American Bar Association: ‘Access to the Vote: The Ballot and the Mailbox’ - 29 September 2020, 14.30 (EDT)

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Claims about fraud have been used to suppress voting since the Civil War. As we approach the 2020 presidential election, access to voting remains one of the urgent civil rights issues of our time. The COVID-19 pandemic has offered an unexpected opportunity to change American voting fundamentally through the adoption of mail-in voting policies.

Mail-in voting has been exercised by several states, including Washington, Oregon, Colorado, Utah, and others for many years. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, more Americans are expected to vote by mail this November than in any other election of our time. The current administration has been sounding the alarm—or, perhaps more accurately, the dog whistle—claiming that increased mail-in voting will increase voter fraud. Yet, both Republican and Democrat secretaries of state, where mail-in voting has occurred for several years, have noted that there is no evidence to support these claims.

As this topic is debated, it is hard to discern what is fact and what is fiction when it comes to mail-in voting and voter fraud. This panel of voting experts and election officials will contextualize the history of voting rights and attacks on the institution of voting. They will also provide insight into the pros and cons of mail-in voting and discuss what if any concerns there should be about voter fraud. The panel will also discuss the role of the civil rights lawyer in supporting the right to vote and will provide some practical steps that civil rights lawyers can take to support access to voting during in November 2020 and in years to come.

Panelists:

Angela J. Scott (Welcome Remarks) – 2020-21 Chair, ABA Section of Civil Rights and Social Justice

Jennifer Holmes – Assistant Counsel, NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, Inc.

Justin Levitt – Professor of Law & Gerald T. McLaughlin Fellow, Loyola Law School

Kim Wyman – Secretary of State of Washington

Jaime Hawk (Moderator) – Legal Strategy Director, Campaign for Smart Justice at ACLU of Washington

Chatham House: ‘Crisis in Belarus: What is at Stake?’ - 29 September 2020, 16.00-17.30 (BST)

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Belarus is going through its deepest crisis which will change the country, and conceivably the wider region, for this is no longer solely about Belarus. It has acquired a geopolitical dimension: Vladimir Putin of Russia has, for the moment at least, thrown Lukashenka a lifeline. Putin will expect much in return.

This meeting will look at what happens next in conversation with the principal players from the movement arraigned against the regime. Will the country become more democratic or more authoritarian? What will be the long-term consequences of Russia’s involvement in the crisis? How does the Belarusian democratic movement see the role of Russia and the West?

Speakers:

Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaja - Leader of the Belarus Democracy Movement

Pavel Latushka - Member of the Board of the Coordination Council

Franak Viachorka - Foreign Policy Advisor to Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaja

James Nixey (Chair), Director, Russia-Eurasia and Europe Programmes, Chatham House

FEATURED Democracy International eV Online Forum - ‘Modern Direct Democracy’ - 21-29 September 2020

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Join us for the first-ever Online Forum on Modern Direct Democracy! The world's largest gathering devoted to issues of direct democracy and citizens' participation, this year will take place in cyberspace. Throughout our week-long conference we want to bring together perspectives on democracy from civil society, academia and administrations. The events include:

22 September 2020

Corona Dictatorships

23 September 2020

The Challenges of elections and direct democracy in Mexico in times of COVID-19

24 September 2020

The American election during COVID-19: The pandemic's influence on Democracy and voter participation

25 September 2020

Ruling by obeying as a form of government: social participation in the times of the fourth transformation of Mexico

The September 27 Popular Voting Day: Issues, Backgrounds and the Role of Public Media

26 September 2020

Lessons from the Coronavirus crisis

FEATURED German Marshall Fund: ‘U.S. Election 2020 Decoded: On the Ground with Veteran Journalists’ - 23 September 2020, 10.00-11.15 (EDT)

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With the U.S. presidential election just weeks away, all eyes are on American voters. Beyond the Washington punditry, what are the issues really driving Americans and influencing their decisions at the polls? Local journalists, with their ears to the ground, are some of the best sources for understanding a community and the issues that animate it.

