PRESS RELEASE
Exploring Democratic Renewal and Resilience in an Era of Uncertainty: The Athens Democracy Forum Announces Its 2025 Program
From artificial intelligence to collective action, the Athens Democracy Forum will convene global thought leaders to address current democratic challenges while looking forward to innovative solutions and renewed hope for democracy worldwide.
Athens, June 20, 2025 – In the wake of the global election cycle of 2024, the accelerating spread of A.I. and a growing chorus of authoritarian voices worldwide, the Athens Democracy Forum will convene in the Greek capital from September 30 – October 3, 2025, under the title New Visions for Hard Realities. This year’s Forum will explore bold topics, look at the arc of history and invite us all to think collectively about our shared future in an age of geopolitical uncertainty and technological disruption.
Organized by the Democracy & Culture Foundation in association with The New York Times, the Forum brings together prominent voices from politics, technology, science, and civil society in a high-level global setting. This year also marks the launch of a new programmatic pillar on Future Visions in collaboration with Berggruen Institute, cementing the Forum’s role as a global hub for rethinking democratic governance.
This year’s edition will feature high-level discussions on the future architecture of democratic governance, with confirmed speakers including:
● Danilo Türk, Former President of Slovenia and President, Club de Madrid
● Christiane Amanpour, Journalist and Chief International Anchor, CNN
● Martin Hojsík, Vice President, European Parliament
● Mary Beth Goodman, Deputy Secretary General, OECD
● Hélène Landemore, Professor of Political Science, Yale University
● Luigi Di Maio, European Union Special Representative for the Gulf Region
● Sherry Hakimi, Co-Founder and C.E.O., Pirth.org
● Marjan H. Ehsassi, Executive Director, FIDE North America
● Jaeyoung Lee, Former Member of the Korean National Assembly and Adjunct Professor, Kookmin University, Seoul
● Nudhara Yusuf, Policy Analyst, Stimson Center.
New Initiatives and Strategic Dialogues
This year’s Forum will feature a closed, invitation-only session for parliamentarians. Co-hosted by the Better Politics Foundation and the Democracy & Culture
Foundation, the session will focus on political leadership in the A.I. era, with key topics including disinformation, ethical uses of A.I. in governance, psychological resilience and cyber-protection frameworks.
For the first time, the Forum introduces an “A.I. & Ethics Day” – a program dedicated to the ethical, legal and societal dimensions of A.I. in democratic life. Experts from technology, politics and philosophy will discuss how A.I. is reshaping society and decision-making.
Also debuting this year is a new N.G.O. Platform, where selected civil society organizations will present their work and impact, aiming to amplify public engagement and democratic dialogue.
The Future of Democracy: Critical Conversations for a Pivotal Year
With 2025 unfolding as a year of political volatility, social frustration and widespread calls for democratic accountability, this year’s Forum explores both the mounting threats to democracy – including armed conflict, technological disruption, economic uncertainty and climate crisis – as well as signs of hope and renewal, from participatory innovations to youth-led civic movements across the globe.
Discussions this year will span the future of democracy, the rise of populism, the global trade and power landscape and geopolitical tensions. Ambitious concepts such as planetary governance will also be on the agenda, while our Tools for Democracy section will spotlight practical solutions and innovations, with youth voices taking center stage through the Bright Ideas showcase.
At a time when democracy is being tested on every front, the Athens Democracy Forum invites policymakers, academics, journalists and engaged citizens to take part in shaping a new democratic vision – one capable not only of surviving but thriving in the face of adversity.
For more information and updates, please visit: https://www.athensdemocracyforum.com/
Save the Date:
September 30 — October 3, 2025
Athens Conservatoire
About The Democracy & Culture Foundation, organizer of the Athens Democracy Forum
The Democracy & Culture Foundation was founded in 2019. The Foundation’s mission is to empower society through citizen engagement and better governance, by becoming the leading global platform for dialogue and solution-oriented activities concerning the evolution of democracy and culture. Two of its major events, the Athens Democracy Forum in association with The New York Times and Art for Tomorrow, are held annually and designed to convene, connect and foster collaboration between prominent and emerging voices for both democracy and culture. The Foundation also runs initiatives worldwide with its partners, including Teens for Democracy and Building Blocks for Democracy.
For more information, please visit the Foundation’s website https://www.democracyculturefoundation.org/ and follow us on our social channels.
Press inquiries: Paul Goguel Masson, Director, Communications – paul@democracyculturefoundation.org
E: info@athensdemocracyforum.com
W: athensdemocracyforum.com
© 2024 Athens Democracy Forum