World Forum for Democracy 2023 - Democracy untended?

While some of the most terrible aspects of war remain, the nature of conflict has also changed with the use of drones, cyber-warfare and the deployment of nearly imperceptible propaganda across social media. For peace to be a real force to be reckoned with, it must itself be waged with conviction. But how? Should we not cultivate democracy in our daily practices, in education, the workplace, our civic, or sporting life? Shouldn’t the values of democracy, and the institutions which support them, be closely reflective of the real experiences and aspirations of the citizens who cherish them? Women and children are too often the tragic face of war’s devastation, but their voices are rarely heard in the political debates, peace negotiations and peace-building processes. If democracy and peace are processes or a way of life, then there is surely a need to cultivate the knowledge, skills and competencies necessary for people to actively engage, participate and contribute to its survival. But how? Can we teach peace?

Speakers:

Jaume Collboni - Mayor of Barcelona, European Capital of Democracy

Steve Killelea - Founder and Executive Chairman, Institute for Economics and Peace

Tiny Kox - President of the Parlementary Assembly, Council of Europe

Namatai Kwekweza - WELEAD Director, winner of the Kofi Annan NexGen Democracy Prize

Taeho Lee - Director of Center for Peace and Disarmament of the People’s Solidarity for Participatory Democracy (PSPD)

Natalia Pinchuk - Wife of Ales Bialitski, Nobel Peace Prize Laureate 2022, The Václav Havel Human Rights Prize Winner 2013