THE WORLD FORUM
On Democracy, Tech, and Future of Humankind
Berlin, February 18 - 19, 2024
BERLIN - Bombings, killings and an invasion of a democratic country by a nuclear superpower: Putin’s war against Ukraine is the end result of the world’s appeasement with states that have abandoned democracy and human rights. History is in danger of repeating itself: Hitler took the Rhineland back against international treaties like Russia and China did with Crimea and Hong Kong; the annexation of Austria is similar to what Russia and China have announced they wish to do with Ukraine and Taiwan.
The world has been facing a global democratic recession since 2008. Its overall score for democracy fell to a record low of 5.28 out of 10 according to a study released in 2022 by the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU). Most countries are not democratic. Several authoritarian countries have become more effective than democratic countries - with an increase of wages in China of 1200 percent in 20 years as an example.
The promise of a better life through democracy is not valid anymore - it depends on how efficient and well a democracy works.
The World Forum on Democracy, Peace, Justice, Human Rights & Cultural Diplomacy (hereinafter The World Forum) is an annual conference held in Berlin that unites leaders from politics, civil society, and culture, engaged in the ideas and practices for a better world and fundamental change. The World Forum serves as a platform where the pressing socio-political issues of our time are discussed and tackled; while providing an opportunity for official and unofficial diplomatic encounters, which may pave the way for progress on democracy and peace as well as justice and freedoms. Every suitable panel will be followed by a lawmaking workshop where blueprint legislation will be developed with the goal of being used all over the world.
The World Forum will be held by the Cinema for Peace Foundation and partners. For the past two decades, the Cinema for Peace Foundation has reached over one billion people, initiated more than 20 films, helped raise more than $10 million for humanitarian efforts with the involvement of over a hundred Academy Award-winning artists; more than 30 heads of states, 100 ministers and elected officials; as well as icons of humankind and a better future such as Nelson Mandela, The Dalai Lama, Muhammad Ali, and Mikhail Gorbachev. The Cinema for Peace Foundation has also contributed to protecting the lives and freedoms of dissidents such as Alexei Navalny, Ai Weiwei, Pussy Riot, and lesser-known victims such as the Burmese comedian Zarganar, whose release from prison was triggered by a documentary film initiated by The Cinema for Peace Foundation. The World Forum will utilize documentary films containing facts and evidence to inspire a discussion on some of the world’s most pressing problems.
Themes
DEMOCRACY
Democracy is under increasing threat all over the world. In the US, elections were challenged at the highest levels, Capitol Hill was stormed. On the other side of the Pacific, the People’s Republic of China denies democracy and freedom. Within Europe, democracy is being challenged, among others, in Russia, Poland, and Hungary, as governments reduce the space for democracy, neglect critical civil society, crackdown on media, dissidents, and opposition, and cripple judicial institutions.
PEACE
Conflicts and crises have halted democratic processes in many regions, which gives rise to geopolitical humanitarian repercussions. Many regions continue to struggle for peace, such as Russia/Ukraine, Israel/Palestine, Yemen, and Ethiopia.
JUSTICE
The foundation of democracy is a free society and justice. The pillars of justice are independent courts and the existence of opposition voices and competing candidates. Many oppressive governments enjoy impunity as there is no legal system in place to ensure and protect justice. International criminal justice is evolving through the ICC and national courts investigating international criminal cases, while also People’s tribunals including 'The Court of the Citizens of the World', co-founded by Cinema for Peace, wish to serve as an alternative legal mechanism that presents evidence, raises awareness, and provides a foundation for political action.
HUMAN RIGHTS
Human rights are being violated physically in oppressive countries, and socially on digital platforms all over the world. Many states continue to silence and attack human rights activists whose work and voices are at risk. How to support human rights activists' personal and digital freedom of expression and how to make repressive regimes compliant or accountable?