News and Events

The Democracy and Governance Program frequently hosts and sponsors events that bring together prominent scholars, political activists, and policymakers. For information about the full range of events offered by Georgetown University click here. 

Program News

Democracy and Governance partners with Global Democracy Coalition (GDC)

In Case You Missed It:

Last month, the Democracy and Governance (DG) program at Georgetown University officially partnered with the Global Democracy Coalition (GDC). Georgetown is the only academic institution currently serving as a partner. The Global Democracy Coalition (new window) was established in October 2021 by International IDEA (new window) and other democracy assistance organizations as an informal group to engage with the first Summit for Democracy in December 2021. GDC is now under the coordination of both IDEA and Counterpart International (new window). 

Our partnership with GDC will allow DG enhanced access and communication with a global pool of democracy assistance organizations, as well as engagement with the efforts and initiatives of its members. This includes participation in the group’s pledges to undertake democracy assistance activities, of which DG is making two: 

1)    DG will expand our education programming in democracy and governance to include continued outreach to prospective students and collaboration with other universities on curriculum development.

2)    As part of the Stories of Democracy Project (new window) and in collaboration with IDEA, DG will develop an oral history archive from individuals who administered, assisted, or observed elections in the late 1980s, 1990s, and early 2000s, a period when democracy was in ascendency. 

The Global Democracy Coalition organized its 2023 Forum February 28th-March 1st, which brought together its international partners in Washington, D.C. to engage on relevant issues to democracy assistance. Center for Democracy and Civil Society (new window) Senior Fellow Jeff Fischer represented the Democracy and Governance program and our inaugural participation. 

For questions about the Democracy and Governance program at Georgetown University or our new partnership, please email us at democracystudies@georgetown.edu (new window). 

Democracy and Governance Announces Bulgaria Exchange to Study Politics in a Democracy Under Stress

Democracy & Governance program at Georgetown University will participate in the 1 st
Bulgaria Exchange, organized with the Center for Information, Democracy, and
Citizenship (CIDC) at the American University in Bulgaria (AUBG). The aim of this
week-long exchange is to promote a discussion on the current challenges to democratic
governments by looking at Bulgaria, a democracy under stress. Bulgaria, a country that
transitioned from its communist past to a democratic state, is an interesting case study
in part for its EU and NATO membership, aspiration to join the eurozone and Schengen,
history of clientelistic networks among political and economic elites, and significant pro-
Russian elements within the public.

By introducing international participants to representatives from academia, civil society,
and the public and private sectors in Bulgaria, we hope to (1) raise awareness about
some of the key challenges to young democracies in Eastern Europe through the case
study of Bulgaria within the Balkan region; (2) foster dialogue between participants; and
(3) enable a better understanding of threats and challenges to Bulgarian democracy
and highlight existing resilience efforts to strengthen these.

During the exchange, students may meet with journalists, members of foreign service
and civil society, entrepreneurs, and university faculty. An experience unique to the
Democracy & Governance program, students will build upon their academic,
professional, and personal experiences to engage in discussions with speakers, guests,
and their peers. As part of the cultural exchange, scheduled activities include meals in local
restaurants and touring the capital, Sofia. Students are encouraged to learn more about
their Blagoevgrad environment and both local and national tourism to heighten their
experience.

For questions about the Democracy and Governance program at Georgetown
University or our opportunities for student engagement, please email us at
democracystudies@georgetown.edu.

Upcoming Events

Democracy and Governance Student Research Symposium

This year we are beyond excited to launch the Democracy and Governance Student Research Symposium, which will be hosted by our Center for Democracy and Civil Society (CDACS). This is an opportunity for MA students from DMV area universities who are focused on democracy and governance to present their independent research/projects, gain practical experience, connect with other young people in the field, and make career connections with established professionals looking for exciting new ideas and innovations.

RSVP Here

Recent Events

Elections and the Future of Nigerian Democracy. 25 April 2023- Democracy and Governance along with the Africa Forum and AfrikaGU hosted a robust panel discussion on the 2023 election in Nigeria, the experience of election observers and civil society, and what the election means for the future of democracy and Nigeria and its neighbors. The Panel was moderated by Democracy and Governance student Leesa Danzek and featured: Amaka Anku- Eurasia Group Practice Head and SFS Adjunct Professor, Julia Brothers- National Democratic Institute Senior Advisor for Elections Programs, and Ferdinand Duru- Georgetown PhD student in the Dept. of Linguistics.

