Democracy Is: A Democracy Day Conversation

On September 15, the DRG Center, in collaboration with the Legislative and Public Affairs Bureau hosted an event “Democracy Is: A Democracy Day Conversation” to commemorate the International Day of Democracy and the finale of the nine-month Democracy Is communications campaign. 

As an Agency, we support efforts to promote transparent and effective governments; human rights; religious freedom; and robust civil societies that can exercise their rights, hold their political leaders accountable, and protect the most vulnerable. 

To reinforce these principles, at the beginning of the year we launched the Agency’s communications campaign, “Democracy Is.” The campaign reiterated USAID's commitment to strengthening democratic governance and highlighted our investments in democracy around the world. 

The public event featured Acting Administrator John Barsa, who provided the opening remarks, USAID/Colombia Mission Director Larry Sacks as the moderator, and Assistant Administrator of the Bureau of Economic Growth, Education and Environment, Michelle Bekkering, who provided the closing remarks. 

Additionally, the event highlighted democracy heroes from Kosovo, Zimbabwe, Nepal, Jordan, and Colombia, three of which were featured during the campaign, and Mission Director Larry Sacks introduced his remarks with a video featuring Juanes (international musician from Colombia), former Colombian President Santos, and Leopoldo Lopez (a Venezuelan opposition leader).