The 12th World Forum for Democracy will take place in Strasbourg (France) from 6 to 8 November 2024. This year, the theme is "Democracy and Diversity - Can we transcend the divides?".

The strength of democracy lies in its ability to embrace and balance differences to serve society as a whole.  Diversity is, a source of resilience, adaptability and creativity.  But it can also be exploited for political gain by polarising opinion and deepening divides. Socio-economic, gender, ethnic and other inequalities fuel divisive rhetoric and trigger electoral choices which make democracies increasingly fragile.

In a year during which around one half of the world’s population has been called to the polls, the 2024 edition of the World Forum for Democracy will address the critical threats posed by disinformation and divisive political narratives around diversity, including in the context of election campaigns. The Forum will focus on how electoral processes inadvertently crystallise societal divides and provide fertile ground for populism to flourish. In light of the urgency of this challenge, the Forum will explore ways of raising understanding among citizens of the risks posed by populism for their fundamental rights and freedoms.

To achieve this, the Forum will feature inspirational talks by thought leaders. Analytical labs will challenge proposed new solutions and identify ideas worth spreading. Moreover, the Forum will actively foster the creation of networks and communities of practice, serving as incubators for turning ideas into action.

Concept note >>