UNITED States of America Secretary of Education Miguiel Cardona says what Zambia has accomplished in its election outcome is an inspiration to the world.
Dr Cardona said Zambia’s is a success story of potential which has been realised through the youths.
Meanwhile, President Hakainde Hichilema has reiterated his commitment to address the threats that democracy faces.
He has since outlined that free and fair elections are the cornerstone of democracy and thus the commitment to ensure that the threats to democracy are addressed.
In his address at the official opening of the second Summit for Democracy, Dr Cardona called for democracy to continue propelling forward as team work and partnership will help brighten the future of democracies world over.
“What you have accomplished in Zambia is an inspiration to the world. Zambia is a story of potential as the young people have been realised,” he said.
He noted that people confused elections as democracy, but forgot that for elections to be described as such, there is need to plant a seed of democracy which will germinate.
Dr Cardona also commended President Hichilema for the strides on Education stating that education plants the seeds of Democratic participation.
“Education plants the seeds of Democratic participation. We commend President Hichilema for your important strides in education because education is a great equalizer which creates institutions that give hope. We are in this together. For successful democracy, we need to ensure we learn freedom and from our mistakes,” he said.
And President Hichilema said democratic threats need to be addressed through concerted efforts. “We are committed to address the threats that democracy faces.
We are too many countries in Africa changing presidency and so it is our duty to ensure the work together,” he said.
He further reiterated the pledge to strengthen electoral integrity and called on leaders to share their democratic success stories.
“Let us not just exchange technical experiences, let us also get practical experiences of democracy. We commend President Joe Biden and the Americans for furthering the agenda for Democracy. We pledge accountability and transparency as We are here to discuss pertinent issues with regards to democracy, an opportunity the Summit provides,” he said.
The Head of State also said democracy is not as static as an on and off switch of car, but is a living thing which need nurturing.
“Let us mobilise collective actions to respond to challenges of democracy. We managed to mobilise elections amidst COVID-19 and as such, let us push through challenges and threats that democracy is faced with,” he said.
(Mwebantu, Thursday, 30th March, 2023)
(Picture by US Embassy)
