Date: September 19, 2024
Location: Nepal
Host: Accountability Lab Nepal
South Asia, home to over a quarter of the global population, faces significant challenges, including widespread poverty, social inequality, and the detrimental impacts of climate change, all compounded by rising authoritarianism and shrinking civic spaces. Despite its predominantly young population, the region’s political instability and growing religious majoritarianism threaten its democratic values, underscoring the urgent need for collaboration and youth empowerment to safeguard democracy.
The event aims to commemorate Democracy Day as a catalyst for action, focusing on empowering and engaging South Asian youth. It fosters regional collaboration to address shared challenges, promote democratic values, and counter rising authoritarianism.
Activities include the “Transcending Boundaries: Regional Dialogue on Democratic Values,” a virtual event that will bring together over 70 participants from across South Asia to reflect on the state of democracy in their countries, using recent elections as a backdrop. The dialogue will feature a panel discussion followed by an interactive session, offering valuable insights into the strengths and weaknesses of democratic practices in the region. Additionally, the “Democracy Beyond Democracy Day (D-Day Fest)” in Nepal will engage and empower young activists, civil society leaders, and others through storytelling sessions, the launch of a public petition on pressing issues, film screenings on democracy and human rights, and an exhibition of artistic expressions highlighting the facets of democracy.
These efforts aim to celebrate Democracy Day while sparking a broader movement to strengthen democracy in South Asia, counter authoritarianism, and ensure the continued flourishing of democratic values.