The Netherlands chapter of the Society for International Development (SID Netherlands) organises a series of lectures during the 2006 – 2007 academic year at the Free University of Amsterdam on the relationship between democracy and development, its contribution to nation building, the promotion of peace and stability and the consolidation of human rights.
Democracy is now generally recognised as the form of government that is best able to facilitate decision making and resolve internal conflicts in a peaceful way, as well as to provide the conditions for social and economic development and the reduction of poverty. Similarly, the human rights of citizens can best be realised through the development of democratic institutions, procedures and values. The advancement of democracy is thus considered to be not only an essential goal in its own right, but it is also linked to peace building, the consolidation of human rights, and to growth and development.
Meanwhile, the promotion of democracy within the broader framework of international cooperation has become a heavily disputed subject both in academic and policy-making circles. Many complicated issues have been raised and not a few of them seem to point to devilish policy dilemmas that cause uneasiness amongst politicians and policy makers in the field of international relations.
The first lecture will take place on Monday 30 October in Amsterdam.
Check SID Netherlands web site to see the complete list of lectures.
