Centre for the Study of Democracy
Encyclopedia
The Centre for the Study of Democracy (CSD) is a multidisciplinary policy studies
research organization which enhances the study of democracy both within Canada
and abroad. Founded in the mid-1990s, CSD is a non-profit, non-partisan organization affiliated with the School of Policy Studies at Queen’s University, in Kingston
, Ontario
, Canada
. CSD is chaired by Dr. Thomas Axworthy
, Principal Secretary
and Chief Speechwriter for Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau
in the early 1980s.
The CSD operates on the principle that building local knowledge of democratization and good governance
is the most effective means of allowing countries undergoing democratic transitions to successfully manage this change over the long term, as well as being able to effectively respond to crises. CSD works extensively with local partners to provide both the pedagogical experience expertise and practical experience necessary to assist in the development of local democratic values programs as well as providing contacts to others who have succeeded in similar efforts.
The CSD focuses on research, mutual learning and executive development programming, designed to increase indigenous capacity to produce, debate and disseminate research about democracy.
The CSD is guided by three principles: to work jointly with individuals or institutions abroad on research projects of mutual interest that contributes to democratic governance, to commit to local partners to establish democratic capacity (a process which often takes years), and to use this experience to teach the lessons learned to other countries.
The CSD was founded by Dr. George Perlin, Professor Emeritus in the School of Policy Studies at Queen's University
, who specializes in the study of Ukraine
. He initiated one of the most extensive project undertaken by the Centre, which involved the development of a Democratic Values Curriculum in Ukraine, the Canada-Ukraine Democracy Education Project, which is ongoing.
Policy studies
Policy Studies could be defined as the combination of policy analysis and program evaluation. It "involves systematically studying the nature, causes, and effects of alternative public policies, with particular emphasis on determining the policies that will achieve given goals."Policy Studies also...
research organization which enhances the study of democracy both within Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
and abroad. Founded in the mid-1990s, CSD is a non-profit, non-partisan organization affiliated with the School of Policy Studies at Queen’s University, in Kingston
Kingston, Ontario
Kingston, Ontario is a Canadian city located in Eastern Ontario where the St. Lawrence River flows out of Lake Ontario. Originally a First Nations settlement called "Katarowki," , growing European exploration in the 17th Century made it an important trading post...
, Ontario
Ontario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
. CSD is chaired by Dr. Thomas Axworthy
Tom Axworthy
Thomas Sidney Axworthy, OC is a Canadian civil servant, political strategist, writer and professor. He is best known for having served as Principal Secretary and Chief Speechwriter to Canadian Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau...
, Principal Secretary
Principal Secretary (Canada)
In Canada the Principal Secretary is a senior aide, often the most senior political aide, to a head of government. Formerly the position of Principal Secretary was the most senior in the Canadian Prime Minister's Office, though since 1987 it is second to the Chief of Staff...
and Chief Speechwriter for Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau
Pierre Trudeau
Joseph Philippe Pierre Yves Elliott Trudeau, , usually known as Pierre Trudeau or Pierre Elliott Trudeau, was the 15th Prime Minister of Canada from April 20, 1968 to June 4, 1979, and again from March 3, 1980 to June 30, 1984.Trudeau began his political career campaigning for socialist ideals,...
in the early 1980s.
The CSD operates on the principle that building local knowledge of democratization and good governance
Good governance
Good governance is an indeterminate term used in development literature to describe how public institutions conduct public affairs and manage public resources in order to guarantee the realization of human rights. Governance describes "the process of decision-making and the process by which...
is the most effective means of allowing countries undergoing democratic transitions to successfully manage this change over the long term, as well as being able to effectively respond to crises. CSD works extensively with local partners to provide both the pedagogical experience expertise and practical experience necessary to assist in the development of local democratic values programs as well as providing contacts to others who have succeeded in similar efforts.
The CSD focuses on research, mutual learning and executive development programming, designed to increase indigenous capacity to produce, debate and disseminate research about democracy.
The CSD is guided by three principles: to work jointly with individuals or institutions abroad on research projects of mutual interest that contributes to democratic governance, to commit to local partners to establish democratic capacity (a process which often takes years), and to use this experience to teach the lessons learned to other countries.
The CSD was founded by Dr. George Perlin, Professor Emeritus in the School of Policy Studies at Queen's University
Queen's University
Queen's University, , is a public research university located in Kingston, Ontario, Canada. Founded on 16 October 1841, the university pre-dates the founding of Canada by 26 years. Queen's holds more more than of land throughout Ontario as well as Herstmonceux Castle in East Sussex, England...
, who specializes in the study of Ukraine
Ukraine
Ukraine is a country in Eastern Europe. It has an area of 603,628 km², making it the second largest contiguous country on the European continent, after Russia...
. He initiated one of the most extensive project undertaken by the Centre, which involved the development of a Democratic Values Curriculum in Ukraine, the Canada-Ukraine Democracy Education Project, which is ongoing.
