Participatory and Socially Just Democracy

The Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung takes part in India’s effort to fashion its electoral democracy in a manner that is to a larger degree participatory, socially just and gender equal.

FES India endeavours to strengthen the rights and independent working of India’s public service institutions as well as furthering among Indian citizens knowledge of the rights endowed upon them by the Indian state. The media are instrumental in creating transparent, participatory and gender equal democracy. Hence, FES India encourages media to carry more responsibility in terms of human rights, development and democracy as a whole.

Aiming at the promotion of democratic structures and practices, FES India enlists the support of a broad spectrum of stakeholders, for example, media practitioners, civil society groups and political decision-makers on all three levels of the Indian political system, that is, urban and local, regional and national. It participates in several programmes, seminars, workshops and publications which are jointly organised with partners across India.

For example, FES India is currently working with its partners to spread knowledge about the enforcement and applicability of The Right to Information Act (2005). It also lends its attention on other matters of social justice such as development-related resettlement, rehabilitation and marginalisation. Thus, FES India is an active participant in the political debate on various reform proposals.