Democracy

What is the state of democracy? While elections are approaching in many countries, people in autocracies are fighting for human rights and reforms – often under dangerous conditions. An introduction to the topic and this issue.

Democracy is under pressure worldwide. In this issue, we present individuals who impress us with their commitment to democracy, as a sign of our solidarity and to inspire others.

The lithium deal brings a new quality to Serbia’s foreign policy zigzagging. At one stroke, Serbia became a strategic partner and the guarantor for the future of the European Green Deal.

The ‘My Voice, My Weapon’ music video promotes freedom of expression by raising young people's awareness for the role that they have to play in bringing about positive change and sustainable development. It is composed by the African Creative Action Network (ACAN) in partnership with Africans Rising.

The ‘Hope on the Horizon’ music video depicts the Africa that the young artists would like to see: A strong, united, prosperous Africa. The ‘artivists’ (artists + activists) creatively remind us of things that are holding back Africa’s economic take-off and the elements on which it must rely for its sustainable development. The music video is composed by ACAN (African Creative Action Network) in collaboration with Africans Rising.

Art can be a disruptive form of expression and a powerful tool to shift existing political and social realities. However, in Kenya, the creative industry is often corrupt, and the government ignores many young artists, especially those who speak up for democracy and human rights. The Kenyan psychologist and human rights defender Salima Macharia shares some insights gained through her daily work with young artivists (artist + activist) from informal settlements in Nairobi.

The "Missing Voices" human rights network from Kenya which grew out of the Police Reforms Working Group Kenya (PRWG-K) is fighting on the front line to end the vicious cycle of police abuse of power. They partnered with Juliani, Flawless Konya, Mugureness, Anthem Republiq, and Abudabi Tembekali to create ‘Uwaga’ a music video aimed to inspire Kenyans to stand up against police brutality by illustrating the power of unity and re-imagining a nation whose principles are founded on equality and justice. 

This spoken word piece by Loveth Liberty explores how a rising young Nigerian population could inspire 'another story' much different from today's reality.

The Thought Leadership Programme at Triangle Project was identified to address the historical legacies of Apartheid South Africa. Young Black LGBTQI+ people in South Africa still bear the brunt of our history and do not have innovative and structured places to create social mobility to participate in the democratic agenda. These young LGBTQI+ people are often left out in contributing to change and governance due to the lack of a good civic education which not only plagues South Africa but the African continent at large.  

The Overactive Cyborg is a visualizer project that covers themes that include over-extractivism of Africa’s resources in the form of minerals for production, class struggles and access, overproduction, and over-consumerism leading to climate change and global warming.

These days it is easy to become pessimistic about social cohesion and the state of democracy. But the results of the recent Polish elections show that it pays to fight for democracy.

The recent election in Greece and the victory of Nea Dimokratia has strengthened Conservatives in Europe. The opposition in Greece is in a dire situation. They won't be able to put pressure on the new government, as they are too weak. 

The national elections of May 21st led to a historic victory of the conservative Nea Dimokratia, seem to have reshuffled the political landscape in the country, yet Greece is set for a second election in a month time. Michalis Goudis, Director of the Heinrich Böll Foundation, Thessaloniki Office - Greece, provides a read of the election result.

In May, activists, feminists, researchers, and human rights defenders from some 35 countries from all continents will gather at the Global Assembly in Frankfurt am Main to discuss their ideas and strategies for a world with more justice and human dignity.

Three journalists and a graphic designer from Guatemala approach the struggles of students and new forms of protest of young Latin Americans in 2015 in an artistic way.

The Route to Food Initiative, a program component of the Heinrich Boell Foundation, has launched a special edition of the Cha Kula Magazine, a graphic novel entitled “The Blind Spot.”

What happens at a COP, why do thousands of people from different countries come to meet for a few days, how do the Latin American population experience it, and the young people from these countries? Based on these questions, this is a chronological account of COP 27 from the perspective of a Latin American youth organization.

Isidora Weibel Díaz reflects on protests of young Chileans and the state brutality during the riots from 2019 until 2022 and discusses the context and consequences for Chilean society.

The young man from Chiapas, originally from San Cristóbal de las Casas, is dedicated to adopting an approach founded on agroecology and peace to help young people living in extreme poverty and threatened by drugs. 

Discrimination and stigmas are emotional burdens experienced by members of the LGBT+ community, and the young activist seeks to give them attention