Supporting the Summit for Democracy 2024

Gender equality and safeguarding democracy for future generations is interlinked. Any effort to build resilient democracies and the related institutions will be flawed if it excludes or marginalises half of the world's population.

Parliaments have a vital role as democratic institutions in addressing the challenges of society. Engaging citizens, including youngsters in decision-making is essential to build public trust, increase the legitimacy of decisions, and achieve participatory, inclusive, and responsive governance - all pillars of a sustainable democracy. An engaged, well-educated citizen is at the heart of strong democratic societies. Civic education is needed for younger generations to build civic competencies, which will ensure their growth as responsible citizens. Creating an environment in which youth feel their voice counts is crucial. It is especially essential today when Ukrainians are fighting for the future. War brings outstanding challenges for parliamentary work, civil society, and democracy as a whole. The session will present and discuss the experience of Ukraine at war where governmental and educational institutions continue to operate, engaging with youth and civil society.

Transparency International and International IDEA is focusing its session on the work of young people in the Asia Pacific region. The session is designed to showcase and present the work of young people in the region through the commitments of raising and amplifying issues on anti-corruption, political integrity, democracy through various creative initiatives that youths have created to allow for meaningful engagement. The session aims to highlight the essential role of youths in our region as young individuals and the emerging leaders in addressing thematic issues on strengthening democracy and fighting corruption. We hope to achieve our participation at all levels to be more effective and meaningful. Ensuring we are sharing the voices of every young people from our region to the Leaders.

The objective of the panel discussion is to hold a joint reflection on the state of democracy globally among leading experts in the field of democracy assessment, drawing on both expert and public opinion data. The joint reflection will culminate in a comprehensive picture of key (persistent, emerging and new) challenges and opportunities to democracy globally and across different regions and how these have evolved since the first and second Summits for Democracy. The discussion is intended to inform the Summit for Democracy plenary discussions on day 3. The discussion also provides an opportunity for deepened collaboration among partner organizations in the Global Democracy Coalition and other stakeholders, demonstrating the value of collaborative analytical efforts to advance the global democracy agenda.

The year 2024 is set to be a pivotal year for democracy, with over half of the world's population participating in high-stakes elections across more than 50 countries. In light of these events, this Roundtable Luncheon aims to facilitate expert dialogue on the future of democracy, highlighting both the challenges and opportunities that democracy advocates around the world may encounter.

In the intergenerational dialogues of the Global Democracy Forum, participants will engage in discussions exploring the intersection of youth, technology, and democracy, aiming to foster collaboration and understanding across generations. The dialogues will address regional challenges and opportunities within the broader context of democratic governance.

In December 2021, the U.S. Government hosted the first Summit for Democracy with the aim to bring together government, civil society and private sector leaders to form a global agenda for democratic renewal.  The second Summit in March 2023 showcased progress made by governments on their commitments to strengthen democracy during the ‘Year of Action’ and the work of the 16 multi-stakeholder Democracy Cohorts. It was co-hosted by the governments of the U.S., Costa Rica, the Netherlands, the Republic of Korea, and Zambia.

Ahead of the third Summit for Democracy, International IDEA is collaboratin with the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, Open Government Partnership, and the Community of Democracies, is supporting the government of the Republic of Korea to organize the Cohorts, Civil Society and Youth Engagement Day of the Summit.

International IDEA contributes to the Summit for Democracy process through knowledge production, data and analysis, dialogues and partnership building. In its work, International IDEA aims to foster and facilitate civil society and multi-stakeholder engagement in the Summits for Democracy with democracy organizations from across the world. As co-coordinator of the Global Democracy Coalition, International IDEA organizes the Partners for Democracy Day that provides a global platform for civil society and other democracy actors.

International IDEA maintains the Summit for Democracy News and Resources Portal, funded by the European Union. The Portal includes a dashboard of countries' verbal and written commitments as well as an overview of the Democracy Cohorts' work. International IDEA is also the co-lead of two of the Democracy Cohorts – the Cohort on Youth Political and Civic Engagement and the Cohort on Gender Equality as a Pre-Requisite for Democracy. 

More information about International IDEA's support to the Summit for Democracy process.