Research Pillars
- Transitions to Democracy
- Democratic Governance in Canada
- Managing Emergencies and Disasters in the 21st Century
Centre Fellows
- Kant Bhargava - Senior Advisor Ambassador (Rtd) served in the Indian Foreign Service for 34 years; former Secretary General of The South Asian Association for Regional CooperationSouth Asian Association for Regional CooperationThe South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation is an organisation of South Asian nations, founded in December 1985 by Ziaur Rahman and dedicated to economic, technological, social, and cultural development emphasising collective self-reliance. Its seven founding members are Bangladesh,...
; honorary advisor to SAARC Chamber of Commerce and Industry, serving as International Advisor to South Asian Centre for Policy Studies - Leslie Campbell - Senior associate at the Washington D.C.-based National Democratic Institute for International AffairsNational Democratic Institute for International AffairsThe National Democratic Institute for International Affairs is an organization created by the United States government by way of the National Endowment for Democracy to channel grants for furthering democracy in developing nations. It was founded in 1983, shortly after the U.S. Congress created...
- Mary Lou FinlayMary Lou FinlayMary Lou Finlay is a Canadian radio and television journalist, best known for hosting various programs on CBC Radio and CBC Television.Finlay graduated from the University of Ottawa in 1967 with a BA in English and French literature...
- Journalist and former host of CBC Radio's "As It Happens" - Nicholas Fogg - Former Head of Religious Studies at Marlborough College, Oxford University and expert on the Middle East
- Stuart Fyfe - Department of Political Studies, Queen’s University; Former Director, Queen’s Institute of Local Government
- Syed H. Imam - Director of South & Central Asia Democracy Project
- Grant Kippen - Co-founder and Principal of the Hillbrooke Group; former Senior Resident Director (AfghanistanAfghanistanAfghanistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, is a landlocked country located in the centre of Asia, forming South Asia, Central Asia and the Middle East. With a population of about 29 million, it has an area of , making it the 42nd most populous and 41st largest nation in the world...
), National Democratic Institute for International AffairsNational Democratic Institute for International AffairsThe National Democratic Institute for International Affairs is an organization created by the United States government by way of the National Endowment for Democracy to channel grants for furthering democracy in developing nations. It was founded in 1983, shortly after the U.S. Congress created... - Diana Mackay - World Bank
- George Perlin - Founding Chair of the Centre for the Study of Democracy; Director, Ukraine Education Project, Queen’s University, Professor Emeritus, Queen’s University
- Leroy Sua - Executive Director, Sua Foundation
- Wilhelm Vossenkuhl - Professor of philosophy at the Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität, Munich
Advisory Council
- Keith Banting - Faculty, Queen's School of Policy Studies, Cross-Appointed Department of Political Studies, holder of the Queen's Research Chair in Public Policy
- Kathy Brock - Associate Faculty, Queen's School of Policy Studies, Cross-Appointed Department of Political Studies
- John McGarryJohn McGarryJohn McGarry is a political scientist from Northern Ireland. He was born in Belfast and grew up in Ballymena, County Antrim. He is currently Professor of Political Studies and Canada Research Chair in Nationalism and Democracy at Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario...
- Faculty, Queen's Department of Political Studies - Charles Pentland - Director, Queen's Centre for International Relations
- Arthur Sweetman - Director, Queen's School of Policy Studies
- Sharryn Aiken - Faculty, Queen's Faculty of Law
- Will KymlickaWill KymlickaWill Kymlicka is a Canadian political philosopher best known for his work on multiculturalism. He is currently Professor of Philosophy and Canada Research Chair in Political Philosophy at Queen's University at Kingston, and Recurrent Visiting Professor in the Nationalism Studies program at the...
- Faculty, Queen's Department of Philosophy and Political Studies - George Perlin - Director, Building Democracy in the Ukraine Project, Queen's University
Sponsored Conferences and Lectures
The Centre also organizes numerous events at Queen’s University, regularly hosting guest lectures for the School of Policy Studies, and organizing periodic conferences on topics of interest. Conferences organized by the Centre have included:- Canadian Values and Democracy Lecture: Mary Lou Finlay (November 17, 2006)
- Canadian Values and Democracy Lecture: Omar Samad, Afghan Ambassador to Canada (November 2, 2006)
- Conference - Ethics and Emergencies - Who Lives, Who Dies, Who Decides and Why? (October 19, 2006)
- Canadian Values and Democracy Lecture: Jason Kenney (October 13, 2006)
- Canadian Values and Democracy Lecture: David Kilgour (October 5, 2006)
- Canadian Values and Democracy Lecture: Gerard Kennedy - "Building a Canadian Advantage" (September 15, 2006)
- Conference - Can a Disaster Really be Managed? – Lessons and Comparisons from the Recent Past (May 3-4, 2006)
Ongoing and Past Projects
- Transitions to Democracy – Israel (currently underway)
- Transitions to Democracy – Taiwan
- Transitions to Democracy – Afghanistan
- Transitions to Democracy – Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Transitions to Democracy – Hong Kong
- Canada-Ukraine Democracy Education Project
- The Al-Mashat Affair: Canada Debates Accountability
- Addressing the Accountability Deficit: Why Paul Martin’s minority government must pay more attention to the three A’s
- The Democracy Canada Institute: A Blueprint
- Preparing Police Services in Democratic Regimes to Support the Electoral Process: A Survey of Leading Practice