Society, politics & business
How to support democratic resilience in Africa
While democracy is being challenged in some African countries, notably in the Sahel and parts of West Africa, 2024 saw democratic resilience in several countries that held elections during the year. Pan-African survey network Afrobarometer says that support for democratic governance remains robust across the continent.
Past event
Date
27.5.2025Time
07.00 - 09.00Location
Hanaholmen, EspooEvent type
Free of chargeLanguage
English20 May 2025
Based on recent research, this event will discuss Africa’s evolving democratic landscape through several lenses; looking at the transformations of the last three decades, the role of political party activism, mobilization through social media, supporting women to exercise full political agency, and how fiscal systems can support a transition to a more democratic state.
Speakers
George Bob-Milliar, Liisa Laakso, Jörgen Levin, Shingirai Mtero, Martins Kwasema (Researchers at the Nordic Africa Institute), Jukka Pirttilä (University of Helsinki)
Moderator: Therese Sjömander, Director NAI
Programme
| Time | Programme |
|---|---|
10.00–10.05 | Welcome remarks. Gunvor Kronman, Chief Executive Oicer, Hanaholmen |
10.05-10.10 | Introductory remarks. Juha Savolainen, Director General of the Department for Development Policy at the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland |
10.10-10.15 | Session introduction by moderator. Therése Sjömander, Director, Nordic Africa Institute |
10.15-10.25 | Keynote. George M. Bob-Milliar, Visiting Fellow, Nordic Africa Institute |
10.25-11.20 | Panel discussion |
11.20-11.55 | Q&A with the audience |
11.55-12.00 | Closing remarks |
12.00-13.00 | Mingle (Refreshments will be served) |
The seminar is arranged by Nordic Africa Institute and Hanaholmen, in cooperation with the Swedish-Finnish Cultural Foundation.
Contact details
