8:00 am – 9:00 am

Breakfast Keynote Addresses and Q&A

Panel Discussion:
“Empowering Citizens: Fast and Easy Communication”

Technology, from cell phones to Internet blogs, help activist citizens organize, communicate and circumvent the traditional mechanisms of state control over media and information. This panel will explore the ways these and other technologies are empowering pro-democracy movements.

Cynthia Bunton, Asia Program Director, IRI

Ethan Zuckerman, Global Voices Online

Suzana Jasic, GONG Croatia

Tian Chua, Labour Resource Centre and Keadilan Party, Malaysia

Panel Discussion:
“Enabling Citizens: Free and Fair Elections”

Technology plays an increasingly important role in helping citizens, political parties and civic groups participate in every stage of the electoral process. This panel will explore innovative ways in which technology is being used around the world to help monitor elections, educate and motivate citizens, and organize campaigns.

Georges Fauriol, Senior Vice President, IRI

Pat Merloe, NDI Senior Associate and Director for Programs on Election Processes

Vladimir Pran, Senior Program Officer and NDI Election Monitoring Expert, West Bank/Gaza

Mary O'Hagan, NDI Senior Resident Country Director, Russia

IRI/NDI Iraq (via VTC from Baghdad )

Non-election periods are critical for institutions seeking to sustain democratic gains and fully involve citizens in the political process. This panel will discuss the ways new technologies are being used to help underrepresented groups, such as women, become full participants in institutions, from legislatures to political parties.

Scott Hubli, Director of Governance, NDI

Judy Van Rest, Executive Vice President, IRI

Violet Awotwi, Win with Women Knowledge Network Manager, NDI

Brian Dean, Latin America and the Caribbean Program Director, IRI

Ayse Arkis, IRI, Resident Assistant Program, Turkey