Transcend the Divides: The 12th World Forum for Democracy

Kostian: To me, it underscores the urgent need for inclusion in our democratic processes, because we live in dangerous times. I feel that our societies are suffering right now due to increased polarization, which is a huge issue. I believe that diversity is not just about acknowledging differences, but also about actively engaging with those who think differently, fostering understanding and collaboration - something that is crucial right now.

IJAB: Let's have a look on your home countries: What are your specific experiences with division and polarization in Argentina and Albania? 

Miranda: Argentina is a very polarized society and it has been since its beginnings. The civil war that happened after independence was based on polarization between two groups that wanted to design the country differently, so social and political divides have been a thing from the beginning and throughout the years of my country. Since the 1960s and up until today, one of the biggest political polarizations has been between people that follow the ideas associated with Perón and those who don't. 

There are also many types of cultural, class and intellectual polarization. For example, throughout my teenage years, from 2018 up until 2020 there was a huge feminist movement for abortion rights that polarized society. Both sides created a lot of symbols and even an aesthetic identity: each adopted a name, certain phrases, a flag, and a color. People, especially women, were wearing distinguishers on their bags that showed which side they were on. There are other movements like this that position themselves in polarization to others—such as the leading political party, “La Libertad Avanza.” So, in general terms, there is always some type of polarization in Argentina.

IJAB: Let's go to the other side of the world to Albania.  What is your personal specific experience with polarization and division in your country? 

Kostian: In Albania, polarization and division are significant issues, but it's important to note that they are primarily seen within the political spectrum, involving politicians and leaders, rather than among the general population. Political party polarization becomes especially problematic during election periods when the environment is charged with tension. There's often a lack of constructive dialogue between the opposition and the government, and unfortunately, this has been a recurring issue year after year.

For instance, Albania is currently working toward EU accession, and as part of this process, the EU calls for collaboration between the opposition and the government. However, this collaboration is sorely lacking. Instead, we see a rhetoric that deepens the divide, reinforcing an "us versus them" mentality. This rhetoric not only hinders progress but also exacerbates the divisions within society.

IJAB: How can young people help to combat divisive political narratives?

Kostian: One of the key messages I highlighted during my speech as a rapporteur was the crucial role of education. Both formal and informal education are essential, especially in today’s globalized world. Unfortunately, many education systems lack curricula that focus on topics like citizenship, human rights, and critical thinking. As a result, many young people are uninformed, disengaged, and not equipped to understand the complexities of political narratives. How can young people combat misinformation and divisive political rhetoric if they don’t even know what misinformation is?

Another important aspect is fostering peer-to-peer engagement. Misinformation and political division often target young people, which is why it's vital for young activists to engage in discussions within their communities and among their peers. By creating spaces for open dialogue, where young people can learn from each other, we can foster critical thinking and a better understanding of how to combat harmful narratives. Encouraging this kind of engagement is key to breaking through the barriers of misinformation and divisiveness.

Miranda: I agree with Kostian. My view also centers on education: promoting critical thinking, logic and bringing back rationality is where we should start from. Although solutions must be localized and community-focused, the common ground is making education better, cooler and more interesting. Additionally, I believe that to fight misinformation, we should avoid engaging with it altogether. The solution is to ignore these narratives and strip them of their importance.

IJAB: Which innovative ideas would you like to see being implemented regarding the problems you mentioned?

Miranda: Participating at the World Forum for Democracy helped me learn about things that are done in other countries and that could be implemented in Argentina, like this TV-polit-talks with young people in Albania, who simulate being political leaders, or the youth councils and similar types of programs. But most importantly, I would like to see a better distribution of resources, because I see that the motivation and skills to work towards a more equal world are there, but then the resources lack or they're not well distributed.

Kostian: We don’t need to reinvent the wheel, but rather focus on scaling up and supporting existing, community-led initiatives. There are already many impactful projects out there, but we need many more, and crucially, we need the right resources to make them thrive. As we’ve discussed, finance is a priority. What we need is to empower local communities, schools, and young people to design their own civic engagement projects. Many youth delegates highlighted the vital role of youth organizations and grassroots initiatives in promoting democratic values and driving social change. In line with this, the Council of Europe already awards the Democracy Innovation Prize, but why not introduce an additional award specifically for youth-led initiatives? 

Also, one of my other proposals was to involve young people directly in the agenda-setting process for the next World Forum for Democracy. This is a new approach and it’s something, I believe, can make a significant difference. The idea is for a group of youth delegates of 2024 to be part of the organizing team. This way, young people wouldn’t just be present at the table, but they would be actively involved in shaping the event itself. By including youth in the planning and organization stages, we ensure that their perspectives are fully integrated into the Forum’s structure, fostering a deeper sense of ownership.

Ultimately, we need to be very concrete in our actions. It’s not enough to talk about these issues – we need to make real progress. And progress means more funding, more projects, greater involvement, and greater inclusion.

Miranda: Yes, and we also should work towards more international representation at the World Forum for Democracy, because it's called „World Forum“, but it wears European lenses. I think it could be very enriching, if more voices were brought and discussants dared to peacefully disagree and negotiate. That's really what democracy is about, and it's the only way to find solutions, new ways of thinking and working: by engaging with  “others”. 

IJAB: I have two last questions. What have you personally taken from the World Forum for Democracy, that you maybe want to implement in your local area, in your country in the region you live and how are things evolving for you from now on? 

Miranda: As Kostian was saying, I don't think we have discovered something new, as we talked about similar issues and solutions. Yet, for me it was an incredible experience to learn from youth that works similar to me but on the other side of the world or on a different topic. The youth delegation was extremely thought-provoking, it was very keen and motivating to meet them. After all, connecting with people from different parts of the world really gives you new ideas, new perspectives and you  learn about new opportunities. For example, the Latin American delegates taught me about different programs, scholarships and with their help I am applying today. I would just implement more of these types of meetings. 

Kostian: I completely agree with Miranda! For example, my roommate during the period we were staying in Strasbourg was from the Dominican Republic, and I also had the chance to meet people from Peru, Vietnam, Colombia, South Korea, Argentina and many other countries I had never encountered before. Of course, we are exposed to information from news channels, the internet, and social media, but it's not the same as meeting people face-to-face, engaging in real conversations, and discussing ideas in person. When you do this, you gain a much better understanding of the local context and the nuances that shape their perspectives.

When young people come together, it’s not just an exchange of cultures but also an exchange of ideas. These ideas can evolve into projects that have the potential to transform entire communities. Step by step, we need to promote youth inclusion not only in the World Forum for Democracy but also in other global events where world leaders gather. Young people shouldn’t just be present at the table—they need to be key decision-makers. We don’t need more “youth-washing”; we need real, concrete action. I hope that by 2025, our recommendations that we made during the forum will be heard and are implemented because in the end that’s what counts: We are not just participating, but actively driving and shaping the outcomes at the World Forum for Democracy.

IJAB: Thank you.

[1] The summary of the youth rapporteur at the 12th World Forum for Democracy is available on YouTube (from 2:10:41).