Challenges related to democratic representation in age of populism tackled at Brussels conference co-organized by ODIHR
Promoting dialogue to reflect on opportunities and challenges related to democratic representation in the age of rising populism was the focus of a conference co-organized by the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) in Brussels from 18 to 20 June 2018.
The conference, entitled “Representation in the Age of Populism? – Ideas for Global Action”, was hosted by the Belgian Senate. It brought together leaders from both traditional and recently established political parties and social movements from across the spectrum, representatives of civil society, democracy assistance organizations, academia and the media from across the world.
The discussion centred around pressing questions about the state of liberal democracy, political party systems and legislatures, and their ability to adequately represent people in democratic societies, at times when appeals for new forms of political action and agendas are growing.
The discussion will shape the Global Agenda for the Renewal of Representation, a guide aimed at reinvigorating the linkages between people and the diverse forms of representation that exist. The Global Agenda, to be prepared with input from ODIHR, will seek to inspire social and political leaders from all regions of the globe and the communities supporting their work.
“The growing dissatisfaction and the emergence of populist narratives is a result of a series of shortcomings in our democracies that have not been properly addressed over the past decades,” said ODIHR Director Ingibjörg Sólrún Gísladóttir. “We need to listen carefully and understand what triggers the distress, but we also need to be clear: human rights are fundamental rights, society free of intolerance is our birthright, and there can be no sustainable security without democratic values.”
Sir John Holmes, Chair of the Electoral Commission of the United Kingdom, highlighted that the conference takes place at a time when voters are increasingly holding their elected representatives to account and demanding transparency in how elections and referendums are conducted.
“We are relatively fortunate in the United Kingdom, as the law provides a high degree of regulation for all those undertaking political activity – whether long-established parties or new parties and campaigners that some might describe as populist,” he said. “However, the challenges are increasing. Much of our electoral law dates back to the 19th century and we, like other countries across the world, need to deal effectively with the rise in digital campaigning. Our overriding concern in all this is to make sure voters have transparency when it comes to who is targeting them for their votes.”
The event was held in partnership with International IDEA, the Netherlands Institute for Multiparty Democracy, the Westminster Foundation for Democracy and the research centre REPRESENT.