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Homepage > Projects > Forum 2000 Conferences > 2011 > Program > Regional Focus

Regional Focus

Below you will find the description of all the events listed chronologically as they will take place.

 

Internet, Social Networks, and the Arab Spring

Roundtable
Monday, October 10, 2011, 9.00–10.30, Goethe-Institut
 
Participants: Steven Gan, Mohammad Gawdat, Shahira Amin, Sultan Barakat
 
Social networks and the wide availability of information thanks to the spread of the internet were essential elements of the recent revolutionary events in the Middle East and North Africa. This seems particularly true in Tunisia, where information about government abuse, corruption, and lack of decisive reaction by the US and other Western governments, was revealed in the second half of 2010 by Wikileaks. This arguably helped to bring down the authoritarian president Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali. Social networks have also played a major role in the successful revolution in Egypt and helped to stir social unrest in other countries.
 
  • In retrospect, how can we assess the importance of social networks and the internet for the Arab Spring?
  • Can these new information and communication channels be used in building new democratic societies in the region? How?

 

Anna’s Days: Doing Business in Russia

Panel Discussion
In cooperation with People in Need
Monday, October 10, 2011, 15.45–17.15, Faculty of Law, Charles University
 
Participants: Rostislav Valvoda, Vadim Klyuvgant, William Browder
 
A staunch critic of Vladimir Putin, Anna Politkovskaya clearly pointed out major ills of his rule in Russia: the suppression of political and civil rights, the centralization of power, the crackdown on free media, the war in Chechnya, and the creation of a system of corruption and intimidation of business such the arrest of Mikhail Khodorkovsky. On 7 October 2006, she was murdered. Five years on, the tendencies she criticized have become more entrenched; in addition, Russia faces economic stagnation. With the flight of people and capital, what are Russia’s prospects for the near future?

 

The Rule of Law in Asia

Panel
Monday, October 10, 2011, 16.15–17.45, Žofín Palace, Forum Hall
 
Participants: Yohei Sasakawa, Kiichi Fujiwara, Surendra Munshi, Marites Vitug, Steven Gan
 
Along with the stunning economic progress in the past decades, in particular in East and Southeast Asia, democratic principles and the rule of law have taken firm root in parts of the continent. Japan and India have been established democracies since the late 1940s, Korea, Taiwan, or Indonesia have also made considerable progress in developing their democracies. Nevertheless, achievements across the continent are uneven, with democracy and the rule of law still a distant desire in many countries.
 
  • How is the relationship between democracy and the rule of law perceived in Asia?
  • How does the interaction between the rule of law and governance differ throughout Asian countries?
  • What is the relationship between the rule of law and the rapid economic development of China, India, Vietnam, Indonesia and other countries?
  • How do traditional ethical systems, such as Confucianism, relate to European or American perceptions of the rule of law?

 

The Rule of Law in Russia

Panel
Monday, October 10, 2011, 18.00–19.30, Žofín Palace, Conference Hall
 
Participants: Grigory Yavlinsky, Gregory Feifer, William Browder, Vadim Klyuvgant, Bobo Lo
 
The rule of law provides people with basic assurances about the impartial implementation of justice. While the treatment of Mikhail Khodorkovsky has received the most attention, a wide range of other cases have raised serious questions about the rule of law in Russia. Russian citizens and organizations are increasingly appealing to the European Court of Human Rights. Investors in Russia are frequently going elsewhere to try to protect their interests – with, for example, more than half of all cases in the British High Court commercial division reportedly related to Russia or other CIS countries. Most seriously, the manipulation of electoral procedures and the exclusion of generally respected election observation teams raise questions about the state’s commitment to democratic principles which are fundamental to the rule of law.
 
  • What is the current state of the rule of law in Russia?
  • What are the perspectives vis-à-vis the upcoming presidential elections?
  • What steps are being or can be taken to improve the situation?

 

Eurozone Crisis: A Constitutional Challenge for Europe

Debate
In cooperation with CERGE-EI
Tuesday, October 11, 2011, 9.00–10.30, Municipal Library
 
Participants: Karel Kovanda, Jan Macháček, Alan Brown, Vladimír Dlouhý, Jacques Rupnik, Zdeněk Kudrna
 
The Eurozone crisis is first and foremost an institutional and constitutional crisis, not a debt crisis (European debt is lower overall than Japanese and American debt). The Eurozone has no standard institutions except for the first purely federal institution, which is the ECB. It lacks a common bond, a common tax, a ministry of finance or even a monetary fund and European debt agency.
 
