Community of Democracies

#2024highlights In December, the Community of Democracies launched Youth Democracy Network to support next generation of democratic leaders. With over half the world’s population under the age of 30, the YDN will provide a space for collaboration and exchange, bringing together young civil society activists, politicians, and other leaders to work on initiatives addressing key challenges facing democracy today. By fostering collaboration and knowledge exchange, YDN seeks to connect youth organizations at international, regional, and national levels, enabling meaningful interactions that strengthen democratic initiatives. One of its key objectives is to engage and collaborate with smaller, lesser-known NGOs and grassroots organizations to ensure diverse representation. #youngleaders

As 2024 draws to an end, the Permanent Secretariat of the Community of Democracies wishes you a joyful and peaceful holiday season

"Russia's missile attack that damaged the Portuguese Embassy in #Kyiv is a barbaric violation of international law, which prohibits targeting diplomatic missions. I stand in solidarity with the Community of Democracies Member Portugal and the diplomats affected" - Secretary General Mantas Adomėnas https://lnkd.in/g-qSxApb

"We, the undersigned members of the Community of Democracies Governing Council strongly condemn the Georgian Dream party’s disproportionate and unjustified violence against Georgian citizens, protesters, members of the media, and opposition figures" Full statement by members of the CoD Governing Council regarding protests in #Georgia: https://lnkd.in/eh-bhddY #GeorgiaProtests

Key highlights from CoD recent activities: - In Panama, the Community of Democracies, with support of U.S. Department of State launched #YouthDemocracyNetwork (YDN) to support the next generation of democratic leaders. YDN will provide a space for collaboration and exchange, bringing together young civil society activists, politicians, and other leaders to work on initiatives addressing key challenges facing democracy today. The regional launch was hosted by Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores de Panamá. - In Guatemala, Voices of Democracy regional consultations, organized with Red Latinoamericana y del Caribe para la Democracia (REDLAD)and Acción Ciudadana Guatemala, showcased the role of civil society in defending the 2023 democratic elections and discussed actionable solutions to defend and strengthen electoral integrity, leveraging insights from the role of civil society actors and collaborative efforts. Both activities were carried out under the project on “Advancing the Warsaw Declaration Principles Globally” #youngleaders #civilsociety #democracy

"Voices of Democracy" consultations in #Guatemala brought together over hundred participants to discuss how the #civilsociety, working with the business sector, indigenous populations, and the international community, successfully defended the integrity of the democratic election process in 2023. The consultations were organized by the CoD, together with Red Latinoamericana y del Caribe para la Democracia (REDLAD) and Acción Ciudadana under the project: “Advancing the Warsaw Declaration Principles Globally”. Read more: http://shorturl.at/KtfpR

"In line with its mission to advance democracy worldwide, the CoD works with governments, civil society partners and young activists to protect and defend fundamental rights and freedoms. Countering authoritarian regimes to safeguard #humanrights principles remains a vital part of this mission"- Secretary General dr. Mantas Adomėnas in his statement on #HumanRightsDay Full statement: t.ly/MEHyQ

Democracy remains the only system of governance based on respect for all #humanrights. In its work to promote and protect democracy worldwide, the Community of Democracies is guided by core democratic principles enshrined in its founding document, the Warsaw Declaration, which states "that all human rights – civil, cultural, political and social – be promoted and protected as outlined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other relevant human rights instruments.” #HumanRightsDay

Congratulations to Dr. Patrice McMahon on being selected for The Rockefeller Foundation Bellagio Residency Program! Dr. McMahon is a Research Fellow at the Permanent Secretariat of the Community of Democracies, bringing her academic and research experience to support the Community’s strategic initiatives. https://lnkd.in/d5AfqzSR

Members of the newly launched #YouthDemocracyNetwork (YDN) are committed to the values of #democracy and human rights and pledge to turn these values into impactful actions that strengthen democracy. The regional launch meeting of the YDN was hosted in Panama City by the Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores de Panamá and gathered YDN members from across Latin America and local youth leaders from Panama. YDN is launched with support of the U.S. Department of State to foster a new generation of democratic leaders. The Network aims to cultivate a dynamic community of young leaders – civil society activists and politicians – dedicated to promoting democracy, human rights, and fundamental freedoms. It will provide technical tools and create opportunities for youth to engage with decision makers, integrating their insights into policymaking and enhancing democracy resilience. YDN Values Statement: https://lnkd.in/d8VUq7ZP #YoungEngagement #YoungLeaders