Democracy Forum 2016: An Inter-Generational Dialogue on Democratic Transitions

STOCKHOLM—The International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance’s Annual Democracy Forum will be held in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia from 25-26 August 2016 under the theme, ‘Learning from Democratic Transitions in Asia and the Pacific: An Inter-Generational Dialogue’.

By focusing on identifying factors that helped shape previous democratic transitions, the Forum will discuss how to apply lessons learned to the contemporary challenges facing democratic transition and consolidation in the region. 

The two-day event features five sessions that each focus on a different factor in democratic transitions. These panels will discuss of the role of constitutions, the security sector, leadership and social movements, women, and the international community. 

“There is value in facilitating conversations between countries in different stages of democracy”, said International IDEA’s Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific Leena Rikkilä Tamang. “In this region, many transitions took place a generation ago. There are also a number of younger transitions like Bhutan and Nepal, and the ongoing transition in Myanmar. The Asia-Pacific region has many non-democratic regimes that may experience incremental change and could benefit from the documentation of past and ongoing transitions”.  

Speakers at the Forum include the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Mongolia Tsend Munkh-Orgil; Former Chair of the Government Negotiating Panel for Talks with the Moro Islamic Liberation Front Miriam Coronel Ferrer; and Chair of the Global Organization of Parliamentarians Against Corruption (GOPAC) Fadli Zon, as well as other leaders from the region and beyond.

Organized by International IDEA in partnership with the Chair of the Council of Member States, Mongolia, and the Non Aligned Movement Centre for South-South Technical Cooperation (NAM CSSTC), the Forum brings together politicians, policy makers, civil society and representatives of academia in order to foster an inter-generational dialogue on the consolidation of democratic institutions. 

To register to attend the Forum, please send an email to dep07-13@mfa.gov.mn with your name, title and organization.