CENTRAL AND EASTERN EUROPE
DEMOCRACY PROJECT

As the countries of Central and Eastern Europe embarked on a program of ambitious democratic and market reforms at the end of the 20th century, there was much optimism about building a stronger, more united and freer Europe. But in recent years, doubts have arisen about the region’s performance, in the face of ongoing governance challenges, including persistent corruption. In response, with the support of the Center for International Private Enterprise (http://www.cipe.org/) (CIPE) in Washington, DC, civil society representatives, members of the business community, and academics from across Central and Eastern Europe have come together to reactivate networks of reformers, reinvigorate the region’s democratic trajectory, and reaffirm the importance of transatlantic ties for Europe’s future.

On June 1, the CIPE and its regional partners gathered in Brussels to launch a declaration asserting the crucial role of democratic values and free market principles for Central and Eastern Europe. This declaration, written by local leaders, has been informed by in-depth research and analyses on the challenges facing the region and the concerns of the region’s citizens.

The declaration renews a commitment to uphold the values of liberty and prosperity in Central and Eastern Europe, and the role of transatlantic partners in advancing democratic and economic reform.

June 1, 2017 – Brussels, Belgium

We, representatives of civil society and the business community of Central and Eastern Europe, have gathered in Brussels to launch this Declaration, to assert our pride in, and support for the progress that our region has made over the past quarter century. Reforms have led to a dramatic and unprecedented expansion of liberty, spurring entrepreneurship and growth. Our countries have made important contributions to the democratic, economic, and social life of Europe.

Civil society and the business community of Central and Eastern Europe will continue to champion human dignity, freedom, democracy, equality, entrepreneurship, the rule of law and respect for human rights. We will promote these values in the face of recent challenges, including:

  • A lack of independence and accountability in key political institutions, including the judiciary, that can lead to abuses of power and corruption, in turn posing risks to the economic health of the countries in the region, and delegitimizing democracy in the eyes of the public.
  • The promulgation of opportunistic economic policies in pursuit of partisan gains, to the detriment of society and the economy, as well as the elimination of checks and balances and ad hoc policy changes, which threaten long-term economic prospects and democratic health.
  • Declining citizen engagement in politics and public debate, which detracts from democratic vibrancy, while threats from across the political spectrum to the independence of civil society organizations and media limit the exchange of ideas and dialogue between the state and public.
  • In cases where citizens fail to connect the quality of democracy with quality of life, the appeal to some citizens of solutions beyond constitutional democratic bounds, which furthers a correlation between limited economic opportunities and openness to extreme political options.
  • Weakened democratic and economic outlooks, which are rooted in inadequate education systems that fail to teach critical thinking and do not encourage civic and entrepreneurial mindsets.

To promote the values of liberty, democracy and prosperity, representatives of civil society and the business community of Central and Eastern Europe, and transatlantic partners, support steps to:

  • Reassert civil society’s role in maintaining transparency and accountability in governance, as well as facilitating greater public consultation in decision making.
  • Urge political parties, civil society and the business community to communicate and practice democratic values, so as to encourage more inclusive engagement in public affairs and present alternatives to extreme messages.
  • Increase engagement with the business community, so as to mobilize resources and know-how in reconfirming society’s commitment to pluralism and maintaining healthy space for civil society.
  • Promote policies that improve the entrepreneurial environment to foster growth, strengthen the middle class and boost the number of citizens who consider themselves democratic stakeholders, while creating an open, fair and competitive environment that is attractive to investors and a skilled work force.
  • Encourage educational reforms, including in teacher training, that increase the emphasis on high-quality teaching on democracy, active citizenship, current affairs and critical thinking.
  • Maintain and strengthen transatlantic dialogue and cooperation on the aforementioned issues.

We now pledge to move forward by formulating concrete strategies and taking practical steps, reaffirming our commitment to open, inclusive, plural and transparent political and economic environments. We call on our public officials to act on this agenda, and invite our fellow citizens to become more active participants in our societies, joining us in our commitment to this Declaration. 

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Join the 121 Others Who Have Signed the Declaration Before You

