|
Post by Admin on Dec 9, 2021 14:06:23 GMT
President Biden: Constant Effort Needed To Combat 'Sustained An Alarming Challenges To Democracy'
At the virtual Summit for Democracy, President Biden spoke about the need to combat threats to the democratic process.
|
|
|
Post by Admin on Dec 9, 2021 19:16:11 GMT
#Reuters #Biden #POTUS LIVE: U.S. President Joe Biden convenes democracy summit with global leaders
U.S. President Joe Biden convenes summit with global leaders from democratic nations as part of effort to shore up foundation of such governments.
#Reuters #Biden #POTUS #DemocracySummit #News #Live
|
|
|
Post by Admin on Dec 10, 2021 2:54:45 GMT
President Joe Biden on Thursday took the next step in his plans to promote democracy against rising autocracies when he convened a virtual "Summit for Democracy," which hosted more than 100 participants representing governments, civil society and private-sector leaders.
"In the face of sustained and alarming challenges to democracy, universal human rights, and all around the world, democracy needs champions," Biden said as he kicked off the summit.
The President continued: "I wanted to host this summit because ... here in the United States we know as well as anyone that renewing our democracy and strengthening our democratic institutions requires constant effort."
"American democracy is an ongoing struggle to live up to our highest ideals and to heal our divisions and recommit ourselves to the founding idea of our nation captured in our Declaration of Independence, not unlike many of your documents," Biden said, calling it the "defining challenge of our time."
The virtual gathering of leaders is focused on combating corruption, defending against authoritarianism and promoting human rights. It's part of a broader theme Biden has frequently reinforced throughout his time in office -- that the global competition of the 21st century is one defined by democracies versus autocracies and America has a responsibility in ensuring democracies prevail.
Biden announced the establishment of the Presidential Initiative for Democratic Renewal, which will build on the US' ongoing work to bolster democracy and defend human rights around the world.
The United States is planning to provide up to $424.4 million toward the initiative, which will focus on supporting free and independent media, fighting corruption, bolstering democratic reformers, advancing technology for democracy and defending free and fair elections and political processes, the White House said in a fact sheet. These funds will be subject to congressional appropriations.
The President quoted the late civil rights leader Rep. John Lewis of Georgia as he opened the summit, calling him a "great champion of American democracy and for civil rights around the world."
"With his final words, as he was dying, to our nation last year he reminded our country: 'Democracy is not a state, it's an act,'" Biden said.
The President said though democracy can be fragile, he believed it is "inherently resilient" and capable of "self correction" and "self improvement."
Biden called on the global community to "stand up for the values that unite us," including free speech, free assembly, free press, freedom of religion and human rights.
Since coming into office last January, Biden has promised to hold the gathering as a show of force against autocracies around the world. The administration is facing some criticism for its guest list for the summit. Invitees include representation from nations with spotty records on democracy, the rule of law and human rights, including the Philippines, Pakistan, Nigeria, Brazil and Turkey.
White House principal deputy press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters on Wednesday that the focus of the summit will be "on what the President has called 'the challenge of our time' -- reversing the ongoing global democratic recession and ensuring that democracies deliver for their people."
The summit comes after a week of Biden confronting two emerging global, authoritarian superpowers -- Russia and China -- over their actions.
|
|
|
Post by Admin on Dec 10, 2021 18:53:33 GMT
WATCH LIVE: Biden delivers closing remarks at the virtual Summit for Democracy
|
|