Former President James Michel has been admitted as a full member of the World Leadership Alliance – Club de Madrid. This is the world’s largest forum of democratically elected former Presidents and Prime Ministers committed to sharing their experience in government and to overcoming the challenges of leading and decision-making in contemporary politics worldwide.

In a letter, formally welcoming Mr. Michel to the Club de Madrid, the grouping’s President, Mrs Vaira Vike-Freiberga, the former President of Latvia, thanks him for accepting the invitation to join the organization. She acknowledges his “remarkable career in public service among numerous other engagements”, continuing: “we are truly honoured that you are willing to contribute to our work and objectives. Your knowledge, interests and leadership experience, will greatly enhance the impact and scope of our activities” writes Mrs. Vike-Freiberga.

Mr. Michel has welcomed the news with great enthusiasm. He considers this to be a recognition of the role he has played and the contributions he has made, both in Seychelles and on the international scene, towards advancing democratic principles and practices, the development and the well-being of the Seychellois people and that of the other nations, especially by being a voice for small island developing states.

The Club de Madrid advocates for a ‘democracy that delivers’. It works in partnership with other organisations and governments, which shares its objectives as well as a broad network of international experts and practitioners, towards addressing issues of global concern such as intolerance, violent extremism, climate change and social cohesion from a democratic perspective.

In paying tribute to his late departed predecessor, James R Mancham, who was an active member of the grouping, President Michel was firmly of the view that his membership of this prestigious organisation represented yet another opportunity to share and build on some initiatives he took during his tenure of office.

James Michel’s candidacy to the Club de Madrid was actively supported by the former presidents Cassam Uteem of Mauritius, Bill Clinton of the United States of America, and the former Secretary General of the United Nations Mr. Ban Ki Moon.

Club de Madrid’s members are from more than 70 countries.