7 November 2024 - 15.00-17.00  / Palais de l'Europe / Salle 8

Interpretation FR/EN

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Article 3 of Protocol No.1 to the European Convention on Human Rights states that everyone has the right to take part in elections for the government of his/her country by secret ballot. This right guarantees the free expression of citizens’ political will, the representativity of elected officials and the legitimacy of legislative and executive institutions, and thereby, contributes to popular confidence in the institutions. Some Western democracies have seen their electoral process manipulated, sometimes violently, by political forces with a low respect for democratic values. More generally,doubt whether justified or not, that elections are unfaif, represents a major risk for democracy.

Moderator:

Tamar TALIASHVILI, Ambassador, Permanent Representative of Georgia to the Council of Europe

Discussant:

Goran MILETIC, member of the Conference of the INGOs - TBC

Founder, I Lead Climate Action Initiative

Nigeria

Lead Climate Action (LCA) focuses on the interaction between climate action, peace, and democracy, particularly in the Lake Chad basin region. One of their key initiatives involves initiating legislative deliberations on climate change in the National Assembly. In parallel, LCA has established a democratic institute to stimulate national debates on climate change, peace, security, and the environment. The organisation points out that climate change threatens democracy in Africa, disrupting electoral processes and exacerbating poverty and food insecurity. Climate-induced forced displacement often deprives citizens of their right to vote, forcing them to leave their homes and abandon their electoral registrations. Consequently, as Nigeria's only climate-focused civil society, it implements initiatives such as the disarmament of local government areas in Nigeria to strengthen democracy. By collaborating with entities such as Amnesty Nigeria, LCA seeks to mobilise local communities to promote inclusive and democratic climate solutions while strengthening the resilience of local populations in the face of growing climate challenges.

Presenter:

Adenike Titilope OLADOSU

Adenike is a first-class graduate in Agriculture Economics; an ecofeminist, and a climate justice leader. In 2019, I was invited to the first-ever United Nations Youth Summit in New York. The same year I was awarded the Ambassador of Conscience Award by Amnesty International. A Nigerian youth delegate to the UNFCCC since COP25 in Spain. I was the first African climate justice activist to join the Fridays for Future. Founder of “I Lead Climate Action Initiative.” Recently appointed by Education Cannot Wait as its Climate Champion. I have also been showcased as a UNICEF young advocate in Nigeria. A past fellow of the Panel on Planetary Thinking at Justus Liebig University. Awarded the International Climate Protection award by the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation on the Lake Chad peace and conflict resolution pathway. Adenike is leading the ecofeminism that has empowered women to become the true custodians of their environment.

Mine, yours, our vote, Aurora Institute for Human Rights 

Brazil

“Mine, yours, our vote” is a Brazilian project developed by the Aurora Institute for Human Rights, in collaboration with various Brazilian organisations. The project is aimed at young people of different origins and identities, particularly those voting for the first time. Its primary goal is to foster a culture of respectful dialogue on responsible voting, politics, democracy, and human rights in a context of polarisation. In addition, the initiative promotes care for the community, emphasising the importance of considering the well-being of vulnerable members. It also advocates diversity and inclusive political representation, with the aim of creating a more inclusive and participatory democracy. The initiative includes dialogue sessions focusing on human rights education, and has launched a podcast, "Our Vote", as well as a digital mural. E-books have been produced with the dialogue scripts for the 2020 and 2022 editions. Partnerships have also been formed with the Public Ministry, social organisations, educational institutions, and First Nations leaders.

Presenter:

Michelle Souza Bravos

Michele Bravos is a human rights educator, journalist, and the founder and executive director of the Aurora Institute for Human Rights Education, a Brazilian NGO established in 2018 to promote and defend human rights education. With 20 years of experience in the social projects field, Michele is driven by the tangible possibility of transforming realities through people’s engagement and dialogue. She holds a Master’s in Human Rights and Public Policy from the Pontifical Catholic University of Paraná (Brazil) and was a Rotary Peace Fellow (2022-2023) at Chulalongkorn University (Thailand). Her research interests include human rights and peace education; identities; gender equality; and minority rights.

The democratic commons, Make.org

France

The “Democratic Commons” is the first global research programme to build AI in service of democracy: a two-year programme aimed at tackling the biases of generative artificial intelligences and understanding how they behave on democratic platforms such as those run by European civic tech Make.org. The organisation aims to use and modify AI innovations to make democracy more participatory and resilient. Part of a call for projects issued by the French Public Investment Bank (BPI), the initiative is coordinated by Make.org and brings together the CNRS, Sorbonne University and Sciences Po, four leading players in their fields: participatory technologies, machine learning and social sciences. Accompanied by various expert partners and scientific supervisory advisors, the aims are to develop a system for evaluating generative AI languages to identify their biases, and to generate a new open source LLM (large language model), compatible with democratic processes. It contributes to improve citizens' access to quality information, fostering a more informed and diverse public opinion.

Presenter:

David MAS

David Mas is the Chief AI Officer at Make.org. His work focuses on harnessing artificial intelligence to enhance digital engagement and improve democratic processes. He is in charge of all the AI algorithms powering Make.org’s massive engagement platforms and of leveraging generative AI for citizen engagement. Prior to Make.org, he has worked on multiple data-focused topics such aas language modeling for speech recognition, econometric modelisation of risk-capital investments or ad targeting for Rakuten, the Japanese e-commerce giant. He holds a thesis in economics, a master in computer science and a master in cognitive science.

Civic Education to Disabled Tanzanians Towards General Election 2025, Brilliance Family 

Tanzania

People with disabilities are generally forgotten and their needs neglected. They face difficulties in accessing various social services due to limitations caused by disabling conditions and the availability of intervention services. The experience of people with disabilities during previous general elections in Tanzania has shown that greater citizenship education is needed. As bona fide countrymen, they have the right to participate in matters affecting them and the entire nation as well. The organisation therefore wishes to use the time available before the general elections in Tanzania in 2025 to engage people with disabilities to enable them to use their democratic rights. Its engagement will cover all regions of Tanzania and involve a variety of activities, including public meetings, seminars, capacity-building training, and radio/TV programmes. People with disabilities need plenty of space to express their own feelings and emotions in the same way as everyone deserves.

Presenter:

Isaac MUTHENGI

Bishop Isaac Muthengi is the founder and the C.E.O of Brilliance Family International.  He is the presiding Bishop of Brilliance Family Churches. As the founder of an NGO,  operating in Kenya, Tanzania, and Rwanda, Isaac has led various activities contributing to social change, community development, and promoting civic engagement. He has systematically engaged in interreligious dialogue in different capacities while working at Brilliance Family Seminaries. He leads transformation in cities, teaches the Bible, and family counseling, and teaches on Christian marriage, and theology. He is committed to creating lasting solutions to poverty, ignorance and social injustice.