Forum News
Christopher Walker moderates a panel on “Is Democracy in Decline?” at Forum 2000. (Photo courtesy of Forum 2000)
More than 200 civil society activists, researchers, politicians, journalists, and business representatives from around the world gathered to discuss “Democracy and Its Discontents: A Quarter Century After the Iron Curtain and Tiananmen” at the 18th Annual Forum 2000 Conference in Prague, Czech Republic on October 12-15, 2014. Organized in memory of former Czech President Vaclav Havel, delegates evaluated the progress of democracy and examined the challenges that democratic movements now face, including the growing pushback against democracy by authoritarian regimes.
The International Forum for Democratic Studies helped organize two conference panels reflecting on the current state of democracy and the global resurgence of authoritarianism. Forum Executive Director Christopher Walker and Research Council Co-Chair Marc F. Plattner also spoke on a number of panels, for which video and event summaries are available below.
“Is Democracy in Decline? Reflections from the Fall of the Berlin Wall to the Euromaidan”
Panelists:
- Marc F. Plattner, National Endowment for Democracy
- Alina Mungiu-Pippidi, Hertie School of Governance
- Tarek Osman, Author, Egypt on the Brink
- Yoani Sánchez, Cuban Blogger and Activist
- Yevhen Hlibovytsky, Pro.Mova
Moderator:
- Christopher Walker, International Forum for Democratic Studies
“Resurgent Authoritarians: The World Movement Against Democracy”
Panelists:
- Christopher Walker, International Forum for Democratic Studies
- Yang Jianli, Initiatives for China
- Dmitry Muratov, Novaya Gazeta
- Kenan Aliyev, Azerbaijani Service, RFE/RL
Moderator:
- Marc F. Plattner, National Endowment for Democracy
“Can a Change in Electoral System Offer a Cure for an Ailing Democracy?”
Panelists:
- Karel Janeček, RSJ Algorithmic Trading and the Karel Janeček Foundation Fund
- Marc Plattner, National Endowment for Democracy
Moderator:
- Jacques Rupnik, Sciences Po
“Power of the Powerful: Propaganda”
Panelists:
- Kenan Aliyev, Azerbaijani Service, RFE/RL
- Yevhen Hlibovytsky, Pro.Mova
- Andrey Soldatov, Agentura.ru
- Christopher Walker, International Forum for Democratic Studies
Moderator:
- Jan Richter, Radio Prague
“The Significance of Vaclav Havel’s Value Based Foreign Policy”
Panelists:
- Lobsang Sangay, Sikyong, Central Tibetan Administration
- Carl Gershman, National Endowment for Democracy
- Ales Bialiatski, Viasna Human Rights Centre
- Andrew Schapiro, U.S. Ambassador to the Czech Republic
- Yoani Sánchez, Cuban Blogger and Activist
Moderator:
- John Shattuck, Central European University
“Challenges for Democracy in Latin America”
Panelists:
- Carl Gershman, National Endowment for Democracy
- Marcel Granier, Radio Caracas Televisión (RCTV)
- Antonio Rodiles, State of SATS
- Juan Requesens, Student Leader, Central University of Venezuela
Moderator:
- Enrique ter Horst, Former UN Deputy High Commissioner for Human Rights
