How to Stop the Slide into Authoritarianism

The panel, “How to Stop the Slide into Authoritarianism”, featured Vladimir Kara-Murza, potential ‘Russian President in-exile’, and human rights advocate; András Baka, former head of Hungarian Supreme Court; Gulchehra Hoja, senior journalist Radio Free Asia Uyghur Service; Yavuz Aydin, Turkish Judge in exile; and Cenk Uyghur, Co-founder and host of The Young Turk online News Network. They examined the global rise of authoritarianism, focusing on democratic backsliding.

Speakers detailed how leaders manipulate national security to justify repression, control media, weaken judicial independence, and restrict civil liberties, with Hungary and Turkey serving as key examples. Discussions addressed Russia’s transition , highlighting the suppression of opposition, and the consequences of ignoring early warning signs, as well as the Uyghur genocide in China, Turkey’s mass repression post-2016 coup attempt, and the misuse of terrorism charges to silence dissent. Rising authoritarian sympathies in the U.S.. Panellists emphasized the power of peaceful resistance and the need for stronger international pressure and unified domestic opposition efforts to resist democratic erosion.

Trump 2025 U.S. Constitution and Military, NATO, Ukraine, Taiwan

The panel "Trump 2025 U.S. Constitution and Military, NATO, Ukraine, Taiwan" featured David Crane, Founding Chief Prosecutor of the United Nations Special Court for Sierra Leone; Rory Stewart, British politician, diplomat, and writer; Tienchi Martin Liao, former President of the Independent Chinese PEN Centre; and Bahman Kalbasi, BBC Persian Service NYC/UN Correspondent. The discussion focused on the implications of Trump’s second presidency on U.S. foreign policy, NATO cohesion, and global security. Crane and Stewart warned that Trump's "America First" stance has severely weakened transatlantic trust, prompting European states to pursue greater defence autonomy. With Trump viewing Ukraine as an aggressor and showing no urgency to deter Russian expansionism, the panel agreed Europe must prepare for a scenario in which U.S. security guarantees can no longer be relied upon.

Tienchi Martin Liao highlighted Taiwan’s growing vulnerability in the face of heightened Chinese military pressure, citing intensified air and naval incursions since 2022. The panel warned that diminished U.S. backing may embolden Beijing, increasing the likelihood of conflict. More broadly, Trump’s foreign policy posture, marked by admiration for authoritarian figures, was seen as a threat to democratic institutions globally. The speakers concluded that Europe must urgently boost its defence capabilities, deepen internal NATO cooperation, and assert stronger leadership in preserving global stability and democratic norms in the face of rising geopolitical uncertainty.

The Borderline between Legitimate Self-Determination
and Separatism

The Borderline between Legitimate Self-Determination and Separatism, featured panelists: Chris Law, Scottish National Party MP for Dundee Central. A former SNP spokesperson for International Development and Climate Justice; Sir Iain Duncan Smith, British Conservative Party politician- MP for Chingford and Woodford Green; Tasmina Ahmed-Sheikh, Scottish politician, and Chair of the Alba Party. This panel explored the fine line between self-determination and separatism, emphasizing that legitimate independence movements must follow democratic, legal, and peaceful processes.

The discussion stressed the lack of clear international legal standards, with panelists urging the UN and global institutions to establish formal guidelines for determining when a region qualifies for self-determination. Self-determination must be pursued democratically and legally, distinguishing it from separatism, which can destabilize nations. It called for a clear international framework, particularly from the UN, to guide independence movements and prevent repression or conflict. Governments were urged to engage in dialogue, allow fair referendums, and protect minority rights to ensure peaceful resolutions.

The Meaning and Purpose of Life

The Meaning and Purpose of Life featured Peter Singer, utilitarian, ethics philosopher; Katarzyna de Lazari-Radek, utilitarian philosopher; Markus Gabriel, Mind and Science philosopher; and Elisa Aaltola, philosopher specializing in animal and moral psychology. The panel explored different perspectives on the meaning and purpose of life, emphasizing pleasure, ethical action, and moral progress. Discussions highlighted how fulfillment arises from reducing suffering, contributing to the well-being of others, and continuously striving for ethical improvement. The role of technology, particularly AI, was debated in shaping human purpose, with a call to align advancements with moral values. Optimism was encouraged as a driving force for positive change, reinforcing that meaning is actively created through purposeful actions.

The search for meaning in life is closely tied to the pursuit of pleasurable experiences and the reduction of suffering. Pleasure, in this view, is not limited to fleeting physical gratification but encompasses deeper forms of joy, satisfaction, and emotional well-being. Meaning is found in cultivating positive mental states and enriching one's inner life rather than in external possessions or achievements. While suffering is an unavoidable aspect of existence, it should not be glorified as inherently meaningful. Instead, efforts should be made to minimize unnecessary pain and promote well-being, both individually and collectively.

