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Is Populism a Problem ?
World Forum for Democracy 2017

A growing disconnect between citizens and political elites and dramatic changes in the media ecosystem are a challenge for democracy as we know it. At the same time, new political and media actors and practices are emerging, offering new opportunities for members of the public to participate in political life. Legacy media and political parties are both threatened by these new developments but can also learn from them in order to adapt their own models and functioning to new realities.

The objective of the World Forum for Democracy 2017 to be held at the Council of Europe in Strasbourg from 8 to 10 November 2017, is to review novel initiatives and approaches which can enhance democratic practices and help parties and media, but also other political actors, to re-connect to citizens, make informed choices and function optimally in 21st century democracy.

The 2017 Forum will be attended by academics, politicians, practitioners and young people from all over the world, focusing on four main questions:

  • From democracy of parties to democracy of citizens?
  • Media - friend or foe of democracy?
  • Is Populism a problem?
  • Multilateral responses to populism?

French Minister for European Affairs, Nathalie Loiseau, Former Prime Minister of New Zealand, Helen Clark, Canadian Prime Minister's Special Envoy for the EU and Europe, Stéphane Dion and Turkish leader of the Republican People’s party, Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu, will speak at the opening on Wednesday 8 November (15.00-17.30)

13 labs, addressing the challenges to be faced in different forms and presenting certain initiatives already in place, will help bring a democratic response to the problems discussed throughout the Forum

The Forum is organised by the Council of Europe in partnership with Strasbourg City Council, the Grand Est Region and the French government.

To note

The Democracy Innovation Award will be presented by the Council of Europe to the most popular initiative presented in the labs (Friday 10 November 2017 from 10 am to 12.30 pm, during the close of the Forum). 

On the sidelines of the Forum

At the initiative of Strasbourg City Council, the Grand Est Region and all the partners involved in the Fringe programme, the theme of the Forum will be addressed in a range of meetings, panel discussions, debates and exhibitions at various locations open to the public, from 3 to 10 November.

The Reporters without Borders Award ceremony will be held on Tuesday 7 November at 7.30 pm (Odyssée Cinema).

The Democratic Engagement Award will be presented by the Grand Est Region on Friday 10 November at 5 pm (Maison de la Région).

Strasbourg, France 8-10 November 2017
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