Electoral Reform in Nigeria: The time is now!
Sebastian F. Brack, Head of the Elections and Democracy Programme at the Kofi Annan Foundation, reflects on why the time is now for Nigerian electoral reform. Opening a roundtable on electoral reform in the Nigerian capital, Abuja on 19 June, Alan Doss, the president of the Kofi Annan Foundation declared that “Nigeria is the bellwether...Read More
The Impact of Digital on Elections and Democracy in West Africa
This article was written by Yves Leterme, Secretary-General of International IDEA, Former Prime Minister of Belgium and vice-chair of the Kofi Annan Commission on Elections and Democracy in the Digital Age. “People don’t trust governments; they trust Facebook,” said Ramanou Kouferidji, chairman of Imanle Africa Television of Benin, succinctly capturing a widespread difference of perception...Read More
A Prize for Sharing Kofi’s Vision! A Message from Nane Annan
Dear friends, Last year was a year of grief when our beloved Kofi passed away. The family and I found solace in the outpouring of love and support we received through the deeply felt messages from around the globe, paying tribute to him as a peacemaker and visionary who boldly pursued his dream of a...Read More
Digital Dangers to Democracy
This article by Laura Chinchilla, Former President of Costa Rica and Chair of the Kofi Annan Commission on Elections and Democracy in the Digital Age, originally appeared in Project Syndicate in English and Le Monde in French. While we may see the dangers that digital technologies pose to the political system, others see new opportunities to influence...Read More
Kofi Annan Foundation launches Commission on Elections and Democracy in the Digital Age
The Kofi Annan Foundation holds the inaugural meeting of the Kofi Annan Commission on Elections and Democracy in the Digital Age at Stanford University from 14 to 16 January 2019. “Today, new technologies and social media platforms are profoundly changing democracies – and democratic processes everywhere” says Laura Chinchilla, the Chair of the Commission and...Read More
The Elders call on all Zimbabweans to put national interest first as poll nears
The Elders today urged Zimbabweans to put the national interest first, reject violence at all stages in the electoral process, and work together to ensure a free, fair and transparent poll on 30 July. Kofi Annan, Lakhdar Brahimi and Mary Robinson met President Emmerson Mnangagwa, MDC Alliance leader Nelson Chamisa and other presidential candidates on a...Read More
Extremely Together: How Kofi Annan and ten young activists take on violent extremism
This article originally appeared in Communication Director on 16 March 2018. Ten of the world’s most inspiring counter-extremism activists decided to take the fight to extremist groups using their own recruitment strategies: Peer to peer communications designed to engage young people. 18 months after joining forces under the banner “Extremely Together – young people coming together...Read More
Is Democracy Under Siege? Keynote Address by Kofi Annan at the National Electoral Institute of Mexico (INE)
This speech was given by Kofi Annan on Wednesday 23 May 2018 at the National Electoral Institute of Mexico (INE) Headquarters in Mexico City, Mexico. Distinguished Guests, members of the National Electoral Institute of Mexico, Ladies and Gentlemen, it is a pleasure to join you today. Let me first extend my sincere appreciation to you for...Read More
“The developing world is an easy target for populists” – Kofi Annan
Kofi Annan was secretary-general of the United Nations from 1997 to 2006 and is a co-recipient with the U.N. of the 2001 Nobel Peace Prize. He recently traveled to Silicon Valley, where he met with industry and thought leaders to discuss the threats to elections and democracy in a digital age. On this occasion Mr...Read More
Elections and Democracy in a Digital Age – Risks and Opportunites. By Declan O’Brien.
In a staggeringly short period of time, digital technologies have profoundly altered democratic processes, including elections. As evidenced by the recent revelations surrounding Cambridge Analytica or the challenge to the outcome of the elections in Kenya, this impact is not always positive, yet the potential offered by digital technology to reengage citizens, empower or educate...Read More
