Democracy IDEAs

The International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance

Democracy IDEAs is brought to you by the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA). Our podcasts share analyses, data, and insights from experts worldwide to help you understand the challenges of democracy in times of crisis. Find more information to empower you on decision-making processes at www.idea.int

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August 27 · 50 min
Democracy through the eyes of Gen Z
Young people are engaging with democracy in different ways, from elections and protest movements to grassroots organising, digital spaces and demands for accountability. On the sidelines of the recent 'Reimagining Democracy' workshop in Kathmandu, Senior Programme Manager Adhy Aman sat down with Tashi Lhazom from Nepal and Alans Ademba from Kenya to discuss how young people are engaging with democracy today. In this podcast, they move beyond elections and institutions to explore what meaningful democratic participation looks like for a generation shaped by lived experience, civic frustration and new forms of mobilisation. Tashi and Alans reflect on why many young people are turning to movements and informal networks, whether traditional political systems are keeping pace, and how technology is both opening and complicating democratic spaces. Drawing on their experiences, they discuss the importance of participation, active citizenship and critical questioning. They also look ahead at what needs to change for democracies to become more responsive, inclusive and accountable to the next generation. At the heart of the conversation is the importance of questioning, participation and active citizenship. As Tashi Lhazom says: “The stronger the critical questions are, the stronger democracy will be.” Guest: Tashi Lhazom from Nepal and Alans Ademba from Kenya Hosts: Adhy Aman Background Reading: Reimagining Democracy: From backsliding to resilience in Asia and Africa
August 27 · 32 min
Therese Pearce Laanela on democratic renewal through trustworthy elections
In this episode of Democracy IDEAs, Gavin Charles, Speechwriter and Governance Officer at International IDEA, sits down with Therese Pearce Laanela, the Head of Electoral Processes at International IDEA, to discuss her new book, Trustworthy Elections: The Role of Electoral Management Bodies. Drawing on nearly 35 years of experience supporting elections around the world, she reflects on why trust remains fundamental to democratic legitimacy and resilience. The discussion explores trust as a fundamental aspect of "Renewing Democracy," which is also the 2026 advocacy theme for the Institute. Learn more by visiting www.idea.int.
May 10 · 34 min
Finland’s Voice in Global Diplomacy: A Conversation with Ambassador Lauri Voionmaa
In this episode of Democracy IDEAs, Amanda Sourek sits down with Ambassador Lauri Voionmaa, Deputy Permanent Representative of Finland to the United Nations for a timely conversation on the role of democracy in today’s multilateral system. As global tensions challenge the foundations of international cooperation, Ambassador Voionmaa shares Finland’s perspective on defending democratic values at the United Nations, advancing peace and security, and navigating an increasingly complex geopolitical landscape. The discussion also explores Finland’s priorities, including its upcoming United Nations Security Council campaign, and what principled yet pragmatic diplomacy looks like in practice.
March 5 · 25 min
Democracy and Human Rights in a Changing World: A Discussion with Ambassador Maritza Chan
In this episode of Democracy IDEAs, Amanda Sourek speaks with Ambassador Maritza Chan, Costa Rica’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations and a leading voice on gender equality, disarmament, and AI governance. Ambassador Chan reflects on her historic leadership roles, Costa Rica’s principled multilateral engagement, and the future of Women, Peace and Security in the digital era. From advancing consensus on AI governance to championing prevention and women peacebuilders, this conversation explores how small states shape global agendas—and why democracy, human rights, and gender equality remain essential to building a more just international order.
