Seminar Report The role of Political Parties in Democratic Transitions

Then she went through the seminar programme - and provided information about the media briefing
planned for end of day 2 (the seminar itself is open to participants only), registration and reimbursement,
and translation.
Finally, the moderator encouraged the participants to participate actively in the seminar and informed
about the use of Chatham Rules (the principle that one can share the content outside of the seminar but
not attribute any direct quotes to people). She emphasized that the seminar is for the participants and
their colleagues, encouraged them to make the most of the opportunity to meet other parties – and share
what they learn with others in their parties and constituencies.
1.2. Introduction to the Myanmar Multiparty Democracy Programme
By Mrs. Hanne Lund Madsen, Senior Adviser, Danish Institute for Parties and Democracy (DIPD)
Mrs Hanne Lund Madsen expressed appreciation to the seminar participants for their encouragement to
convene the seminar – and to Nyein (Shalom) Foundation for their cooperation.
Since June 2012 DIPD and NIMD and have been considering how to best support the political parties of
Myanmar in the democratic reform process. The seminar forms part of and is the first activity of the
Myanmar Multiparty Democracy Programme. She highlighted how DIPD and NIMD have consulted with
as many of the parties and participants as possible on how DIPD and NIMD could be of inspiration to the
participants and in which areas we could share experiences. She also expressed appreciation of having
met representatives from Myanmar in the Netherlands and in Denmark. In Denmark, DIPD met with the
multiparty delegation headed by the Speaker of Pyithu Hluttaw (Lower House of Parliament).
DIPD and NIMD were pleased to be able to share experiences of their partners in South Africa, Indonesia,
and Nepal - as well as global partner IDEA with the participants and thanked the international speakers for
coming. She introduced the small but dedicated team from DIPD and NIMD including Mrs Karijn de Jong
and Mrs Maaike van der Werf from NIMD, Ms Susanne Kempel, International Consultant living in Yangon
and Local Programme Coordinator Ms Khin Thazin Myint and herself working with DIPD, which is acting
as the lead on the joint Myanmar Multiparty Democracy Programme.
Mrs Hanne Lund Madsen expressed great excitement about the realisation of the seminar and the
participation of the political parties. As key stakeholders in the democratization process of Myanmar, they
are the ones engaging in the democratic dialogue – in Parliament, within political parties and in society at
large. Democratic dialogue and in particular multiparty dialogue is exactly the focus of both NIMD and
DIPD.
She went on to outline the following key points 1 :
Nature of DIPD and NIMD: Both organizations are formed by political parties for political parties.
DIPD and NIMD have been established by all political parties in the parliaments of the two countries
and are multiparty platforms. In NIMD all the parliamentary political parties are represented in the
Advisory Council - and in DIPD all the parliamentary political parties of Denmark are represented on
Governing Board and the institute is enacted by the Parliament and by national law. Together DIPD
and NIMD have democracy programmes in more than 25 countries.
Key principles of DIPD and NIMD: Throughout their programmes, DIPD and NIMD pursue a number
of key principles, which are also at front of their joint engagement in Myanmar.
- Non-partisan approach: DIPD and NIMD are neutral and do not take political sides. They support
the democratic roles of political parties and deepening of democracy – they do not support parties
to win elections.
- Inclusivity: DIPD and NIMD work with all parties and focus their activities to suit the challenges of
parties in parliament and parties outside parliament
1 Further information about DIPD and NIMD is available on www.dipd.dk and www.nimd.org
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