121 Mr. Michal B. Slovakia
120 Ms. sdfg s. ?? dfg
119 Ms Pam K. USA
118 Ms Pam K. United States Springfield
117 Pani Pawel F. Polska
116 Mr Ferenc P. Hungary and UK hungarian
115 Ms Fifi B. Bulgaria
114 Mr Marián S. Slovakia
113 Ms Viera Ž. Slovakia Bratislava Policy Institute
112 Ms Ľubomír T. Slovensko Bratislava
111 Ms Lukáš M. Slovakia
110 Mr Ivan K. Slovakia Zvolen
109 Ms Katarina F. Slovakia Zvolen
108 Mr Igor G. Slovakia
107 Mr Dominik H. ??
106 Mr Juraj P. Slovakia
105 Mr Milan Z. Slovakia Brusel
104 Ms Pavol P. ?? Košice
103 Mr Dušan H. Slovakia Spišská Nová ves
102 Ms Stanislav F. Slovensko Nemocnica
101 Mr Pavol K. Slovakia Bratislava
100 Ms Katarína A. Slovakia Nitra
99 Mr Marian S. Slovakia Kosice
98 Mr Marian P. Slovakia Hrnčiarska Ves
97 Ms Simona J. Norway Oslo
96 Mr Jan M. Slovakia Trencin
95 Mr Richard Ď. Slovensko Žilina
94 Mr Dusan S. Slovakia Ochodnica
93 Ms Mario U. Slovakia Topolcany
92 Ms Michal V. Slovakia Malacky
91 Mr Marek O. Slovensko Žilina
90 Mr Marian P. Slovkia
89 Mr Ladislav N. Slovakia Bratislava
88 Mr Juraj V. Slovakia Bratislava
87 Mr Juraj D. Slovakia
86 Ms Jan T. Slovakia
85 Ms Róbert J. Slovensko Banská Bystrica 4
84 Ms Alica Š. Slovakia Stránske
83 Mr Peter R. Slovakia Svidník
82 Ms Ladislav H. Slovakia Michalovce
81 Mr Ján K. ??
80 Mr Dusan K. Slovensko Vrutky
79 Mr Frantisek K. Slovakia Kosice
78 Mr Lukáš P. Slovakia Hlohovec
77 Mr Martin L. Slovakia
76 Adis M. Bosnia and Herzegovina
75 Dritan M. Albania Economics, philosophy, history
74 Xhabija F. Albania Yes
73 shkelqim s. shqiperi
72 Domi V. Albania
71 Liliana D. Albania
70 Aurel G. Albania
69 Ilir C. Albania
68 Ardian M. Albania
67 Andi T. Albania Civil society
66 Zoica Z. Albania Lecturer
65 Bashkim Z. Albania
64 Ton P. Milano
63 Dedndreu P. Albania
62 Enkeleda M. Albania Yes
61 Antonjeta P. Albania Female
60 Zef P. Albania
59 Branko R. Serbia University of Belgrade
58 Brandon H. United States
57 John Z. United States Center for International Private Enterprise
56 Jakub J. Czech Republic European Values Think-Tank
55 Ruslan S. Bulgaria Center for the Study of Democracy
54 Ivan K. Slovakia Nitra
53 Peter M. Slovakia
52 Pavel H. Slovakia Pontis Foundation
51 Patrik D. Slovakia
50 Gabriel S. Slovakia Transparency International Slovakia
49 Ojars S. Latvia University of Latvia
48 Martin B. Slovakia Bratislava
47 Lubica T. Slovakia NGO media manager
46 Ján K. Slovakia INEKO
45 Mikuláš S. Slovak republic
44 Richard D. Slovakia INESS
43 Lubos L. Slovakia
42 Miroslav K. Slovakia Bratislava
41 Dusan O. Slovakia
40 Viera K. Slovakia
39 Ondrej S. Slovakia PAS
38 Emilia B. Slovensko Bratislava
37 Ivan K. Slovakia Slovak
36 Jozef H. Slovakia
35 Pavel N. ??
34 Elena P. Slovakia
33 sona S. Slovakia Comenius University
32 Alexander D. Slovakia SFPA
31 Damas G. Slovakia Bratislava
30 Peter D. Slovakia
29 Mieczyslaw B. Poland IPED
28 Petra R. Hungary Budapest Institute
27 Balazs V. Hungary ELTE University
26 Tomáš Č. Slovakia Centre for European and North Atlantic Affairs (CENAA)
25 Grigorij M. Slovakia Institute for Public Affairs
24 Alban H. Kosovo Riinvest Institute for Development Research
23 Ján R. Slovakia
22 Miloslav P. Slovensko Bratislava
21 Gergana J. Bulgaria Access to Information Prgramm
20 Adrian N. Bulgaria Institute for Market Economics
19 Alex K. UK & Belarus IHS Markit
18 Ilya Z. USA Free Russia Foundation
17 Anders A. United States Atlantic Council
16 Jennifer A. United States CIPE
15 Marc S. United S Center for International Private Enterprise
14 Boris B. Serbia University of Belgrade, School of Law
13 Ivanka T. Bulgaria Sofia
12 Desislava N. Bulgaria Institute for Market Ecnomics
11 Petar G. Bulgaria IME
10 Lenko L. Bulgaria America for Bulgaria Foundation
9 Emil G. Bulgaria
8 Marek T. Poland Civil Development Forum (FOR)
7 Connor L. United States NGO
6 mickey p. United States
5 Andras L. Magyarország TI Hungary
4 Peter G. Slovakia INEKO
3 Richard M. Slovakia Friends of Slovakia
2 Martina H. United States NGO
1 Anna K. USA/Poland Anna Kompanek

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