A Common Goal: Understand, Connect, Act
The conference was aimed at committed young people and professionals working in youth and social work as well as civil society organizations who advocate for democracy – often under difficult political conditions. The focus was on three clear objectives:
- Catching Up with Reality: Understanding and analyzing the reality of democratic backsliding.
- Creating Solidarity: Learning from one another and strengthening solidarity across borders.
- Taking Action: Empowering actors to actively protect and further develop democratic structures.
Right from the start, it became clear: the youth sector plays a decisive role in revitalizing democratic processes in Europe.
Democracy Under Pressure: Global Analysis and European Reality
Following the opening statements, participants reported on their local experiences in six working groups. The picture was often concerning: shrinking spaces, bureaucratic hurdles for civil society work, and increasing political pressure. Despite regional differences, everyone was united by the central question: How can young people defend democratic spaces when they are being systematically restricted?
In his keynote, Prof. Staffan I. Lindberg (V-Dem Institute) provided the scientific context. His concise finding from the current Democracy Report: "There have never been more countries autocratizing than now, not even in the 1930s."
Lindberg outlined typical patterns of democratic erosion – from silencing critical media and weakening civil society to targeted destabilization through disinformation. His appeal echoed like a leitmotif throughout the conference: "Democracy protection is something very different from democracy support – let's get to work!" Democracy requires active protection, a clear stance, and shared responsibility.
