Navigating the Age of Polarization: How Social Media Fuels Divides
The Mexican Electoral Tribunal, a Kofi Annan Foundation partner, is hosting a series of discussions in the run-up to Mexico’s 2024 General elections. Recently, Kofi Annan Foundation Senior Advisor Sebastian F.W. Brack was invited on behalf of the Foundation to share our experience on how social media fuels polarisation and violence, and what can be...Read More
Safeguarding Democracy: Navigating the Complex Landscape of Foreign Interference in Elections
When it comes to foreign interference in elections, a precise definition of “interference” is still absent. The most urgent need for clarification on what constitutes acceptable versus illegitimate interference concerns the digital space and online activities. Here, we detail six activities that, when present, can be used to define ‘unacceptable electoral interference.’ Elections in Europe...Read More
Commemorating 5 years since Kofi Annan ’s Passing – How his legacy lives on
5 years ago, on August 18, 2018, Kofi Annan passed away, and the world lost a leader, an icon of peace and diplomacy. His legacy lives on through his Foundation, working towards a peaceful world that is equitable and stable. “We need to create a world that is equitable, that is stable…and a world where...Read More
Empowering Mental Health: Nojus Saad’s Tech-Powered Impact on Women and the LGBTQIA+ Community in Iraq
In honour of Pride Month, Kofi Annan Changemaker Nojus Saad sheds light on the struggle for women and the LGBTQIA+ community in Iraq. Moreover, he highlights the transformative potential of technology in addressing their mental health challenges. ‘We are all struggling’ is a widespread sentiment. Still, the struggle takes on a different scale in Iraq...Read More
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...Read More
Introducing a new tool to Predict Election-Related Violence
Electoral processes are at the heart of democracy’s ability to resolve conflict peacefully, and much of the Kofi Annan Foundations’ work in support of elections aims to ensure they provide citizens with a real voice in how they are governed, and by who. Without credible elections, citizens have no recourse to peaceful political change, and...Read More
OpEd | The Information Disorder Calls for Multidisciplinary Collaboration
The responses to the information disorder adopted in Kenya have been largely ineffective. Multidisciplinary stakeholders working collaboratively stand a higher chance of success and will result in a more informed audience that is less susceptible to mis- and disinformation. In an article for The Elephant, Kofi Annan Foundation Consultant Abdulmalik Sugow argues that the current...Read More
Call for nominations: Is there a highly motivated young African leader in your network?
We are seeking nominations for young leaders aged 18-35 who have a proven interest in and track-record of working on issues related to democracy, accountability, transparency, and youth participation in Sub-Saharan Africa. NOTE: Deadline for nominations for the Accountability Hubs has now passed. Due to the great number of nominations received, we are unfortunately only...Read More
Three perspectives on ethics-driven digital peacebuilding
The digitalization of peacebuilding is now an undeniable reality. From simple online dialogues to the use of complex systems that deliver early warning signals for conflict prevention, digital tools are now being used in a myriad of ways to assist peacebuilding practitioners. Such tools promise to provide more accurate data about conflict, increase the capacity...Read More
Elections to Peace: a matter of trust
On 31 May 2021, 22 unlocked boxes filled with 7,000 ballots were found on a Genevan pavement just a couple of weeks before an election. It turned out they had been left there, unsupervised, for three days by a postman’s honest mistake. The elections proceeded smoothly, according to schedule. “If that had happened in my...Read More