New Board Member - Maria Ladegaard
Despite her young age, Maria Ladegaard has years of experience working within political parties. She was the former chairperson of the Danish Liberal Youth from 2021 to 2023. Get to know Maria better as she shares her thoughts on the challenges and solutions for global democracy.
What challenges does global democracy face?
The largest current challenge is undoubtedly the increasing polarisation and the fact that more people are questioning the truth. When we cannot reach a consensus on what is true or false, it becomes difficult to engage in constructive discussions about the world's shared challenges that we must address together.
Furthermore, a significant concern for me is the continued decline in the global population living in democratic systems.
Where should we concentrate our efforts to support democracy?
In a world with infinite resources, I would answer "everywhere,", as I believe that every human being deserves to live in free democracies. But that is how the world works, unfortunately. For that reason, I would focus the efforts on the aspiring democracies—the ones that are changing their society and need outside support. Each additional democracy added to the ranks is another step towards including everyone else.
What role do you see that political parties can play in supporting democracy and democratic forces?
Political parties bring decades of experience in practicing democracy. Democracy requires practical application; it is not just something you read about. It is my hope that this wealth of experience can serve as inspiration and support for democracies worldwide, adapting to their specific contexts.
If, like me, you believe that democracies lead to better lives for their citizens, then it is only natural for Danish political parties to engage in this work.
What has made the strongest impression on your work for democracy in the world?
While there have been numerous impactful moments, one small but significant aspect stands out. It has made a lasting impression on me how the Danish approach to handling disagreements differs from the norm. Instead of dwelling on our divisions, it is customary to meet across political divides and collaborate. Rather than focusing on disagreements, we seek common ground on issues. The essential prerequisite for democratic dialogue is the willingness to engage in it, and we are extraordinarily fortunate in Denmark. I aspire to contribute to this becoming the norm in other parts of the world. It is something that counters polarisation. And is needed.