Next Generation Democracy (NGD) is a multi-stakeholder process on the state and future of democracy led by the Club de Madrid.
NGD facilitates a discussion on the state and future of democracy in order to formulate regional agendas, as well as a global agenda, aimed at reversing disquieting trends and advance democracy worldwide. The project progressively offers a comprehensive analysis of regional dynamics in democratic governance, a projection of relevant trends, and a compilation of good practice and transformative ideas to be discussed in a series of policy dialogues. This will help generate collective responses, rather than fragmented and independent actions, and shape consensus around shared, forward-looking, action-oriented agendas.
NGD will also facilitate a cross-learning exercise among regions in order to fine-tune proposals to advance democracy. Those elements referring to trends and actions transcending regions, as well as those considered effective to advance democracy at the global level and through global action, will be incorporated into the NGD Global Agenda.
The Bertelsmann Stiftung and International IDEA are global partners of the NGD process.
Towards NGD Regional Agendas
The discussion and the drafting of NGD Regional Agendas are led by CdM Members from the respective region. A series of regional roundtables around the globe, which counted with the participation of experts and regional stakeholders, helped identify key elements for the corresponding Agendas.
Regional Roundtables took place in Stockholm (Sweden), Dubai (UAE), Bogota (Colombia), Dakar (Senegal) and Dili (Timor Leste).
For a glimpse of this process, see the following video and publications:
Projects
Digitalisation and Good Governance
Club de Madrid and the Boston Global Forum held a series of discussions and a Policy Lab to address further questions related to tech governance. This ongoing collaboration focuses on how digital technologies and AI are creating new opportunities for the enjoyment of human rights, as well as new threats to their protection.
Gender Equality
Club de Madrid builds on our past engagement in support of women’s political empowerment in regions like Middle East, the Horn of Africa, or Latin America to add our voice to the growing call for gender equality in politics worldwide.
Global Commission on Democracy and Emergencies
COVID-19 erupted in the context of a crisis of democracy long in the making.
Information Integrity and the Future of Democracy
As citizens turn to their phones and tablets to get their news, information distributed through social media and online outlets becomes increasingly influential in configuring political perceptions.
Peer-to-Peer Leadership Support
Political leaders around the world rely on their own resources – their political abilities, their networks and their creativity – to meet the challenges of democracy, governance and inclusion.
Democracy and Democratic Governance in action
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27 May, 2022
Tarja Halonen visited Cape Verde to fight against gender based violence
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2 November, 2021
Policy Dialogue 2021 Concluding Document: Our Commitment to Democracy
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7 May, 2020
Live Session: A New Social Contract in the Age of AI – Protection of Privacy Rights in the Times of COVID-19
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19 November, 2019
Leterme moderates debate with young people seeking to shape policymaking in Med region
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30 September, 2019
Club de Madrid commemorates 30 years since the fall of the Berlin Wall analyzing the current state of democracy
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11 June, 2019
UN Secretary-General’s High-level Panel calls for global cooperation around digital technologies
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22 April, 2019
Club de Madrid discusses links between online information and declining trust in democratic institutions
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10 March, 2019
Danilo Türk leads mission in Georgia to spur reform in labour mediation mechanisms
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26 February, 2019
Danilo Türk supports women’s access to labour market in Armenia
Last publications

Executive Summary in Spanish – Democracy and Emergencies: Lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic for democratic resilience
Club de Madrid convened a Global Commission on Democracy and Emergencies to analyze different responses to the COVID-19 crisis and offer recommendations to improve democracy’s capacity to function, deliver, be trusted and come out of an emergency unscathed. Executive Summary in Spanish.
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Executive Summary in French – Democracy and Emergencies: Lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic for democratic resilience
Club de Madrid convened a Global Commission on Democracy and Emergencies to analyze different responses to the COVID-19 crisis and offer recommendations to improve democracy’s capacity to function, deliver, be trusted and come out of an emergency unscathed. Executive Summary in French.
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Executive Summary in English – Democracy and Emergencies: Lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic for democratic resilience
Club de Madrid convened a Global Commission on Democracy and Emergencies to analyze different responses to the COVID-19 crisis and offer recommendations to improve democracy’s capacity to function, deliver, be trusted and come out of an emergency unscathed. Executive Summary in English.
View PDFThe paper ‘Mechanisms of Democracy and Fundamental Rights’ was led by International IDEA as part of Club de Madrid’s Global Commission on Democracy and Emergencies Working Group 1.
View PDFClub de Madrid convened a Global Commission on Democracy and Emergencies to analyze different responses to the COVID-19 crisis and offer recommendations to improve democracy’s capacity to function, deliver, be trusted and come out of an emergency unscathed.
View PDFThe paper ‘Effective Leadership and Democratic Culture’ was led by Edelman as part of Club de Madrid’s Global Commission on Democracy and Emergencies Working Group 3.
View PDFThe paper ‘Responding with equality’ was led by Oxfam as part of Club de Madrid’s Global Commission on Democracy and Emergencies Working Group 2.
View PDFThis document results from the Global Governance for Information Integrity Roundtable held in September 2018
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