World Forum for Democracy 2020 in France (Fully Funded)

Applications are now open for the Council of Europe World Forum for Democracy 2020.

The World Forum for Democracy is a unique platform for political decision-makers and activists to debate solutions to key challenges for democracies worldwide. By identifying and analyzing experimental initiatives and practices, the Forum highlights and encourages democracy innovations at the grassroots and their transfer on a systemic level in order to strengthen the foundations of democratic societies. The Forum thus contributes to the evolution of democracy towards more participatory and inclusive structures and institutions.

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Our societies have been tested by an extreme and unexpected global challenge in 2020, but while an essential battle is fought against the Covid-19 pandemic, humanity’s greatest existential threat looms ever larger. Environmental damage and climate change have not gone away. The poisoning of our land and pollution in our air and water is still killing plants, animals and humans alike. Rising temperatures and sea levels are on course to render lands uninhabitable and force people to leave their homes and seek new lives. The time to act is now!

Yet recent polling indicates the highest ever recorded levels of dissatisfaction and mistrust with democracy as a system of government. Its response to a whole series of recent challenges – economic, pandemic, and indeed environmental – have disappointed millions of people. Many are questioning the capacity, competence and even legitimacy of democratic governance to address their greatest needs.

Key issues to address:

1. National governments, international organisations or the citizen: who is setting the pace?
2. What governing style is best placed to tackle the environmental challenge?
3. Public or private: what role for which sector?

2020 World Forum for Democracy will debate the issues and generate new ideas for tackling the environmental crisis we face today. It will bring together leading voices from politics, business, NGOs, academia and journalism, and citizen-led initiatives from around the world.

The Forum is a unique platform for political decision-makers and activists to debate solutions to key challenges for democracies worldwide. By identifying and analysing experimental initiatives and practices, the Forum highlights and encourages democratic innovations at the grassroots and their transfer on a systemic level in order to strengthen the foundations of democratic societies. The Forum thus contributes to the evolution of democracy and the development of more participatory and inclusive structures and institutions. Plenary sessions will be an opportunity to discuss with speakers from all continents, political perspectives and walks of life and to frame the questions. The labs will allow participants to test innovative initiatives that offer responses to the key questions. This is a moment to think big and make a change.