Council of Europe to host World Forum for Democracy on democratic security in Europe
The Council of Europe will host the annual World Forum for Democracy on 2 and 3 November, with participants drawn from political leadership, civil society, academia and young people from across the globe. The forum will take stock of the state of democracy in Europe and examine ways to build future democratic security amid disruption in the world order.
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The 2026 edition is built around the theme of "democratic foresight." Organisers say democratic security can no longer be limited to reacting after crises emerge, but must also include anticipating future change, identifying emerging risks and opportunities, and improving the ability of democratic systems to cope with shocks. The source identifies inequality, restrictions on civic space, distrust of institutions, disengagement among parts of the public, cyber-attacks, information manipulation and foreign interference as part of the threat environment facing democracies.
The forum will focus on how democracies can safeguard their foundations while responding to social, institutional and digital transformations. The event will give particular emphasis to free elections, the rule of law, human rights, freedom of expression and the press, the balance of powers and the independence of the judiciary.
Young people are expected to play a central role in the discussions and in the consultation process for the New Democratic Pact for Europe, including through their Manifesto for a European democracy by 2049. The forum also includes a session dedicated to ideas, where innovative projects from around the world will be presented and the Democracy Innovation Award will go to the most popular initiative at the closing ceremony.
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The programme further includes artistic performances, documentary screenings and a Ukrainian photo exhibition under the "Culture vs. war" project. On 4 November, 135 young people will gather at the Council of Europe's European Youth Centre to strengthen cooperation on democracy and civic participation and to study European standards and tools, including the European Charter on youth participation in local and regional life.