The German Marshall Fund will host esteemed journalists from key states in America's South and Midwest to share views from their respective regions and discuss the pulse of both the presidential race and other down-ballot contests. To what extent have the pandemic, America’s race reckoning, and scandal in the White House impacted perceptions and priorities? Or will the perennial kitchen-table issues—the economy, healthcare—prove to override the drama in Washington?

Speakers:

Rickey Bevington (MMF'14) - Senior Anchor/ Correspondent, Georgia Public Broadcasting

John Rash - Editorial writer and Columnist, Minneapolis Star Tribune

Moderator:

Jamie Fly - Senior Fellow and Senior Advisor to the President, The German Marshall Fund of the United States

FEATURED German Marshall Fund: ‘In Focus: Update on Moldova’s November Presidential Election’ - 23 September 2020, 9.30-11.00 (EDT)

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The German Marshall Fund of the United States, its Frontlines of Democracy Initiative, and Black Sea Trust for Regional Cooperation invite you to a timely briefing focused on Moldova’s upcoming presidential election. On November 1, Moldova will hold its presidential election in an environment that is highly contentious and politically polarized, marred by disinformation and lack of free media and a population struggling to address the challenges and fallout of the coronavirus pandemic. It also comes at a time of increased distrust in Moldovan politicians and institutions due to perceived failed management of the pandemic by the government. Reporting in Moldova suggests that President Igor Dodon and former Prime Minister Maia Sandu lead the vote count less than two months before the election.

The Moldovan election is also playing out geopolitically as pro-Russian President Dodon and his party are seen to be moving Moldova further from the EU and transatlantic integration and committing less to democratic reforms, including combating corruption. Under President Dodon’s leadership Moldovans have also seen a significant uptick in Kremlin efforts, including its use of measures to make sure Moldova is derailed from its European integration path.

Joining us on September 23 to speak to these issues will be leading civil society and policy experts from Moldova who will discuss the presidential candidates and election, as well as their possible political direction and commitment to democratic reforms and transatlantic integration following the election. The conversation will also focus on Moldova’s relationships with the West and Russia and how they could evolve following the election.

Speakers:

Valeriu Pasa - Lead Policy Expert, Disinformation and Politics, WatchDog.MD

Nicu Popescu - Director, Wider Europe Program, European Council on Foreign Relations

Elena Prohnitchi - Secretary, Civic Coalition for Free and Fair Elections and Deputy Director, Association for Participatory Democracy ADEPT

Alina Inayeh - Director, Black Sea Trust for Regional Cooperation, The German Marshall Fund of the United States

Jonathan Katz - Senior Fellow and Director, Democracy Initiatives, The German Marshall Fund of the United States

Stela Leuca - Fellow, The German Marshall Fund of the United States

FEATURED German Marshall Fund: ‘Transatlantic Tuesdays - Democracy in the Digital Age’ - 22 September 2020, 12.00-12.45 (EDT)

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Technology has changed our democracies significantly, with beneficial and harmful results. During the pandemic, communication technologies have become even more crucial, especially in an election year. At this Transatlantic Tuesday, we will focus on how the Internet has influenced the way we inform ourselves, listen to news, and contribute to political debates. How has it changed the ways that Americans on the left and the right inform their political decisions? What impact is this having on the presidential race and on the way in which the winner will make decisions and govern? We will also discuss the state of the presidential race and the way in which voters on the right and left are responding to the campaign.

Speakers:

Matt Duss - Foreign Policy Advisor for Senator Bernie Sanders

Jamie Fly - Senior Fellow and Senior Advisor to the President at GMF Berlin

FEATURED German Marshall Fund: ‘Belarus: The Right to Choose Their Future’ - 22 September 2020, 8.30-9.15 (EDT)

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The German Marshall Fund of the United States Frontlines of Democracy Initiative and its office in Warsaw invite you to an important conversation with former Belarusian diplomat and Minister of Culture Pavel Latushka, focused on the ongoing protests in Belarus and efforts to advance new elections and political changes following the flawed August 9 presidential election in Belarus. The focus of the conversation with Ambassador Latushka, a member of the presidium of the Coordination Council led by Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, will also delve into the Council’s efforts to achieve a peaceful political transition in light of growing violence and intransigence of longstanding dictator President Lukashenka. Ambassador Latushka will provide greater insight into the Council’s efforts to end violence, seek prisoners release, and build international support to bolster the case for political change being made by protesting Belarusians. He will also discuss the recent meeting between Lukashenka and Russian President Putin and provide insights on the growing and pernicious role of the Kremlin in support of maintaining the current regime. He will also discuss the priorities of Belarusians after a month of protests and as a stalemate with Lukashenka solidifies.

