Bringing recommendations to governments, businesses and civil society to protect democracy from digital threats, including polarization, hate speech, disinformation, political advertising and foreign interference.
The Challenge
Digital technologies and social media platforms have profoundly altered democratic processes and the electoral environment. While these developments have unequalled potential to engage, empower, and educate voters and strengthen the integrity of elections, they also create new challenges and risks for fundamental democratic processes and citizens’ political rights.
Through the Kofi Annan Commission on Elections and Democracy in the Digital Age, the Kofi Annan Foundation and its partners developed a series of actions to ensure that new technologies, social media platforms and communications tools can realise citizens’ aspirations for democratic governance.
“Technology does not stand still; neither can democracy.”
Kofi Annan
About the Elections and Democracy in the Digital Age project
As one of his last major initiatives, in 2018 Kofi Annan convened the Commission on Elections and Democracy in the Digital Age. The Commission examined and reviewed the opportunities and challenges for electoral integrity created by technological innovations. Following their final report, the Kofi Annan Foundation is working to implement the recommendations, including the development of an Electoral Vulnerability Index to predict election-related violence, securing the digital environment for elections in Kenya, and studying artificial intelligence (AI) and its impact on elections.
“…new technologies and social media platforms are profoundly changing democracies – and democratic processes – all over the world. While these provide unequalled potential to deliver citizen’s hopes for democratic governance, they also create new challenges and risks for democratic processes and political rights.”
Laura Chinchilla
At a Glance
Elections & Democracy in the Digital Age
12
Experts formed the Kofi Annan Commission on Elections and Democracy in the Digital Age and issued recommendations on how new technologies, social media platforms, and communication tools can be harnessed to engage, empower, and educate voters and strengthen the integrity of elections.
Recommendations were issued, all originating from one of the main conclusions of the report: all relevant stakeholders – tech and digital platforms, governments, electoral authorities, traditional media and citizens – have a critical role to play in strengthening electoral integrity.
13
6
In 2022, as Kenyans entered the final stretch of their electoral cycle, we urged candidates at all levels to pledge to appropriate and peaceful online behaviour to ensure that Kenyans once again have the opportunity to select their leaders free of intimidation, threats and violence. The pledge included six commitments, including a pledge to avoid all forms of gender-based violence.
At a two-day multistakeholder workshop hosted by the Kofi Annan Foundation and the Centre for Multiparty Democracy (CMD-Kenya) in Nairobi in November 2021, election stakeholders explored practical solutions to some of the challenges posed by digital technologies in Kenya
A key concern emerging from the workshop was the harmful impact of online gender-based political violence on Kenyan women. Violence against women in politics is present in many regions and countries beyond Kenya. Find out more in our extensive report ‘Eliminating Violence Against Women in Politics‘
Do you want to help build a fairer, more peaceful world?
Support us with your philanthropic gifts and grants
Strengthening Democratic Resilience in a Changing European and Transatlantic Security Landscape The Kofi Annan Foundation, the Albert Hirschman Centre on Democracy | Geneva Graduate Institute, International IDEA and the European Endowment for Democracy (EED) will host a high-level Policy Dialogue in Brussels on 20 June. Learn more about our 20 June event…
Strengthening Democratic Resilience in a Changing European and Transatlantic Security Landscape The Kofi Annan Foundation, the Albert Hirschman Centre on Democracy | Geneva Graduate Institute, International IDEA and the European Endowment for Democracy (EED) will host a high-level Policy Dialogue in Brussels on 20 June. Learn more about our 20 June event in Brussels in […]
The Kofi Annan Foundation and the Albert Hirschman Centre on Democracy convened the second in a series of thematic roundtables exploring the intersections of democracy and global governance as part of the project “Understanding the Links Between Multilateralism and Democracy to Tackle Global Challenges More Effectively”. The project seeks to further a…
The Kofi Annan Foundation and the Albert Hirschman Centre on Democracy convened the second in a series of thematic roundtables exploring the intersections of democracy and global governance as part of the project “Understanding the Links Between Multilateralism and Democracy to Tackle Global Challenges More Effectively”. The project seeks to further a common understanding of […]
