The year 2024, coined a ‘super election year’, sets a record: roughly half of the world’s population, and therefore more than ever before, will be allowed to go to the polls in around 60 countries to elect presidents and parliaments – sometimes more and sometimes less democratically. However, despite these figures, the number of liberal democracies is declining worldwide.
At our conference, international and German experts will discuss the current challenges and threats to democracies based on case studies from across the globe, including the USA, India, South Africa and, last but not least, Germany. We will be taking a close look in particular at young people and the dynamics of their participation in politics and in social causes.
How can the downward trend in democracy be halted and the resilience and attractiveness of democratic systems be strengthened in times of global systemic rivalry?
Which key factors can be identified as causal when analyzing democratic crises? What role do poor governance and socio-economic dissatisfaction play in the erosion of democratic stability?
And how can we succeed in mobilizing young people for democracy and freedom in a world increasingly characterized by digital debate spaces and social polarization?
These are essential questions of our time wich you are cordially invited to discuss with us. I look forward to your participation.
