IRI to Co-Host Conference on Strengthening Democracy: Analyzing the Role of Influentials

The International Republican Institute (IRI) and the Institute for Politics, Democracy and the Internet and the Graduate School of Political Management at George Washington University will co-host a conference “Strengthening Democracy: Analyzing the Role of Influentials,” on May 1, 2007 (complete agenda).

Building on the work of Jon Barry and Ed Keller, two public opinion researchers with the Roper Organization, who developed the concept of influentials, the conference will consider how the concept of influentials (or opinion makers) operates in developing democracies and what international assistance can do to help strengthen the skills of pro-democratic voices around the world.

The first panel, moderated by Henry Farrell, Professor of Political Science and International Affairs at the Elliott School of International Affairs, will look at the role women and young people play in the development of democracy.  Often excluded from or marginalized within political processes women and youth are overcoming barriers to influence political life in their countries.  

The second panel, moderated by Gina M.S. Lambright, Assistant Professor of Political Science and International Affairs at the Elliott School of International Affairs, will focus on widening democratic participation by overcoming the mistrust of democracy.  In Indonesia and Mali citizens are building democratic societies in traditional Muslim countries.

A luncheon keynote address, by pollster David Williams of David Williams and Associates, will look at the role public opinion research can play in democratic transitions.  

Those wishing to attend should RSPV to cbuerger@iri.org.