Netherlands Institute for Multiparty Democracy

“We decided that we would work closer together as Europeans in advancing democracy worldwide”

Marieke van Doorn has been the Coordinator of the EPD’s Secretariat since its inception in 2008. “The idea for this organization originated in 2003 when George Bush listed ‘democracy’ as a reason to invade Iraq. Together with several other European organizations, NIMD initiated discussions about ways to advance a specific European approach to democracy support.”

“If we hold democracy dear as a core value within the European Union, why are Europe’s external policies not more explicitly engaged in providing democracy support? What have we learned from the democratic transitions within Europe that can inform a specific European profile in democracy support initiatives? Such were the questions we asked ourselves at a conference in Paris, while protests against the war in Iraq were going on outside in the streets. Later in the evening, in the lobby of the conference hotel, we decided that we would make a statement and work closer together as Europeans in advancing democracy worldwide.”

When in 2004 The Netherlands assumed the EU Presidency, NIMD invited EU institutions and organizations from all over Europe to discuss a future EU democracy support agenda at the Peace Palace in The Hague. “This conference was very important to get to know the other European players in the field and to learn how we can complement one another”, says Ms van Doorn. “The Dutch Presidency, the Commission and the European Parliamentarian all confirmed the importance of a common European agenda for democracy support in countries outside Europe. Yet, it was also understood that it would take time for EU institutions and member states to clarify what ‘democracy support’ means and how it can be delivered best.”

Ms van Doorn suggests that the apparent lack of consensus within the EU as to how democracy can be supported may also be considered a strength: “There are 27 member states. Each state has its own perspective on democracy. This suggests that there is no template for democratic government. There is not one model of democracy. Each state has formed its own unique set of institutions and procedures.” She proudly adds: “We have 27 different models of democracy within the EU!” The message is that countries need to build their own democracies and that the EU can facilitate that process without exporting specific models.

In some of the older democracies within the EU, democracy is often taken for granted. However, when Eastern European states joined the EU, enthusiasm for democracy support grew significantly. “The Czechs, Slovaks and Hungarians, for example, still know what it is like to live without democracy. In 2009 they will celebrate twenty years of democracy. Twenty years, that is nothing!”

Under the Czech EU Presidency in 2008, EPD organized a conference in Prague. Václav Havel came to speak about the importance of democratization. Yet he also stressed that democracy takes time to grow. Yes, democratic institutions can be built - but a democratic culture? “We still live in fear, when uttering critique”, Mr Havel said. As he explained: “People still fear to be taken away by the secret police. There is little trust. This needs to grow, while we try to find a way to deal with the past. It takes time to achieve a cultural transition to democracy.” At the end of his speech Havel emphasized the importance of continued investment in a new democratic generation, and suggested that politicians and democracy advocates from Europe’s young democracies share their experiences with people in other, non-EU countries in transition, such as Zimbabwe.

EPD is now actively engaged in advocating a future EU Consensus on Democracy Support, which is currently on the agenda of the Council of the European Union, while a working group of member states is preparing a common EU position. The organization is also establishing a knowledge hub in Brussels where democracy assistance practitioners can share lessons learned. Furthermore, EPD has started to provide direct assistance to democracy activists in Burma and some countries in the Caucasus, and initiated a dialogue programme between Latin America and Europe.

Mr Havel’s suggestion of Zimbabwe has also been taken seriously. Recently, EPD has started a programme to support the transition process in Zimbabwe, focusing on the effort to establish a new democratic constitution in this troubled country. Ms van Doorn laughs: “After the Minister for Constitutional Change of Zimbabwe has managed to pass a new constitution, I will invite him to Brussels, to share his lessons with us Europeans too!”