March 17, 2023

In Case You Missed It:

Last month, the Democracy and Governance (DG) program at Georgetown University officially partnered with the Global Democracy Coalition (GDC). Georgetown is the only academic institution currently serving as a partner. The Global Democracy Coalition was established in October 2021 by International IDEA and other democracy assistance organizations as an informal group to engage with the first Summit for Democracy in December 2021. GDC is now under the coordination of both IDEA and Counterpart International. 

Our partnership with GDC will allow DG enhanced access and communication with a global pool of democracy assistance organizations, as well as engagement with the efforts and initiatives of its members. This includes participation in the group’s pledges to undertake democracy assistance activities, of which DG is making two: 

1. DG will expand our education programming in democracy and governance to include continued outreach to prospective students and collaboration with other universities on curriculum development.
2. As part of the Stories of Democracy Project and in collaboration with IDEA, DG will develop an oral history archive from individuals who administered, assisted, or observed elections in the late 1980’s, 1990’s and early 2000’s, a period when democracy was in ascendency. 

The Global Democracy Coalition organized its 2023 Forum February 28th-March 1st, which brought together its international partners in Washington, D.C. to engage on relevant issues to democracy assistance. Center for Democracy and Civil Society Senior Fellow Jeff Fischer represented the Democracy and Governance program and our inaugural participation. 

For questions about the Democracy and Governance program at Georgetown University or our new partnership, please email us at democracystudies@georgetown.edu.