TheCable

The International Institute for Electoral Assistance (International IDEA) has appointed Oby Ezekwesili, former minister of education and Kofi Annan, ex-Secretary-general of the United Nations, as democracy ambassadors.

Also appointed were Laura Chinchilla, former president of Costa Rica and Emine Bozkurt, former member of the European parliament.

The institute said the 11 persons selected are expected to champion the study on global democracy ahead of its Global State of Democracy publication, to be launched next month.

“In the past 40 years, democracy on a global level has made tremendous progress, but this progress has slowed down as critical challenges have emerged,” the organisation said in a statement.

“To contribute to the global efforts to protect democracy, International IDEA has developed The Global State of Democracy publication.

“The democracy ambassadors have been tasked with putting the spotlight on the challenges and developments of democracy that are highlighted in the publication—joining International IDEA’s call to support and safeguard democracy.”