February 26 · 30 min
Beyond Borders: Defending Communities and the Climate in Thailand and the Mekong
In this episode, Sharon Pia Hickey Programme Officer at International IDEA’s Constitution-Building and Climate Change and Democracy programmes speaks with Thai lawyer Sor Rattanamanee Polkla, Executive Coordinator, and Co-Founder of Community Resources Centre Foundation about the landscape of climate and environmental litigation in Thailand. Drawing on her experience with cases focusing on extractive industries, development projects, and public interest law, Sor tracks her path from realising the importance of protest and shares a message for climate lawyers across the region. Background reading: Let the courts decide? The Potential and Limitations of Climate Litigation from a Democracy Perspective
February 26 · 1 hr
Navigating Tech Policy and Global Election Integrity
There are many lessons to be learned from what collectively came to be known as the 'Supercycle Election Year' of 2024. Together with the European Partnership of Democracy (EPD), International IDEA have published the report ‘The Election Year 2024 and Tech Policy around the World’, which identifies key features and gaps in tech policy around the world with implications for democracy to synthesize a series of regulatory recommendations for the European Union. In this podcast, we sit down with Juliane Müller from International IDEA and Sofia Calabrese from EPD, the authors of the Supercycle report. Together, they discuss what institutions, coordination strategies, and regulatory instruments are needed to protect the integrity of elections. Drawing on examples from around the world, they share insights on how to address the challenges of web-based election cycles through international regulatory standards, interagency collaboration, and cross-sectoral multistakeholder engagement. They also explore how coexisting EU frameworks such as the Digital Services Act (DSA), the AI act, the EU Democracy Shield, and the EU Omnibus package can work in contradiction to simultaneously reinforce and undermine democratic protections. To get the full picture, read the ‘The Election Year 2024 and Tech Policy around the World’.
January 27 · 33 min
The evolving legal landscape of climate justice
Christina Voigt is Professor of Law at the University of Oslo and Chair of the IUCN World Commission on Environmental Law. In this podcast episode, she discusses the concept of climate justice, the evolving legal landscape around climate change, and the role of international courts therein, with Sharon Hickey, Program Officer with the Climate Change and Democracy and Constitutional Governance and Rule of Law programs at International IDEA, in light of her Stockholm Series lecture 'Repainting the Climate Justice Canvas: How the World's Highest Courts are Leading the Way'. Background Reading: Let the courts decide? The Potential and Limitations of Climate Litigation from a Democracy Perspective
Oct 27, 2025 · 56 min
AI, Elections and Disinformation in Latin America
The regulatory landscape surrounding Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Latin America is evolving rapidly, and with it, the role of AI in elections is also changing. The issues of AI-amplified disinformation and political polarization have become top priorities throughout the electoral cycle. However, addressing these challenges is placing an immense strain on governments and electoral institutions across the region. Compounding the issue is the fact that AI technologies are largely developed and controlled by private companies, creating barriers to accountability and transparency that undermine electoral integrity. If governed in ways that uphold democratic values, AI can enhance efficiency and reliability in electoral management. It can also be leveraged to fight-fire-with-fire and counteract AI-based threats. The key question is: how can Latin American governments develop long-term strategic visions that harness the benefits of the technology while keeping its risks at bay? Sit down with Juliane Müller, Associate Programme Officer at International IDEA's Digitalization and Democracy Programme, and Natalia Zuazo to examine the need for holistic AI-frameworks in the context of Latin America and the Caribbean. Natalia is a digital policy expert, founder of the digital transformation consultancy SALTO, and a senior consultant for UNESCO's regional office in Montevideo. She is based in Argentina, and works regionally with the intersection of technology, human rights, and governance. Natalia collaborated with International IDEA as a regional expert during the AI for Electoral Actors workshop in Panama in May of 2025. This episode is the third in a series for the AI for Electoral Actors project that aims to raise AI literacy among EMBs in Africa, Asia and the Pacific, Latin America and the Caribbean, and the Balkans and Eastern Europe. Listen to the first episode here and the second episode here. Background reading: AI for Electoral Actors
Sep 25, 2025 · 58 min
AI, Elections, and Policy in Asia-Pacific
