Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada (DFAIT) is looking to engage Canadians across the country to provide their views on the topic of Democracy Promotion through our online discussion group.

Below we pose some strategic questions that are of particular relevance to the department. We request that your responses to the eDiscussion be directly related to these questions.

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Information for Canadian Universities and NGOs interested in participating

Information for International Universities and NGOs interested in participating

eDISCUSSION QUESTIONS

Questions are provided to help frame the discussion.

1. Each country develops its own model of governance to secure the democratic rights of its citizens. Most established democracies nevertheless rely on a combination of the rule of law, free and fair elections, effective legislatures, an accountable executive branch, independent courts, a transparent and efficient public sector, human rights guarantees, competitive political parties, free media, and an active civil society to secure the rights of their citizens. Should Canada provide assistance to support all of these elements of democratic governance, or should we favour some over others in our democracy assistance?

2. How can Canada help citizens in other countries address obstacles to the full realization of their democratic rights presented by:
a. conflict and state fragility
b. poverty
c. authoritarian governments

3. What other prominent obstacles to democratic governance should Canada address in designing policies and programs to guide democracy assistance?

4. What principles should guide the delivery of Canadian democracy assistance?

5. How might Canada consider lessons from other countries in improving our own standards of democratic governance?

eDISCUSSION RESOURCES

Feature Issue:

A Uniquely Canadian Approach to Democracy Promotion

Democracy promotion is a key foreign policy priority for Canada. Building on Canada’s long history of promoting democracy abroad, the Government of Canada is looking to identify ways in which Canada can play a more active role on the world stage in promoting democratic principles.

Video Interviews:

	Interview with Peter Leuprecht, Director of the Montreal Institute of International Studies and Professor at the Département des sciences juridiques de l’UQAM Peter Leuprecht discusses the development of democracy occurring in many parts of the world and the growing acceptance of democracy as an ideal.
	Interview with Roel von Meijenfeldt, Executive Director of the Institute for Multiparty Democracy Roel von Meijenfeldt examines democracy as a political process, and what is needed to both promote and implement it.
	Interview with Jean-Louis Roy, President of Rights & Democracy Jean-Louis Roy discusses how democracy works, the values associated with it as well as the ways in which to both promote and implement it.
	Interview with, Robert Miller, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Parliamentary Centre of Canada Robert Miller discusses Canada's distinctive approach to democratic development and the need for partnership between government and civil society.
	Interview with David Held, the Graham Wallace Professor of Economics at the London School of Economics David Held discusses the challenges and misconceptions surrounding democracy promotion, and Canada`s position as a promoter of democratic governance.
	Interview with Peter Ackerman, the founding Chair of the International Center on Nonviolent Conflict Peter Ackerman describes how civil disobedience can bring about democratic transitions.
	Interview with Samantha Power, the Anna Lindh Professor of Practice of Global Leadership and Public Policy at Harvard's John F. Kennedy School of Government Samantha Power discusses the political challenges facing democracy promotion and the practical needs of effective democratization.