The New York Times Athens Democracy Forum 2018 takes place on 16-18 September with the theme “Democracy in Danger: Solutions for a Changing World”. The forum is organized, for the 4th consecutive year, by the New York Times in cooperation with the United Nations Democracy Fund (UNDEF), the City of Athens and Kathimerini Greek daily newspaper, aiming to reflect on the state of liberal democracies and the major challenges they face in the world today.
The event brings together senior journalists with international business leaders, policy makers, and a broad variety of experts to debate and discuss the current state of democracy with a focus on new solutions. This year the list of speakers features academics from prestigious universities, high-ranking executives from companies like Facebook and NGOs like Silatech, writers and eminent politicians from around the world.
The event features speeches, round tables, interactive discussions and workshops; the agenda addresses issues including “The Allure of the Illiberal”, “When Technology Collides with Citizenship”, “Identity, Diversity and Inclusion”, “The Business of Business: Do companies today have a greater responsibility to society, and when is engagement good for business?”, “Freedom of the Net”, “Bridging the generational gap” and “Youth Economic Empowerment to Strengthen Threatened Democracies”.
On the opening day of the event, the Mayor of Athens, Georgios Kaminis, will present the “City of Athens Democracy Award” for 2018 to H.E. Joaquim Chissano, Former President of the Republic of Mozambique and Chairperson of the Joaquim Chissano Foundation. The award, established by the Mayor of Athens, is presented annually to on an individual or organization, in recognition of globally acknowledged achievements, which demonstrate a lasting and compelling commitment to the advancement of democracy.
Also, over the weekend of September 14-16, a bespoke event will take place at the Costa Navarino Resort in Messinia. The “Democracy & Books Weekend” will feature a walk and guided tour, and a panel discussion to acknowledge the designation of Athens as Unesco World Book Capital 2018, where internationally acclaimed speakers, authors, key opinion leaders and influencers will gather to discuss the relationship between democracy and books. Speakers include Dutch cultural philosopher Rob Riemen and the famous French professor and writer Pascal Bruckner.
To attend the event, registration is required.
Read also via Greek News Agenda: Athens 2018 World Book Capital: Books Everywhere!; Reading Greece | Athens – World Book Capital City of 2018
Read an interview with Pascal Bruckner via our sister publication GrèceHebdo (in French): Pascal Bruckner, une cousine si diffèrente
