Community of Democracies Strategic Plan: 2018 - 2023Given the challenges and opportunities facing democracy in the current global environment, the diplomatic tools and capabilities at the Community's disposal, the resource constraints and demands on the institution, as well as the potential for strategic partnerships to advance its mission, Members of the Governing Council, with support from the Permanent Secretariat, will work with civil society over the next five years to: * Cooperate to encourage adherence to the Warsaw Declaration; * Coordinate their support for democratic consolidation in transitioning countries; * Deepen and elevate dialogue on the challenges to and opportunities for democratization. The Warsaw Declaration is the founding document of the Community of Democracies, adopted on June 27, 2000, in Warsaw, Poland. It defines the essential practices and norms for the effective establishment and consolidation of democracy and emphasizes the interdependence between peace, development, human rights and democracy. Signatories of the Warsaw Declaration recognized the universality of democratic values and committed to respect and uphold the following 19 core democratic principles [documented as values in this StratML rendition]Community of DemocraciesCOD_f18b950e-7533-11e9-bb37-26f3c860e75bThe Community of Democracies is a global intergovernmental coalitionThomas E. Garrett Secretary GeneralCommunity of Democracies Governing Council Member StatesGoverning Council Member States [pursue our mission] by abiding by core democratic principles in practice, supporting one another in meeting the objectives they set for themselves, responding to threats to democracy, and working closely with civil society... To achieve this five-year goal for the Community, Governing Council Member States will take concrete, targeted actions to strengthen the Community and reinvigorate and focus its activities, beginning with a new act by its Members to recommit to the values and principles of the Warsaw Declaration. Member States will prioritize the activities listed under each of the five strategic and operational objectives below and will ensure that the cross-cutting themes of gender equality, youth, and democracy and development are mainstreamed across these activities.** Several of the priority activities listed under each objective support more than one objective and are therefore listed under each of the objectives they support. ArgentinaCabo VerdeCanadaChileCosta RicaEl SalvadorEstoniaFinlandGuatemalaHungaryIndiaItalyJapanLithuaniaMaliMexicoMongoliaMoroccoNorwayNigeriaPhilippinesPolandPortugalRepublic of KoreaRomaniaSwedenUnited States of AmericaUruguayUnited KingdomCommunity of Democracies SecretariatTo complement the implementation of the strategic objectives of the Community of Democracies, the Permanent Secretariat will prioritize two parallel objectives focusing on operational efficiency and effectiveness of the Secretariat. These objectives will cover improving internal administrative processes and developing strategic partnerships. A world where every nation respects and upholds the core democratic values, principles, and standards of the Warsaw Declaration._f18b9626-7533-11e9-bb37-26f3c860e75bTo take concerted action to advance and protect democratic freedoms, strengthen democratic institutions, and expand political participation._f18b970c-7533-11e9-bb37-26f3c860e75bDemocracyCore Values and Principles -- Through the Warsaw Declaration and subsequent Ministerial Declarations, Member States have consistently reaffirmed their commitment to core democratic values, including: partnership with civil society, dialogue and peer learning, advocacy on behalf of democratic standards, international collaboration, pluralism, civic education, support for emerging democracies, and economic prosperity as a foundation for democracy.Partnershipwith civil societyDialoguePeer LearningAdvocacyon behalf of democratic standardsInternational CollaborationPluralismCivic EducationEconomic ProsperityElectionsThe will of the people shall be the basis of the authority of government, as expressed by exercise of the right and civic duties of citizens to choose their representatives through regular, free and fair elections with universal and equal suffrage, open to multiple parties, conducted by secret ballot, monitored by independent electoral authorities, and free of fraud and intimidation. Public ServiceThe right of every person to equal access to public service and to take part in the conduct of public affairs, directly or through freely chosen representatives. Equal ProtectionThe right of every person to equal protection of the law, without any discrimination as to race, color, sex, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth or other status. Freedom of OpinionThe right of every person to freedom of opinion and of expression, including to exchange and receive ideas and information through any media, regardless of frontiers. Freedom of ExpressionFreedom of ThoughtThe right of every person to freedom of thought, conscience and religion. Freedom of ConscienceFreedom of ReligionEducationThe right of every person to equal access to education.Freedom of the PressThe right of the press