Democracy

Promoting democracy is central to the Palme Center’s programme. True democracy is more than just going to the polls on a regular basis. Democracy is about a culture of mutual respect and the will to compromise. This in turn demands political parties and organisations which are allowed the opportunity to work, to organise, and to make themselves heard.

The center directly supports organisations and activists in civil society who work for progressive, democratic change. Cooperation with party political, cooperative, labour and other organisations is therefore an important part of the center’s development programme. There is a strength in being able to support political work while many other aid organisations must restrict themselves to “humanitarian” cooperation. Democratic support is linked to the struggle for human rights, and promotes peace.