The mass uprisings in the Middle East and North Africa represent the most important opportunity for democracy since the fall of Soviet communism. Two-and-a-half years after the onset of the movements against the region’s repressive governments, the extent of the democratic reform challenge has become clearer, raising a host of vexing questions for reformers in these countries and policy makers outside them. During the event, two panels of experts assessed the transition experiences from the post-Soviet world and North Africa, and examined fundamental questions relating to democratic transitions. This event was part of the Reconsidering Democratic Transitions conference series sponsored by the International Forum for Democratic Studies.

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As recent elections in Kenya, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Cote d’Ivoire show, elections are a necessary, but not the only, condition for democracy. Days before the upcoming elections in Zimbabwe, this conference brought together civil society activists, and political analysts, along with representatives from the U.S. government and NGOs, to focus on strengthening democracy in Zimbabwe.

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The launch of CIMA’s newest report, South Africa’s Media 20 Years After Apartheid, and a discussion about the role of media development in democratic transitions in southern Africa. Panelists focused on the importance of media development in the region, the challenges of the past 20 years, and how to work for a more open and diverse media environment throughout the region.

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In her presentation Ms. Nadira Eshmatova focused on the challenges facing youth in Kyrgyzstan, as well as on how the country’s ongoing socio-political transition is shaping opportunities for youth activism. She suggested ways in which organizations working with youth can ensure that young people are actively involved in the reconciliation and democracy building processes in Kyrgyzstan. Ms. Eshmatova concluded by suggesting strategies to better engage Kyrgyz and Uzbek youth, especially in the south of Kyrgyzstan. Her presentation was followed by comments from Ms. Maria Lisitsyna.

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In his presentation, Abdulrazaq Alkali provided an overview of the state of youth activism in Nigeria today. He surveyed the steps being taken to; engage youth, identify barriers to their participation, and offer recommendations to increase their involvement in decision-making processes. His presentation was followed by comments by Dave Peterson.

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