Speakers:

Amb. Pavel Latushka - Former Minister of Culture of Belarus and Member of the Coordination Council of Belaru

Michał Baranowski - Director, Warsaw Office, The German Marshall Fund of the United States

Jonathan Katz - Senior Fellow and Director, Democracy Initiatives, The German Marshall Fund of the United States

IDEA: 'European and international responses to the COVID-19 crisis and its impact on democracy' - 15 September 2020, 15:00 – 16:30 (CEST)

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The global pandemic has highlighted the resilience of our democratic institutions, the universal desire for fundamental freedoms, and the necessity of multilateralism.

Yet the crisis has also shed light on the ease with which restrictions can be imposed on democratic checks and balances, civic participation, and human rights, and it has exposed challenges for cooperation in times of need.

Now more than ever, the international community needs to stand up for democracy. In celebration of International Democracy Day, this high-level event will showcase visions of European and international leaders for the future of democracy support, post-pandemic.

A-WEB Secretariat & ICPS: ‘Ways to Overcome the Challenges of COVID-19 in Election Management: From A Policy and Technological Perspective’ - 16 September 2020, 18.00 (KST)

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This webinar aims to share diverse perspectives and ideas for properly responding to the COVID-19.

Speakers:

Damir Kontrec - Vice President, the State Electoral Commission of the Republic of Croatia

Simon Verdon - Chief Executive Officer, Democracy Counts

Staffan Darnolf - Senior Global Advisor of Electoral Operations and Administration, IFES

Unwoo Ha - Deputy Director of Legal Affairs Division, National Election Commission of the Republic of Korea

Moderator:

Seung Kim - Advisor to Secretary General, A-WEB Secretariat

Stimson Center & IDEA: ‘Reinventing the role of international and regional organizations in promoting peaceful, just and inclusive Institutions in times of crisis’ - 18 Sept. 2020, 10.30 (EDT)

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2020 has been a year of significant challenges for the world as the COVID-19 pandemic was recognized as a global enemy that the world was not ready to tackle. Each region of the world was gradually but steadily affected by this health crisis, with still to be determined economic, social and political effects, that will have severe implications on the quality of democracies worldwide, as well as on the achievement of the Agenda 2030 for Sustainable Development, and specifically on the broader SDGs framework.

Chatham House: ‘2020 US Elections – Leadership, Democracy and the Presidency’ - 23 September 2020, 15.00-15.45 (BST)

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President Trump’s leadership style has threatened many longstanding democratic norms and is likely to have an enduring impact on the office of the US president. From recently hosting the Republican National Convention in the Rose Garden to attacking US intelligence agencies, the media, Congressmen and women and even army generals, Trump has challenged assumptions about what constitutes legitimate authority for the US president. Amid a global health crisis, widespread protests against racial injustice, rising unemployment, a trade conflict with China and extreme weather-related events, is strong leadership more important than ever and is it at odds with democratic leadership?

Stanford University: ‘Democracy Matters: Challenges Facing Democracy in the U.S.’ - 15 September 2020, 15.30 (ET)

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Should the U.S. close its border to immigrants? What are the ramifications of income inequality? How has COVID-19 changed life as we know it? Why are Americans so politically polarized? How can we address racial injustice?

As the 2020 election approaches, faculty members from across Stanford will explore and examine some of the biggest challenges facing society today. Each week will be dedicated to a different topic, ranging from health care and the economy to racial injustice and challenges to democracy.

Faculty with expertise in philosophy, economics, law, political science, psychology, medicine, history, and more will come together for lively conversations about the issues not only shaping this election season but also the nation and world at large.

