On 30 July, Westminster Foundation for Democracy (WFD) will host an online interview featuring questions from the public with Alex Thier, former director of the Overseas Development Institute (ODI) and Obama administration international aid advisor, to celebrate the launch of his new paper, A Force for Good in the World: Placing Democratic Values at the Centre of the UK’s International Strategy.

Democracy around the world is in unmistakeable decline, as authoritarian regimes now make up the majority of nations. Against the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic, civil liberties are being repressed – from President Orban’s extension of executive powers in Hungary to the extra-legal incarceration of democracy activists in Hong Kong.

Meanwhile, the UK is at a pivotal moment in its history, given it wants to look outwards as part of a new post-Brexit ‘Global Britain’. The new Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office (FCDO) presents an opportunity to rethink our international strategy. So, how can Britain seize this opportunity to demonstrate international leadership and continue to be a force for good in the world?

In an interview with former BBC Head of Political Programmes, Sue Inglish, Alex Thier will discuss his recommendations for the creation of a new Department for Democratic Governance to support democracies around the world and confront authoritarianism. Alex argues it is time to put democratic governance at the centre of Britain’s approach to foreign policy, development, and national security. In other words, it’s time to do development democratically.