The founding organisers of the Frontline Voices in the Summit for Democracy platform welcome the intention of President Joe Biden to engage in a global discussion about democracy and explore ways in which we can collectively strengthen democratic practice, life and societies.
We applaud the commitment to engage those of us who are building, strengthening, and promoting democratic values in our communities, our nations and our regions.
In support of a global Summit on Democracy, our organisations call on the government of the United States to ensure genuine frontline activists are heard and that our experiences and aspirations are substantively reflected in this dialogue. As representatives of national and regional democracy and human rights organisations, we believe that this once-in-a-generation event requires an innovative approach and an equal partnership between government convenors and national non-governmental organisations.
We invite the world’s community of democratic practitioners to join our call, and our effort in ensuring the outcomes of a global dialogue have an enduring impact on the protection and expansion of democratic rights and freedoms.
In the days ahead, our platform “Frontline Voices in the Summit for Democracy” will engage our global networks of activists to discuss priorities and strategies to safeguard the genuine and meaningful participation of national organisations as partners in the proposed Summit for Democracy. We will, after all, be the organisations left to monitor and hold accountable country commitments made in any summit.
We advocate that the starting point of any discussion on democracy be focused on the values of fundamental human rights. This discussion must confront the barriers and assaults on democratic and human rights. Political stability is born on the foundations of rights-based societies that should not be sacrificed for political expediency.
The undersigned:
Adawaa Rights
Algeria
Al Hayat Center
Jordan
December 24th Movement
Libya
Foundation for Global Human Dignity
Malta
Kosova Democratic Institute
Kosovo
Lebanese Association for Democratic Elections
Lebanon
Libyan Organisation for Development
Libya
Madaniyat
Lebanon
Madarat Center for Community Development
Palestine
Mourakiboun
Tunisia
Phiren Amenca International Network
Hungary
Rosa Parks Foundation
Hungary
Tammuz Organisation
Iraq
Women’s Center for Guidance and Legal Awareness
Egypt
Frontline Voices in the Summit for Democracy
Founding Organisers |
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[Insert Contact name and coordinates] Adawaa Rights Algeria |
Nada Anid, Founder +961 3 294 028 Madaniyat Lebanon |
Dr. Amer Bani AmerFounder & Director Al Hayat Center Jordan |
Riyad Khanfar, GM +970599285932 Madarat Center for Community Development Palestine |
Dr. Lamees BenSaad
+218912151619 December 24th Movement Libya |
[Insert Contact name and coordinates]
Mourakiboun Tunisia
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Carlo Binda, Founder +356 99321663 Foundation for Global Human Dignity Malta |
Marietta Herfort, managing director Phiren Amenca International Network Hungary
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Ismet Kryeziu, Executive Director
Kosova Democratic Institute Kosovo |
Adel Kegye, chair Rosa Parks Foundation Hungary |
Aly Sleem
Lebanese Association for Democratic Elections Lebanon
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[Insert Contact name and coordinates] Tammuz Organisation Iraq |
Salah Ashhoub Libyan Organisation for Development Libya |
Reda El Danbouki, executive director Women’s Center for Guidance and Legal Awareness Egypt |
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Background:
During the 2020 Presidential Campaign in the United States of America, candidate Joe Biden laid out a plan entitled “THE POWER OF AMERICA’S EXAMPLE: THE BIDEN PLAN FOR LEADING THE DEMOCRATIC WORLD TO MEET THE CHALLENGES OF THE 21ST CENTURY”
Source: https://joebiden.com/americanleadership/
“Having taken these essential steps to reinforce the democratic foundation of our country and inspire action in others, President Biden will organize and host a global Summit for Democracy to renew the spirit and shared purpose of the nations of the Free World. During his first year in office, President Biden will bring together the world’s democracies to strengthen our democratic institutions, honestly confront the challenge of nations that are backsliding, and forge a common agenda to address threats to our common values.
On May 4th, 2021 fifteen organisations working on human and community rights, democratic development and elections, and anticorruption joined together to ensure frontline voices are heard in the proposed Summit on Democracy. The participants in this initial discussion are calling on other human rights and democracy focused organisations to join the platform and engage in these critical discussions and advocacy. This unique opportunity must have every opportunity to succeed, and its proponents must represent genuine grass roots activism.