How can we achieve better governance and citizen engagement? Join this free virtual event to explore real solutions to the most pressing issues facing democracy.
How can we achieve better governance and citizen engagement? Explore real solutions to the most pressing issues facing democracy during the 2020 Athens Democracy Forum, a free virtual event which will be held from September 30 to October 2. It is open to the public, and you can .
Themed 鈥楾he New Abnormal: Reimagining听Democracy,鈥 the Athens Democracy Forum will convene leaders from government, business, civic society, and the nonprofit sector.
Why is this important?
Even before the current crisis, democracy was threatened: from hijacked elections to the spread of extreme ideologies to the increasingly sophisticated tactics of strongmen. The effects have become alarmingly apparent: migration shifts, climate change, economic uncertainty, and general global unrest.
Since the COVID-19 pandemic hit, the assaults have become even more prevalent, and calls to reinvent democracy are more urgent than ever.
What do our students say?
鈥淚 don鈥檛 think true democracy is alive in any nation at the moment and the amount of democracy which some nations have is crumbling. It鈥檚 important that we study the origins of democracy, what it means to be a democratic nation, and how democracy can survive this new age,鈥 says Hava Mansouri 鈥21.
Originally from Tehran, Iran, she will graduate from Franklin in the spring with a combined major in History and International Management. Hava will be attending this virtual event because 鈥渋t is a great opportunity鈥 and 鈥渢o engage in conversation and debate which can only lead to me becoming a better version of myself.鈥
To protect democracy right now, Hava suggests voting in one鈥檚 home elections. Also, students can join the Student Government Association (SGA) to help maintain democracy at Franklin. Her third idea is 鈥渢o be more involved with the Ticinesi community, so that we can establish better relations between our students and the community, and to ensure that all voices are heard.鈥
Luciana Vazquez 鈥21 will also graduate in the spring, with a B.A. in International Economics and Social Justice and Sustainability. Originally from Paraguay, she also lived in both Senegal and Mauritius before coming to Switzerland. She has seen a lot of the problems facing our world. Luciana accepts that it is her turn to lead, because she and other young people are inheriting them.
鈥淚 owe it to [the world] to be more involved. Democracy is the one way that all citizens have the right to be heard and for actual change be made. Abraham Lincoln once said, 鈥榯he government of the people, by the people, for the people.鈥 That means that, if this is not fulfilled, a government is not a democracy and it is not fulfilling the role that it should. There are numerous problems in our world right now, ranging from climate change, refugee crisis, and most recently the COVID-19 pandemic. By cooperating and listening to each other, we can find feasible and sustainable solutions.鈥
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to make connections, learn more about the initiatives that experts are planning, and discover how you can help to strengthen democracy.