Applications are open for the Fully Funded World Forum for Democracy 2019.

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 and 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, rivaled and often eclipsed by websites, blogs, and social media. A plethora of new sources – including millions of individuals – has joined the well-known outlets, that spread the news with the click of a share button.

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.

 Fully Funded World Forum for Democracy Provides

The host of the fully funded World Forum for Democracy will cover the participants’ travel expenses as well as accommodation and food expenses for the duration of the forum.

Who are eligible for World Forum for Democracy?

• Participants must be of age 18-30;
• Likewise, fluent to communicate and work in English;
• Moreover, actively involved in civil society democracy initiatives;
• Further, motivated to contribute to developing new ideas on youth and democracy;
• Ready to share own challenges faced in relation to media, fake news, information as well as its effects on democracy;
• Ready to adopt a solution-oriented approach by bringing in new ideas and visions on the question of media, fake news, information, as well as democracy;
• Also, available to participate fully in the World Forum for Democracy and the preparation process beforehand

How to apply for World Forum for Democracy 2019?

Candidates may apply for youth delegation in the World Forum for Democracy 2019 in 2 parts:

1. An online application form should be completed
2. A short 1-minute video posted on YouTube or another accessible forum.

Deadline

Young Delegates may apply for the Fully Funded World Youth Forum for Democracy online before Friday 12 July 2019 CET 13:00 (1 pm).