Menu

United States Institute of Peace

Home ▶ Events

Strengthening Democracy in the Americas

Date: Thursday, May 30, 2024 / Time: 12:00pm - 1:15pm EDT

Share This
Print the Page

The Inter-American Democratic Charter establishes democracy as essential for the development of the Americas, highlighting the need for strong democratic institutions in the face of global challenges. Integral to this initiative are the Friends of the Democratic Charter, established in 2004 to elevate the Charter's role and ensure its proactive application in democratic governance. Their involvement brings valuable insight and advocacy, emphasizing the importance of solidarity and mutual support among nations to confront both political and socio-economic challenges that threaten democracy. The Organization of American States also marked a significant step forward in October 2023 with the establishment of a new Voluntary Group of Member States for follow-up on the Inter-American Democratic Charter, as mandated by the 2023 OAS General Assembly.

English

Spanish

On May 30, USIP and the Carter Center hosted a conversation focused on strengthening democracy across the hemisphere. The discussion brought together the Friends of the Inter-American Democratic Charter, leaders and experts to formulate actionable strategies for democratic resilience, share best practices and examine lessons learned in democratic preservation to ensure that democracy continues to thrive and benefit the peoples of the Americas.

Speakers

Keith Mines, welcoming remarks
Vice President, Latin America Program, U.S. Institute of Peace

Víctor Verdún, framing remarks
Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, Paraguay 

Jennie Lincoln, introduction of the Group of Friends of the Inter-American Democratic Charter
Senior Advisor for Latin America and Caribbean, The Carter Center 

Carlos Ayala, Venezuela, remarks on Democracy and Human Rights
Professor and Chair of Constitutional Law, "Andrés Bello" Catholic University; Former President of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights

Eduardo Stein, Guatemala, remarks on Democracy, Integral Development, and Combating Poverty
Former Vice President of Guatemala

Thomas Garrett, remarks on Promotion of a Democratic Culture
Secretary General, Community of Democracies

Catalina Botero, Colombia, remarks on Strengthening and Preservation of a Democratic Culture
Director of the UNESCO Chair on Freedom of Expression at the Universidad de Los Andes and co-chair of the Oversight Board of Facebook and Instagram

Luis Almagro, closing remarks
Secretary General, Organization of American States

Related Publications

Vietnam’s Paradox: Domestic Tumult, Diplomatic Consistency

Vietnam’s Paradox: Domestic Tumult, Diplomatic Consistency

Thursday, June 13, 2024

By: Andrew Wells-Dang, Ph.D.

Last September, President Biden and Vietnamese General Secretary Nguyễn Phú Trọng announced a new Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, raising U.S.-Vietnam relations to their highest level ever. Yet domestic politics in Vietnam have been rocky, with numerous leadership changes and increasing restrictions on civil society — raising uncertainty within Vietnam’s usually stable political system.

Type: Analysis

Global Policy;  Democracy & Governance

Is Mexico’s Historic Election an Opportunity to Reset Cooperation with the U.S.?

Is Mexico’s Historic Election an Opportunity to Reset Cooperation with the U.S.?

Thursday, June 13, 2024

By: Lucila Del Aguila Llausás

On June 2, Mexicans elected former Mexico City mayor and governing party candidate Claudia Sheinbaum as their next president. With a compelling electoral mandate, as well as a qualified majority in Congress, Sheinbaum has vowed to continue her predecessor’s “Fourth Transformation” project, focused on reducing poverty, combatting corruption and promoting social justice and equal income distribution under a strengthened state. Amid this mix of continuity and change, the United States may have an opportunity to rebuild the two countries’ frayed cooperation on security and violence reduction, one of Sheinbaum’s priorities and something that will be impossible for her to achieve without close cooperation with the United States.

Type: Analysis

Democracy & Governance;  Global Elections & Conflict

Explainer: What Caused the Recent Unrest in New Caledonia?

Explainer: What Caused the Recent Unrest in New Caledonia?

Thursday, May 23, 2024

By: Camilla Pohle

Violence engulfed New Caledonia last week as the French National Assembly passed a constitutional amendment that will undermine the political representation of the Pacific territory’s Indigenous Kanak people. During days of unrest unprecedented since the 1980s, security forces and protesters clashed across the archipelago, leaving six dead and hundreds injured. Buildings and vehicles were set on fire in the capital, Nouméa, while streets were barricaded throughout the territory, flights were grounded and New Caledonia was placed under a state of emergency.

Type: Question and Answer

Democracy & Governance;  Fragility & Resilience

What’s Next for Iran After Raisi’s Death?

What’s Next for Iran After Raisi’s Death?

Tuesday, May 21, 2024

By: Garrett Nada

On May 19, Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian and six other passengers and crew died in a helicopter crash. The aircraft went down in dense fog in a mountainous region of East Azerbaijan province in northwestern Iran. The officials were returning from the opening ceremony for a dam on the border with Azerbaijan. Less than 72 hours after Raisi’s death, the focus has turned to the political changes that come next with elections slated for June 28.

Type: Question and Answer

Democracy & Governance;  Global Policy

View All Publications