On 2 and 3 November, the Council of Europe will host the annual World Forum for Democracy, a must-attend event bringing together political leaders and representatives of civil society, academia and young people from across the globe.

Together, they will take stock of the state of democracy in Europe, against a background of disruption in the world order, and explore possible solutions for building future democratic security.

From crisis management to planning ahead

With inequality, restrictions on civic space, distrust of institutions, disengagement among sections of the public, cyber-attacks, information manipulation and foreign interference, democracies are facing sweeping changes and rapidly evolving threats.

Given these upheavals, democratic security can no longer just consist in reacting to crises once they arise. It also involves being able to anticipate future changes, identify emerging risks and opportunities and strengthen our collective ability to cope with crises.

This is the whole challenge of “democratic foresight”, which will be the common thread of the 2026 World Forum on Democracy.

A democracy capable of renewal: imagining possible futures so that we can act more effectively today

After two years of consultation with member states, civil society and the academic community, the 2026 Forum will mark the culmination of the consultative phase of the New Democratic Pact for Europe launched by the Council of Europe to reflect on the future of European democracies and means of strengthening their democratic security.

For two days, the discussions will focus, in particular, on the ability of democracies to safeguard their foundations – free elections, the rule of law, human rights, freedom of expression and of the press, the balance of powers and the independence of the judiciary – while responding to the social, institutional and digital transformations that are reshaping their environment.

There will be particular emphasis on the voices of young people and democratic institutions’ ability to reconnect with citizens.

A session dedicated to ideas will showcase innovative projects from around the world, culminating in the Democracy Innovation Award being given to the most popular initiative at the closing ceremony.

The forum aims to create a space for dialogue in which different perspectives can be compared, possible futures can be explored together and the various ideas can be turned into practical action.

The two-day forum will also feature artistic performances, the screening of documentaries and a Ukrainian photo exhibition as part of the “Culture vs. War” project.

Think globally, act locally: the forum’s youth day

Young people will play a key role in the discussions and actively contribute to the consultation process for the New Democratic Pact for Europe, putting forward their perspectives and proposals, notably through their Manifesto for a European Democracy by 2049.

Following on from the forum, on 4 November, 135 young people – forum participants, young people from the Grand Est region and members of an international French-speaking group – will gather at the Council of Europe’s European Youth Centre. The aim of this day is to strengthen cooperation between young people committed to democracy and civic participation, to familiarise them with European standards and tools – notably the European Charter on youth participation in local and regional life – and to create a space for reflection and engagement on future actions to revitalise democracy.

The forum will be streamed live online.

Programme >>