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GA I: Final Declaration - I
General Assembly of the Club of Madrid
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The First General Assembly gathered in Madrid to reaffirm the fundamental importance of the value of democracy. Democracy embodies the hopes of humanity. It outlines a procedure for political work. It sets out a way of shared, common human existence, respectful of our differences, yet effective in making decisions.
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The idea of democracy is everywhere victorious; but its practice is everywhere under threat. Today democracy is at much greater risk in many countries, both in the advanced industrial democracies and in new democracies, than our hopes and our experiences of recent years had led us to expect. Threats to democracy can arise not only from tyrants who seek to defeat it and through terrorism, but also from absolute poverty, lack of sustainable development, unfair income distribution, dangers stemming from populism, political and economic structures lagging behind and not being able to cope with the new challenges posed by globalization. In light of our concerns we plan to elaborate an in-depth analysis of the situation for our second general assembly.
We, members of the Club of Madrid, former heads of state and government, gathered in Madrid for our First General Assembly, reaffirm the fundamental importance of the value of democracy. It embodies the hopes of humanity. It outlines a procedure for political work. It sets out a way of shared, common human existence, respectful of our differences, yet effective in making decisions.
The imperative and the right for states to protect and defend democracy have been recognized in many international covenants, including the Inter-American Democratic Charter. We support the men and women everywhere, citizens and political leaders alike, who work daily to make democracy a reality. We condemn all terrorist actions; terrorism attacks basic human rights which are the cornerstone of democracy. We believe the struggle against terrorism can only succeed in the long term if governments abide by the rule of law and protect the liberties of their citizens. The supposition that only repression will save freedom is mistaken. Only freedom will save freedom.
We, the members of the Club of Madrid, pledge our efforts in the days and years ahead, to defend and consolidate democratic practices and institutions wherever they have been established, to foster and support transitions to democracy wherever they have begun, and to encourage and express our solidarity with those peoples for whom democracy remains a goal though not yet a reality.
We uphold the principles of democracy and its practices, for which hundreds of millions of citizens have rallied throughout the world and which is the birthright of all people. We pledge our continuing endeavors to give their sacrifices meaning, to make their ideals a reality, and to ensure a world safe for liberty.
About the General Assembly
The General Assembly is the supreme representative and governing body of the Club of Madrid and is composed of all the former heads of State and government of the Club of Madrid, the Presidents and one other member of FRIDE and The Gorbachev Foundation of North America (GFNA) each, as well as the Secretary General. All of these will attend any General Assembly meeting and be entitled to participate and vote. All members or advisers of the Club of Madrid will be able to attend but not vote.
The General Assembly meets at least once a year and its responsibilities include, among others, the approval of the different activities of the Club of Madrid, the approval of reports prepared by the Club and of the inclusion of new members in the Club of Madrid, the designation or ratification of the president or Vice-president, the Executive Committee, the Secretary General, and the approval of the budget.
Final statement by the I General Assembly of the Club of Madrid
Club of Madrid
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