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In the sixth and final issue brief of our project on the intersection of multilateralism and democracy, we explore how migration governance and democratic principles are deeply intertwined. The Kofi Annan Foundation and Albert Hirschman Centre on Democracy have published the sixth issue brief from our joint project on how democratic principles and multilateral…
Democracy, Multilateralism and Migration
In the sixth and final issue brief of our project on the intersection of multilateralism and democracy, we explore how migration governance and democratic principles are deeply intertwined. The Kofi Annan Foundation and Albert Hirschman Centre on Democracy have published the sixth issue brief from our joint project on how democratic principles and multilateral cooperation intersect across major global challenges. Authored by Valerio Simoni of the Instituto de Ciências Sociais at the Universidade de Lisboa, the Albert Hirschman Centre on Democracy, and the Global Migration Centre, this issue brief focuses on migration as a key site where both democracy and multilateralism are under pressure. The…
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On 2 October 2025, the Kofi Annan Foundation and the Graduate Institute’s Albert Hirschman Centre on Democracy, in partnership with the Centre for Trade and Economic Integration (CTEI), convened the fifth in a series of thematic roundtables exploring the intersections of democracy and multilateralism. The session was held as part of the…
Remaking of the Global Trade Order: The Search for a New Compass
On 2 October 2025, the Kofi Annan Foundation and the Graduate Institute’s Albert Hirschman Centre on Democracy, in partnership with the Centre for Trade and Economic Integration (CTEI), convened the fifth in a series of thematic roundtables exploring the intersections of democracy and multilateralism. The session was held as part of the Athens Democracy Forum, an annual international conference that brings together global leaders, policymakers, scholars, and activists to discuss the state of democracy. The roundtable explored the upheaval in the current global trading system, seeking to understand why the old system has failed, and how a new one, centred…
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The existing trade order is unravelling at a breathtaking pace. The World Trade Organization and the rule-based trade system that promoted economic integration and globalization for much of the last 80 years is under extreme pressure from trade wars and increasing geopolitical frictions. Yet, rising protectionism and isolationism are also symptoms of…
Issue Brief | Democracy and Trade: The Search for a New Compass
The existing trade order is unravelling at a breathtaking pace. The World Trade Organization and the rule-based trade system that promoted economic integration and globalization for much of the last 80 years is under extreme pressure from trade wars and increasing geopolitical frictions. Yet, rising protectionism and isolationism are also symptoms of a broader public backlash against globalization and international trade. Built on the promise to deliver prosperity for all, many of the existing trade and investment rules have also intensified inequalities and exposed countries to global shocks. Especially, the distributional effects of global trade have left many groups in…
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In 2025, as elections approached, Raymundo Magangani wanted to do more than vote; he wanted to prepare other young people to run for office. Through WYDE Accountability Hubs‘ training and seed grant support, he launched a youth-led political leadership training programme in Mzuzu, Malawi. The programme featured expert sessions from the Malawi…
Building Political Power: Raymundo’s Story from Malawi
In 2025, as elections approached, Raymundo Magangani wanted to do more than vote; he wanted to prepare other young people to run for office. Through WYDE Accountability Hubs‘ training and seed grant support, he launched a youth-led political leadership training programme in Mzuzu, Malawi. The programme featured expert sessions from the Malawi Electoral Commission, campaign strategists, and social media professionals, helping youth candidates strengthen their campaigns and expand their reach. Raymundo’s project has already achieved: Next, Raymundo is continuing the digital campaign and connecting youth candidates with political party leadership. As more young people step up to lead, Raymundo is…
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Strengthening Democratic Resilience in a Changing European and Transatlantic Security Landscape The Kofi Annan Foundation, the Albert Hirschman Centre on Democracy, International IDEA and the European Endowment for Democracy (EED) hosted a high-level Policy Dialogue in Brussels on 20 June. Learn more about our 20 June event in Brussels in this article,…
Democracy, Multilateralism and Security
Strengthening Democratic Resilience in a Changing European and Transatlantic Security Landscape The Kofi Annan Foundation, the Albert Hirschman Centre on Democracy, International IDEA and the European Endowment for Democracy (EED) hosted a high-level Policy Dialogue in Brussels on 20 June. Learn more about our 20 June event in Brussels in this article, and find additional details in our joint news release.
