On behalf of the World Movement for Democracy, we are pleased to invite you to participate in an international symposium on “Reviving Democratic Commitments: Strengthening Citizenship and Institutions,” which will take place in Seoul, South Korea on September 13, 2018. The symposium will be held from 9:00am-1:00pm. The symposium is sponsored by the Korea Foundation.

The symposium will be an important forum for democrats to reflect on South Korea’s Candlelight Movement, as well as leverage the experiences and lessons of prominent citizens’ movements around the world. With vast diversity in participants’ expertise, experiences, and countries of origin, the symposium will enrich discussions and facilitate the exchange of experiences among democracy activists and practitioners around the following topics, but not limited to:

• How did the Candlelight Movement overcome the general public’s growing political apathy?
• What institutions were critical in defending Korea’s democracy during the 2016-2017 political crisis?
• What efforts are being made to sustain the interest and engagement of young people who were mobilized by the Movement?
• How can other countries leverage experiences from the Candlelight Movement, while transforming political aspirations into tangible outcomes?

Citizens’ movements remain integral elements of democracy. Movements have birthed democratic transitions, shepherded governance reforms, and bolstered democratic consolidation. The varying degrees of success that different movements have achieved illustrate the challenges facing democracy movements around the world. This beacons the need to explore strategies, challenges, and opportunities citizens’ movements encounter as they seek to consolidate and invigorate democracy worldwide. Therefore, participants will include leaders from various sectors of society, such as civil society groups, think tanks, academia, media groups, and government agencies in Korea as well as international guest from Africa, Asia, Central Asia, Latin America, the Middle East, and the US.

Please note that English-Korean interpretation services will be provided to enhance the quality of participation and the discussions during the symposium.

Learn more here.