Civil society activists, journalists, bloggers, and academics from all over the world, have gathered on the eve of the World Forum for Democracy to formulate their contribution to the debate surrounding the nature and future of democracy. BCSDN participated on the INGO conference on the 7th of October and the opening of the Forum.
How can we narrow the divide between citizens and leaders and ensure that no-one is left out of democratic processes? How can we empower women and ensure their equal participation in public and political life? These were the questions at the core of the discussions at the INGO conference. Participants also looked at recent trends and the growth and role of community and social media which give every citizen the opportunity to be heard. The outcome of the Sunday debate served to strengthen the civil society dimension of the World Forum for Democracy.
The Strasbourg World Forum for Democracy brings together reformers and global leaders to identify democratic responses to the economic, social and political challenges which affect our societies today. By confronting conventional concepts with new realities the Forum his year gauged how democracies can satisfy the expectations of citizens and adapt to their different values and traditions.
The Forum begin with a formal opening ceremony on Monday 8 October attended by leading international figures including Ban Ki-moon, followed by a meeting of experts from politics, civil society and academia, who suggested new ideas on democracy related issues for the 21st century.