The 2026 Leonard v.B. Sutton Colloquium on Global Perspectives on Equal Participation as a Democratic Value was held April 10\, 2026. It was co-hosted with the Sié Chéou-Kang Center for International Security &\; Diplomacy and the Denver Journal of International Law and Policy.
Democracy is often defined in terms of procedures and institutions\, such as elections based on universal suffrage\; the composition of the legislative\, judicial\, and executive branches\; and the exercise of power directly or indirectly through elected representatives. A richer understanding of democracy\, however\, transcends process and requires attention to underlying\, substantive principles. One of the core democratic values most frequently invoked is equal participation. But what does equal participation require within and beyond the political sphere as a component of a holistic\, democratic society?
The 2026 Sutton Colloquium explored current challenges to democracy around the world and international and comparative responses that could strengthen equal participation as a broad democratic principle. Meaningful engagement by everyone in public affairs demands the removal of barriers to participation as well as the positive fulfilment of all civil\, political\, economic\, social\, and cultural rights without discrimination. With this framework in mind\, speakers considered a range of factors that influence democratic legitimacy. The discussion provided insights from different political and legal systems and on the role of international law\, especially international human rights law\, in advancing this principle.
2026 Sutton Colloquium Program | Speaker Biographies | Paper Abstracts
The use of University of Denver resources or facilities for this event does not constitute an endorsement by the University or the Sturm College of Law of the views of the organizers or speaker(s).
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