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is spreading to all corners of the world, but its impact varies wildly between the contexts in which it's developed and deployed. If considerations are not made for how AI might interact with national and regional ethics and regulation, it risks exacerbating harmful externalities for already marginalized groups, democratic institutions, and the environment. In this episode, Juliane Müller, Associate Programme Officer at International IDEA's Digitalization and Democracy Programme is joined by Alia Yofira to discuss these implications and how AI literacy and institutional capacities are crucial to adequately address them. Alia Yofira is an associate researcher at the Jakarta-based Safer Internet Lab (SAIL), a gender, human rights and tech researcher at PurpleCode Collective, and the resident expert on AI regulation and legislation in the Asia Pacific region for International IDEA's AI for Electoral Actors project. She specializes in feminist and human rights-based approaches to policy advocacy in the tech sector. This episode is the second in a series for the AI for Electoral Actors project that aims to raise AI literacy among EMBs in Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Balkans and Eastern Europe. Read more about the project: https://www.idea.int/project/ai-electoral-actors
Sep 10, 2025 · 26 min
Beyond the Walls – Rethinking Parliament as Public Space
What do parliamentary buildings really say about democracy? Are they open, welcoming spaces for citizens - or distant symbols of power? This special podcast episode launches the fourth guide “Parliament as a Space and Place” - in a series of eight Citizen Engagement Guides, by Inter Pares - Parliaments in Partnership, which is implemented by International IDEA and in collaboration with the International Parliament Engagement Network (IPEN), with support from the European Union. Timed to commemorate the International Day of Democracy, this podcast explores how parliaments function both as physical spaces and symbolic places that shape public trust, identity, and participation. Featuring global experts and real-world examples - from Berlin’s iconic glass dome to mobile parliaments that bring democracy to rural communities - this episode shows how architecture and design can either build bridges between citizens and their representatives or reinforce barriers. Join us as we unpack how parliaments can move beyond walls to become truly inclusive spaces of belonging, connection, and democratic engagement. Background reading: Parliament as a Space and Place Guide Guides on Citizen Engagement for Parliaments More on Inter Pares Guests: Professor Cristina Leston-Bandeira, Chair of the International Parliament Engagement Network, and Professor of Politics at the University of Leeds in the United Kingdom. Anna-Maria Pawliczek, Senior Officer, Division Int 4, International Exchange Programs, International Parliamentary Cooperation, German Bundestag About the Host: Jessica Benton Cooney is a Senior Communications Consultant for International IDEA’s Inter Pares: Partnerships in Parliament project, where she leads strategic communications for this European Union–funded initiative to strengthen global parliamentary development.
Aug 19, 2025 · 43 min
Legitimult: Making democracy crisis-proof IV
This is the fourth and final episode in a podcast series featuring LEGITIMULT a project that examines how measures taken during the Covid-19 crisis by international, national, and subnational governments have affected multilevel institutions and intergovernmental relations. The aim of the research is to develop a model of legitimate crisis governance. In this episode, we focus on the citizen juries on crisis management in Europe, convened as part of the project following extensive research. The aim was to connect the project’s findings with real-world practice and engage with diverse segments of society. These juries brought the project’s academic work into a practical context, helping to explore what legitimate crisis governance means for citizens. By bridging academia and practice, the initiative sought to close the gap between science, policymakers, and the public on crisis governance. The juries also provided a platform for citizens to share how they perceive crises and to take part in shaping how societies should respond. The episode shares key insights from these discussions and takes you behind the scenes of organizing citizen juries—an evolving innovation in democratic engagement. Joining the conversation are LEGITIMULT team members who played a leading role in designing and facilitating these juries: Greta Klotz, Post-Doc-Researcher and Project Manager, Institute for Comparative Federalism, Eurac Research. Chiara Salati, Post-Doc-Researcher, Institute for Comparative Federalism, Eurac Research. Jakob Frateur, PhD researcher at the Department of Political Science and the Faculty of Law, University of Antwerp. Hosted by: Gentiana Gola, Adviser for Europe at the Democracy Assessment team and LEGITIMULT Project Manager for International IDEA LEGITIMULT is funded through Horizon Europe and the Swiss State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI). 
