By Beatrice Chabaya
Authoritarian threats have become a pressing concern globally, prompting leaders to convene and address the issue.
Global leaders recently gathered at the 28th Forum 2000 conference in Prague, Czechia, to address the growing threat of authoritarianism and promote democracy worldwide.
The conference, held from October 13-15, 2024, brought together prominent figures, including Czechia President Petr Pavel, former Taiwan President Tsai Ing-wen, and Russian opposition leader Vladimir Kara-Murza.
At the conference, President Pavel said that China should use its influence to promote peace and international cooperation and help to end the war in Ukraine.
President Pavel said protecting democracy was not an easy task, while pointing out continued Russian aggression against Ukraine, which has spurred increased human rights violations in other countries and inspired those who disregard international norms.
“It requires strong institutions,” he said at the opening of the conference, emphasizing that countries like North Korea, Iran, Niger, and Venezuela have aligned with Russia, inspired by its aggressive actions.
President Pavel called on the international community to stop the decline of global standards.
Amid rising concerns about the declining democracy worldwide and an increase in authoritarian regimes, the Forum 2000 remains undeterred to keep democracy alive through its annual conferences.
From October 13-15, the organisation founded by late Czechia President Vaclav Havel, a true leader of the struggle for freedom, dignity, and universally acknowledged human rights activist, held its 28th conference in Prague, gathering pro-democracy global leaders, scholars, and activists, including Zambia’s journalist and Free Press Initiative founder Joan Chirwa, to discuss the pressing challenges facing democratic societies.
On her panel, Ms Chirwa, discussed the importance of preserving democracy in the world.
“People must be free to express themselves, participate in governance processes, and have confidence in their country’s democratic governance systems,” she stated.
She also brought out the importance of trust in electoral processes and talked against the dangers of misinformation and disinformation.
And to combat this, she advised countries to invest in investigative journalism skills, fact-checking, and information verification for journalists, as FPI has done.
“At the FPI, we’ve conducted investigative reporting trainings for journalists nationwide, including the female only led investigative reporting training, called Moto, equipping journalists with skills to counter misinformation,” she explained.
She revealed that another way the Free Press Initiative tackles misinformation is through its Media and information literacy project (MIL), in partnership with Interlink Academy of Germany, which includes community trainers from different parts of the country who engage with their communities on MIL.
“This, however, requires collective effort, a lot of it, because a society that is misinformed or disinformed undermines democracy. Correct information must be passed on to foster democratic growth,” she concluded.
This year’s theme for the conference titled, “Proving Democracy’s Resolve and Resilience,” couldn’t be more timely, as authoritarian regimes, including Russia, continue to pose a significant threat to democracy worldwide.
Despite the challenges posed by authoritarianism around the world, the Forum 2000 is riding on the strong foundation laid by Havel, a true leader of the struggle for freedom, dignity, and universally acknowledged human rights, who, even from behind prison bars, did not stop challenging the regime based on daily lies, manipulations, as well as a brutal persecution of anybody who opposed the system in any way.
Havel’s struggle prevailed and allowed him and his colleagues to put an end to the communist regime in his country, attaining social and political change without employing any violence. These are the deeply-held values that Forum 2000 still holds dear through the holding of the global conferences where global leaders discuss pertinent challenges facing democracy today and spell out possible solutions that require stronger collaborations and solidarity from around the world.
At the opening of the conference on Sunday, October 23, the packed hall of the Prague Conference Centre gave a standing ovation to the winner of the Forum 2000 International Prize for Courage and Responsibility –imprisoned Venezuelan lawyer Rocío San Miguel. She was selected by the organisation’s committee in recognition of her unwavering commitment to truth and justice in the face of severe persecution.
Rocío San Miguel was represented at the ceremony by Tamara Sujú, founder of the Nueva Conciencia Nacional Foundation and the Damas de Blanco civic movement, organizations dedicated to training, promoting and reporting on human rights and democratic values in Venezuela.
Among the speakers at the opening ceremony was Vladimir Kara-Murza, one of the leading figures of the Russian opposition, who received the Forum 2000 International Award for Courage and Responsibility in 2023, during his imprisonment by the Putin regime.
“It is thanks to all of you that I am standing here in this beautiful city surrounded by friends instead of still sitting in that 2×3 meter cell. The only way to a Europe that is finally whole, free and at peace is through a democratic Russia. I have no doubt that day will come,” Vladimir Kara-Murza told the gathering.
On October 14 during the official opening, Jakub Klepal, the Executive Director of the Forum 2000 Foundation in Czechia, emphasized the organisation’s increasing collaboration with partners from the Global South and its commitment to ensuring that the dialogues held at the forum are as global and inclusive as possible. He noted that, in order to defend the international liberal order, no single democratic nation can act alone, underscoring the need for the establishment of a coalition of democracies.
In his address to the delegates, President Pavel set the tone for the conference, emphasizing the importance of strengthening democratic resilience in the face of external threats. His remarks underscored the need for collective action to protect democratic institutions and promote European unity.
The conference explored various thematic areas, including World Order on the Brink, Fragile Democracies, Democracy and Technology, and Forum for Ukraine. These sessions provided a platform for experts to share insights on the challenges facing democracies and potential solutions.
Former Taiwan president Tsai Ing-wen, who was a special guest at the conference, said authoritarian regimes wanted to export their form of government to the rest of the world, using methods from information warfare to threats and invasion, and tried in increasingly aggressive ways to paralyse democratic societies.
“Amidst all this Taiwan stands on the frontline of the assault,” Tsai said on October 14. “The most recent action taken is China’s announcement earlier today of a military exercise. For more than half a century, Taiwan has faced constant intimidation from the Chinese communist regime, which has tried in every possible way to annex Taiwan, and those threats only intensified as Taiwan became an integral part of the international community.”
Forum 2000 has a rich history of fostering global dialogue and promoting democracy. Founded in 1996 by Václav Havel, Japanese philanthropist Yohei Sasakawa, and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Elie Wiesel, the organization aims to identify key issues facing civilization and explore ways to prevent conflicts.
Past conferences have attracted prominent thought leaders, Nobel laureates, and former politicians. This year’s event continued that tradition, bringing together a diverse group of experts to address the complex issues facing democracies .
As the world grapples with the rise of authoritarianism, events like the Forum 2000 conference play a critical role in promoting democracy, human rights, and global cooperation. These conferences help forge a united front against the threats facing democratic societies, as the leaders in attendance all reaffirm their commitment to ensure democracies thrive.
Forum 2000’s convening power brought together a diverse group of stakeholders, from policymakers and scholars to activists and civil society representatives.
The conference underscored the urgency of defending democracy and promoting a sense of shared responsibility.
As Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavský emphasized, “Democracy’s resilience depends on our collective effort. We must work together to protect democratic institutions, promote fact-based discourse, and support those fighting for freedom.”
The 28th Forum 2000 conference served as a timely reminder of democracy’s enduring value and the importance of collective action to safeguard its future. As the world navigates increasingly complex challenges, events like Forum 2000 play a critical role in fostering global cooperation and promoting democratic resilience.