  • Is the establishment of these institutions necessary?
  • Does Europe need to strengthen federalism in connection with this?
  • Are we faced with the option of choosing between economic collapse and Brussels centralism?

 

Ukraine: A Fast Track Away from Democracy?

Panel
Tuesday, October 11, 2011, 10.00–11.30, Goethe-Institut
 
Participants: Natalia Churikova, Tomáš Vrba, Bohdan Danylyshyn, Christopher Walker, Mustafa Dzhemiliev
 
Since the election of President Viktor Yanukovych in 2010, Ukraine has experienced a significant and alarming deterioration in its democratic framework. Fundamental tenets of a democratic society, such as freedom of expression, freedom of assembly, and freedom of the press are under increasing pressure. Among the most worrying factors are consolidation of power in the hands of the President, endemic corruption, increased Security Service (SBU) activity, harassment of opposition parties and independent media, and a weak civil society. Given Ukraine’s strategic importance, the country’s fate has become an urgent matter of concern not only for Europe, but the entire international community.
 
  • What are the main challenges to democracy in Ukraine today?
  • What should be the EU´s policy towards this country?

 

Europe’s Future: Constitutional or Populist Democracy?

Panel
Tuesday, October 11, 2011, 11.45–13.15, Goethe-Institut
 
Participants: Karel Kovanda, Adam Michnik, Ayse Kadioglu, Shlomo Avineri, Jacques Rupnik, Jiří Pehe
 
European Union countries are not immune to the rise of political populist movements and parties. Though ideologically diverse and without a clear vision of alternative politics, these forms of populism commonly challenge the foundations of constitutional democracy. Strengthened by declining standards and the deteriorating leadership qualities of elected politicians and representative political bodies, populist forces use democratic procedures and constitutional rights to undermine the substantive core of European democratic societies.
 
  • Is populism a threat to, or a part of, constitutional democracy?
  • What is the meaning of “a self-defending democracy” vis-à-vis the rise of populism in Europe and elsewhere?

 

Russia: Can It Adapt to the Rapidly Changing World?

Panel
Tuesday, October 11, 2011, 11.45–13.15, Žofín Palace, Conference Hall
 
Participants: Boris Nemtsov, Josef Pazderka, Bobo Lo, Gregory Feifer, Luboš Dobrovský
 
Under Presidents Putin and Medvedev, Russia has gradually regained some of its former self-confidence. One of Moscow's assumptions is that it stands to gain from the so-called “global shift in power to the East”. Another assumption is that an improved economic situation, perceived inclusion among the more “dynamic“ of the world economies (BRICS), and economic modernization, symbolized by projects such as Skolkovo (“Russia's Silicon Valley”), will give the country additional international influence. However, there is still a marked absence of comprehensive changes in the deeper fabric of the country such as the rule of law, functioning civil society, or genuine political pluralism.
 
  • What are the main challenges facing today´s Russia?
  • Will the world in which China and India are increasingly influential be the one where Russia could find itself increasingly marginalized by both East and West?
  • How real is the modernization of Russia and its economy?

 

Recent Developments in the Middle East and North Africa: The Perspectives for Democracy and the Rule of Law

Panel
In cooperation with West Asia-North Africa Forum, Jordan
Tuesday, October 11, 2011, 16.15–17.30, Žofín Palace, Forum Hall
 
Participants: Prince El Hassan bin Talal, Sultan Barakat, Shahira Amin, Shlomo Avineri, Mai Yamani
 
The recent developments in the Middle East and North Africa region are cause for great hope but also a considerable amount of uncertainty. Egypt, Tunisia, and Libya are on the start of the road that may lead to free and democratic societies and the rule of law. Among the issues that will be crucial to achieving these goals is dealing efficiently with the troublesome past, establishing stable democratic institutions, as well as strengthening civil society.
 
  • What are the perspectives for democracy in Egypt, Tunisia, and Egypt?
  • What are the key steps that need to be taken in the immediate future?
  • What has been the role of civil society during the political changes? What role will it have in the immediate future?
  • What approach to transitional justice should these countries take?

