The Forum for the future of democracy (FFD) was established by the Council of Europe with the aim of strengthening democracy, political freedoms and citizens’ participation through the exchange of ideas, information and examples of best practices. On November 9-10, Vilnius hosted the third high-level Future of Democracy Forum. The event focused on the biggest challenges facing democracy today and possible actions to rebuff a growing authoritarian pressure.
Organized by the Lithuanian Foreign Ministry and the Institute of International Relations and Political Science at Vilnius University, it was attended by officials from European and African countries as well as representatives of international organizations. They included Belarusian opposition activist Sviatlana Tsichanouskaya, Daw Zin Mar Aung, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the National Unity Government of Myanmar, Jan Lipavsky, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic, and Marija Pejčinović Burić, Secretary General of the Council of Europe.
The event was also attended by special rapporteurs of the United Nations, representatives of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) and prominent democracy advocates. Taiwan’s Foreign Minister Joseph Wu, who was visiting Vilnius, also attended the forum.
The Forum also welcomed a dozen participants of the World Liberty Congress, which took place in Vilnius just before the Future of Democracy Forum and which brought together over 300 democracy activists this year.
Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis noted that “Lithuania has a reputation as a haven for democratic forces. This is the foundation on which our own nation is built. These are the values we believe in and are committed to. That is why building a united community of democracies, mobilizing and coordinating our actions is more important than ever.”
Secretary General Marija Pejčinović Burić opened the high-level Forum “Future of Democracy” on Defending Against Authoritarianism in Vilnius while conducting an official visit to Lithuania. In her welcoming remarks she stressed that “As democracy activists around the world have always known that the form of government they seek is the only route to freedom, fairness, and dignity. To choose who is in power, not have them imposed on us. To be free to think our own thoughts and express them without fear or favour. To have a justice system that is worthy of the name: protecting the innocent, prosecuting the guilty, and standing strong against corruption. These and other qualities are inherent to the peace, prosperity and inclusion that define effective and functioning democracies, and which are anathema to autocrats. Billions of people around the world benefit from democracy and billions more would give all that they have for that chance. The yearning remains real. But so too is the will of some to defy it”.
The Forum discussed how to empower democracy activists, human rights defenders and independent journalists, both inside and outside their own countries, and how to protect them from repression by authoritarian regimes.