to collect, report and disseminate information, news and opinions, subject only to restrictions necessary in a democratic society and prescribed by law, while bearing in mind evolving international practices in this field. PrivacyThe right of every person to respect for private family life, home, correspondence, including electronic communications, free of arbitrary or unlawful interference. Freedom of AssemblyThe right of every person to freedom of peaceful assembly and association, including to establish or join their own political parties, civic groups, trade unions or other organizations with the necessary legal guarantees to allow them to operate freely on a basis of equal treatment before the law. Freedom of AssociationCultureThe right of persons belonging to minorities or disadvantaged groups to equal protection of the law, and the freedom to enjoy their own culture, to profess and practice their own religion, and use their own language.ReligionLanguageDue ProcessThe right of every person to be free from arbitrary arrest or detention; to be free from torture and other cruel, inhumane or degrading treatment or punishment; and to receive due process of law, including to be presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.Judicial IndependenceThat the aforementioned rights, which are essential to full and effective participation in a democratic society, be enforced by a competent, independent and impartial judiciary open to the public, established and protected by law.ImpartialityRule of LawThat elected leaders uphold the law and function strictly in accordance with the constitution of the country concerned and procedures established by law.LegitimacyThe right of those duly elected to form a government, assume office and fulfill the term of office as legally established.ConstitutionalityThe obligation of an elected government to refrain from extra-constitutional actions, to allow the holding of periodic elections and to respect their results, and to relinquish power when its legal mandate ends.TransparencyThat government institutions be transparent, participatory and fully accountable to the citizenry of the country and take steps to combat corruption, which corrodes democracy.ParticipationAccountabilityLegislative AccountabilityThat the legislature be duly elected and transparent and accountable to the people.Civilian ControlThat civilian, democratic control over the military be established and preserved.Human RightsThat all human rights -- civil, cultural, economic, political and social -- be promoted and protected as set forth in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and other relevant human rights instruments.PrinciplesEncourage adherence to Warsaw Declaration principles in countries within and outside the Community._f18b990a-7533-11e9-bb37-26f3c860e75bSO1Enhance the Community's coordinated diplomatic response to democratic backsliding -- especially the restriction of civic space -- through concerted diplomatic actions by Member States, including demarches and regular dialogue on key challenges facing democracies, with the support and coordination of civil society.PolicyDiscuss policy issues._f18b9a18-7533-11e9-bb37-26f3c860e75bSO1.1UN AgenciesSpecial RapporteursRegional OrganizationsCivil SocietyTo utilize Governing Council meetings as a platform for discussion and dialogue among Member States, UN agencies and Special Rapporteurs, regional organizations, and civil society on substantive policy issues, such as any actions or trends that represent a threat to the principles and values outlined in the Warsaw Declaration, as well as proposed diplomatic actions for the Governing Council's consideration.ActionsAct in response to particularly concerning situations._f18b9aea-7533-11e9-bb37-26f3c860e75bSO1.2To ensure sustained or rapid-reaction, the Working Group on Enabling and Protecting Civil Society will be empowered to take concerted actions in response to particularly concerning situations as they arise, including through the building of coalitions in multilateral fora.CoordinationConsult with experts who are prepared to support the Governing Council and Working Groups on issues of particular concern. _f18b9bda-7533-11e9-bb37-26f3c860e75bSO1.3Distinguished LeadersRenowned AcademicsCivil Society LeadersFormer DiplomatsTo support concerted action, the Permanent Secretariat will coordinate the inclusion of, and consult with, experts -- distinguished leaders, civil society leaders, former diplomats, renowned academics -- who are prepared to support the Governing Council and Working Groups on issues of particular concern. Burden SharingInvite partner organizations to Governing Council or Working Group meetings to increase coordination and burden-sharing._f18b9cc0-7533-11e9-bb37-26f3c860e75bSO1.4At the request of Governing Council Members or the Permanent Secretariat, partner organizations with expertise on the challenge at hand and complementary mandates (for example, focusing on technical assistance) will be systematically invited to Governing Council or Working Group meetings in order to increase coordination and burden-sharing.DiplomacyCoordinate diplomatic responses._f18b9d92-7533-11e9-bb37-26f3c860e75bSO1.5The Governing Council and Working