It was a great experience being a part of the Annual Democracy Moves Conference 2023! Young leaders, policymakers, civil society representatives, and experts from around the world have been there. The Annual Democracy Moves Conference 2023 was brought by Democracy Moves, a global network of young leaders fighting for democracy, human rights, and social justice and powered by Restless Development. It took place from 27th to 29th June 2023.
This year's conference has been aligned with the recent second US Summit for Democracy, ensuring that the voices of young leaders are heard on a global scale. It was great to connect, collaborate, and create impact. I had the opportunity to deliver a keynote speech in the panel titled “media freedom, freedom of expression and technology in the elections” Hope to join again next year!
The following 10 core principles and commitments were stated in 2023 Declaration:
Strengthen Youth Activism: We will strive to increase local, national, regional, and international cooperation between youth activists and organizations focused on creating more democratic communities and countries. We know that by fostering collaboration and sharing proven methods, we aim to amplify the impact of youth-focused and youth-led initiatives around the world.
Bolster Democratic Institutions: We recognize the importance of strong and accountable democratic institutions in safeguarding democracy. We pledge to support efforts to strengthen the institutional capacity and impact of organizations and activists working towards creating more democratic communities and countries.
Provide Access to Meaningful and Relevant Civic Education and Opportunities: We advocate for increased access to quality, relevant civic education and meaningful opportunities for young people to engage in democratic processes. We believe that empowering young people with the knowledge, skills, and resources necessary for active Citizenship will strengthen democracy and lead to more inclusive societies.
Promote Open Civic Spaces: Recognizing the importance of civic spaces as platforms for expression, dialogue, and activism, we emphasize the need to protect and expand these spaces. We commit to defending the rights to freedom of speech, assembly, and association, and to opposing any attempts to restrict or silence civic voices.
Protect Media Freedom: We emphasize the importance of free and independent media that can operate without undue interference or censorship. We pledge to advocate for the protection of journalists’ rights and to work towards creating an enabling environment where media professionals can exercise their duties without fear of reprisal or harassment or arbitrary arrest, simply for reporting freely
Harness Technology for Political Engagement: We recognize the crucial role of young people in advancing both democracy and sustainable development. We commit to exploring the potential of technology in enhancing political participation among youth, leveraging digital tools for civic engagement, and promoting inclusive and accessible democratic processes.
Share Research and Knowledge: We acknowledge the value of research and the exchange of knowledge in advancing democratic practices. We commit to fostering collaboration between activists, university researchers who study democracy education, and civil society organizations to enhance our understanding of democracy education, civil society strategies, and effective advocacy techniques.
Amplify Women’s Leadership: We highlight the importance of women's political participation and leadership in democratic governance. We advocate for greater representation of women in political structures and institutions while recognizing that women’s leadership extends beyond these realms. We commit to supporting initiatives that empower and elevate the voices of women in driving political change and promoting equity and justice.
Showcase Youth Impact: We celebrate the inspiring initiatives led by young people around the world that are influencing democratic spaces. We commit to highlighting and learning from these impactful case studies, amplifying their stories, and providing platforms for youth to share their experiences and insights.
Collaborate in Solidarity: We recognize the power of collective action and collaboration in achieving our shared vision. We commit to strengthening global cooperation among youth activists and organizations working towards democratic change to achieve a better future.
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