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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 aims to foster a…
Democracy and Artifical Intelligence
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 aims to foster a common understanding of how democratic, ethical, and inclusive leadership is crucial to addressing global challenges. The roundtable, which was organised on 28 November, focused on artificial intelligence (AI) and its implications for democratic practices and the multilateral system. Close to 30 experts from international organizations, civil society, academia,…
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Brussels, 6 June 2024. On 5 June, the Kofi Annan Foundation (KAF), the European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) and Reporters without Borders (RSF) organized a roundtable discussion at the Brussels Press Club on the European Media Freedom Act (EMFA), which came into force on 7 May. Opening remarks were provided by Corinne Momal-Vanian, Executive Director of Kofi Annan Foundation, Renate Schroeder, Director…
Communiqué | From the European Media Freedom Act to the right to information: The challenges ahead
Brussels, 6 June 2024. On 5 June, the Kofi Annan Foundation (KAF), the European Federation of Journalists (EFJ) and Reporters without Borders (RSF) organized a roundtable discussion at the Brussels Press Club on the European Media Freedom Act (EMFA), which came into force on 7 May. Opening remarks were provided by Corinne Momal-Vanian, Executive Director of Kofi Annan Foundation, Renate Schroeder, Director of EFJ, and Antoine Bernard, Director of Advocacy at RSF, followed by a keynote speech from Vice-President of the European Commission, Věra Jourová. Sébastien Brack, the Kofi Annan Foundation’s representative in Brussels, moderated a panel discussion with Renate Nikolay, Deputy Director-General of DG Connect, Frederic Bokobza, Deputy Director-General of the French media regulator,…
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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…
Democracy in Africa: Then & Now | Kofi Time with Mohamed Ibn Chambas | Episode 9
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 […]
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Pretoria, 17.11.2023. The In Transformation Initiative (ITI) and the Kofi Annan Foundation facilitated a five-day dialogue, from 13 to 17 November 2023, in Pretoria, South Africa, of the representatives of five candidates for the presidency of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), namely Martin Fayulu, Moïse Katumbi, Augustin Matata Ponyo, Denis Mukwege…
DR Congo | Communiqué from the In Transformation Initiative and Kofi Annan Foundation
Pretoria, 17.11.2023. The In Transformation Initiative (ITI) and the Kofi Annan Foundation facilitated a five-day dialogue, from 13 to 17 November 2023, in Pretoria, South Africa, of the representatives of five candidates for the presidency of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), namely Martin Fayulu, Moïse Katumbi, Augustin Matata Ponyo, Denis Mukwege and Delly Sesanga (in alphabetical order). The dialogue was organized at the invitation of civil society players with a view to forming a coalition to ensure the integrity of the electoral process, and possibly agreeing to put forward a common candidate for the presidential election scheduled for 20…
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Building Blocks of Democracy Elhadj As Sy Remarks at the Mo Ibrahim Governance Weekend 2023 Ladies and Gentlemen, There can be no more doubt that democracy is not just in crisis; it is in retreat. Although the methodologies and details vary, that is the unavoidable conclusion of the data crunched each year…
Building Blocks of Democracy – Elhadj As Sy Remarks at the Mo Ibrahim Governance Weekend 2023
Building Blocks of Democracy Elhadj As Sy Remarks at the Mo Ibrahim Governance Weekend 2023 Ladies and Gentlemen, There can be no more doubt that democracy is not just in crisis; it is in retreat. Although the methodologies and details vary, that is the unavoidable conclusion of the data crunched each year by the likes of V-Dem, EIU, Freedom House, etc. Although there are a few notable exceptions, this democratic recession is global, ladies and gentlemen, in established and fledgling democracies alike. It is measured not only by falling voter participation, but also by the falling trust that citizens express…
