Summit for Democracy 2023

Legislative Track

8:30 am: Call to Order

8:35 am: Welcome Remarks: Hon. Representative Dina Titus, United States

8:45 am: Panel I: The Role of Legislatures in Supporting National Democracy Commitments and Preserving Democratic Norms

In this session, legislators will discuss this year’s Summit for Democracy themes: 1) Supporting free and independent media; 2) Fighting corruption; 3) Bolstering democratic reformers; 4) Advancing technology for democracy; 5) Defending free and fair elections and inclusive political processes. In particular, speakers from select countries will discuss the relevance of these topics to their nation’s legislative agenda, and the methods by which legislatures have advanced these issues over the last year, and can continue to address these issues moving forward.

• Hon. Goran Misovski, Vice President, Assembly of North Macedonia
• Hon. Eliecer Feinzaig Mintz, Deputy, Legislative Assembly of Costa Rica
• Hon. Ji Seong-Ho, Member, National Assembly of Korea
• Hon. Oleksandr Merezhko, Member, Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine
• Hon. Lole Mutotwe Kafwaya, Member, National Assembly of Zambia

Moderator: Mr. Tom Cormier - President and CEO, Parliamentary Centre

10:00 am: Fireside chat with Mr. Johnny Walsh - Special Advisor and Coordinator for the Summit for Democracy, National Security Council, The White House

A discussion on the importance of legislatures in promoting democratic resilience, especially as it relates to the first Summit’s themes as well as current and potential future themes.

Moderator: Dr. Maya Kornberg - Research Fellow and Author, Brennan Center for Justice

10:30 am: Coffee Break

10:45 am: Fireside chat on the role of Legislatures to Counter Corruption with the Hon. Ben Cardin - Senator, United States

A discussion on U.S. legislative efforts, both past and present, to counter corruption and kleptocracy at home and abroad.  Legislatures arguably play the most important role in these efforts as they are publicly debated, appropriated, and overseen by Members.

11:15 am: Panel II: The Legislature’s Role in Promoting Anti-Corruption Initiatives

Ineffective governance and weak institutions are at the root of global threats to democracy. Corruption hinders democratic and citizen-centered governance by reducing trust in government and inhibiting its ability to efficiently respond to the needs of constituents. In addition, kleptocrats taking undue control of valuable public resources undermine democracy by amassing vast sums of influence and wealth. Legislatures have a key role in providing tools to executive branch actors to curb corrupt and kleptocratic activities, in conducting oversight of executive branch and state-run organizations, and creating opportunities and avenues for transparency in government to allow citizen access and oversight.

• Hon. Arusyak Julhakyan, Member, National Assembly of Armenia
• Hon. Catherine Juvinao Clavijo, Member, Congress of Colombia
• Hon. Fan Yun, Member, Legislative Yuan of Taiwan
• Hon. Sheldon Whitehouse, Senator, United States

12:35 pm: Closing Remarks

12:40 pm: Lunch, end of programming for the day

6:00 pm: Reception begins

Location:

Madison Hall
James Madison Memorial Building
101 Independence Ave. SE

Speakers:

• Hon. Vern Buchanan, Chairman of HDP

8:00 pm: Reception ends

10:00 am: Call to Order

10:05 am: Opening Remarks - Hon. Senator Ben Ray Luján, United States

10:10 am: Panel I: Advancing Cross-Party Cooperation to Strengthen Democratic Resilience

As political polarization globally continues to threaten democratic institutions, it is critical for legislatures to commit to cross-party cooperation to strengthen democratic resolve. In this session, democratic reformers will discuss efforts to cooperate across party lines, and provide examples under which parties may and have come together to address citizen priorities in balance.

• Hon. Robert Mbui, Deputy Leader of Minority, National Assembly Kenya
• Hon. Juan Carlos Wills Ospina, Member, Congress of Colombia
• Hon. Aleksandra Gajewska, Member, Parliament of Poland
• Hon. Ivanna Klympush, Member, Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine

Moderator: Ambassador Stuart Holliday - President, Meridian International Center

11:25 am: Panel II: Promoting Inclusivity to Strengthen Democratic Foundations

In this session, participants will discuss the importance of inclusivity, the inclusion of women and other marginalized communities in all aspects of legislative development and business. The panel will feature experts and speakers who are working to address challenges to inclusivity, and those who have championed efforts to strengthen diversity, equity, and inclusion in their institutions.

