Young Democracy Advocates World-Wide to Gather in Stockholm 18-19 June

Press Release:

Young Democracy Advocates World-Wide to Gather in Stockholm 18-19 June

Stockholm, 10 June - The International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA), has invited more than 100 democracy activists aged 18 – 30 from about 70 countries to its annual Democracy Forum.

How are South Africa, Indonesia and other countries in recent transition to universal suffrage handling the hopes and frustrations of a new-born democracy?

What suggestions for reform of the political system in the since long established democracies would young people themselves make in order to increase voter turnout and confidence in parliamentarism?

What kind of support from the outside world and the world system would be most helpful in political struggles for democratic reform?

Among many people attending and speaking are:

• Mr Pau Solanilla, chairperson of the European Youth Forum, with 128 member organizations in 40 countries, and probably then a newly elected MEP,

• Ms Britta Lejon, Minister for Democracy in the Swedish government who was appointed in response to the low voter turnout in recent elections.

• Mr Jairo Raul Clopatofsky, a former senator who was part of the student movement that pushed Colombia to democratic reform,

• Ms Mahlengi Hlengiwe Bhengu, chairperson of the South African Youth Commission

• The Ministers for Foreign Affairs of Sweden and Botswana

This Democracy Forum takes place June 18 – 19 at Hasseludden in the Stockholm archipelago and is open to the media. Two International IDEA studies – on youth voter participation and young people in politics - with extensive international data will be presented in connection with the Forum.

More information about the Democracy Forum

International IDEA (International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance) was founded in February 1995. The Institute’s overall objective is to promote and advance sustainable democracy world-wide and to improve and consolidate electoral processes. To date, Members are Australia, Barbados, Belgium, Botswana, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Denmark, Finland, India, Namibia, The Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, the Inter-American Institute of Human Rights, the International Federation of Journalists, the International Press Institute, Parliamentarians for Global Action and Transparency International. The Institute also has co-operative agreements with the International Commission of Jurists, the Inter-Parliamentary Union, the United Nations Development Programme, and the Inter-American Development Bank. Switzerland also contributes to the work of the Institute.

Press Release:

Young Democracy Advocates World-Wide to Gather in Stockholm 18-19 June

Stockholm, 10 June - The International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA), has invited more than 100 democracy activists aged 18 – 30 from about 70 countries to its annual Democracy Forum.

How are South Africa, Indonesia and other countries in recent transition to universal suffrage handling the hopes and frustrations of a new-born democracy?

What suggestions for reform of the political system in the since long established democracies would young people themselves make in order to increase voter turnout and confidence in parliamentarism?

What kind of support from the outside world and the world system would be most helpful in political struggles for democratic reform?

Among many people attending and speaking are:

• Mr Pau Solanilla, chairperson of the European Youth Forum, with 128 member organizations in 40 countries, and probably then a newly elected MEP,

• Ms Britta Lejon, Minister for Democracy in the Swedish government who was appointed in response to the low voter turnout in recent elections.

• Mr Jairo Raul Clopatofsky, a former senator who was part of the student movement that pushed Colombia to democratic reform,

• Ms Mahlengi Hlengiwe Bhengu, chairperson of the South African Youth Commission

• The Ministers for Foreign Affairs of Sweden and Botswana

This Democracy Forum takes place June 18 – 19 at Hasseludden in the Stockholm archipelago and is open to the media. Two International IDEA studies – on youth voter participation and young people in politics - with extensive international data will be presented in connection with the Forum.

More information about the Democracy Forum

International IDEA (International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance) was founded in February 1995. The Institute’s overall objective is to promote and advance sustainable democracy world-wide and to improve and consolidate electoral processes. To date, Members are Australia, Barbados, Belgium, Botswana, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Denmark, Finland, India, Namibia, The Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, the Inter-American Institute of Human Rights, the International Federation of Journalists, the International Press Institute, Parliamentarians for Global Action and Transparency International. The Institute also has co-operative agreements with the International Commission of Jurists, the Inter-Parliamentary Union, the United Nations Development Programme, and the Inter-American Development Bank. Switzerland also contributes to the work of the Institute.