Following the Summer Universities for Democracy and the resonance it found everywhere in Europe and far beyond, the project of organising a worldwide event gathering prominent political leaders to discuss and suggest new considerations on the challenges of democracy in the 21st century was born.
Democracy takes on various forms from one continent to another, which far from opposing, should on the contrary allow for a better adaptation of political systems to the realities in constant evolution in our societies. New technologies, climatic and environmental challenges, terrorism, organised crime and demographic evolution question our means of governing based on representative systems.
“A “World Forum for Democracy” in Strasbourg, a real platform for exchange, reflection and expertise, could become a centre of democratic excellence with high international visibility, strengthening in this way the pillar “democracy” of the Council of Europe.”
Jean-Claude Mignon, Head of the French delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe
In 2008, an association was created in Strasbourg to develop the network of Schools of Political Studies in Europe and in the world. Its main objectives are to allow its members to develop their activities, to strengthen their ties beyond any devides and build together democratic societies based on a political culture characterised by pluralism, tolerance and dialogue.
John-Dimitry Evstatiev Panitza, founder in 2001 of the Bulgarian School of Politics now named after him, passed away on 28 July 2011.
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For the launching of the Eurodistrict Forum on 5 may 2011, Nawel Rafik Elmrini, deputy mayor of Strasbourg, in charge of international and European relations, comes back on the Eurodistrict’s level of expertise and on the importance of exchanging best practices in terms of local democracy.
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