Permanent Secretariat

The Permanent Secretariat of the Community of Democracies started operating in January 2009 as a commitment from member nations to strengthen the CD in order to ensure coordination and continuity in its operations. Headquartered in Warsaw, it provides organizational and conceptual support to the Presidency of the Community of Democracies and the Convening Group.  It initiates programmatic and intellectual efforts, and undertakes administrative, operational and technical tasks while further maintaining contacts with nongovernmental organizations and other partners.  In June 2008 the Convening Group elected Prof. Bronisław Misztal for the position of Executive Director of the Permanent Secretariat.

Maria Leissner, Ambassador for Democracy from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Sweden, took the position of Secretary General of the Community of Democracies on July 1, 2012. During the Fourth Governing Council meeting, a new draft mandate for the Secretary-General was discussed. Read the draft Mandate and Terms of Reference of the Secretary General.

For more information on the Permanent Secretariat and its activities, please click here.