Category: Blog

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

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.

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.