Democracy conference opens in Seoul

The conference will examine bolstering democratic institutions

By Caroline Gluck BBC correspondent in Seoul

Foreign ministers and other senior government officials from more than 100 democratic nations around the world are meeting in the South Korean capital, Seoul, for a conference which will look at practical ways of strengthening democracy and warding off emerging threats to it.

Albright: Democratic values should be "preserved and cherished"

The second ministerial conference of the Community of Democracies will discuss how to promote democracy at regional and global levels.

Non-governmental groups, including human rights activists, are holding parallel meetings and will present their conclusions to the main conference.

Two years ago the Community of Democracies was launched in Poland and foreign ministers and delegates from more than 100 democratic nations around the world pledged to support democracy.

Bolstering institutions

This second conference will be looking at concrete measures to strengthen democracy, including assistance for newly emerging democratic nations.

There will also be discussions on the role of the media and how to bolster democratic institutions.

A parallel non-governmental forum, made up of around 300 democracy advocates and activists will present its conclusions to the main conference.

Former US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, one of the key players in establishing the first Community of Democracies conference, is this time taking part in the NGO forum as co-chairman of the independent think tank, the council on foreign relations.

"No matter how advanced the country in democracy, there are times that it has to be worked on and preserved and cherished," she said.

"And that it is very important to see that democratic values persevere and are pursued no matter what the situation."

The ministerial conference will issue a statement on terrorism, a growing threat to democracies around the world.

A final plan of action to expand and strengthen democracy will also be announced with participants determined to prove that this conference is not just another talking shop.