In 2023, democracy in the European Union and globally is once again facing various challenges. Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine made the defence of democracy in Europe a top geopolitical, security and normative priority, and the still lingering economic consequences of the COVID-19 crisis and war-related economic uncertainties continue to test democracy on the socio-economic and political fronts. Recent attacks on the foundations of democracy, such as the corruption scandal in the European Parliament, clearly demonstrate the need for more transparency at the EU level. In light of these developments, as well as in view of the upcoming elections to the European Parliament in 2024 and beyond, the EU’s commitment to defending democracy is more important than ever.
ALDA and its network want to contribute in shaping the priority for the defence of Democracy by providing inputs based on its experience and its members’ best practices and opinions. We are therefore responding to the Call for interest launched by the European Commission and we want to include a broader point of view, thanks to our members’ contribution.
Thus, all ALDA members are invited to join the ALDA Talk and contribute to “Joint Priorities for the Defence of Democracy Package” on Wednesday, 5 April 2023, from 2:00 PM (CEST).
The debate will be introduced by Mr. Toma Sutic, Member of the Cabinet of the Vice President for Democracy and Demography, Commissioner Dubravka Šuica and Mrs. Antonella Valmorbida, ALDA Secretary General. They will shed light on the ongoing efforts of the European Commission to defend European Democracy, explain what is at stake and what “protecting democracy” means.
Join the ALDA Talk and contribute to “Joint Priorities for the Defence of Democracy Package”
Then, all members online will be invited to share their view and their thoughts on the topic, especially answering to the following questions:
- Foreign interference: how to protect democracy without prejudice to civic space?
- How to strengthen citizens’ participation, notably at local level?
- Civic and democratic space: how do we propose recommendations?
To join the ALDA Talk, Register HERE.
Please note that the webinar will be in English on Zoom platform. However, we will consider possible interpretations if requests are coming by the 30th of March. Moreover, the recording of the event will be later published on ALDA YouTube channel.
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Useful Resources:
- Learn more about the Defending European Democracy’s initiative
- Read the Call for Evidence