The strength of Botswana�s democracy lies in the country's politically tolerant nature. This was said by President Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi during a public lecture at the University of The Bahamas on Wednesday. The university had invited President Masisi to give a public lecture on the side lines of his three-day state visit to The Bahamas. The audience included Bahamian members of cabinet, university students and final year high school learners. Held under the theme: Strengthening Democracy to Develop the Next Generation of Leaders, the address was meant to cultivate exchange of knowledge and skills with Botswana institutions of higher learning. President Masisi said Setswana culture inculcated free speech, dialogue, discipline and consultation. �These are the bedrock of our democracy and leadership. The consensus building culture is ingrained in our DNA and has led to harmony and socially inclusive society,� said Dr Masisi. He said in order to strengthen democratic dispensation and focus on the future leadership, government had launched Vision 2036, an ambitious blueprint meant to guide the nation as it embarked on a journey of economic transformation to graduate from an upper middle income economy to a high income one by 2036. �We are confident that this vision will fortify our democracy through the achievement of sustainable economic development, human and social development, good governance, peace and security, as well as address climate change," he added. He said as a democratic country, Botswana thrived in an environment and company of fellow democracies. President Masisi explained that Botswana was an integral part of the United Nations, the African Union, the Commonwealth and more importantly Southern African Development Community regional organisation. �Through international collaborations and partnerships, Botswana has been able to nurture, and refocus its democratic dispensation. That is why I am here to strengthen relations with the government and people of The Commonwealth of Bahamas," he said. Dr Masisi pointed out that building global partnerships and networks of democracies was beneficial to preserving shared democratic ideals as well as countering authoritarianism bent on reversing the economic gains made since the end of World War II and since the decolonisation of people of African descent. Botswana, he said, was ready to work with The Bahamas to develop a collaboration that could enhance the exchange of knowledge, expertise, and resources to strengthen ideals of democracy and fundamental freedoms and to support the next generation of leaders. For her part, University of The Bahamas board chairperson, Ms Allyson Maynard-Gibson said President Masisi�s passion for empowerment of people through education was well known. She pleaded with Dr Masisi for Botswana to agree on a mutual cooperation and implement semesters and exchange programmes for Bahamian students. Ms Maynard-Gibson said young people who were future nation builders and emerging leaders were in attendance to hear President Masisi�s insights and the university would forever be grateful for the historic moment.