Demo Finland’s Executive Director Anu Juvonen has been elected President of the European Partnership for Democracy (EPD), the umbrella organisation for European democracy organisations. Juvonen was elected President at the EPD board meeting on Tuesday 24 September.
“Democracy is increasingly challenged both in Europe and globally. That is why it is important not only to support democracy but also to be a vocal defender of democracy. The EPD is a key actor in this, as it brings together 20 leading European democracy organisations with huge know-how, expertise and geographical coverage”, says Juvonen.
Anu Juvonen takes over the presidency of the EPD at a time when democracy is under threat around the world. According to the recent Global State of Democracy 2024 report, 42 countries have seen a positive change in the state of democracy over the past year, while up to 79 countries have seen deterioration. The trend of democratic backsliding applies both to autocratic states, many of which have become increasingly authoritarian, and to democratic states, which are experiencing a deterioration in various aspects of democracy.
Juvonen states that the future European Commission will have a major task in strengthening democracy in Europe and globally and integrating democracy support into all its policies.
Anu Juvonen has more than 20 years of experience in democracy support and international development. She has worked on issues such as education, gender equality and good governance in Nepal, Ethiopia and Sri Lanka and has experience in the NGO sector, the private sector as well as civil service. From 2021 to 2024, Juvonen was seconded by Finland as Senior Advisor in the Division for Civil Society and Democratic Innovation in the Council of Europe’s Democracy Unit. Juvonen has been Demo Finland’s Executive Director since 2016.
“I am very honoured about this role also on behalf of Demo Finland, a globally unique organisation of all parliamentary parties”, sums up Juvonen.
EPD was founded in 2008, and Demo Finland is one of its founding members. EPD supports democracy in Europe and globally through research, EU-level advocacy and implementing democracy programmes.
Juvonen’s term as EPD President will last two years. EPD’s secretariat is based in Brussels.