CALD Participates in Athens Democracy Forum 2026

“Building Order Out of Chaos”

This was the provocative theme of the 14^th iteration of the Athens Democracy Forum held in the birthplace of democracy last 29 September – 1 October 2026.

The theme recognizes that democracy – once considered as the dominant global ideal – is now facing open contestation. In established democracies, this can be seen in the erosion of core democratic principles and practices, while authoritarian alternatives are of increasing appeal to emerging democracies. Given this reality, the theme calls for a reimaging of democracy so it can adapt, deliver and inspire in the 21^st century.

CALD was privileged to be part of the global conversations on this important issue, represented by its executive director, Lito Arlegue.  For three productive days that started early morning and ended late evening, the issues, problems and prospects of democracy were tackled in a variety of ways – from plenary and parallel sessions, debates, lighting talks, specialized briefings, workshops to cultural performances and tours.

On the first day, 29 September, the focus of the discussions was on the role of the state and its need to deliver.  The concept of “orchestrating state” was advanced – a state capable of protecting societies while preserving openness, pluralism, accountability, and the rule of law that give democracy its legitimacy.  In the course of the discussions, a timely reminder was mentioned by Fidias Panayioyou, a YouTube sensation from Cyprus who was eventually elected as Member of the European Parliament: “We should not assume that people will always rank liberty, freedom and other democratic values over other considerations.” Hence, there is a need for a state that listens, adjusts and delivers.

The discussions on the second day, 30 September, revolved on the protection and promotion of democracy. The day started with an analysis of the obvious and subtle ways authoritarianism creeps in.  One of the speakers, citing experiences from Asia, Africa and Latin America, suggested the “4Ws” in forecasting autocracy – whiplash, weaponization, withdrawal and war exploitation.  Whiplash is associated with the spread of disinformation, while weaponization pertains to the use of lawfare against democracy supporters and activists. Withdrawal is the public sentiment associated with powerlessness in effecting change, while war exploitation refers to the use of ultranationalism to generate political support. The rest of the sessions — with diverse topics like AI, women, GenZ, disinformation, democracy support, journalism and culture – centered on how democracy can inspire hope, expand opportunity, and improve people’s lives.

The last day, 1 October, was dedicated for an affiliated event – the Global Democracy Coalition Global Forum with the theme “Democracy and Trust: From Diagnosis to Collective Action”. It brought together partners and stakeholders from across the global democracy field for a focused day of analysis, exchange, and collective decision-making.  It served as the culmination of four regional forums held in Nairobi, Asuncion, Prague and Seoul: each of which surfaced version of the same underlying challenge – that is, while democratic participation is expanding, trust in democratic institutions is not. Through regional blocks, working groups and deep listening sessions, the participants identified possibilities for collective action, and then prioritized areas where there was genuine will to act together.

Reflecting on his participation, Arlegue said: “The Athens Democracy Forum is a testament that while democracy is in crisis, the democratic space continues to be vibrant because of the unwavering commitment of democracy supporters and activists around the world.  This passion and commitment of people who truly care for democracy, alongside the system’s built-in capacity for self-reflection and self-correction, are enough reasons to believe that democracy will not only survive but thrive in the 21^st century.  From the turbulence of today’s democratic crisis, order will emerge as democracy stabilizes.”

Categorised in: News Article

This post was written by CALD