Briefing for the guests invited to the upcoming 30th Governing Council of the Community of Democracies

On May 17th, the Permanent Secretariat of the Community of Democracies had the pleasure of hosting a briefing for Warsaw-based guests invited to the upcoming 30th session of the Community’s Governing Council, which will be held in Warsaw on June 14th.

The briefing served as an opportunity to present an overview of the Community of Democracies’ mission, values, and current activities including the upcoming Governing Council session.

The CoD Secretary General Thomas E. Garrett welcomed the guests and provided a brief outline of the meeting.  Ms. Daria Wołosiuk of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Poland delivered welcome remarks on behalf of the Polish Chairmanship of the Community’s Executive Committee.

Executive Director Robert Drzazga provided an overview of the Community’s structure, highlighting the diversity of the Community’s Governing Council and its role as a platform for best practice sharing, dialogue, and discussion on current challenges and opportunities to democracy.

Senior Advisor Patricia Galdamez outlined the Community’s Strategic Objectives and current activities including the Community’s presence at the global democracy-related events, partnerships with other international organizations, as well as specific projects related to the Community’s Strategic Objectives and cross-cutting themes of gender equality, democracy and development and youth empowerment.

External Relations Director Nicolae Nastase provided information on the upcoming Romania’s Presidency of the Community of Democracies, which will start in September 2019 as well as the 10th Ministerial Conference of the CoD, which will be held in June 2020 on the 20th anniversary of the Community of Democracies.