Annual Democracy Lecture

Jibrin Ibrahim delivers ERIS Annual Democracy Lecture
December 2011
Citizen action has been central to the opening up of democratic space in Africa over the past twenty years and is the key to further progress.But across the continent those with power are abusing the advantages of their incumbency to distort the democratic playing field and to entrench their rule.
That was the message from the Director of Nigeria’s Centre for Democracy and Development and Chair of the West African Civil Society Forum Dr Jibrin Ibrahim when he delivered this year’s ERIS Annual Democracy Lecture on 9 November 2011.Dr Ibrahim, who spoke on the theme of ‘Democracy and Development’, also drew parallels between the austerity measures adopted in Africa in previous decades under IMF schemes and the current situation in parts of Western Europe and the impact of both on democracy.

The Lecture was held at London’s Guildhall and organised in partnership with the City of London Corporation.The first Annual Democracy Lecture was held in 2010 at the University of London School of Oriental and African Studies and was delivered by former Chair of the Pakistan Human Rights Commission, Ms Asma Jahangir.