Democracy Moves Joins Governments and Civil Society Organizations in Defence of Democracy during the Second Pre-Summit for Democracy in Zambia
By Daniel Orogo- Democracy Moves
Africa Coordinator
On March 28 to 30, the United States hosted a second Summit for Democracy alongside four co-hosts: Costa Rica, the Netherlands, the Republic of Korea, and the Republic of Zambia. The second Summit for Democracy assembled world leaders in a virtual, plenary format, followed by gatherings in each of the co-hosted countries with representatives from government, civil society, and the private sector. The summit was held at a critical time,, taking place as democratic governments renewed their resolve to stand against authoritarianism following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine and amid glimmers of hope. It also occurred at a moment of hope: , according to analysis in Freedom House’s flagship Freedom in the World publication, ‘The 17-year trend of democratic backsliding may be slowing’.
Zambia co-hosted the second Summit for Democracy with a regionally diverse group of co-hosts, reinforcing the truth that a safer and fairer world grounded in democratic values is a shared aspiration. The CSOs represented included: Accountability Lab, Afeonet, Alliance for Finance Monitoring (ACFIM), Carter Centre, Zambia, Christian Churches Monitoring Group, European Partnership for Democracy, International IDEA, Kofi Annan Foundation, Southern Defenders, Westminster Foundation for Democracy, amongst many others.
Participation in the Pre-summit in Zambia was a culmination of a series of events, namely creating and forming the Summit for Democracy 2 (S4D2) WhatsApp chat group, a sequence of twitter campaigns, and a Webinar on the State of Elections and Democracy in Africa, focusing on Nigeria and Kenya facilitated by Democracy Moves Network and restless Development through February and March 2023
Introducing the Democracy Moves Network to a host of crucial summit planners’ organizations became a significant achievement. Additionally, our attendance and participation in the main plenaries and the critical side (Money in Politics: Financing political parties and election campaigns for democratic renewal in Africa and: The state of Civic space, its impact on peaceful and democratic elections and transitions in Africa) were helpful in Projecting Democracy Moves during the Pre-Summit. Daniel Orogo and Democracy Moves were graciously mentioned in the Speech during the Opening Ceremony. Equally, our engagement in the summit further cemented the Visibility of Democracy Moves online. Our interactions and online campaigns through the summit’s official hashtag #Summitfor Democracy.
Democracy Moves, together with the Restless Development and Accountability Lab, played a key part in Convening a speed mixer network session on the evening of the last day of the Pre-Summit. On the 28th March, 2023, Democracy Moves lead in organizing a networking meeting for Democracy actors who attended the summit. The objective of the meeting was to discuss the post-summit activities, especially as outlined in the Summit Declaration through a Communique.
To complement the Summit-led declaration, Democracy Moves joined the members of the Global Democracy Coalition and the Youth Democracy Cohort in Signing a call-to-action Call to Action. P Democracy (summit democracy.org) https://youthdemocracycohort.com/call-to-action-to-civil-society/
The Post-Summit Communique and Call to Action
Democracy Moves through Restless Development is committed to furtheractualizing the call to action and engagement in furthering the democratic space in Africa. Facilitating potent spaces for youth, women, and other special interest groups to be updated in the coming daysto galvanize support for strengthening democratic governance and defending human rights worldwide. Additionally, a continued partnership for the post-Summit engagement especially engaging youth in upcoming elections and democratic processes in Africa, and finally, The Democracy Moves Annual Conference in June 2023.