• Hon. Alincia Williams-Grant, President of the Senate of Antigua and Barbuda
• Hon. Silvia del Rosario Giacoppo, Member, Senate of Argentina
• Hon. Hripsime Grigoryan, Member, National Assembly of Armenia
• Hon. Fatoumatta Njai, Member of National Assembly of The Gambia
• Hon. Diana DeGette, Member of Congress, United States

Moderator: Dr. Valbona Zeneli - Chair of the Strategic Initiatives Department, George C. Marshall European Center for Security Studies

12:40 pm: Lunch

2:00 pm: Fireside Chat on Citizen Engagement and Technology

A discussion with Jared Ford and Katie Harbath of IRI about how to engage citizens in the legislative process. This discussion will also touch on the topics of technology and modernizing the legislature to best serve citizen needs.

Moderator: Mr. Ken Ward - Director, House Digital Service, U.S. House of Representatives

2:30 pm: Panel III: Engaging the Citizenry to Strengthen Informed Legislative Action

As the representative body of the people, legislatures have the responsibility to represent citizen demands through informed decision-making. In this session, speakers will discuss mechanisms to increase citizen-centered legislative business. In particular, experts in civic technology and modernization will provide examples of methods to strengthen citizen engagement in a new post-pandemic era.

• Hon. Gail Teixeira, Minister of Parliamentary Affairs and Governance, Co-operative Republic of Guyana
• Hon. Davis Opoku Ansah, Member of the Parliament of Ghana
• Hon. Sonia Gutiérrez, Member of the Congress of Guatemala
• Hon. Jiyan Taher Ahmed, Member, Member of the Kurdistan Parliament in Iraq
• Hon. Adrian Smith, Member of Congress, United States

3:45 pm: Coffee break

4:10 pm: Panel IV: Free and Fair Elections - The Role of Legislatures in Promoting Sound Election Policies and Voter Participation

Free, fair, and transparent elections are not merely a technical endeavor, but a test of democratic institutions; a way to link citizen interests to government, and a way to ensure democracy delivers. Legislatures and the government must enable the full and equal participation of all eligible citizens—especially women, youth, and other marginalized groups— in choosing their government representatives. Voting is every citizen’s right and duty. Free, fair, and transparent elections are essential for a country’s democratic success. In this panel, delegates will discuss parliamentary mechanisms to ensure electoral integrity. They will also discuss transition processes and the ways in which democratic principles are applied to transitions in the legislature to ensure democratic sustainability.

• Hon. Bhofal Chambers, Speaker, House of Representatives of Liberia
• Hon. Kelyn Johana Gonzalez Duarte, Member, Congress of Colombia
• Hon. Princess Kasune, Member, National Assembly of Zambia
• Hon. Glauk Konjufca, Speaker, National Assembly of Kosovo
• Hon. Anita Vandenbeld, House of Commons, Canada

Moderator: Mr. Tim Monahan - Staff Director, Committee on House Administration, U.S. House of Representatives

5:30 pm: Closing Remarks

8:25 am: Call to Order

8:30 am: Delegate certificates

HDP program participants received official certificates in honor of their participation in the Legislative Track of the Summit for Democracy II. 

9:00 am: Spotlight remarks by Hon. Khatia Dekanoidze, Member, Parliament of Georgia

10:00 am: Panel I: Nearly Two Decades of Partnership - The House Democracy Partnership at 18, A Prospective Look at Legislative Diplomacy and Democracy

The House Democracy Partnership, established in 2005 by Reps. David Price and David Drier, remains one of U.S. Congress’ most long-standing and unique commissions. One of the only avenues for Congress to engage directly with their counterparts around the world, HDP has sought to be a platform for partnership and a catalyst for reform. As HDP nears two decades, what does the future hold? This conversation will bring former HDP chairs to share their reflections and most importantly will invite the audience to share their experiences and ideas for how the partnership can evolve in the next decade and beyond.

• Hon. David Price, Former Chairman, House Democracy Partnership
• Hon. Peter Roskam, Former Chairman, House Democracy Partnership
• Hon. Tim Petri, Former Member, U.S. Congress
• Hon. Jim Slattery, Former Member, U.S. Congress

Moderator: Ms. Marian Currinder - Director for U.S. Democracy, Freedom House

11:00 am: Closing Remarks

11:05 am: End of HDP program - Lunch

AfternoonEngage in official S4D program

See Agenda for the 2022 Summit for Democracy - Legislative Track