contexts, participants will identify commonalities, share best practices, and collaborate on innovative solutions to future challenges in terms of democracy promotion and which role political parties can play.
Contributors will be identified and approached by KAS in cooperation with European Network of Political Foundations. In order to foster an open exchange, all meetings will be held under Chatham House Rule.
If you are interested to participate, please reach out to jonas.nitschke@kas.de.
Program
Here you will find the program for download: Conference on Democracy Promotion and Political Parties - KAS MNED & ENOP