Jul 24, 2025 · 31 min
From Billboards to Bots: Rethinking Political Finance for a Digital World
The digitalization of political campaigning has transformed the ways in which political parties and candidates interact with voters. While offering new avenues for political engagement and outreach, digital campaigning also raises critical regulatory and transparency challenges—ranging from opaque online advertising, third-party influence, and data-driven microtargeting to foreign interference. In response to this evolving landscape, International IDEA has produced the report Political Finance in the Digital Age: Towards Evidence-Based Reforms, which is a comprehensive examination of how digital campaigning intersects with political finance systems. It analyzes the regulatory implications of online campaigning, and the roles of oversight institutions, civil society, and tech companies. The report provides actionable recommendations to help ensure transparency, accountability, and fairness in political and campaign finance in the digital era. In this episode, Khushbu Agrawal, Adviser for Money in Politics and Editor of the report speaks to Dr Wouter Wolfs, the lead author, exploring the emerging trends, regulatory gaps, and innovative practices drawn from the 13 case studies, which form the basis of the global report. Guest: Wouter Wolfs Background reading: https://www.idea.int/publications/catalogue/political-finance-digital-age-towards-evidence-based-reforms
Jun 13, 2025 · 44 min
Legitimult: Making democracy crisis-proof III
This is the third of a podcast series featuring LEGITIMULT, its findings and tools for addressing and solving future crises. This episode builds “Lessons from Covid-19 – Journalism in a Post-Pandemic Future” media workshop (more details below), and delves into the topic of crisis reporting. The conversation highlights the media’s dual role in both informing the public and holding those in power accountable, as well as the crucial distinction between facts and opinions in journalism—especially through journalists’ experiences during the Covid-19 pandemic. Drawing from the lessons of the COVID-19 pandemic the LEGITIMULT (Legitimate Crisis Governance in Multilevel Systems) project  aims to identify a model of political legitimate crisis governance that takes into account the interplay between international, national, regional and local governments and institutions. Its guiding research question “Which conditions contribute to democratically legitimate crisis governance?” will allow governments and policy makers to better face the crises of the future. The aim is not only to have effective responses, but that these measures respect and guarantee basic human rights and freedoms.   LEGITIMULT is funded through Horizon Europe and the Swiss State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI). Guests: Ms Amina Manzoor, Science Journalist at Expressen, Sweden Ms Therese Bergstedt, Science Journalist focusing on public health and climate issues at Svenska Dagbladet, Sweden Hosted by: Dr Alexander Hudson, Senior Adviser in the Democracy Assessment Unit, International IDEA Background Reading: Workshop summary article: Lessons from Covid-19 – Journalism in a Post-Pandemic Future Blog post inspired by the media workshop: In times of crisis: How to keep calm and carry on
Jun 13, 2025 · 40 min
Facing the climate crisis and democracy backsliding by reforming global governance
Frank Biermann is a research professor of Global Sustainability Governance with the Copernicus Institute of Sustainable Development at Utrecht University. He discusses with International IDEA Communications Director Alistair Scrutton ideas about how to tackle the planetary crisis in the face of rising unilateralism, authoritarianism, and anti-environmentalism. Background reading: The Earth System Governance project
May 27, 2025 · 26 min
Climate Hazards and Elections in India
In this episode of Peer-to-Peer, we speak to Saket Ambarkhane about the impacts of natural hzards on Indian elections and the growing concern over the effects of climate change on future elections. With Ambarkhane, we explore how different events, such as the heatwaves during the 2024 election, impacted various steps of the electoral process like campaigning, polling day, and voter turnout. Ambarkhane also explains how the different levels of EMBs (federal vs regional) have mitigated such events and the numerous tools India uses to build resilience against natural hazards. Guest: Saket Ambarkhane is an elections expert, having previously worked for the Electoral Commission of India and International IDEA. Hosts: Erik Asplund Background Reading: Natural Hazards and Elections in India: Lessons in Adaptation and Mitigation The Impact of Natural Hazards on Elections
