IDU Forum 2022, Washington D.C.
The IDU hosted our 2022 Forum in Washington DC, from Tuesday, December 6th to Thursday, December 8th and was pleased to be joined by delegates and guests from our global membership. This Forum focused on some of the most pressing issues facing centre-right parties around the globe, especially the threat from authoritarian governments as exemplified by Russia’s brutal invasion of Ukraine.
In addition to delegates from over 80 IDU member-parties, this Forum attracted more than 400 legislators, thought leaders, and conservative activists from around the world. The program featured a truly outstanding list of speakers, including U.S. Vice President Mike Pence, Congressmen Turner, Waltz, and Crenshaw, Moldovan President Maia Sandu, Vice President of Ghana Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, and Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness. Delegates heard a range of perspectives on current geopolitical challenges and discussed with global leaders how to find success and solutions for the people they serve in a world of disruption. A key emphasis was placed on the importance of building cooperation between democratic states and centre-right parties globally within a stronger IDU.
The panel discussions tackled complex issues such as the geopolitics of trade and cybersecurity, the threat posed by China’s Communist Party, and the requirements for conservatives to win elections and govern successfully. No IDU Forum would be complete without a deep dive into the latest insights from the IDU’s campaign managers and pollsters. Thank you to all campaign managers who joined the IDU in Washington DC.
The Forum concluded with a poignant reminder that the struggle for freedom remains a daily reality for too many. The IDU presented the Bush-Thatcher Freedom Award to the 5th President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko, and the former Ukrainian Prime Minister, Yulia Tymoshenko, as well as to their parties European Solidarity and Batkivshchyna, in recognition of their tireless work to counter the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine. President Poroshenko travelled to DC to deliver an inspiring address in accepting the award.
We at the IDU wish to thank all supporting partners of this year’s Forum for their generous support, in particular the IDU’s Platinum Sponsor Worldwide Support for Development, and the Gold Sponsors Hampton Financials and Lord Michael Ashcroft. Their ongoing contributions are greatly assisting the continuing growth and success of the IDU.