Author: oslocenter

Leading with diversity: Strengthening the role of persons with disabilities in politics

Leading with diversity: Strengthening the role of persons with disabilities in politics

Today, on the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, we’re taking a moment to highlight why inclusion inside political parties matters, not just in theory, but in day-to-day, political life. 

Political parties are where ideas begin; policies take shape, leaders are developed, and impactful decisions are made. When those with disabilities are part of these conversations, the outcome becomes richer and more representative of society as a whole.

The goal isn’t to create parallel systems, it’s to ensure persons with disabilities are part of the political process from the inside.

Through the PIER-K program funded by the European Union, The Oslo Center has been partnering with disability leagues in political parties to strengthen their presence and influence. 

Our work has focused on helping to build structures that genuinely reflect the diversity of the people served. This includes supporting disability leagues as they take up more space in policy engagement and advocacy, strengthening leadership skills, and developing practical tools that help parties understand how disability inclusion shows up in their activities. 

International Day of Persons with Disabilities Kenya 2

We remain committed to helping parties take actionable steps toward real inclusion. This means helping parties design training that is accessible to all and widening the opportunities available to those with disabilities within party leadership and electoral processes.

The goal isn’t to create parallel systems, it’s to ensure persons with disabilities are part of the political process from the inside.

Strong democracies grow when the full range of human experiences has a seat at the table.

We remain committed to helping parties take actionable steps toward real inclusion. This means helping parties design training that is accessible to all and widening the opportunities available to those with disabilities within party leadership and electoral processes. Strong democracies grow when the full range of human experiences has a seat at the table.

International Day of Persons with Disabilities Kenya

Media release: The Oslo Centre congratulates Nobel Peace Prize recipient Maria Corina Machado

Media release: The Oslo Centre congratulates Nobel Peace Prize recipient Maria Corina Machado

"The work of Maria Corina Machado is more important than ever."

Friday 10 October, 2025 (Oslo, Norway) – The Oslo Centre congratulates Maria Corina Machado on her exemplary efforts to promote democracy in Venezuela. The award is a reminder of the importance of supporting those who defend democratic values at a time when freedom and democracy are under pressure.

Maria Corina Machado is the leader of the opposition party Vente Venezuela. Through her work to promote democratic rights for the people of Venezuela, she has been a courageous advocate for a free and democratic Venezuela, and for a peaceful transition from dictatorship to democracy.

In a time when democratic rights are under pressure, and when more and more autocratic forces are gaining ground, we are dependent on courageous advocates like Maria Corina Machado. As an activist and politician, she has been a strong voice for change and democratic development in Venezuela since the early 2000s. Her efforts deserve our respect and a warm congratulations on this recognition,” says Finn Jarle Rode, Chair of The Oslo Center.

In its justification, the Nobel Committee emphasized that fundamental democratic rights are a prerequisite for peace. This view is fully shared by The Oslo Centre. Through its work on democracy development in Asia, Africa and Eastern Europe, The Oslo Centre has first-hand experience on how crucial democratic rights are for stability and peace.

“Our experience in working on democracy development within vulnerable democracies and authoritarian regimes is that advocates of democracy are dependent on support from other democratic countries. This award is an important expression of support for all of us who work to strengthen fundamental democratic rights,” says Rode.

“With this year’s award, the Nobel Committee has made a clear appeal to the world that democracy is the basis for stability and peace. Through participation, influence and mutual respect, democratic societies contribute to peace, security and development across national borders. We must not take that for granted,” he concludes.

Finn Jarle Rode - María Corina Machado quote

About The Oslo Center

Founded in 2006, The Oslo Center is a Norway-based non-governmental organization that works to strengthen democratic institutions and processes worldwide. Through partnerships, technical assistance, and advocacy, the Center promotes inclusive governance, political participation, and democratic resilience in transitional and fragile contexts.

Meet John Løvdal, the Incoming CEO of The Oslo Center

Meet John Løvdal, the Incoming CEO of The Oslo Center

The Oslo Center is excited to welcome John Inge Løvdal as its Incoming CEO, bringing fresh energy, a deep commitment to inclusive governance, and decades of experience in democratic development. Having worked across Ethiopia, Kenya, Ukraine, Somalia, and Nepal, John steps into this role at a time when democracies around the world face growing pressures, but also renewed momentum for participation, accountability, and reform.

In this interview, John shares his vision for the The Oslo Center’s future, reflects on lessons from Norway’s democratic model, and speaks candidly about the urgent need to protect democratic values worldwide.

