MCIC participated in the annual meeting of civil society organisations of the Community of Democracies, which took place on 31^st July and 1^st August in Panama. The organizer of the meeting was RedLad – Latin America and Caribbean Network for Democracy, Secretariat of the Civil Society Pillar of the Community of Democracies.

During the two-day event, the organisations discussed the next strategic plan of the Community of Democracies and provided proposals to strengthen the Civil Society Pillar, the membership renewal process within the platform, the work of the working groups, and other bodies within the Platform. Participants also shared good innovative practices for enhancing democracy, upholding the rule of law, and expanding civic space.

During the conference held on 1^st August at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Panama, the participants were addressed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the country, Janaina Tewaney Mencomo. She highlighted the government’s commitment to supporting civil society in the country and Panama’s efforts to become an official member of the Community of Democracies.

The conference focused on democracy trends in Asia, Africa, Latin America, and Europe, as well as the possibilities for active engagement of the Community of Democracies. “Democracy backsliding is visible in several countries in Eastern Europe, such as Hungary and Poland, which are part of the Community of Democracies. Therefore, the work plan of the Community of Democracies should include activities to support civil society organisations from these countries,” emphasized Valentina Velichkovska from MCIC in her presentation on the challenges and trends in democracy in Eastern Europe and the Western Balkans.

Last year, MCIS was chosen as the focal point for North Macedonia in the Civil Society Pillar of this global intergovernmental coalition of democratic states and platform for dialogue and discussion.