Former Minister, Oby Ezekwesili Bags International Appointment Along with Koffi Annan and Others

The International Institute for Electoral Assistance (International IDEA) has appointed Democracy Ambassadors ahead of the Global State of Democracy publication, to be launched in November 2017.

In the past 40 years, democracy on a global level has made tremendous progress, but this progress has slowed down as critical challenges have emerged. To contribute to the global efforts to protect democracy, International IDEA has developed The Global State of Democracy publication.

The Democracy Ambassadors have been tasked with putting the spotlight on the challenges and developments of democracy that are highlighted in the publication—joining International IDEA’s call to support and safeguard democracy.

The Democracy Ambassadors are:

1. Titi Anggraini, Executive Director, Perludem-Association for Election and Democracy

2. Kofi Annan, Former Secretary-General of the United Nations

3. Sergio Bitar, Former Chilean politician, International IDEA Board of Advisers

4. Emine Bozkurt, Dutch politician, former Member of the European Parliament, International IDEA Board of Advisers

5. Laura Chinchilla, Former President of Costa Rica

6. Jan Eliasson, Former Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations, Former Swedish Minister of Foreign Affairs, Chair of the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI)

7. Gareth Evans, Chancellor of the Australian National University and former Australian Foreign Minister

8. Obiageli Ezekwesili, Former Vice-President of the World Bank’s Africa division, Co-founder Transparency International

9. Surin Pitsuwan, Former Secretary General of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), International IDEA Board of Advisers

10. Dr. S. Y. Quraishi, Former Chief Election Commissioner of India, International IDEA Board of Advisers

11. Vaira VÄ«Ä·e-Freiberga, Former President of Latvia, President of Club de Madrid, Global Round Table

The official launch of The Global State of Democracy publication will take place on 15 November in Stockholm. Additional launches will be held in Geneva, New York, Brussels, Oslo, Cotonou, Lima and New Delhi, among other locations.