Romania has come a long way in its democratic and economic development since the demise of the communist regime 25 years ago, but some essential transition issues are still being closed. An assessment of its progress took place in Bucharest last month at a seminar assessing Romania’s 25 years of transition to European democracy.

Civic activists and government reformers in at least 30 countries rallied behind open legislatures to promote values of transparency, inclusion and participation in the lawmaking process during the first-ever Global Legislative Openness Week (GLOW) Sept. 15 to 25.

Sheryl Vangadasamy, a member of parliament from Seychelles, is seeking new ways to engage her constituents, particularly young men and women, to encourage their increased participation in the politics of her country.

Azerbaijani democracy advocate Anar Mammadli was awarded the Vaclav Havel Human Rights Prize by the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE). The award is given each year to recognize the contribution of individuals to “outstanding civil society action in defense of human rights in Europe and beyond.”

Mammadli did not accept the award in person, however, because he is in prison.