Members

The Steering Committee on Democracy (CDDEM) is composed of representatives from all member states of the Council of Europe. These representatives are officially nominated by their respective governments and bring expertise in areas related to democracy, good governance, and participation in democratic processes.

 

CDDEM Bureau

The Bureau is composed of 7 elected members and steers the work of the Committee in between plenary sessions.

COMPOSITION OF THE CDDEM BUREAU

Chair of the CDDEM 
Ms Katrin Kivi (Estonia)

 

Vice-Chair of the CDDEM
Mr Niklas Wilhelmsson (Finland)
 

Members:
-    Ms Lilya Afrikyan (Armenia)
-    Mr Peter Andre (Austria)
-    Mr Beat Kuoni (Switzerland)
-    Mr Pavel Mička (Czechia)
-    Ms Hanneke Palm (Netherlands)

Participants

CDDEM works with international organisations (European Union, Observer states to the Council of Europe, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD); the Office for Democratic Institutions and Human rights (ODIHR-OSCE)), civil society representatives, and other entities within the Council of Europe such as the Parliamentary Assembly, the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities, the Commissioner for Human Rights, the Conference of  INGOs, the European Commission for Democracy through Law (Venice Commission), the Gender Equality Commission (GEC); the Steering Committee on Anti-discrimination, Diversity and Inclusion (CDADI); and the Advisory Council of Youth (CCJ). Their participation supports broader exchanges and enhances policy development.

Observers

CDDEM allows participation of observer states and relevant civil society organisations as observers. Observers contribute expertise, share good practices, and participate in discussions, but do not have voting rights.

CDDEM OBSERVERS
  • non-member States with which the Council of Europe has a Neighbourhood Partnership including relevant co-operation activities;
  • European Network of National Human Rights Institutions (ENNHRI);
  • Culture and Democracy Foundation;
  • European Center for Human Rights;
  • European Council of Spatial Planners;
  • Campaign to Uphold Rights in Europe (CURE);
  • Pax Romana;
  • Open Government Partnership (OGP).

Secretariat

The CDDEM is supported by a secretariat that ensures the smooth running of meetings, coordinates communications, and facilitates all organisational and administrative tasks for the committee.