The European Network of Political Foundations is inviting you to the launch of its study “Political Parties and Civil Society – The Need for Stronger Linkages to Defend and Promote Democracy”. The event will take place on Thursday 8 December from 16:00 – 19:00 CET at Press Club Brussels Europe, Rue Froissart 95, 1040 Brussels & Zoom.

Civil society organisations and political parties are key instruments for citizens to exercise political participation in representative democracies. The interplay between civil society organisations and political parties can vary significantly depending on the political context of the country of focus and its overall democratic structure. This in turn has major implications for the opportunity of citizens’ political participation.

Exploring the topic in five target countries: Benin, Kenya, Cambodia, the Philippines and Bolivia, this study aimed to describe and compare the different roles and capacities of political parties and civil society groups in guaranteeing citizens’ political participation in representative democracies.

Join us for the study presentation and exchange with the lead and country authors, which will be followed by a reception.

PROGRAMME

15:45 – 16:00 Arrival & Registration of Participants 

16:00 – 16:15 Opening Remarks & Keynote

• Denis Schrey, ENoP Network Coordinator 

16:15 – 16:45 Presentation of the Study 

• Dr. Wilhelm Hofmeister, Lead Author of the Study
  

16:45 – 18:00 Remarks by the Country Authors 

• Javas Arafat Bigambo, Kenya
• Moïse Loka Fonton, Benin
• Ok Serei Sopheak, Cambodia
• Julio Cabral Teehankee, The Philippines

18:00 – 18:30 Q&A

18:30 – 19:00 Reception

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Deadline for registrations: 5 December | Please note seats at the in-person event are limited