Democracy IDEAs

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

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.

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.

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.

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’.