 

Belarus: Trading Human Rights for Economic Support?

Panel Discussion
In cooperation with People in Need and DEMAS – Association for Democracy Assistance and Human Rights
Tuesday, October 11, 2011, 19.45–21.15, Goethe-Institut
 
Participants: Lída Vacková, Ales Michalevic, Tatsiana Reviaka, Alexander Lukashuk
 
The attempt of the EU to pursue a two-track policy with the Belarusian regime failed completely after the presidential elections on December 19,2010. In exchange for promised economic cooperation, it was believed Alexander Lukashenko was to guarantee free presidential elections and focus on improving relations with the West. The contrary was true, the crackdown on peaceful demonstrations after the elections and harassment of civil society gave a clear answer to the “stick and carrot” policy of the EU. The Belarus regime also started to prosecute Ales Bialacky, head of major human rights organization Viasna. Earlier this year, however, Belarus was hit by economic problems and its currency abruptly lost over 50% of its value. Impacting the usually politically non-engaged section of society, this economic trouble provoked a wave of “silent” protests across Belarus this summer. In August and September the regime released over twenty political prisoners arrested in December.
 
  • Do the recent events mean another round of “trading” with political prisoners has started?
  • What are the country’s economic prospects?
  • Is there any potential for further massive protests in Belarus?
  • Will the West again be ready to trade freedom for political prisoners for economic support?

 

The Future of Crimea

Panel Discussion
In cooperation with the Association of International Affairs
Wednesday, October 12, 2011, 14.30–16.00, Goethe-Institut
 
Participants: Petruška Šustrová, Mustafa Dzhemiliev
 
The Crimean Peninsula is one of the most unstable areas in Eastern Europe. Crimean Tatars face tremendous problems even 20 years after they were permitted by the late Soviet regime to return to their homeland from exile in Uzbekistan. The development of their language and culture are not supported by the government of Autonomous Republic of Crimea and Crimean Tatars are underrepresented in governmental bodies, police and other institutions.
 
  • What developments can we expect in Crimea in the near future?
  • Is there a danger of growing Islamism among the Crimean Tatars?
  • Do Crimean Tatars aspire to their own independent state?

 

The Rule of Law in Western Balkans: Success or Failure of EU Conditionality?

Panel Discussion
In cooperation with DEMAS – Association for Democracy Assistance and Human Rights
Tuesday, October 11, 2011, 16.15–17.45, Goethe-Institut
 
Participants: David Král, Tija Memisević, Jelena Milić, Sandra Benčić
 
The rule of law represents one of the pressing challenges for the Western Balkan Countries seeking accession to the EU. Croatia has successfully concluded EU accession negotiations; however, it seems that in this area there is still a lot of unfinished business. In the case of the other Balkan countries, the high levels of corruption and lack of judicial capacity and independence are continually criticized in the EU’s annual progress reports.
 
  • What are the main deficiencies in the area of the rule of law in Western Balkan countries?
  • What are the lessons learnt from Croatia's EU accession process?
  • Will the political imperative of including Western Balkan countries in the EU prevail over the conditionality imposed by the EU in this area?
  • How can the EU improve its benchmarks and tools to achieve substantial changes in the region?

 

Where Is the Rule of Law and Real Democracy in Burma? Current Conditions and Perspectives for the Future

Panel Discussion
In cooperation with People in Need
Wednesday, October 12, 2011, 18.00–19.30, Goethe-Institut
 
Participants: Scott Hudson, Naw Htoo Paw, Moe Zaw Oo, Nai Aue Mon, Kyaw Zwa Moe
 
What do democracy and the rule of law mean in Burma? The military dictatorship which crushed the 8-8-88 uprising, ignored the 1990 election results and suppressed the peaceful Saffron Revolution in 2007, now claims it is democratic. The Generals have exchanged their uniforms for suits and held a rigged election that they could not lose in 2010. But what is the real situation in the country and how should the rest of the world deal with this more sophisticated form of authoritarianism? Burmese human rights defenders and activists have taken tremendous risks and have often spent years in prison to make sure the world has a genuine idea about what the reality is on the ground for the people of Burma. 
 
  • How do civil society organizations in Burma and in exile perceive what is currently happening?
  • What do they think needs to be done to make sure that the cycle of impunity comes to an end? 
  • What role can the international community play?

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