«The future of democracy in Europe: The urgency of rebuilding trust in a time of polarisation and crisis.» 

With higher economic inequality, geopolitical tension and pressure at Europe`s borders, democracy as we have known it, is under severe pressure. Polarisation, coupled with a growing distrust in both politicians and the traditional parties has led to a growth in populist parties, which in 2017 received 24% of European votes. How may we see a renewed trust in politics and how could we see democracy re-strengthened rather than further decay? 

TO JOIN THE EVENT - USE THE FOLLOWING ZOOM LINK:

https://cauxforum-org.zoom.us/j/88350510992?pwd=dFl5clRzd2YzVU1XaHJ1a3dzT1lNdz09#success

Meeting ID: 883 5051 0992

Passcode: 027656

The event is part of Initiatives of Change`s Global HubFest - for more information: www.iofc.org

Speakers:

Tarjei Skirbekk is an author and former politician with the Norwegian Labour Party. He holds a Master in the History of Ideas, has worked extensively on EU and European Political issues and has previously held the role as an advisor to Norway´s current Prime Minister, Jonas Gahr Støre. His book De moderate folkepartienes fall (The Fall of The Moderate People`s Parties”), in which he assesses the state of democracy across Europe, stirred significant debate when it was launched in 2021.

photo by: Gorm Gåre

Tomas Sedlacek is a Czech philosopher of economics and author of the best-selling book Economics of Good and Evil (2011), which has been translated into 21 languages. A former advisor to the Czech president Vaclav Havel, he was listed among the top 100 thought leaders (GDI), has been a member of the National Economic Council and currently works as a chief macroeconomic strategist at Czech commercial bank CSOB. He also works as a columnist for a leading Czech economic daily paper, and is a well sought-after speaker internationally.    

Facilitator:

Hermund Haaland is a board member with IofC in Norway, a serial entrepreneur and author. He is the Founder and Director of The Zebr Institute (www.zebrinstitute.com), with a clear focus working on the future issues of Europe and on developing a next generation of leadership on our continent. 

Session program:

10:00 – 10:05 Introduction

10:05 – 10:20 The fall of the moderate people`s parties by Tarjei Skirbekk

10:20 – 10:35 The state of democracy in Europe and a way forward by Tomas Sedlacek

10:35 – 10:50 Q&A to speakers

10:50-11:15 Discussions in small groups

11:15 – 11:30 Summary of discussions and wrap-up