Between one mission and the next, between elections and democracy support initiatives across the world, Brussels also offers spaces where experiences can be shared and meaningful conversations can take place on the evolving relationship between electoral support, political dialogue, mediation and conflict prevention.
One such space is Brussels Unplugged, the podcast created by Pietro Moro, which describes itself as "Brussels as you have never heard it: city life, institutional drama, no strings attached." The podcast brings together policymakers, former Members of the European Parliament, European Commissioners and many of the people shaping public life in Brussels, providing a platform for open and engaging discussions on today's most pressing issues.
Fabio Bargiacchi, Founder and Executive Director of the European Centre for Electoral Support (ECES), was invited to join the podcast to discuss ECES' work supporting democratic processes worldwide and to reflect on the opportunities and challenges facing electoral integrity, political participation and peacebuilding in an increasingly complex global environment.
Drawing on experiences from recent missions in Italy, Djibouti and beyond, the conversation explores the realities of working in electoral assistance and democratic governance, offering insights into the practical challenges of supporting elections in diverse political and institutional contexts.
Among the many topics discussed are fundamental questions that often remain behind the scenes: How much do elections really cost? What distinguishes electoral support from election observation? What does life look like for experts working in the field? And how are emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and deepfakes reshaping electoral processes and democratic resilience?
The interview provides a unique opportunity to discover the work carried out by ECES around the world and to better understand the evolving nature of electoral support at a time when democracy faces unprecedented challenges.
Listen to the full interview here: https://rss.com/podcasts/brusselsunplugged/2906437/
