Opening the World Order to de facto States

Opening the World Order to de facto States

Limits and Potentialities of de facto States in the International Context  

15 May 2008 European Parliament, Brussels, Belgium 

The Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organization (UNPO) together with the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE), Nonviolent Radical Party (NRP), and Taiwan Foundation for Democracy (TFD), will hold a conference on de facto states in Brussels, Belgium in May 2008. This event will bring together officials from unrecognized Governments with the main aim to create and sustain permanent mechanisms of involvement and consultation of unrecognized state entities in the International Community. A selected group of academics among officials, experts, and representatives of de facto states will allow the conference to address a broad range of issues with many perspectives.  The conference is envisaged to be a one-day event, consisting of three panels, an opening session, and a final reception for all participants. The opening session will provide an introduction to the subject, as well as the aim and goals of the conference and a keynote address.  The first panel will address the international dimension of de facto states, with each speaker approaching the function and practice of de facto states under International Law and in the International Community.  Next, the second panel will approach specific issues affecting de facto states, especially concerning health care issues, economics and security. Again, the speakers will be comprised from a range of different sources, including academic, officials and political experts. Topics of interest include the challenges surrounding formal trade agreements, obtaining financial assistance from international institutions, and reducing security risks. Finally, the third panel will address the question of Democracy and Good Governance in de facto states, and the challenges faced to preserve these ideals. This portion of the conference will focus on the complexities of maintaining human rights standards, a strong civil society, and a working level of democracy in states that are politically isolated and unrecognized.