Equity and Empowerment , represented by its Executive Director Hiba Ezzideen, participated in the World Forum for Democracy held in Strasbourg from November 6 to 8, 2023. Hiba Ezzideen was selected as one of the ten Faces of Democracy by the European Endowment for Democracy (EED) for 2023.

The forum discussed several key issues, including:

Ongoing Challenges to Peace:

Armed conflicts continue to pose a threat to global peace, destabilizing the world’s vision for peace and prosperity. This vision is further threatened by factors such as climate change, pandemics, and new generations of technology. The question remains: Can democracy achieve peace?

Democracy and Peace:

While democracy is a guarantor of peace, it is also threatened by wars and conflicts, which most severely affect women and children. Unfortunately, their voices are rarely heard in political discussions, peace negotiations, and peace-building processes. What does democracy need to become a way of life? How can skill-building and knowledge development contribute to engaging women in the democratic process and peacebuilding?

Justice and Equality:

Injustice and inequality are constant sources of conflict. Although democracies have achieved the highest standards of human and civil rights, economic and social gaps continue to widen. Can we consider a peaceful society one in which citizens live with security and equal opportunities?

International Partnerships:

Economic and political partnerships, such as the European Union and the Council of Europe, have been crucial in ensuring peace for democratic countries. Why hasn’t the multilateral model been more widely successful, and should international organizations be redesigned to achieve better peace outcomes?

To listen to Hiba Ezzideen’s participation in the forum, click on the link.