Date: August 17, 2023Time: 03:00 pm \u2013 04:00 pm (Cameroon time)
\nVenue: Zoom Platform (Register Now)
\nBackground
\nIn vibrant and democratic societies, people easily relate to, and connect with representatives and institutions that govern them. Conversely, people may develop political apathy when their supposed representatives and institutions appear distant. This latter scenario is usually indicative of an autocracy, where leaders may not necessarily draw consent from the people they govern.
\nAccording to the 2021 report by the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) on the state of democracy in the world covering 165 independent states and two territories, democracy has declined on the African continent, \u00a0especially in Central Africa. The report reveals that the 10 Central African countries included in the ranking are classified in the category of authoritarian regimes. The poor performance of Central African countries in terms of democracy is essentially due to the deterioration in performance in the areas of the electoral process and pluralism, civil liberties and political culture. The resurgence of coups d\u2019\u00e9tat, against a backdrop of security tensions has also undermined the democratic systems of countries in the region.
\nThink tanks may play an important role in reversing this trend. According to the Center for International Private Enterprise, think thanks indeed act as brokers of policy knowledge, centres of research, and incubators of new ideas, by disseminating research and publications on democratic processes. They also inform the public about the necessity to resist individuals and governments from capturing state institutions and democratic processes. State capture describes a corrupt situation where selfish individual\u2019s interests supersede the decision-making processes of the state. With this in mind, the Nkafu Policy Institute, a think tank at the Denis and Lenora Foretia Foundation is organizing a webinar, on \u201cThe Role of Think Tanks in Strengthening Democratic Institutions in Central Africa\u201d.
\nObjectives
\nThe\u00a0 primary objective of this webinar is to discuss and brainstorm on how think tanks can be instrumental in the democratic process. More specifically, the webinar will focus on :<\/p>\n
The relationship between political institutions (and leaders) and civil society.
\nWhy and how powerful individuals take control of state institutions.
\nThe role of think tanks in the democratic process.
\nSound suggestions to political decision-makers on the importance of democratic institutions.
\nIn-depth policy recommendations to stakeholders on how to strengthen democratic institutions in Africa.<\/p>\n
Target Audience
\nOur target audience are policymakers, civil society organizations, think tanks, government agencies, diplomatic bodies, academics, researchers, international organizations, and individuals interested in democratic institutions.
\nEvent Format
\nThe event will take place online, via the zoom platform. Discussions will be led by governance and democracy experts from Central African think tanks. The event will be live-streamed on Fondation Foretia\u2019s social media platforms.
\nExpected Outcome
\nIncreased public understanding of the need for democratic institutions in society and political decision-makers of the need to include think tanks in democratic processes.
\nContact details
\nEmail: info@foretiafoundation.org\u00a0 \/ Tel: (+237) 654 86 72 54.
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\nRegister Now<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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