Full interview transcript: John Løvdal, Incoming CEO of The Oslo Center

Question: What does it mean to you to become CEO of The Oslo Center?

John: I think it’s a great opportunity to work in an organization that is doing fantastic programs, especially on young people being involved in political processes.

It creates that opportunity to continue working on inclusion and participation, and working with key stakeholders or key actors, both from the citizen side and also from decision-makers, and contribute to a meaningful and inclusive dialogue between citizens and decision-makers. Be it at the local level, be it at the national level, be it with governments, be it with political parties, or with civil society.

I think The Oslo Center is a place where these opportunities already exist in our current programs. And I think that with The Oslo Center, and working for The Oslo Center, we can create more opportunities in places where we are not yet engaged.

Question: What are some of the key lessons we can learn from Norway’s approach to democratic governance?

John: I think that in the Norwegian context, some of the key lessons learned from Norway are around representation and inclusion, that there is formalized representation.

So young people and women, for instance, within political parties have had formalized representation in the party structure. And that has helped women and youth to be part of the decision-making process. I think that’s a lesson that we have learned and seen, and maybe it could be part of sharing the Norwegian experience.

Another lesson we have is how important it has been in the Norwegian context to build broad-based coalitions on issues of national importance, where various political parties are able to come together, discuss issues, and try to find common ground.

Now, this is not easy. In Norway, it’s also challenging, even though Norway is a very small country. But it’s one of those lessons where we’ve seen the importance of trying to identify common ground and build consensus on issues of national importance. So I would say those two things could be Norwegian experiences and lessons learned that are important in the broader global discussion about democracy.

Question: From your perspective, what are the most pressing challenges to democratic governance today?

John: So really just focusing on the most pressing challenges of democratic governance, I think there are two.

One is the challenge to democracies themselves: that citizens lose a little bit of trust in them because they might not deliver according to the expectations that citizens have, based on promises in election campaigns or plans developed by government. So I think that’s a challenge to democracies, how can they actually deliver on promises and improve the lives of citizens? Democracies have a job to do in that regard.

The other challenge is, of course, democratic backsliding, that democracies are under pressure from various actors, and there are a lot of questions being raised about the basic ideas of democracy. Some of the values we think are important in democracy, for instance, equality and inclusion, are being questioned.

We’ve seen a trend over the last year that democracies are moving toward more authoritarian regimes. So I think that’s also a challenge: how do we protect values that we think are important — participation, inclusion, accountability, transparency?

Those are some of the key things that we, as democracies or democracy assistance organizations, need to come together and discuss. How can we, as actors or stakeholders in our own democracies, or in democracies where space is shrinking, come together and discuss strategies to protect democratic values that we all believe in, so that we can also protect and demand democratic space?

Question: How does this work connect to everyday life and the global picture?

John: It’s part of a global effort to protect democratic governance. And that has an impact on the day-to-day life of a Norwegian, a Kenyan, or a Ukrainian.

Protecting democracy, strengthening democracy, strengthening democratic governance globally, all of that contributes positively to issue-based discussions, peace and security, and development.

When governments can sit down and discuss issues, listen to each other, and respect different opinions in a democratic way,that’s when we also find good solutions to challenges.

The work of The Oslo Center is small in this big picture, but it’s meaningful.

Media release: John Inge Løvdal Appointed Chief Executive Officer of The Oslo Center

Media release: John Inge Løvdal Appointed Chief Executive Officer of The Oslo Center

Thursday 2 October, 2025 (Oslo, Norway) – The Oslo Center, an independent organisation dedicated to advancing democracy, inclusive processes, and dialogue, has appointed John Inge Løvdal as its new Chief Executive Officer (CEO). Løvdal brings more than 20 years of experience in democracy development and international affairs.

Prior to The Oslo Center, Løvdal served as Program Director at the National Democratic Institute (NDI), where he worked to strengthen political parties and increase the participation of women, youth, and marginalised groups in electoral and political processes. He has worked across continents in Ethiopia, Kenya, Ukraine, Somalia, and Nepal.

“John Inge is an experienced and courageous leader, with more than two decades of expertise that directly aligns with The Oslo Center’s mission. Few people in Norway have his depth of operational experience in democracy development. His knowledge will be invaluable to The Oslo Center,” says Finn Jarle Rode, Chair of The Oslo Center.

