Date: 13 December 2022
Time: 17.00-18.30 CET
Location: Conference centre Zielna
Address: Europa hall, 6th floor, entrance C Zielna 37, 00-108 Warsaw, Poland

The institution of elections in both Eastern European countries and the European Union faces challenges of disinformation, increasing social polarization, and declining trust in democratic institutions. Manipulation around electoral regulations and the hijacking of state institutions by the ruling parties set a negative trend in this region. The Russian war of aggression against Ukraine further reinforces these negative trends, limiting opportunities for democratic reform in countries aspiring to join the European Union and strengthening anti-democratic political forces in Europe itself. At the same time, international organizations seem to have limited capabilities to counter such trends and guarantee democratic norms and principles.

Can civil society organizations strengthen the resilience of European institutions against anti-democratic trends, and if so, how? Does the European Union have adequate instruments to increase public confidence in democratic institutions and to counteract disinformation and polarization? Is the prospect of accession to the European Union a sufficient incentive to continue democratic reforms in Eastern European countries?

Program

16:45 Registration

17.00-17.15 Welcome

• Stefanie Schiffer, Chair of the Board, European Platform for Democratic Elections
• Cornelius Ochmann, Director, Board member, The Foundation for German-Polish Cooperation

17.15-18.30 Panel Discussion

• Zofia Lutkiewicz, President, Political Accountability Foundation (Poland)
• Olga Aivazovska, Chairperson of the Board, Civil Network OPORA (Ukraine)
• Zsofia Banuta, Co-founder, Unhack Democracy (Hungary)
• Levan Natroshvili, Deputy Director, International Society for Fair Elections and Democracy (Georgia)
• Moderation: Krzysztof Izdebski, Expert on transparency in public life and elections, Stefan Batory Foundation

19.00 Reception

Language of the discussion: English with Polish and Russian interpretation.

Please register using this link or via info@epde.org by December 1st, 2022. You will receive a separate confirmation email to confirm your registration.