Artificial Intelligence is reshaping how we learn, communicate, govern, and interact — creating both unprecedented opportunities and profound challenges for human rights, democracy, and cultural diversity. Building on the Council of Europe’s new Framework Convention on Artificial Intelligence and Human Rights, Democracy and the Rule of Law — the world’s first binding international treaty on AI — the 30^th Lisbon Forum explored how societies can govern these technologies in ways that are inclusive, rights-based, and globally connected. At the heart of the debate was the urgent need for AI literacy and capacity-building, especially for policymakers, legal professionals, youth, and vulnerable groups, whose voices should be considered in the digital transformation.

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Building on the Council of Europe’s priorities established at the Reykjavik Summit in May 2023, the 29^th Lisbon Forum explored the intricate connections between economic crimes, human rights, and environmental issues. It emphasized the pivotal role that young people play as catalysts for change in the ongoing battle against corruption, particularly in safeguarding the environment.

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Experts, activists and decision-makers met for the 28^th edition of the Lisbon Forum to discuss the state of play of international co-operation. It has been an opportunity to assess the impact of the different crises such as the war in Ukraine, and the new geopolitical set-up on the North-South dialogue and the protection of human rights, democracy and the rule of law in fragile contexts. A particular focus was provided to the role of young people in addressing global issues and how to give them space in decision-making processes.

The event aimed at raising awareness in northern and southern societies on how to preserve international co-operation and dialogue on issues of interdependence in the context of war.

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Decision makers, issues-experts, activists, organisations and institutions from around the world gathered in Lisbon and online to argue on the urgent necessity to support intercultural dialogue to counter disinformation, misinformation and hate speech.

Alongside the opportunities generated by the evolution of Information and Communication Technologies, the infodemic brings about major social, economic, and political consequences that contribute to perpetuating the cycle of inequality - online and offline - and to discourage the cooperation needed to face global challenges together.

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During the Covid-19 pandemic and on the 70^th anniversary of the European Convention on Human Rights, the Lisbon Forum placed life, people and the planet at the core of a debate on international solidarity and human rights. Held online, the Lisbon Forum offered a dynamic platform that allowed the North-South Centre to gather decision makers, experts and activists from different parts of the world to exchange knowledge and practice and to shed light on possible ways forward.

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While human rights, rule of Law and democracy constitute the aim, purpose and objectives of the Council of Europe, if there is a paradigm that today should reflect the global consensus of humanity is the one of sustainable development. This global consensus was reached in the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and the 2030 Agenda as a shared roadmap and a social contract based on common objectives, the strong involvement of all stakeholders, cooperation, solidarity, equity and participatory governance with the purpose of ensuring the universality of the above-mentioned values and that in this process no one is left behind. This edition was also the occasion to reflect the role played by the North-South Centre of the Council of Europe in the framework of its 30^th anniversary. 

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The Lisbon Forum addressed key contemporary challenges related to youth, peace, and security, with a particular focus on advancing the implementation of the recommendations set out in United Nations Security Council Resolution 2250 (2015). It explored concrete ways to move from policy commitments to practical action.

By promoting strong and inclusive partnerships, the Lisbon Forum aimed to generate collective impact at the local, national, regional, and global levels. It provided a platform to facilitate dialogue between young people and decision- and policy-makers, mobilise partnerships, and leverage support for inclusive, comprehensive, and integrated programmes focused on peace and human security in the Euro-Mediterranean region.

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The 23^rd edition of the Lisbon Forum built on the outcomes and operational recommendations of the previous edition, which had focused on “Migration and Human Rights: how to structure effective collective action.” The Forum aligned with the Council of Europe’s key priorities and the UN 2030 Agenda. It placed particular emphasis on strengthening the Quadrilogue approach and highlighted the perspectives and contributions of migrants and refugees in fostering interdependence, partnerships, and solidarity between the North and the South.

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The Forum was organised around plenary sessions, roundtables, and workshops, with activities who set out the international framework of the global migration crisis.

An initial roundtable explored a broad thematic area, providing context and opening the way for more in-depth discussions in workshops. Break-out workshops facilitated more specialised and interactive exchanges, including local responses, top-down and bottom-up coordination structures, integration models, and international cooperation. A second roundtable then allowed participants to share conclusions and adopt recommendations.

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Discussions at the Forum were structured around three main axes. The first focused on countering radicalisation through education and training, including community-based approaches and support for frontline actors. The second addressed the empowerment of young people and women to promote positive citizenship through structured democratic participation and the development of alternative narratives. The third examined democratic responses and legal frameworks to combat radicalisation, with an emphasis on regional cooperation and Council of Europe standards.

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Building on the conclusions of the previous editions, this edition was devoted to 'Electoral processes and democratic consolidation in the countries of the Southern Mediterranean.' It offered to the participants an opportunity to exchange on the main issues related to the electoral process as well as on the importance of democratic awareness of all actors involved.

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This Lisbon Forum contributed to the empowerment of civil society as a key actor of governance in the Southern Mediterranean region. The Forum aimed to strengthen dialogue between civil society and national governments, parliaments, and local and regional authorities, while supporting internal dialogue and structuring within civil society. It also sought to define operational conclusions and recommendations to guide governments, public authorities, and international organisations in improving consultation, participation, and cooperation with civil society.

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The Arab Season was marked by diverse and complex transformations, shaped by specific national contexts but sharing common characteristics. These included increased citizen participation alongside persistent socio-economic challenges, marginalisation, gender inequality, limited opportunities for young people, and a growing need for greater capacity to deliver tangible results on the ground.

One year after its onset, the Arab Season showed both notable achievements and concerning setbacks, particularly regarding human rights. Key challenges included strengthening social cohesion and a sense of belonging, modernising public institutions, consolidating democracy, maintaining stability, and combating corruption. Addressing the situation of women and young people emerged as a matter of urgency.

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The Forum examined key political developments across the Arab world, including the links between democracy and development, the role of women as agents of change, the importance of citizenship in promoting human rights, and the influence of media and social networks during and after the revolutions. Dedicated workshops further explored the situation in selected countries and considered prospects for cooperation with the Council of Europe, the European Union, and the Alliance of Civilizations.

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This edition was closely linked to promoting understanding of different religions, cultures, and customs, and thus to intercultural dialogue, which had become an increasingly important political priority at national, regional, and international levels. As noted in the Council of Europe’s 2008 White Paper on Intercultural Dialogue, cultural diversity was to be seen as a source of mutual enrichment rather than tension. The overall aim of intercultural dialogue was to preserve diversity in open and inclusive societies by fostering communication, skills, and knowledge needed to live together peacefully and constructively—within societies, across countries in the same region, and between different continents.

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