Bringing Global Expertise Back to Norway

Løvdal returns to Norway with extensive experience from Asia, Africa, and Eastern Europe.

“Our time is marked by global unrest, declining optimism among young people, and democratic backsliding on every continent. When I began working in democracy development 25 years ago, many believed democracy’s progress was inevitable. Today, we know it is under pressure. Democracies like Norway must therefore support democratic institutions and defenders abroad, not only out of principle, but because it is in our own interest to strengthen democracy globally. Even though the challenges are greater than just a few years ago, we must believe in our ability to succeed,” says John Inge Løvdal.

Familiar with The Oslo Center’s Work

The Oslo Center currently runs programs in Kenya, as well as a virtual program for young people in Tanzania, Uganda, and Kenya, and participates in initiatives in East,West and Central Africa. The organisation is also developing new programs in Ukraine, Somalia, and Senegal, all focused on strengthening democratic participation and fostering inclusive dialogue between citizens and governments.

Løvdal knows this work well through his current role as Program Director at The Oslo Center. He will take over as CEO on January 1, 2026.

“It is meaningful to return to the Oslo Center. I look forward to building on our important work together with skilled colleagues and partners, and to contributing at a time when democracy must be defended,” Løvdal says.

About The Oslo Center

Founded in 2006, The Oslo Center is a Norway-based non-governmental organization that works to strengthen democratic institutions and processes worldwide. Through partnerships, technical assistance, and advocacy, the Center promotes inclusive governance, political participation, and democratic resilience in transitional and fragile contexts.

About John Inge Løvdal

John Inge Løvdal holds a master’s degree in political science from the University of Oslo. He has more than 20 years of experience in international development, specializing in democracy, governance, and electoral processes across Europe, Asia, and Africa. He is recognized for his expertise in including marginalized groups in political and electoral processes, and for his ability to work with political parties, governments, election commissions, academia, and civil society in complex political environments.

He has led projects for both NDI and the Oslo Center, funded by the EU, Norad, USAID, and the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

National Democratic Institute (NDI): Founded in 1983, NDI is an American non-governmental organization that supports democracy worldwide by strengthening political parties, elections, parliaments, and civil society in partnership with local actors.

United States Agency for International Development (USAID): USAID was the U.S. government’s development agency responsible for non-military foreign aid. Established after World War II in the wake of the Marshall Plan, it operated under the U.S. Secretary of State. USAID was dissolved on March 28, 2025, with 83% of its programs cancelled and the remainder transferred to the U.S. State Department.

Democracy in action: Inclusion, courage, and the road ahead – International Day of Democracy 2025

Democracy in action: Inclusion, courage, and the road ahead – International Day of Democracy 2025

The International Day of Democracy is a moment to celebrate the progress we have made together and to reflect on the challenges that remain. Democracy is never complete, it is built daily through participation, dialogue, and the courage to protect freedoms and rights.

At the Oslo Center, we are proud of the work we have carried out across the globe in advancing inclusive and peaceful democracies. From supporting parliaments and political parties to building the capacity of civil society, our efforts are grounded in one belief: Societies thrive when every voice is heard.

Over the years, we have seen encouraging results. Through the Empowering Women in Politics (EWIP) program, we have worked with women leaders to increase their influence within political parties and public life, helping to break barriers that have long kept women at the margins of decision-making. The Africa Women’s Forum has provided a platform for dialogue, solidarity, and leadership, ensuring that women’s perspectives are not only recognized but shape policy and governance across the continent.

Societies thrive when every voice is heard.

We have also placed youth at the heart of democratic renewal. The Africa Youth Forum and the Youth Inclusion Forum have created spaces where young people can articulate their vision for more responsive and accountable governance. These platforms have connected youth leaders from across Africa and beyond, enabling them to exchange ideas, develop joint action, and strengthen their role as drivers of democratic change.

We have also responded to one of the most pressing threats to democracy: Misinformation and disinformation. The Words Matter Conference brings together journalists, policymakers, civil society, and academics to tackle this growing challenge. By promoting fact-based dialogue and strengthening trust in institutions, this initiative underscores that the health of democracy depends on access to reliable information and informed public debate.

Progress is possible when local actors are empowered and when inclusion is not just promised, but practiced.

Beyond these flagship initiatives, we have stood alongside partners in fragile contexts such as Myanmar and the Middle East, helping nurture inclusive political systems even under difficult circumstances. Across all our work, one lesson remains clear: Progress is possible when local actors are empowered and when inclusion is not just promised, but practiced.