Democracy and Governance Student Research Symposium. 12 April 2023- This year we launched the Democracy and Governance Student Research Symposium, which was hoisted by our Center for Democracy and Civil Society (CDACS). The event was an opportunity for MA students from the DMV area universities who are focused on democracy and governance to present their independent research/projects, gain practical experience, connect with other young people in the field, and make career connections with established professionals looking for exciting new ideas and innovations.

The Next Generation of Democracy Practitioners and Academics: Perspectives from Young Leaders and Up-and-Comers in the Field, 27 March 2023- Democracy and Governance along with Democracy and Society for the first time ever participated in the Global Democracy Coalition Partners for Democracy Day. In this virtual panel, DG students Opal Malai, Kion Bordbar, Yusuf Can, Adnan Basheer, and moderator Leesa Danzek, discuss student perspectives on the future of democracy assistance, coming into the profession under populist threats to democracy, and the constantly developing intersection between democracy and digital evolution.

Disinformation & Election Technology Webinar, 16 March 2023- As part of the Democracy & Governance program speaker series “Trending.. in Elections”, we highlight the experiences of four technology companies and the kinds of disinformation they’ve experienced, technologies targeted, their support for election officials, and preparations for new rounds of disinformation in the 2024 election cycle. This webinar features: Jeff Fischer, Senior fellow of the Democracy and Governance program, Lori Augino- Vice President of Government Relations at Democracy Live, Samuel Derheimer- Director of Government Affairs at Hart InterCivic, Dan Murphy- Engagement Director at Smartmatic Company, and Chris Waschin- Senior Vice President and Chief Information Security Officer at Election Systems & Software.

Electoral Violence in the US Mid-Term Elections (2022) Webinar, 12 December 2022- For the fall 2022 International Electoral Policy and Practice course, students Milan Bailey, Rafael de Osma, Tyler Heffern, Evan McKee, and Katja Volz -led by Professor Jeff Fischer- have examined incidents of intimidation, and violence during the pre-election, Election Day, and post-election phases of the mid-terms. Throughout the duration of the project, these examinations shifted focus from evaluating and recording violence to evaluating the mitigation tactics used to avoid electoral violence.

100% Democracy: The Case for Universal Voting, 29 November 2022- Authors E.J. Dionne and Miles Rapoport discussed their new book 100% Democracy: The Case for Universal Voting in which the authors put forward the case for universal civic duty voting, that is 100% voter participation in the election. Under their proposal, voters will be required to participate in voting by either casting valid ballots, or blank or spoiled ballots if there is no candidate they feel compelled to support. The event was organized and moderated by professor Jeff Fischer, senior fellow in the Democracy and Governance Program.

Democracy and Governance Career Panel, 28th October- Considered the “state of the field” against the backdrop of the wider question of US foreign engagement and the challenge of democracy assistance after the US withdrawal from Afghanistan.

Democracy Promoter, Come Home, 21st April, 12pm- A panel discussion highlighting how international experience informs the work of democratic reform and revitalization in the United States

Student Presentation & Webinar- Democratic Backsliding: What It Means for America and the World

The Panorama of Religious Freedom and Practice in Cuba (new window), Monday, March 15, 2021- 11:30 am ET

Georgetown Town Hall: How Can We Turn Back the Hands of the Doomsday Clock? The D&G program is pleased to co-sponsor a special event featuring former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, former Irish President and UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Mary Robinson, former Governor of California Jerry Brown, and the President and CEO of The Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists Rachel Bronson. Thursday, January 23rd, 2021 4:00pm

Government Department B.A./M.A. Programs Info Session (new window)
Wednesday, October 28th, 2020 – 2:00 pm ET

2020 Democracy & Governance Career Panel (new window)
Tuesday, October 20th, 2020 – 5:00 pm ET

The Challenges of Governance in Conflict Zones
An event with Libyan National Oil Corp. Chairman Mustafa Sanalla. October 17th, 2019 12:00 pm – 1:30 pm

Government Department M.A. Programs Info Session (new window)
Wednesday, October 7th, 2020 – 2:00 pm ET

Georgetown Town Hall: How Can We Turn Back the Hands of the Doomsday Clock?
Thursday, January 23rd, 2020

Book Talk with Larry Diamond
Wednesday, November 6th, 2020, 3:00 pm

The Challenges of Governance in Conflict Zones:
An event with Libyan National Oil Corp. Chairman Mustafa Sanalla
Thursday, October 17th, 2020, 12:00 pm

Democracy & Governance Career Panel
Thursday, October 24th, 2019 5:30pm

Archived Events