20/07/2011

ENoP discusses "How to render democracy support more effective?", Brussels, 18 July 2011

The recent events in the Arab world and the current discussions around a European Endowment for Democracy were the initial sparks to organise the first ENoP Orientation Seminar in 2011. The event was hosted by Friedrich Naumann Foundation and co-financed by Rosa Luxemburg Foundation.

From right to left: Jean-Louis Ville (DG DEVCO), Patrick Leusch (Deutsche Welle), Pirkka Tapiola (EEAS), Claude Weinber (hbs) and Sidonie Wetzig (FES).

32 representatives of ENoP member organisations met on Monday, July 18^th, representatives from the European Commission EC, the European External Action Service EEAS and other stakeholders working in democracy support to discuss “How to render EU democracy support more effective?”.

The event was composed of two panels. The first panel consisted of Patrick Leusch/ Deutsche Welle, Pirkka Tapiola/ EEAS, Jean-Luis Ville/ DG DEVCO, Claude Weinber/ hbs, Sidonie Wetzig/ FES and was chaired by Arjen Berkvens. The speakers invited the audience to share ideas on the role of the political actors and media in democratic transitions. The lack of a tradition of competitive political parties, the importance of protected and independent media and common strategies of EU institutions were on the table of the panel.

The second panel analysed the existing EC instruments for democracy support and discussed how to use them in the most efficient way without overlapping with other initiatives. Alar Ollum/ EEAS, Nicolas Rougy/ Club de Madrid, Alba Çako/ FNS and Julie Cantalou/ HSS, chaired by Andrea Ostheimer/ KAS, provided the audience with food for thought during the presentations and the following debate.

The participants from 27 ENoP member organisations, EU institutions and other stakeholders were actively involved in the discussions with the panellists.They gained a profound insight in challenges to be faced and initiatives to be undertaken in the democracy support field.

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