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Speech by Bjørn Berge, Deputy Secretary General of the Council of Europe

Dear friends,

Thank you for the tremendous energy, wisdom and urgency that you have brought to this room — to this building, and, I am convinced, to this organisation and what it stands for.

You’ve talked, questioned, debated, clapped and even danced!

The Forum hasn’t — to my knowledge — witnessed any fights — but that’s because you have respect for each other, and each other’s opinions.

That is the true spirit of democracy.

I strongly believe that if we want democracy to flourish, we have to nurture it, and today – stand up for it.

Today, it is more important than ever that we help people — our fellow citizens — to understand its crucial value - while at the same time, we should not shy away from admitting also the shortcomings of our own democracies. Where we fall short.

No one here pretends that democracy is perfect, but it is the best form of government that we have. But being best does not mean we cannot – and should not – make it even better, even stronger, more resilient and responsive to what our citizens expect from it.

Or as a wise, old politician once put it: “Democracy is the worst form of Government, except for all those other forms that have been tried."

I am proud that we — an old organisation in the middle of Europe, can host you.

At this, the 12th World Forum for Democracy, we have asked — how can we revive democracy?

And I say – the answer is right here in this room.

As it is only by listening to each other, we can better understand what we must do together, to help strengthening and revitalise democracy.  

That many of you come from our own Network of Schools of Political Studies and several universities across Europe and beyond -  such as Science Po, Syracuse and Siedlce, Kehl and Münster – is a great strength.

I am proud that you come from many different countries across the world, but we should do even more to make this is a truly global forum.

Dear friends,

We just celebrated the winner of this year’s Democracy Innovation Award.

But I must say the strength and volume of applications for this award has been incredible this year.

We received nearly 500 submissions from all over the world, and thereafter 21 of the best ones were selected.

But let me also congratulate all of you who presented your ideas here in Strasbourg – and once again - the three finalists.

To me, you are all winners!

*****

It’s been a very rewarding week, and it’s impossible for me to mention all the excellent discussions, statements and interventions.

Let me highlight only one of them.

Many of you heard the excellent speech of the Minister of Culture for Estonia, Heidy Purga, on Wednesday.

She spoke of the value of art and culture in cementing the foundations of democracy.

She talked of her country’s “singing revolution”, and she said that “a small country lives by the scale of its imagination.”

Think about that – “a small country lives by the scale of its imagination.” That’s powerful – and encouraging at the same time.

She went to emphasise the importance of critical reasoning, creativity and empathy.

These are certainly three key pillars that have been emphasised across the sessions of this Forum, time and time again.

*****

Finally, let me also thank all those behind the scenes — all those we too often take for granted, as well as the many guests and the speakers, our moderators, the secretariat and the good colleagues in the Council of Europe – and last but not least: All of you – the participants, that have helped make this a fantastic World Forum for Democracy.

Our gratitude goes also to our partners: the French state, the Region of Grand Est, the European Collectivity of Alsace and the City of Strasbourg.

We could not do this without you.

And then at the very, very end:

One thing is absolutely certain — we, each and every one of us — have to carry on – and do whatever we can to help innovate, revitalise and strengthen our democracies.

And let us use every tool that we have — whether it is art or AI, writing or talking, marching or dancing.

And let us use every opportunity we have - to inform and mobilise our friends and families, as well as the neighbour next door.

I believe it was Dr Kevin Casas-Zamora, Secretary-General of International IDEA who said so well, two days ago:

Activism is not a rejection of democracy — it is a demand to democracy to live up to its promise.

Like me, he recognised the energy and idealism in this hemicycle — and we can all feel it.

Please don’t ever lose it.

Take it with you — make it part of who you are — wherever you go and whatever you do.