The following is a transcript of the speech given by Corinne Momal-Vanian at the 16TH EISA ANNUAL SYMPOSIUM in Nairobi, 11 December 2024. Navigating political transitions in Africa It is an honour to be asked to deliver this opening speech on behalf of the Kofi Annan Foundation. For most of my career,…
The following is a transcript of the speech given by Corinne Momal-Vanian at the 16TH EISA ANNUAL SYMPOSIUM in Nairobi, 11 December 2024. Navigating political transitions in Africa It is an honour to be asked to deliver this opening speech on behalf of the Kofi Annan Foundation. For most of my career, the term “transition” […]
In episode 9, podcast host Ahmad Fawzi welcomes special guest Mohamed Ibn Chambas. Together, they explore trends, challenges, and opportunities for democracy in Africa. What are noteworthy examples of democratic governance on the continent? How can we restore trust in democracy, as the system best able to ensure that the voices of…
In episode 9, podcast host Ahmad Fawzi welcomes special guest Mohamed Ibn Chambas. Together, they explore trends, challenges, and opportunities for democracy in Africa. What are noteworthy examples of democratic governance on the continent? How can we restore trust in democracy, as the system best able to ensure that the voices of the people are […]
In episode 5 of Kofi Time, host Ahmad Fawzi interviews diplomat Michael Møller on Kofi Annan’s special kind of leadership. A respected leader among his peers and the public, Kofi Annan served the people of the world with courage, vision and empathy. Embodying moral steadfastness and an acute political acumen, his leadership…
In episode 5 of Kofi Time, host Ahmad Fawzi interviews diplomat Michael Møller on Kofi Annan’s special kind of leadership. A respected leader among his peers and the public, Kofi Annan served the people of the world with courage, vision and empathy. Embodying moral steadfastness and an acute political acumen, his leadership was one of […]
The following is a transcript of the speech given by Corinne Momal-Vanian at the 16TH EISA ANNUAL SYMPOSIUM in Nairobi, 11 December 2024. Navigating political transitions in Africa It is an honour to be asked to deliver this opening speech on behalf of the Kofi Annan Foundation. For most of my career,…
The following is a transcript of the speech given by Corinne Momal-Vanian at the 16TH EISA ANNUAL SYMPOSIUM in Nairobi, 11 December 2024. Navigating political transitions in Africa It is an honour to be asked to deliver this opening speech on behalf of the Kofi Annan Foundation. For most of my career, the term “transition” […]
An open letter by the international Leadership Excellence in Politics (LEiP) Initiative We, the undersigned, unite with a shared commitment to restore trust in political leadership and enhance its practice to meet the unique demands of the 21st-century. In an era where trust in political institutions is waning, now is the time…
An open letter by the international Leadership Excellence in Politics (LEiP) Initiative We, the undersigned, unite with a shared commitment to restore trust in political leadership and enhance its practice to meet the unique demands of the 21st-century. In an era where trust in political institutions is waning, now is the time for leaders across […]
Mary Robinson, Chair of The Elders, delivered the Kofi Annan Peace Address during Geneva Peace Week 2024. Reflecting on Kofi Annan’s legacy and the current global leadership crisis in peace efforts, she called for greater respect for humanitarian law, and advocated for gender parity in leadership, emphasising the need for women’s inclusion in peacebuilding. Full Remarks…
Mary Robinson, Chair of The Elders, delivered the Kofi Annan Peace Address during Geneva Peace Week 2024. Reflecting on Kofi Annan’s legacy and the current global leadership crisis in peace efforts, she called for greater respect for humanitarian law, and advocated for gender parity in leadership, emphasising the need for women’s inclusion in peacebuilding. Full Remarks from Mary Robinson […]
Strengthening Democratic Resilience in a Changing European and Transatlantic Security Landscape The Kofi Annan Foundation, the Albert Hirschman Centre on Democracy | Geneva Graduate Institute, International IDEA and the European Endowment for Democracy (EED) will host a high-level Policy Dialogue in Brussels on 20 June. Learn more about our 20 June event…
Strengthening Democratic Resilience in a Changing European and Transatlantic Security Landscape The Kofi Annan Foundation, the Albert Hirschman Centre on Democracy | Geneva Graduate Institute, International IDEA and the European Endowment for Democracy (EED) will host a high-level Policy Dialogue in Brussels on 20 June. Learn more about our 20 June event in Brussels in […]
The Kofi Annan Foundation and the Albert Hirschman Centre on Democracy convened the second in a series of thematic roundtables exploring the intersections of democracy and global governance as part of the project “Understanding the Links Between Multilateralism and Democracy to Tackle Global Challenges More Effectively”. The project seeks to further a…