Women’s Leadership:
Less Conflict, More Prosperity

The panel "Women's Leadership: Less Conflict, More Prosperity" featured global leaders and changemakers including Secretary Hillary Clinton, former U.S. Secretary of State; President Vjosa Osmani-Sadriu of Kosovo; President Dalia Grybauskaitė of Lithuania; Prime Minister Natalia Gavrilița of Moldova; Maria Ressa, Nobel Peace Prize laureate and journalist from the Philippines; and moderator Katarzyna Pisarska, Chair of the Warsaw Security Forum. Together, they explored the regressions in women's rights, global security threats, and the role of women leaders in shaping resilient, democratic societies.

The discussion opened with concerns about a global backlash against women’s rights, with Secretary Clinton highlighting how political leaders and online platforms are reinforcing patriarchal narratives and reversing hard-won rights, particularly around bodily autonomy and reproductive freedom. President Osmani stressed the resilience of women in leadership, linking women's inclusion in peace processes to longer-lasting peace and prosperity. President Grybauskaitė expressed concern over Europe's shifting security environment, warning that democracy’s decline disproportionately harms women. Prime Minister Gavrilița emphasised Moldova’s experience of resilience under female leadership amid Russian aggression, celebrating legislative progress on gender equality. Finally, Maria Ressa warned of the intensifying online violence women face, particularly in Asia, cautioning that digital platforms now pose a serious threat to the human rights gains achieved since the 1995 Beijing Women’s Conference. Collectively, the panel underscored that safeguarding democracy, peace, and equality is inseparable from protecting and empowering women.

State Secularism as the Basis of Democracy and Human Rights

“State Secularism as the Basis of Democracy and Human Rights” featured Hina Jilani, Pakistani human rights lawyer and a founding member of the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan; President Moncef Marzouki, former President of Tunisia; and Cenk Uygur, Turkish-born American political commentator, media host, the co-creator of @TheYoungTurks. Democracy is about protecting diversity and pluralism, with secularism playing a key role in ensuring equal rights. Hina Jilani, highlighted Pakistan’s shift from a secular to a religious state under military rule, which led to the persecution of minorities and suppression of women. Despite religious political parties lacking electoral support, they continue to influence policies, particularly through blasphemy laws, which are often used to settle personal disputes.

Moncef Marzouki emphasized that the primary divide in the Arab world is not between secularists and Islamists but between pro-democracy and anti-democracy forces. Cenk Uygur stressed that secularism is fundamental to democracy, citing the U.S. Constitution’s protection of religious freedom while preventing the establishment of a state religion. He criticized Israel for claiming to be a democracy while denying rights to Palestinians and questioned whether secularism is viewed as a "dirty word" in Muslim-majority countries. The panelists debated whether secularism should be reframed to avoid opposition in religious societies. Marzouki suggested focusing on democracy and human rights rather than using the term "secularism," while Jilani insisted that secular values must remain central to democratic governance. They agreed that the key to progress lies in protecting individual rights and ensuring that no religion holds state power.

Why Democracy? - A Philosopher’s Panel

The panel - Why Democracy? - A philosopher’s panel featured key leading philosophers including Peter Singer, utilitarian, ethics philosopher; Katarzyna de Lazari-Radek, utilitarian philosopher; Markus Gabriel, Mind and Science philosopher; Elisa Aaltola, philosopher specializing in animal and moral psychology; and Tobias Rosefeldt, philosopher specializing in classical German philosophy, language, and metaphysics. The panelists interrogated the nature, value, and future of democracy in an age of disinformation, irrationality, and digital manipulation.

The discussion revealed tensions between rationalism and emotional appeal, elitism and populism, and institutional stability and radical innovation. All speakers agreed on the urgent need to defend democratic institutions, resist manipulation, and find ways to revive public trust in democracy under contemporary conditions. The panel called for a reimagining of democratic governance that prioritises both structural protections and the cultivation of empathy and truth in the public sphere.

How to Protect the Division of Powers as the Foundation of Democracy

How to Protect the Division of Powers as the Foundation of Democracy included high-profile panelists, such as Richard Goldstone, Chair of the United Nations Fact Finding Mission on the Gaza Conflict, prosecutor of war crimes in Yugoslavia and Rwanda; Stephen Rapp, Former U.S. Ambassador-at-Large for War Crimes Issues; András Baka, Former Head of Hungarian Supreme Court; Geoffrey Robertson, Founder and joint head of Doughty Street Chambers; Yavuz Aydin, Turkish Judge in exile; Hina Jilani, Pakistani human rights lawyer and founding member of the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan; and Cenk Uyghur, Co-founder and host of The Young Turk online News Network.

The panel explored the fundamental role of the division of powers in democracy, emphasizing the need for an independent judiciary to uphold the rule of law. Speakers highlighted the growing threats to judicial independence worldwide, citing examples from Hungary, Turkey, the United States, and other nations. Discussions addressed how executive overreach, legislative interference, and media control contribute to democratic erosion. The panel underscored the dangers of political influence in judicial appointments and the use of emergency laws to bypass parliamentary oversight. Experts stressed the importance of civil society, media, and international cooperation in defending judicial independence and countering authoritarian tendencies.