Our work has also taken us to fragile and complex contexts, from supporting inclusive political transitions in Myanmar to strengthening multiparty systems in the Middle East and Africa. We know that progress is possible when partnerships are genuine and when local actors are empowered to lead.

Still, the road ahead is not without obstacles. Authoritarian pushbacks, shrinking civic spaces, political exclusion, disinformation, and deepening inequalities continue to threaten the foundations of democracy. In many places, the price of standing up for democratic values remains high. Yet these challenges reinforce our commitment to building resilient institutions and protecting spaces for citizen participation.

On this International Day of Democracy, we renew our pledge to support inclusive governance and to stand with women, youth, and marginalized groups who are reshaping the democratic landscape. Together with our partners, we remain convinced that democracy, though imperfect, offers the most powerful pathway to justice, equality, and peace.

We remain convinced that democracy, though imperfect, offers the most powerful pathway to justice, equality, and peace.

Words Matter! 2025 Summary Report

Words Matter! 2025 Summary Report

In July 2025, The Oslo Center brought together global leaders, community advocates, religious figures, politicians and experts from around the world for Words Matter! 2025. The second annual conference brought together passionate democratic defenders to explore practical ways to tackle disinformation and re-build trust in a fractured world. 

This Words Matter! 2025 Summary Report contains session highlights and concrete calls to action from every panel held during the conference. It offers insights on how to rebuild trust in democratic institutions, along with practical steps for governments, tech platforms, civil society, and individuals to push back against disinformation.

Explore key takeaways, session highlights, and actionable recommendations in the Words Matter! 2025 Summary Report.

Download the report here.

Words Matter! – The Commitment from the Conference

Words Matter! – The Commitment from the Conference

The Words Matter! white paper collates key contributions from the recent global conference held in Oslo, Norway. 

The paper explores the problem of hate speech and its ramifications in our society, and makes practical recommendations for the development of shared, and more efficient tools to counter all forms of hate crime.

Download the White Paper here.

 

Democracy at the Center: 2022 – 2023 Annual Report

Democracy at the Center: 2022 – 2023 Annual Report

The report analyzes the key organizational achievement in 2022 – 2023 while assessing the context under which the interventions were implemented. The program approach is anchored on a Three I-Model of Imperative, Innovative, and Impactful and aligned with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals 5 on Gender Equality, Goal 16 on Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions, and Goal 17 on Partnerships for the Goals.

The report highlights TOC’s programs within each strategic thematic area and outlines a sustainability plan composed of partnerships, research, and policy for continuity. This report narrates TOC’s transformative democratic journey, highlighting stories of impacted individuals and institutions. With a focus on regional, citizen-led democratic integration and inclusion, TOC aims to solidify accountable and transparent governance in a globalized world.

Download the Report here.

Words Matter Conference – Tackling the impact of Hate Speech

Words Matter Conference – Tackling the impact of Hate Speech

The Words Matter! conference will bring together global leaders, researchers, community advocates and youth representatives to discuss and explore ways to combat hate speech, hate crimes, and the exploitation of youth. The conference will include a full-day program featuring 20 international speakers from various countries and cultures.

Words Matter! will take place in Oslo, Norway, at the Oslo Congress Centre, on 30th April 2024.

Why Words Matter!

Hate speech is a growing problem worldwide. Whether online or offline, it threatens democracy and human rights. It leads to dangerous divisions in society, affects the lives of the people being targeted, and can generate extremism, radicalization and violence. Young people are most vulnerable to this form of intolerance.

Atrocity crimes originate from words as drivers of narratives of prejudice, racism and exclusion. These crimes can generate experiences of social isolation, stigma, discrimination and rejection. And they particularly harm young people: they damage their physical and mental well-being and can lead to extremism, radicalization and violence. It is our collective responsibility to address hate speech today to prevent violence tomorrow.

There is no universal definition of what hate speech is. We need to consider a range of national and local circumstances when discussing it. However, the risk is that by using subjective and inconsistent interpretations, we can weaken collective efforts towards a shared intervention protocol. The development of new governance tools around a standard definition calls for strategic collaboration between countries, media regulatory authorities and citizenship – particularly when tackling online hate speech.

This conference acknowledges such complexities. It seeks to improve awareness and knowledge of hate speech and its consequences for young people and to increase the knowledge of ways to prevent and combat hate speech, hate crime and hate violence.

To read more visit: https://wordsmatter.oslocenter.no/