What we do…
The International Association for Democracy (IAD) is an NGO that works to defend and advance democracy around the globe. We link people with their governments and lobby governments to promote, strengthen and safeguard democratic institutions, processes, norms and values at home and abroad. We work to raise public awareness about the current state of democracy around the world and highlight what should be done to better defend and promote democracy. Our actions are guided by promoting and advancing democracy with respect for the culture, history and development of the state itself.
Why we do it…
With the number of authoritarian countries on the rise, we actively campaign for a world where democracy and freedom flourish, where people’s voices are heard. We believe that everyone should be able to cast their vote in free and fair democratic elections, and influence the direction and future of their respective state. Free, open and peaceful expression of opinions is an essential component of any democracy. The rule of law must be respected: all citizens should be equal before the law and equally accountable to the law. Human rights are inalienable and must be universally protected.
IAD was founded by a group of individuals from across Europe, who were alarmed by an increasing threat to democracies around the globe and the weak response of the EU and other Western democratic nations in defending democracy internationally. Some of the recent events that drove us to take action were: the passage of the Hong Kong national security law; the fall of the democratically elected government in Afghanistan; the erosion of the rule of law and democratic values in Hungary and Poland; and most recently Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine. In each case, we felt that the EU, its member states and other Western democratic nations did too little to support and defend democracy.
Our Board and Trustees
Strade Cadillay
Co-Director & Treasurer
Biography
Strade works at HSBC leading new technology initiatives, and has a background in economics and software development. He is a volunteer Police Officer in the Metropolitan Police, where he was elected Chair of the Special Constable’s training committee, which follows his volunteering as a First Aid Responder with St John Ambulance. Strade is passionate about the positive impact that IAD can make in promoting democracy around the world and at every level, from the grassroots and up through to policy-making. His focus is on enhancing the vision for IAD, developing the strategies and projects to get there, and cultivating the values that inspire our teams to be their best and empower them to work together towards our mission.
Charles Cooper
Co-Director
Biography
Charles has a master’s degree in International Relations and Security, and a background in policy research and publishing, Charles joined IAD in response to his growing concern over increasing authoritarianism around the globe and the apparent retreat of democratic values. Charles is focused on working with the public relations department to advance democratic ideals in the public square and in policy-making.
Hermione Kent
Secretary
Biography
Hermione is from the UK and is currently pursuing an undergraduate degree in History and Politics, with plans to proceed to Masters level. During this time, Hermione has established a particular interest in international security and policymaking. Specifically, much of Hermione’s work focuses on Russia and Russian political history, examining the effect this has had on Russia’s current foreign affairs. Hermione strongly believes that both raising civic awareness of what a true democracy looks like and increasing civic engagement are crucial to legitimate modern democracies.
Core Team
Vincent Busch
Design Lead
Biography
Vincent studies Communication, Multimedia and Game Design in the Netherlands.
With a lifelong interest in geopolitical developments and a strong belief in a democratic world order and liberal values, he perceives a need to counteract contemporarily rising authoritarian threats to freedom and human rights. Because of that he joined a pan-European federalist party in 2019, and is now helping the IAD find its way to the spotlight.
Roman de Prez
Social Media Lead
Biography
Roman is based in Edinburgh and has a background in Social Anthropology and Politics. During this time he focused his studies on the psycho-social realm of politics, writing his undergraduate dissertation on the effects of social media and shortening attention spans on democratic health. Leading IAD’s social media team, Roman feels honoured to have an international platform to inform and promote democracy in a healthy and accessible manner.
IAD’s Founders
Valeria Borta
Oliver St. John
Oliver and Valeria founded the International Association for Democracy (IAD) in February 2022, motivated by a deep concern over the growing threats to democracy worldwide. These threats included the passage of the Hong Kong national security law, Maduro’s election fraud in Venezuela, the erosion of the rule of law and democratic values in Hungary and Poland, and Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine.
From February 2022 to November 2024, Valeria and Oliver served as Co-Directors of IAD. Under their leadership, IAD grew to include 50 active volunteers, achieved incorporation as a Scottish Charitable Incorporated Organisation (SCIO), and established a strong organisational structure with professionalised teams. They oversaw the launch of impactful public awareness and lobbying campaigns, the growth of IAD’s social media following to over 9 thousand, and made significant strides in advancing the organisation’s mission to defend and promote democracy.