Climate, Displacement and Democracy: Safeguarding the Democratic Rights of the Environmentally Displaced

On September 16, 2021, the Embassy of Sweden and International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) held an expert discussion on how to safeguard the democratic rights of the environmentally displaced. Climate change is widely expected to exacerbate pre-existing vulnerabilities and cause mass displacements by 2050. Among those negative impacts are lacking opportunities for political participation and representation. The discussion is intended to help provide inputs to the 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) in Glasgow and the virtual Summit for Democracy organized by the United States.

Watch a recording of the discussion above.

Welcoming remarks were presented by:

• Karin Olofsdotter, Ambassador of Sweden to the United States
• Anthony Banbury, President and CEO, IFES

Speakers included:

• Janine Alm Ericson, State Secretary for International Development Cooperation, Sweden
• Johnny Walsh, Deputy Assistant Administrator, U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID)
• Jenny Ohlsson, Ambassador for Migration and Refugees, MFA of Sweden
• Vasu Mohan, Senior Global Advisor for Conflict, Displacement and Minority Rights, IFES
• Alexandra Bilak, Director, Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre (IDMC)