Dialogue for Democratic Development

Press Release

Dialogue for Democratic Development:

International Conference to be held in Stockholm 23 to 25 November

Stockholm November 13, 1998 -- An international conference on democratic development will be held in Stockholm from 23 to 25 November. Under the title "Dialogue for Democratic Development: Renewing the ACP-EU Partnership for the 21st Century", the Conference will bring together government officials and civil society representatives from 71 countries of the African, the Caribbean and the Pacific regions (ACP) and of the 15 Members States of the European Union.

The Conference is hosted by the Stockholm-based International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA) in collaboration with the European Commission and the ACP Secretariat. Participants will jointly explore how to better promote and strengthen democratic development in the ACP with a view to concrete recommendations.

"This meeting is the first step in a more definite and operational inclusion of the political and institutional dimensions of co-operation in development in general and, in this context, promotion of good governance," says the European Commissioner Prof. João de Deus Pinheiro.

The Conference convenes at a moment, when the European Union and the ACP have started negotiations on their future partnership agreement.

The European Union has been placing special emphasis on the respect and promotion of human rights and democracy, on which 526 million ECU have been spent through pro-active measures since 1992. The current EU-ACP Lomé IV Convention makes a strong link between development co-operation and the mutual recognition and application of democratic principles, the consolidation of the rule of law and good governance.

The Conference will be opened by Prof. Pinheiro, Dr. Ng’andu Peter Magande, Secretary-General of the ACP Secretariat, and Sir Shridath Ramphal, Chairman of the Board of International IDEA.

"We hope that this conference will allow for a frank and open discussion between the EU and the recipient countries on how democracy and good governance can be put into actual practice," says Bengt Säve-Söderbergh, Secretary-General of International IDEA. "There will never be any socio-economic development unless there is a respect for democratic principles, human rights and the rule of law. But only through a genuine dialogue can we reach a common understanding which combines national interests with international objectives."

The press is invited to cover the conference on Monday 23 November and Wednesday 25 November (Accreditation form attached). The Conference will be held at Tammsvik Konferenshotell, Bro, Stockholm. Agenda, background papers and participants list are available at http://www.idea.int