Deadline: Friday 12 July 2019 CET 13:00 (1 p.m)
The World Forum for Democracy is a unique platform for political decision-makers and activists to debate solutions to key challenges for democracies worldwide. By identifying and analyzing experimental initiatives and practices, the Forum highlights and0 encourages democracy innovations at the grassroots and their transfer on a systemic level in order to strengthen the foundations of democratic societies. The Forum thus contributes to the evolution of democracy towards more participatory and inclusive structures and institutions.
“Democracy and information” is the theme of the World Forum for Democracy in 2019 with two main
threads:
- Democracy dies in darkness: are we getting the information we need?
- Information and the Future: lost in space or masters of our own fate?
Information is changing. The volume, the content, the platforms: each of these has evolved beyond
recognition in a short period of time. This evolution continues. Twenty-five years ago, most of our
information came from printed publications, television and radio. Today, these are complemented,
rivalled and often eclipsed by websites, blogs and social media. Well-known outlets have been joined
by a plethora of new sources – including millions of individuals – that spread news with the click of a
share button.
The questions we must address in 2019 are to what extent the information is reliable, whether this
helps or hinders citizens in taking part in democratic processes, and what lessons we should learn for
ensuring the free flow of information in the future.
The core content of the Forum will consist of discussions about successful initiatives and actions, which
have real-life initiatives as a starting point. General guiding principles will then be drawn to encourage
and support future policy responses and field action.
In this context, the Youth Department of the Council of Europe will invite 50-60 young people to
participate and engage with decision-makers and opinion-formers in a reflection on the question of
Democracy and Information.
Preparing for the World Forum on Democracy
To best prepare for the World Forum, selected participants will gather in Strasbourg two days before
the start of the World Forum to learn about the Council of Europe and it’s work with youth, to get to
know each other, to develop their ideas, plan their actions and work together with the guidance of an
international team of trainers.
During this time, participants will be informed about the different labs and side events that will take
place during the World Forum and will be invited to choose their preference for attending. They can
contact the organising bodies which will implement the initiatives (labs) to receive further information
about their structures.
All selected participants should arrive on Sunday 3rd November and depart on Saturday 9th November.
The youth preparation meeting will take place for all participants on Monday 4th and Tuesday 5th
November in the European Youth Centre before the World Forum begins on 6th of November 2019.
During the World Forum for Democracy
During the World Forum, the youth participants will join the different labs and side events. Participants
may be given particular roles in the labs and side-events according to their interests and competences
(rapporteurs, moderators, audience…).
Altogether, the youth participants should be active partners and contributors to this World Forum,
bringing in their own ideas and initiatives. Beyond the labs and side-events, the participants may
organise parallel activities to make their voices heard and present their visions on fake news and
democracy.
Working language: The common working language of the event will be English. Candidates must be able to use English independently in order to be able to work and communicate efficiently.
Benefits:
- Travel expenses: Travel expenses and visa costs will be reimbursed upon presentation of the relevant receipts, according to the rules of the Council of Europe. Only the participants who attend the entire event (pre-Forum meeting and World Forum) can be reimbursed. The payment will be made by bank transfer after the World Forum. Prepaid tickets for travel can only be arranged in exceptional and justified cases.
- Accommodation: Board and lodging are provided and paid for by the Council of Europe (arrival on Sunday 3rd November and departure on Saturday 9th November). Participants will be accommodated at the European Youth Centre in Strasbourg (EYCS). You might be requested to share a room. The EYCS is fully accessible to young people with disabilities and ready to adapt to young people’s special needs in order to ensure full inclusion and quality working conditions. Wi-fi is provided in the rooms.
Eligibilities:
- Be aged 18-30 (exceptions can be made in special cases).
- Be able to communicate and work in English.
- Be actively involved in civil society democracy initiatives.
- Be motivated to contribute to developing new ideas on youth and democracy.
- Be ready to share own challenges faced in relation to media, fake news, information and its effects on democracy.
- Be ready to adopt a solution-oriented approach by bringing in new ideas and visions on the question of media, fake news, information and democracy.
- Be available to participate fully in the World Forum for Democracy and the preparation process beforehand.
- A few limited places will allow for participants from the previous editions of the World Forum to participate.
For enquiries:
In case of technical problems with the use of the platform, please send an e-mail to [email protected]
For any other questions please send an e-mail to [email protected]
How to apply:
Applications procedure
All candidates must apply in 2 parts:
- An online application form should be completed via this link:
- A short 1 minute video should be posted on YouTube, with the link attached to the online application form.
