Helsinki 2010

 

Helsinki 2010

International seminar by
The Finnish NGO Foundation for Human Rights (KIOS) and
Political Parties of Finland for Democracy (DEMO Finland)


DEMOCRACY AND HUMAN RIGHTS FOR DEVELOPMENT


14 - 15 September 2010
Allergiatalon Kongressikeskus, Helsinki

The 4th annual international seminar of KIOS focused on the complex connections between human rights, democracy and development. The two-day seminar was organised in collaboration with Political Parties of Finland for Democracy (DEMO Finland). It gathered more than 170 professionals, activists, political party, civil society and media representatives, students and other interested individuals together to discuss a wide range of topics related to the themes of the seminar. African and Asian perspectives and experiences were offered by the guests of KIOS and DEMO Finland from Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Senegal, Tanzania, Uganda, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Belgium.

Linking democracy, human rights and development

The seminar witnessed a rich variety of views on human rights, democracy and development. All key facilitators seemed to agree at least on one thing: Democracy, human rights and development are complementary and inseparable processes, and interconnected in many ways. Dr. Richard Youngs from a European think tank FRIDE pointed out that they should be promoted simultaneously without forgetting the importance of good governance. Hard work is needed at all levels, noted H.E. Mr. Paavo Väyrynen, Minister for Foreign Trade and Development in Finland, and pointed out that “Democracy starts at home”.

Mr. Alexis Rusine from Congress for Labor and Brotherhood in Rwanda, took a similar stand: ”We cannot promote democracy without being democratic”. This requires inclusion of different groups in decision making. He reminded that participation is a key aspect in equal development by taking the example of worker’s rights in Rwanda: ”In Rwanda we see GDP growth, but we do not see it on our plates”.

“We believe that leaders are made, not born. This is why it is important to build the capacities of women to participate”, argued the Tanzanian delegation of DEMO Finland. Ms. Meselech Wondimu Wube from Bright Africa Women Development Association in Ethiopia shared an encouraging example of local level initiatives strengthening girls’ participation and highlighted their instrumentality in reaching development goals. Ms. Anjana Shakya from a Nepalese network Partnership for Protecting Children in Armed Conflict told how giving a voice to children has not only increased the participation of children in their communities, but also ensured that questions central to children have been considered in the process of Constitution drafting in Nepal.

State institutions, political parties, civil society and international society all play a crucial role in democracy building

Civil society, states and regional and international systems all have an important role to play in advancing democracy and human rights. The speakers of the seminar shared ideas and best practices on how to engage all relevant actors in ensuring sustainable solutions and results.

Ms. Maija Sakslin, Parliamentary Deputy-Ombudsman in Finland, described the system of Ombudsman, an independent body that sees to the implementation of fundamental and human rights in Finland. The importance of such a system came clear also through a Sri Lankan example provided by Mr. K.M. Rukshan Fernando from Law & Society Trust. In Sri Lanka independent human rights instruments are absent, democracy continues to remain a privilege of the ruling ethnic group and the exclusion of the Tamil minority prevails. “Without inclusion and participation there is no democracy”, Fernando stressed.

Democracy needs to be built from within societies, reminded Ms. Anna Abdallah from Tanzania Women Cross-Party Platform. The platform works to unite women politicians to struggle for inclusive participation in a reality where female politicians are often downplayed inside the political parties. Mr. Dinesh Prasad Bhatt from Nepal Tarun Dal youth organisation highlighted that in Nepal also the youth tend to be sidelined from higher political decision-making. He works for Youth and Students Platform to strengthen the voice of youth in politics in Nepal.

According to Mr. Kris Berwouts from European network for Central Africa, civil society has a crucial role in democracy by monitoring elections, promoting local participation in decision-making, creating transparency and liability in managing common issues and resources, and supporting local reconciliation and peace-building. He also stressed the importance of regional and international cooperation in these issues. Together with several other speakers he emphasised that democratic reforms require local ownership, but international community can support this work both technically and by being politically coherent in its messages.

Key facilitators

  • Mr. Dinesh Prasad Bhatt, Central Committee Member, Nepal Tarun Dal youth organisation, affiliated to Nepali Congress Party, Nepal
  • Mr. K. M. Rukshan Fernando, Head of Human Rights in Conflict Program, Law and Society Trust, Sri Lanka
  • Ms. Anna Abdallah, Member of Parliament, Chairperson, Tanzania Women Cross-Party Platform, Tanzania
  • Mr. Alexis Rusine, General Secretary, Congress for Labor and Brotherhood in Rwanda
  • Ms. Anjana Shakya, Chairperson, Himalayan Human Rights Monitors / Partnership for Protecting Children in Armed Conflict, Nepal
  • Ms. Meselech Wondimu Wube, Chairperson of Board, Bright Africa Women Development Association, Ethiopia
  • Mr. Kris Berwouts, Director, European network for Central Africa
  • Ms. Maija Sakslin, Parliamentary Deputy-Ombudsman, Finland
  • Mr. Paavo Väyrynen, Minister for Foreign Trade and Development
  • Dr. Richard Youngs, Director General, FRIDE


Sessions were chaired by:

  • Ms. Tanja Auvinen, Secretary General, NYTKIS - The Coalition of Finnish Women´s Associations
  • Ms. Anita Kelles-Viitanen, Lic.Pol.Sc., former Director of Social Development, Asian Development Bank 
  • Ms. Gunvor Kronman, Vice Chairperson of DEMO Finland Executive Board
  • Ms. Elina Multanen, Member of KIOS Executive Board, UNIFEM Finland
  • Ms. Anna Ranki, Secretary for International Affairs, Finnish Youth Cooperation Allianssi
  • Mr. Jani A. Seikkula, Vice Chairperson of KIOS Executive Board, Finnish Refugee Council 

Seminar programme

Time: 14–15 September 2010 at 8.15–16.00
Venue: Allergiatalon Kongressikeskus, Paciuksenkatu 19, 00270 Helsinki

Programme of the seminar can be downloaded here. 

Articles in English on the seminar and its key facilitators 

Global South Development Magazine (10/2010): Seminar on development and democracy (page 9) and The Sri Lankan Saga of unrequited justice and freedom (pages 20-21)

Download
seminar publication (pdf).

Download
programme of the seminar
(pdf).

Download
venue information and the map 
(pdf).

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