Political foundations in the EU: key actors in Democracy Promotion?

• An event organized by the European Liberal Forum (ELF)
• Supported by the Catalanist and Democrat Foundation (CatDem) and Swedish International Liberal Centre (SILC). 
• Funded by the European Parliament.

Barcelona, November 30th, 2011
Working languages: Catalan and English (simultaneous interpretation)

The engagement of political foundations in democracy promotion and development cooperation dates back to the aftermaths of the Second World War. Today, the strengthening of democracy inside and outside the European Union is more important than ever, as well as the empowerment of liberal parties and civil society actors in transition and developing countries. Political foundations can play a leading and determinant role. 


09h00 Arrival of participants and inscriptions
09h30 Seminar inauguration
Agustí Colomines, Director of the CatDem Foundation

09h45 First panel “Are political foundations from EU countries key actors in Democracy 
promotion? Obstacles and Successes”
Henrik Bach Mortensen, Danish Institute for Parties and Democracy (Denmark)
Paul Speller, Liberal Democrats, Westminster Foundation for Democracy programme (UK)
Sam van der Staak, International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance – IDEA
(The Netherlands)
Moderator: Marc Guerrero, vicepresident European Liberal and Democrat Party (ELDR Party)
Debate



11h30 Coffee Break

11h45 Second panel “Best practices in Democracy promotion: practical examples”
Martin Ängeby, Swedish International Liberal Centre (Sweden)
Alba Cako, Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom (Germany)
Jurgita Croromanskyte, Open Society and its Friends (Lithuania) (tbc)
Moderator: Joaquima Alemany,  presidenta de l’Associació Dones per la Llibertat i Democràcia i de
l’International Network of Liberal Women
Debate

13h45 Closing remarks and end of the debates
Venue:   Seat of the European Institutions in Barcelona. Passeig de Gràcia 90, Barcelona

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