RECOMMENDED Melbourne Forum on Constitution Building in Asia and the Pacific 2020 - 'Representation in Democracies During Emergencies' - 3, 10, 17, 24 September 2020

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In response to the historic impact of the COVID19 pandemic, the fifth Melbourne Forum on Constitution Building in Asia and the Pacific will be held as a series of four online seminars in September 2020, hosted by the Constitution Transformation Network (Melbourne Law School) and by International IDEA. The topic of the 2020 Melbourne Forum is "Representation in Democracies During Emergencies". The webinars are:

FEATURED International Anti-Corruption Academy: ‘Investigative Journalism Under COVID-19 Pandemic’ - 9 September 2020, 15.00 (CET)

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Investigative journalism is crucial in unveiling matters of public interest that would otherwise remain concealed, and in this way it plays a key role of informing the public and holding governments, businesses and organisations accountable. Through investigative journalism, often characterised by time-intensive, costly and highly risky operations, many cases of corruption have been revealed. The emergence of the COVID -19 pandemic has impacted on many aspects of the global economy and system including the work of investigative journalists. It’s sudden, unprecedented, global and deadly effects has warranted often emergency responses and have posed great challenges and corruption risks in attempts to curb it. This panel discussion is aimed at unpacking how the pandemic has impacted on investigative journalism.

FEATURED IU’s Global Gateways: ‘Challenges to Liberal Democracy Past and Present’ - 9 September 2020, 10.00-11.15 (EDT)

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Liberal democracy, with its respect for rules, laws, and the rights of minorities, today appears under siege. How do the lessons of past challenges inform the possibility of democracy for the future?

Speakers:

Staffan Lindberg - Varieties of Democracy and Gothenburg University

Pratap Bhanu Mehta - Chief Executive of the Centre for Policy Research

IU Alumnus Poom Moolsilpa - Founding Chairman, Bachelor of Laws Program, Faculty of Social Science, Srinakharinwirot University

This event is part of the webinar series Democracy around the World, presented by Indiana University’s Global Gateways. Webinars will be approximately 75 minutes long with time for Q&A. With the speakers’ permission, they will be recorded for students unable to attend live.

FEATURED Knight Foundation: ‘The Future of Democracy Ep. 20: The American Vote: What’s at Stake’ - 10 September 2020, 13.00 (EDT)

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This fall, as the nation continues to take on the coronavirus, several critical things are at stake — including the fate of voting rights for Americans. On Episode 20 of “The Future of Democracy,” we’ll talk with Nicole Austin-Hillery, executive director of the Human Rights Watch U.S. program. She’ll share a historical look at voter suppression, voting rights, and understanding the top issues facing our country as we head to the polls.

The Future of Democracy, formerly called VISION, is a weekly Knight Foundation show about the trends, ideas and disruptions changing the face of our democracy. Hosted by Sam Gill, Knight's chief program officer, the 30-minute program takes a hard look at the important issues our country is facing today.

FEATURED PEN America: ‘Election Disinformation: Using Media Literacy to Spot It and Stop It’ - 10 September 2020, 18.30-20.00 (ET)

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Join PEN America for a live and interactive media literacy training to discuss best practices and defence strategies to combat election disinformation this fall. During this 90-minute training, participants will review the fundamentals of disinformation, how to better identify manipulated content, and will leave equipped with PEN America’s Media Literacy Toolkit, which provides practical tools for how to identify false information and prevent its spread. The facilitator, Nora Benavidez, director of PEN America’s U.S. Free Expression Programs, has baked in timely and contextualized examples to make sense of misinformation in the context of the upcoming election and will build on our ongoing media literacy workshops and panels with local journalists.

FEATURED IALS/WFD Digital Conference: 'Are emergency measures in response to COVID-19 a threat to democracy? Fact and Fiction' - 10 September 2020, 9.00am-5.00pm UK Time

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In response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, over 100 countries have passed emergency laws or declared states of emergency. The restrictive measures have been accompanied by a worrying narrative about the negative impact of these measures on democratic processes and human rights.

The Institute of Advanced Legal Studies (IALS) and Westminster Foundation for Democracy (WFD) are co-organizing a digital conference concentrating on the nature of emergency legislation adopted in various countries in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The digital conference will be based on the presentation of new research findings. The aim is to amass enough information so that we can begin to tackle this narrative on the basis of factual information rather than assumptions.