The Local Public Sector Alliance (LPSA) Thematic Working Group on Local Democracy, Inclusive Governance, and Community-led Development invites you to participate as a speaker in an upcoming panel discussion to protect local leadership and strengthen democratic governance. We seek submissions from government officials, policy practitioners, scholars, civil society organizations, and community advocates with experience in this critical area.
Around the world, local democracy faces increasing challenges, from rising political polarization to acts of violence and intimidation against local leaders. These threaten not only their safety but also the democratic values and systems they represent. Councillors and other local representatives—crucial bridges between governments and communities—are increasingly targeted by political polarization, social media-fueled abuse, and weakened legal protections. These threats erode public trust, discourage civic participation, and destabilize governance structures.
The upcoming webinar “Protecting Local Leadership: Addressing Criminality, Intimidation, and Threats to Democratic Governance” scheduled for Thursday, February 20, 2025 (8:00 AM ET) will explore these critical issues, assess their impact on governance, and identify actionable strategies to safeguard local leadership while strengthening democratic institutions.
Objective of the Panel Discussion
- Highlight Emerging Threats: Examine the rise of criminality, political violence, and intimidation targeting councillors and local leaders.
- Understand Broader Impacts: Analyze how these threats undermine public trust, reduce citizen participation, and erode democratic processes.
- Explore Solutions: Identify strategies for protecting local leaders, addressing criminality and polarization, and fostering resilient local governance systems.
Call for Speakers
We are seeking experts and practitioners to share their insights and experiences on:
- The impact of criminality and violence on local governance: How targeted attacks undermine the legitimacy and functioning of local democratic institutions.
- The role of political polarization and social media in escalating threats against councillors: How online abuse and divisive political rhetoric exacerbate real-world violence and intimidation.
- Effective measures and best practices for protecting local leadership, including legal, policy, or community-led solutions.
Speakers are encouraged to bring regional perspectives, case studies, or innovative ideas to foster dialogue and collaboration on these issues.
Submission Instructions
To submit your proposal, please include a concise summary (150-200 words) outlining your proposed contribution to the panel on “Protecting Local Leadership: Addressing Criminality, Intimidation, and Threats to Democratic Governance,” along with your full name, title, and organizational affiliation. Kindly email your abstract to Limabenla Jamir, Working Group Coordinator at localdem@decentralization.net.
Submissions will be reviewed on a rolling basis.
Why You Should Participate
By participating in this panel, you’ll contribute to a crucial global conversation on safeguarding local leadership and strengthening democratic governance. Your expertise and insights will shape the dialogue on addressing criminality, intimidation, and threats to local leaders, while helping to develop strategies and policies to protect democratic values at the grassroots level.
Don’t miss the opportunity to showcase your work, connect with fellow experts, and inspire others through the LPSA’s Thematic Working Group on Local Democracy, Inclusive Governance, and Community-led Development.
Submit your proposal and join us in advocating for the protection of local leaders and the strengthening of democratic governance.
For more information, please contact localdem@decentralization.net
