Worldwide, the indices for democracy, human rights and security are under pressure. Upholding democratic values seems more urgent than ever. But ‘promoting democracy’ in developing countries has been stained by associations with wars or neocolonial globalization. Moreover, what legitimacy do Western countries have, promoting values that are eroding within its own borders? Can we learn from democracy promotion methodologies in FCAS to strengthen democracy at home?
Thijs Berman is Executive Director at the Netherlands Institute for Multiparty Democracy (NIMD), so he struggles with these challenges every day. Their recent tracer study on democracy education offers an interesting entry point to discuss both the bigger questions, as well as the concrete practice of democracy promotion. He discusses this with our KPSRL’s very own Head of Secretariat Sever Džigurski, who can also share some of his personal experiences in promoting democratic values and peace in the Balkans. As usual, this episode is moderated by KPSRL's Christian Kuitert.
Thijs Berman has been Executive Director of the Netherlands Institute for Multiparty Democracy (NIMD) since January 2019. He has more than 30 years of experience in media, politics, and international development. Berman began his career as a journalist, and then became a Member of the European Parliament for the Dutch Labour Party. As an MEP he was a member of several committees, including the Committee on Development Cooperation and Humanitarian Aid, and the Budget Committee. In addition, he has headed several European election observation missions. In the two years before joining NIMD, Berman worked as the Principal Advisor to the OSCE Representative of Freedom of the Media.
Sever Džigurski is an activist and professional in the international development programs, institutional reform projects and civil society initiatives since the mid-1990s. Especially strong in qualitative and participatory research; knowledge management and learning, monitoring and evaluation; design and facilitation of learning and change processes. Passionate about meaningful participation, creative learning, critical analysis, peacebuilding and social change processes. He currently serves as the Head of Secretariat for the Knowledge Platform Security and Rule of Law.
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