Mar 31, 2025 · 33 min
Scoping the Impact of AI in Electoral Processes
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is growing in the sphere of electoral administration, still its impact has yet to be fully understood. What lessons on electoral AI from the 2024 Supercycle election year can we bring into 2025? How might Electoral Management Bodies (EMBs) plan to incorporate AI into their work and what consequences would this have for democracy? In this podcast episode, Juliane Müller, Associate Programme Officer at the Digitalization and Democracy Programme sits down with Prathm Juneja, PhD candidate in Social Data Science at the Oxford Internet Institute and expert for International IDEA's AI for Electoral Actors project to answer these questions and more. This episode is the first in a series for the AI for Electoral Actors project that aims to raise AI literacy among EMBs in Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Balkans and Eastern Europe. Read more about the project: https://www.idea.int/project/ai-electoral-actors Background Reading: https://www.idea.int/publications/catalogue/artificial-intelligence-electoral-management https://www.idea.int/news/democratic-foundation-electoral-ai-1 https://www.idea.int/publications/catalogue/global-digital-compact-democracy https://www.idea.int/publications/catalogue/codes-conduct-rise-fair-and-ethical-political-campaigning-online
Mar 5, 2025 · 28 min
La violencia política de género en la esfera digital es una batalla que recién comienza
A pesar de los avances en la representación política de las mujeres en América Latina, persisten desafíos significativos, como la violencia de género en la política. En esta conversación con Marcela Ríos Tobar, directora regional de IDEA Internacional para América Latina y El Caribe, exploramos hallazgos, repercusión y recomendaciones para hacer frente a este problema que a veces se trivializa o subestima. Según el informe y un estudio de ONU Mujeres, el 80% de las mujeres entrevistadas en 15 países manifestaron que limitaron su participación en las redes, y el 40% se autocensuró. El impacto de la violencia política de género requiere soluciones de conjunto para prevenir y mitigar sus efectos. Violencia política de género en la esfera digital en América Latina: https://www.idea.int/publications/catalogue/violencia-politica-de-genero-en-la-esfera-digital-en-america-latina?lang=es
Mar 4, 2025 · 53 min
UN talk with Ambassador Bob Rae: Challenges, democracy, and the way forward
International IDEA's Outreach and United Nations Liaison Officer, Amanda Sourek, talked to Ambassador Bob Rae, who serves as the 80th President of the United Nations Economic and Social Council and has been the Permanent Representative of Canada to the UN since 2020. Bob Rae discussed the role of youth in politics, the deadlock in the Security Council, the crisis in Myanmar, Russia's war against Ukraine, the 2030 Agenda, how democracy is portrayed at the UN, and the role of civil society in multilateral engagement. Background Reading UN Charter: https://www.un.org/en/about-us/un-charter Bob Rae’s biography: https://www.international.gc.ca/world-monde/international_relations-relations_internationales/un-onu/new-york-rep.aspx?lang=eng Vision and activities of Ambassador Bob Rae as the 80th President of ECOSOC: https://ecosoc.un.org/en/about-us/vision-and-activities-president
Jan 31, 2025 · 34 min
Why tackling inequality is key to protecting the planet, and democracy
Sandrine Dixson-Declève, Honorary President of the Club of Roam and co-author of Earth For All: A Survival Guide for Humanity’ has gathered the knowledge of an international team of scientists, economic thinkers, and multidisciplinary experts, to five extraordinary turnarounds to achieve wellbeing and prosperity for all, reduce social tension and ensure strong democracies within planetary boundaries. She discussed with International IDEA's Communicators Director Alistair Scrutton how to achieve global sustainable policies win a world of economic inequality, backsliding democracies and political polarisation. Background Reading: 'Earth For All: A Survival Guide for Humanity’
Dec 12, 2024 · 45 min
Defending democracy, safeguarding our planet – A dual imperative and how to win it
An interview with Luisa Neubauer, a German climate campaigner who is using both the courts and civic groups to push authorities to take climate policy more seriously. Access International IDEA's databases, reports and initiatives on Climate Change and Democracy: https://www.idea.int/theme/climate-change-and-democracy

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