Groups will coordinate diplomatic responses -- including demarches, dialogue, and actions in other fora like the UN General Assembly and Human Rights Council -- to discourage democratic backsliding and encourage the protection of the values and principles of the Warsaw Declaration.BackslidingDiscourage democratic backsliding._f18b9e96-7533-11e9-bb37-26f3c860e75bSO1.5.1Values & PrinciplesEncourage the protection of the values and principles of the Warsaw Declaration._f18b9f86-7533-11e9-bb37-26f3c860e75bSO1.5.2Civic Space & BackslidingReceive briefings on the challenges of restricting civic space and democratic backsliding_f18ba058-7533-11e9-bb37-26f3c860e75bSO1.6Government StakeholdersDemocracy StakeholdersGoverning Council meetings and Working Groups will periodically feature briefings by government or democracy stakeholders who have spearheaded particularly impactful democratic reforms related to the specific cases of the challenges of restricting civic space and democratic backsliding discussed above.Opportunities & ChallengesElevate the public profile and visibility of key opportunities and challenges facing democracies._f18ba13e-7533-11e9-bb37-26f3c860e75bSO1.7Eminent global leaders, including current or former heads of state, will be invited to High Level Ministerial Conferences to deliver public remarks on the theme of key opportunities and challenges facing democracies, so as to elevate the public profile and visibility of these challenges and the Community’s work.Ministerial ConferencesInvite eminent global leaders to High Level Ministerial Conferences._f18ba21a-7533-11e9-bb37-26f3c860e75bSO1.7.1Global LeadersHeads of StateFormer Heads of StateDemocratic ConsolidationProvide sustained support for key democratic consolidation in transitioning countries outside the Community._f18ba314-7533-11e9-bb37-26f3c860e75bSO2Transitioning CountriesGoverning Council Members, in cooperation with civil society, coordinate their support for democratic processes and institutions in key countries that are committed to democratic reforms.Post-Conflict CountriesConsider requests to establish Working Groups to ensure support for post-conflict countries._f18ba42c-7533-11e9-bb37-26f3c860e75bSO2.1Post-Conflict CountriesBuilding on work conducted as part of the Democracy and Security Dialogue, the Governing Council will consider requests to establish Working Groups to ensure sustained, coordinated support for post-conflict countries, based on best-practices such as the appropriate sequencing and timing of assistance for elections.Transitioning CountriesInvite government officials and civil society representatives from transitioning countries to Governing Council meetings._f18ba512-7533-11e9-bb37-26f3c860e75bSO2.2Transitioning CountriesGovernment OfficialsCivil Society RepresentativesGovernment officials and civil society representatives from transitioning countries will be invited to Governing Council meetings to give first-hand accounts of progress and challenges, and to articulate the specific type of support and engagement required.Progress & ChallengesReceive first-hand accounts of progress and challenges._f18ba616-7533-11e9-bb37-26f3c860e75bSO2.2.1RequirementsArticulate the specific type of support and engagement required._f18ba738-7533-11e9-bb37-26f3c860e75bSO2.2.2BriefingsFeature briefings by government or civil society leaders, or former leaders who have spearheaded particularly impactful democratic reforms._f18ba81e-7533-11e9-bb37-26f3c860e75bSO2.3Government LeadersCivil Society LeadersFormer LeadersGoverning Council meetings will periodically feature briefings by government or civil society leaders, or former leaders who have spearheaded particularly impactful democratic reforms in transitioning countries.Coordination & EfficiencyIncrease coordination and efficiency._f18ba90e-7533-11e9-bb37-26f3c860e75bSO2.4UN AgenciesRegional OrganizationsCivil Society ExpertsSubject-Matter ExpertsTo increase coordination and efficiency, UN agencies, regional organizations, civil society, or other subject-matter experts will be invited to be present, and brief the Governing Council during these meetings.ChallengesIncrease and deepen the dialogue on the challenges facing democracies._f18baa6c-7533-11e9-bb37-26f3c860e75bSO3Increase opportunities for mutual dialogue, exchange of experiences, and lessons learned concerning increasing citizen trust and expanding inclusive participation in democratic processes, particularly with respect to expanding political participation for women, youth, and minority groups.DialogueDedicate time on Governing Council meeting agendas for dialogue about specific challenges to broadening political participation_f18babd4-7533-11e9-bb37-26f3c860e75bSO3.1Biannual Governing Council meetings will systematically dedicate time on the agenda for dialogue about specific challenges to broadening political participation, which affect new and established democracies alike in the Community.PrioritiesEnsure that the Governing Council's agenda prioritizes discussion of challenges that confront a broad cross-section of Member States, including established democracies._f18bacec-7533-11e9-bb37-26f3c860e75bSO3.2ExpertsInvite experts to brief the Governing Council on the specific