2023's essential democracy content
Supporting action to end violence against women in politics
In late November 2023, hundreds of proponents of democracy from across Asia convened at the inaugural Democracy Action Partnership (DAP) event to identify a way forward for ending violence against women in politics. WFD launched the DAP with support from the UK Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office (FCDO) as an official side event to the Bali Civil Society and Media Forum.
From arms to elections in Bangsamoro
Following decades of conflict in the southern Philippines, the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) is guiding the region towards a peaceful and inclusive autonomy. WFD is working to support the democratic aspirations of the BTA.
Young leaders in Africa pave the way for accountable politics
With half of the world’s population aged under 30, the survival and flourishing of democracy is highly dependent on the engagement of young people. WFD worked with the Kofi Annan Foundation and the Oslo Centre to support 40 young leaders from Sub-Saharan Africa to reach their changemaking potential.
Supporting democracy under attack in Ukraine
Post-legislative scrutiny (PLS) is the practice of monitoring the implementation and evaluating the impact of legislation, to ensure that it benefits citizens in the way originally intended by lawmakers. In Ukraine this year, WFD has been supporting the country's parliament to continue this important work despite the war.
Addressing the rising cost of politics
The cost of politics is how much it costs to run for office and the funds you need to maintain that office. In many countries, this cost is soaring. That's a problem. We published research in 2023 on the cost of politics in Zambia that is helping to inform the way forward.
Democracies need everyone to be represented in decision-making. We all lose out if women are left out. We marked International Women's Day in 2023 by releasing a series of illustrations to help communicate about women's leadership journeys and how to support them.
Democracy and the UK international development white paper
The new white paper on international development, published in November 2023, shows an understanding that democracy everywhere matters and for development. Our CEO Anthony Smith wrote about why it matters that democracy is higher up the UK aid agenda.
What does democracy have to do with climate adaptation?
Everything. 2023 underlined the urgency not just of responding to climate change, but of making sure we can adapt to its consequences. We need to do so in a way that includes those who are most affected. Our report and assessment framework explore why and how to do that.
Dictators unite – so should democracies
Belarusian democratic opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanovskaya's 2023 Annual Lecture on the State of Democracy in the World illuminated the devastating human and global security consequences of authoritarianism.
How (not) to engage with authoritarian states
With democracy under threat, but disengagement from authoritarian regimes impractical, it is not surprising that our report on how to engage with autocratic regimes without doing democratic harm received well over 7,000 downloads this year.
