Amplifying the Role of Women in the Democracy Dialogue

On 23rd May the inaugural Geneva Democracy Dialogue session, orchestrated by Caux Initiatives of Change with backing from the European Union delegation to the UN and the Kofi Annan Foundation, convened a group of passionate thinkers at a round table discussion aimed at revitalising democracy through compelling narratives. People from all backgrounds were present in the room as discussions commenced.   

I had the privilege of representing Initiatives of Change UK and Creators of Peace UK  (pictured above far right along with co National Coordinator, Miranda Shaw, Executive Director of IofC Caux Foundation, Ignacio Packer, and Head of Global Engagement at IofC Caux Foundation, Sarah Noble), where I had the opportunity to emphasize the pivotal role of women in shaping the democratic narrative. By amplifying  stories of challenge and transformation, women can drive meaningful change starting with themselves which in turn directly impacts their communities and nation.  

My contribution underscored that women’s participation isn’t merely an addition; it is essential to the democracy discourse, enriching our collective understanding and response to contemporary challenges.  

Key points in the overall discussions included the power of narratives, change starts from within, honest and open conversations about challenging issues to build trust, the underpinning of values in a democracy, meaningful participation and contexts, community and civic engagement, promoting inclusivity by sharing positive narratives from refugees, migrants and minorities, participation of youth and children and language. The report findings can be found HERE.

“Democracy is a never-ending process. We need to first look at ourselves at an individual level and at a country level to see how we are living democratic values. Are we emanating the change we wish to see? Defending democratic values authentically in Europe today is challenging and major concerns were expressed, particularly in the face of the war on Ukraine, the war in Israel and Gaza and the consequences. We should focus on ourselves and not just naming and shaming others. We can pretend that someone else is the stumbling block, but could that someone be me?” Geneva Democracy Dialogue Summary Report, 23 May 2024 

In a world eager for revitalization, embracing these diverse narratives can forge stronger democratic pathways for Europe and beyond.  

Elizabeth Laskar has been involved with Creators of Peace since 2010 and currently shares the role of UK National Coordinator for Creators of Peace UK.