The Kofi Annan Foundation and the Albert Hirschman Centre on Democracy convened the second in a series of thematic roundtables exploring the intersections of democracy and global governance as part of the project “Understanding the Links Between Multilateralism and Democracy to Tackle Global Challenges More Effectively”. The project seeks to further a common understanding of […]
Report: GenAI at the Ballot Box Since mid-2023, experts have identified the use of one or more forms of generative AI (GenAI) in nearly every national election, including elections in Argentina, Bangladesh, India, and Slovakia. Consequently, it is no surprise that concerns abound around the globe regarding the use of GenAI during…
Report: GenAI at the Ballot Box Since mid-2023, experts have identified the use of one or more forms of generative AI (GenAI) in nearly every national election, including elections in Argentina, Bangladesh, India, and Slovakia. Consequently, it is no surprise that concerns abound around the globe regarding the use of GenAI during elections, whether by […]
The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is expected to hold elections in December this year – a vote many see as pivotal for the country’s future. It follows a series of troubled elections which raised questions about the integrity of electoral processes and highlighted the need for various reforms. “The Catholic…
The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) is expected to hold elections in December this year – a vote many see as pivotal for the country’s future. It follows a series of troubled elections which raised questions about the integrity of electoral processes and highlighted the need for various reforms. “The Catholic and Protestant churches […]
Dakar, 8 September 2022 – The United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the Open Society Initiative – West Africa (OSIWA), the Kofi Annan Foundation (KAF), and the National Democratic Institute (NDI) organized, on 6 and 7 September 2022, a colloquium on the…
Dakar, 8 September 2022 – The United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the Open Society Initiative – West Africa (OSIWA), the Kofi Annan Foundation (KAF), and the National Democratic Institute (NDI) organized, on 6 and 7 September 2022, a colloquium on the enhancement of democracy […]
Sadly, principled statesmen and women who can forge bold, morally consistent responses to today’s global problems are in short supply. We must therefore safeguard and promote the virtues that the former UN secretary-general embodied. This article originally appeared in Project Syndicate on May 13, 2022. GENEVA – The world is facing a…
Sadly, principled statesmen and women who can forge bold, morally consistent responses to today’s global problems are in short supply. We must therefore safeguard and promote the virtues that the former UN secretary-general embodied. This article originally appeared in Project Syndicate on May 13, 2022. GENEVA – The world is facing a set of acute […]
A global network that convenes election stakeholders around a shared vision: to inspire and inform action to advance electoral integrity in the face of critical threats to democracy. During a time when democratic elections around the world face an evolving and increasingly complex set of threats and challenges, sustained cooperation among global…
A global network that convenes election stakeholders around a shared vision: to inspire and inform action to advance electoral integrity in the face of critical threats to democracy. During a time when democratic elections around the world face an evolving and increasingly complex set of threats and challenges, sustained cooperation among global electoral integrity stakeholders […]
We are delighted to join the European Partnership for Democracy (EPD) and excited to work with its members to reinforce the impact of European actions to promote and defend democracy worldwide. These are trying times for supporters of democracy. Still, the Foundation and the EPD share the conviction that democracy is the…
We are delighted to join the European Partnership for Democracy (EPD) and excited to work with its members to reinforce the impact of European actions to promote and defend democracy worldwide. These are trying times for supporters of democracy. Still, the Foundation and the EPD share the conviction that democracy is the system best suited […]
The Kofi Annan Foundation is delighted to announce the launch of a new project entitled Securing the Digital Environment for the 2022 Election in Kenya, funded by the United Nations Democracy Fund. Building on the findings of the Kofi Annan Commission on Elections and Democracy in the Digital Age, the project will…
The Kofi Annan Foundation is delighted to announce the launch of a new project entitled Securing the Digital Environment for the 2022 Election in Kenya, funded by the United Nations Democracy Fund. Building on the findings of the Kofi Annan Commission on Elections and Democracy in the Digital Age, the project will address the potential […]
