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In what is the biggest election year in history, voters in countries representing more than half of humanity – some four billion people – are going to the polls in elections this year. As the global community witnesses this historic election year, Keseb is creating a virtual space for an exchange of ideas across borders. We are hosting and moderating a series of timely conversations throughout the course of the 2024 mega election year.
Throughout the month of October, we are excited to host a four-part virtual conversation series featuring leading democracy champions from Brazil, South Africa, and the United States. These discussion will feature the co-authors of our published essay series in Stanford Social Innovation Review. Register for the conversation series. Portuguese interpretation will be offered.
Recording coming soon.
Lara Flint, Managing Director of Elections and Institutions at Democracy Fund, hosted a conversation with Keseb Democracy Fellows Farbod Faraji from Protect Democracy and Flávia Pellegrino from Pacto pela Democracia to discuss their essay on Ensuring Free, Fair, and Trusted Elections. The conversation delved into effective strategies to contain, counter, and sustainably prevent the re-election of authoritarian leaders.
Virtual discussion at 11:00 AM ET (12:00 PM BRT / 5:00 PM SAST). Register here.
Yordanos Eyoel, Founder and CEO of Keseb, hosts a conversation with Keseb Democracy Fellows Lindiwe Mazibuko from Futurelect, Tainah Pereira from Mulheras Negras Decidem, and Erin Vilardi from Vote Run Lead to discuss their essay on Building a Truly Reflective Pro-Democracy Public Leadership. In this conversation, the speakers will articulate their argument for why we need a shift from a superficial diversity frame and instead work to build truly reflective public leadership that is committed and equipped to advancing an inclusive democracy.
Virtual discussion at 11:00 AM ET (12:00 PM BRT / 5:00 PM SAST). Register here.
Andrew Clarke, Partner at Keseb, hosts a conversation with Keseb Democracy Fellows Gabriel Marmentini from Politize!, Jeanine Abrams McLean from Fair Count, and Tshepo Fokane from Alliance for Rural Democracy to unpack Marmentini and Abrams McLean’s essay on Grassroots Strategies to Combat Election-Related Misinformation. They will discuss why we need targeted local engagement with communities, coupled with civic education, to strengthen our information ecosystems.
Virtual discussion at 11:00 AM ET (12:00 PM BRT / 5:00 PM SAST). Register here.
Koketso Moeti, Founding Executive Director at amandla.mobi, hosts a conversation with Keseb Democracy Fellows Áurea Carolina from NOSSA, Tessa Dooms from Rivonia Circle, and Julian Walker from PushBlack to discuss their essay on Invigorating and Expanding Civic Power. Their conversation will explore strategies for unlocking people’s civic agency to engage in individual and collective action.
On March 28, 2024, Keseb hosted a conversation with four leading democracy champions from Argentina, Indonesia, and Poland.
In Argentina’s November 2023 election, Javier Milei’s campaign won on a platform of economic reform and social conservatism that resonated with a predominantly male youth movement. This was evidenced by 55.8% support from men aged 18-25 compared to 33.8% from women, highlighting a widening ideological gender gap among young voters. Similarly, Prabowo Subianto’s success in Indonesia’s February 2024 election was fueled by his ability to connect with the country’s youthful electorate, aided by a strategic image overhaul and endorsement from outgoing President Jokowi. Poland’s October 2023 election marked a shift with the defeat of the Law and Justice Party. The electoral victory was attributed in large part to a historic 74.4% voter turnout and the mobilization of women and young people in a diverse pro-democracy coalition.
These elections serve as a testament to the influence of women and young voters in shaping the political landscapes of their countries. Against this backdrop, our upcoming discussion will dive into the intricate dynamics at play, exploring how women and young people contributed to electoral shifts in Argentina, Indonesia, and Poland.
On January 30, 2024, Keseb hosted a timely discussion on the intersection of race, civic identity, and self-expression. Joining this dialogue were two Keseb Fellows: PushBlack CEO Julian Walker interviewed Tessa Dooms, the Director of Programmes at Rivonia Circle and co-author of the recent book, “Coloured: How Classification Became Culture.”
In recent months, South African singer Tyla has not only gained significant prominence in the international music scene but has also ignited a noteworthy discourse in the United States, leading to what the BBC has deemed a “culture war.” As a South African, Tyla identifies as “coloured,” a term deeply embedded in South African culture. However, in the United States, this term carries a negative connotation, serving as a painful reminder of the oppressive Jim Crow era.
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