Join us on June 23 as we turn our focus to democracy: where it stands, where it’s going, and what can be done to preserve it.

Democracy sits at a critical juncture. Independent monitors have noted that less than 20 percent of the world’s population now live in a ‘free’ country – the lowest level since 1995. From disinformation and political polarisation, to rising authoritarianism and the erosion of public faith in institutions, the current challenges to its resiliency are myriad. Nonetheless, the drive from civil society to protect it remains, despite these troubling trends.

At this next edition of the peace&justice café, explore how these changes in the landscape affect the work of the peace and justice ecosystem, network with organisations playing a role in determining the future of democracy, and come away with new connections, insights, and goals.

For more detailed information on our speakers and roundabouts, visit https://www.humanityhub.net/peace-justice-cafe/

We’re excited to welcome the following contributors to the next edition of the peace&justice café on June 23:

Keynote discussion speakers:

Thijs Berman, Executive Director of NIMD (Netherlands Institute for Multiparty Democracy), Former Member of European Parliament | In-Person

Carmen, Venezuelan women's rights activist and spokesperson for EmpoderaME | In-Person

Khadija Patel, Chairperson of the International Press Institute and the Head of Programs at the International Fund for Public Interest Media | Virtual

Ben Wagner, Assistant Professor at the Faculty of Technology, Policy and Management and Director of the AI Futures Lab at TU Delft and Professor of Media, Technology and Society at Inholland | Virtual

Roundabout hosts:

Ritumbra Manuvie and Mariya Nadeem Khan from The London Story | In-Person

Irina Ulmasova-Olive from International Alert | In-Person

Juan Pablo Aguirre Broca from The Hague Academy for Local Governance | In-Person

Tomas Dodds, Theresa Seipp, and Valeria Resendez from the AI, Media and Democracy Lab | In-Person

Marthe Hiev Hamidi and Jurre Blok from Youth Peace Initiative | In-Person

Boudewijn van Eerd, tech consultant | In-Person

Marcela Rilovic, Sophie van de Meulengraaf and Aïcha Chaghouani from the Netherlands Helsinki Committee | In-Person

Tess van Bommel from Movies That Matter | In-Person

Deniz Wagner from the Office of the OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media | Virtual

Anne-Floor Dekker from WO=MEN | Virtual

Mark Worth and Siri Nelson from Whistleblowing International and the National Whistleblowing Center | Virtual

Abigail Robinson and Maja Groff from Continua and the Climate Governance Commission | Virtual

Arindam Bhattacharya, Rajendran Govender, and Vagish Pathak from Advocacy Unified Network | Virtual

Moderated by Connor Sattely

Organizers:

The Hague Humanity Hub & Municipality of The Hague

*This will be a hybrid event, taking full advantage of our return to in-person, while also allowing for online participation of those joining us from abroad (or at home).