What is Pacto pela Democracia?
Pacto pela Democracia (Pact for Democracy) is a civil society coalition whose mission is to coordinate and strengthen pro-democracy ecosystems in Brazil to help counter authoritarian threats, defend the Democratic Rule of Law, and revitalize the democratic environment in the country, improving the operations of institutions and promoting values and practices for democratic conviviality in Brazilian society.
Comprising over 200 civil society organizations, Pacto is a non-partisan ideologically plural space that brings together and coordinates social actors that are highly diverse yet united in their commitment to democracy.
Pacto has a very innovative singular role within Brazilian civil society: focusing on defending and strengthening the democratic system in Brazil making sure it is working properly, and creating the democratic conditions to ensure the struggle for rights and liberties can be exercised as it should in a truly democratic society
As a coalition, Pacto addresses a historical gap, while the organizations in the network, together with other social actors, continue to spearhead the work with programmatic agendas vital for consolidating and furthering any democracy.
Pacto operates through network-building, scenario analysis, strategic communication, political advocacy, project management, and anticipating and responding to democratic crises, such as the attempts to destabilize the 2022 elections. In Brazil, Pacto also monitors and reacts to the political-institutional landscape to prevent backslides, whereas internationally, the coalition promotes knowledge and strategy exchanges to strengthen the pro-democracy movement worldwide at this time of advancing global authoritarian.2018
Pacto pela Democracia (Pact for Democracy) was launched with the aim of becoming a diverse coalition committed to the defense and revitalization of the pillars of democratic construction in Brazil. Its activities are centered on three fronts: promoting democratic culture, strengthening civil society through more participatory, dialogical, integral, and peaceful elections, and proposing democratic commitments to the country's political leaders. Pacto's initiative is unique, and was able to foresee even deeper challenges on the horizon of Brazilian political life.
2019
Pacto assumes the role of a coalition defending the Democratic Rule of Law amid the authoritarian escalation experienced in Brazil. The network expands, becomes more relevant and evolves into a central space for monitoring anti-democratic threats and coordinating actions to defend fundamental rights and freedoms in Brazil. There were three major areas of focus: defending institutions, constitutional rights, and freedoms; promoting democratic culture; and strengthening civil society.
2020
In the midst of the pandemic calamity and the acceleration of authoritarian offensives, Pacto strengthened its network and expanded activities through partnerships with various sectors of society to address the ongoing simultaneous crises. In addition to identifying and responding to anti-democratic attacks, Pacto worked to protect the health of the population and Brazilian democracy in the context of local elections. Faced with physical distancing, we forge stronger ties; confronted with authoritarian threats, we amplify voices for democracy; in the wake of numerous deaths, we work tirelessly to defend life.
2021
In yet another year marked by an intensification of attacks, Pacto focuses its strategies on actions against authoritarian setbacks: defending institutions and civic space, and advocating for electoral reform with increased transparency and social participation. Pacto plays a central role in key issues, such as the repeal of the National Security Law and the establishment of the Law for the Defense of the Democratic Rule of Law. It also began formulating strategies to protect the integrity of the electoral process that would unfold in the following year.
2022
In one of the most challenging moments for Brazilian democracy, Pacto orchestrated an unprecedented collaboration among various actors and social sectors to isolate voices advocating for a coup and to ensure the integrity of the electoral process and its outcome. We operated on three main fronts: enhancing the process by promoting civil society initiatives for better elections; defending the elections by swiftly and cohesively responding to attacks on the electoral process; and safeguarding the results, aiming for prompt and widespread recognition of the polling outcome to minimize any attempts to challenge and disrespect the sovereign and democratic choice of the population.
2023
A new political-democratic cycle begins for Brazil and for Pacto, requiring an important process of updating our approach in the short, medium, and long terms. Our theory of change has been revised, and a multi-year strategic plan has been developed, all while leading crucial processes to hold those accountable for crimes against the Rule of Law. We have also confronted attempts to undermine democracy in the National Congress, notably in cases such as the Amnesty Amendment and the electoral small reform. Additionally, we have expanded our contributions to public discourse and our engagement with the international community.
2024
In a year of municipal elections, Pacto pela Democracia began 2024 by mobilizing its network to strengthen the defense of democracy and the electoral process. With an updated theory of change, this was also the year of building the Democracia Forte agenda, launched on the first anniversary of the January 8 coup attempt. The network remained connected and aligned in defining strategic pillars for democratic protection. Additionally, Pacto gained unprecedented international visibility, participating in global forums and fellowships that expanded its reach and impact.
Why is it important to continue defending democracy in Brazil?
1The weakening of democracies is not an isolated phenomenon but a global process, calling for strategy and collaboration at a national level and across international networks. Brazil became a focus of this extremist insurgence, with lasting effects, particularly in the Global South.
2The very existence of democracy in Brazil became a central issue, especially in the wake of the systematic attacks on institutions and attempted coup following the 2022 presidential elections. Against this backdrop, constant vigilance surrounding democracy has become a permanent concern.
3Basic democratic values have proven increasingly fragile amid a public debate permeated by distrust in institutions and narrative disinformation. The problem intensifies amid a scenario in which at least a quarter of Brazilians believe the outcome of the last presidential elections was rigged.
4The processes of disinformation and hate speech are issues underscoring the need for ongoing efforts to improve public debate and reassert democratic values as the bedrock of social fabric. This problem is especially serious in the context of the 2024 OCDE report revealing that Brazil has the lowest capacity, among the 21 countries surveyed, for identifying disinformation.
5The democratic camp should embrace ideological and political plurality, legitimizing diverse perspectives and positions that underpin democratic values. In Latin America, the efforts of civil society organizations face constant attack and weakening. Building a solid diverse coalition is paramount for protecting the vital work of civil society.
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Institutional and Project Partners
Contact us at contato@pactopelademocracia.org.br