issues under discussion and potential solutions._f18bae4a-7533-11e9-bb37-26f3c860e75bSO3.3UN ExpertsInternational OrganizationsRegional OrganizationsCivil Society ExpertsHuman Rights DefendersTo structure these dialogues, UN, international and regional organizations, civil society, and human rights defenders with expertise in the particular challenge at hand will be invited to brief the Governing Council on the specific issues under discussion and potential solutions.ReformsFeature briefings by governments, civil society, and human rights defenders who have spearheaded particularly impactful reforms._f18baf4e-7533-11e9-bb37-26f3c860e75bSO3.4Governing Council meetings will periodically feature briefings by governments, civil society, and human rights defenders who have spearheaded particularly impactful reforms.InclusivityInvite human rights leaders to participate in Governing Council meetings._f18bb048-7533-11e9-bb37-26f3c860e75bSO3.5Human Rights LeadersTo ensure inclusivity*, human rights leaders, whose participation in democratic processes globally should be expanded, will also be invited to participate in Governing Council meetings. * As outlined in the Washington Declaration (2017)Coordination & ProcessesImprove Community of Democracies coordination and its internal processes._f18bb25a-7533-11e9-bb37-26f3c860e75bOO1Increase the efficiency and integrity of Community processes and structures, including Governing Council meetings, Ministerial Conferences, and Working Group management and organization, to ensure these mechanisms are as efficient, effective, nimble, and action-oriented as possible, and to enhance the integrity of these mechanisms and the operations of the Permanent Secretariat.Objectives & PrioritiesUtilize Governing Council meetings as a venue for dialogue and discussion around the strategic objectives and priority areas of the Community of Democracies._f18bb372-7533-11e9-bb37-26f3c860e75bOO1.1Council MeetingsIncrease the effectiveness and transparency of Governing Council meetings._f18bb480-7533-11e9-bb37-26f3c860e75bOO1.2DocumentationEnsure early distribution of supporting documentation._f18bb5ac-7533-11e9-bb37-26f3c860e75bOO1.2.1CoordinationEnsure coordination with Working Groups, affiliated bodies, and partner organizations on specific agenda items._f18bb6ce-7533-11e9-bb37-26f3c860e75bOO1.2.2Meeting SummariesPublicly release summaries or readouts of meetings._f18bb804-7533-11e9-bb37-26f3c860e75bOO1.2.3SecretariatIncrease the transparency and accountability of the operations of the Permanent Secretariat, including the public release of financial statements and annual financial audit reports._f18bb94e-7533-11e9-bb37-26f3c860e75bOO1.3Civil Society AssemblyEncourage the Civil Society Assembly to institute similar reforms to maximize transparency and inclusive participation._f18bba84-7533-11e9-bb37-26f3c860e75bOO1.4Civil Society AssemblyWorking GroupsConduct a review of all Working Groups to ensure the ability to utilize Governing Council meetings and Ministerial Conferences for dialogue and discussion on Community thematic priorities and strategic objectives, presenting country and situational reports, and proposing diplomatic actions._f18bbbba-7533-11e9-bb37-26f3c860e75bOO1.5CommunicationsPrepare strategic communications plans to facilitate coordination and consistency in public messaging and increase the visibility and impact of Community activities among Governing Council Member States, the Civil Society Assembly, and other partner organizations._f18bbcf0-7533-11e9-bb37-26f3c860e75bOO1.6PartnershipsEstablish strategic partnerships with like-minded organizations outside the Community to advance the strategic objectives._f18bbe58-7533-11e9-bb37-26f3c860e75bOO2Develop an outreach plan to increase partnerships with like-minded international organizations and networks in order to facilitate the achievement of the three strategic goals listed above in order to maximize cross-fertilization of ideas and establish goal-oriented alliances that increase burden-sharing while decreasing duplication of work.Like-Minded OrganizationsExpand partnerships between the Community and like-minded organizations._f18bbf70-7533-11e9-bb37-26f3c860e75bOO2.1Global OrganizationsRegional OrganizationsCivil Society OrganizationsExpand partnerships between the Community and like-minded global, regional, and civil society organizations, including UN bodies, with strong analytical capacity to help structure the agenda and discussion at Governing Council meetings and focus them on action-oriented outcomes, as well as to increase the legitimacy of the Governing Council’s actions.Meetings & OutcomesStructure the agenda and discussion at Governing Council meetings and focus them on action-oriented outcomes._f18bc0d8-7533-11e9-bb37-26f3c860e75bOO2.1.1LegitimacyIncrease the legitimacy of the Governing Council’s actions._f18bc218-7533-11e9-bb37-26f3c860e75bOO2.1.2Technical AssistanceExpand partnerships with like-minded organizations focused on technical assistance in areas of concern to the Community._f18bc39e-7533-11e9-bb37-26f3c860e75bOO2.22018-01-012023-12-312019-05-13https://community-democracies.org/app/uploads/2018/06/CoD-Strategic-Plan-FINAL.pdfOwenAmburOwen.Ambur@verizon.net