Resources

Colombia has held its local elections, and volunteers from the Red-Green Alliance served as international election observers. The volunteers spoke with several female candidates about their motivation for running for office as well as the challenges they face as women in an unstable democratic system.

While Georgia has been moving in a democratic direction since its independence, the ruling party is turning towards authoritarianism and has become increasingly pro-Russian. DIPD has spoken with Levan Tsutskiridze, Executive Director of the Eastern European Centre for Multiparty Democracy (EECMD), about Georgia's deteriorating democracy.

Women and LGBTIQ+ people in Colombia are exposed to gender and political violence, including in the social movements that work towards development and inclusion. Says the organisation La Manada Feminista. The Danish Party, the Red-Green Alliance started a new partnership with La Manada Feminista to strengthen their feminist work in the country.

The world is currently experiencing an authoritarian wave, with numerous countries caught in the crossfire between democracy and dictatorship. Countries in the Western Balkans are torn between the Russian dictatorship and the ambition for EU membership and a seat at the democratic table.

A small piece of the Danish Island, Bornholm can be found in Nairobi's stunning national museum garden. At least, that's how we felt as delegates from four Danish parties at the Kenyan People's Meeting, "The People Dialogue Festival".

Social media are vital in Kenya, as they can connect and engage people beyond ethnic stereotypes. However, a rising number of political campaigns are spread systematically, containing fake news and disinformation undermining the election process.

Traditionally, Kenyan political culture has been mostly top-down and based on one-way communication. Changes for a more inclusive political culture is seeing light in Kenya.

What will 2022 bring? In terms of democracy, well, it’s hard to say but I think we can agree that 2022 will be another year where we will see democracies struggle. Struggle with autocrats and autocratic regimes, who increasingly have been able to build their power and influence, and crack down on independent media, civil society, activists, and political opponents. Actions that fragment and weaken the democratic fabric and the future aspirations of any society.

Learning from DIPD's work through the past ten years shows that sustainable results are obtained with common ideological referencepoints and without the presence of classical donor/recepient relations.

Democracy Festivals are a valuable tool to strengthen debate and policymaking, even in volatile political situations. Flexibility, direct dialogue, and adaptation to local contexts are key points in planning a democracy festival.

Nepal’s political climate is generally marked by intense competition and sharp confrontation. JOMPOPS – the platform of major political parties in Nepal - works towards promoting multiparty culture. The platform is supported by DIPD and regularly seeks inspiration from Denmark on how to strengthen multiparty collaboration. Here DIPD Country Representative, Shrishti Rana, reflects on recent experiences and specific activities from the field.

Achieving gender equality in politics takes commitment. Parliamentarians in Bhutan came together on a workshop organized by the DIPD partner BNEW, committed to act. They agreed on an action plan to encourage women participation in politics and leadership. The plan includes legislative, policy and budgetary measures.

Ghana’s image as a beacon for democracy in West Africa is fading. The latest election has left the country with a hung parliament and a problematic political culture. Political decentralisation can mitigate the challenges to Ghanaian democracy

With immense power to inspire, four women leaders from national parliaments to community activism got together to share their stories of why and how they fight for what they think is right. Participants from all five continents joined in this celebration of International Women's Day 2021, stressing how important it is to promote the career and successes of women leaders and change makers.

While the pandemic has created difficult conditions for many of DIPD's partners around the world, new opportunities have also emerged in its wake. In Bhutan, digital meetings help a network of women in politics intensify their reach and engagement