NEWS

ICU students participated in the 11th Athens Democracy Forum

Update: November 2, 2023

Apollo Ssenyange, a third-year student, and Aoi Mochizuki, a second-year student of ICU College of Liberal Arts participated in the 11th Athens Democracy Forum, held from September 27th to 30th, 2023 in the vibrant city of Athens, Greece.

This prestigious event is sponsored by the non-profit Democracy and Culture Foundation in association with The New York Times. It aims to explore strategies for safeguarding and perpetuating democratic principles and fundamental freedoms while addressing the prevailing ideological and political divisions that have gripped the global stage.

On the central theme of this year, "Do we Dare to Hope?", the event saw the participation of a diverse array of stakeholders, including politicians, policymakers, academics, activists, and veterans. The collective objective was to collaboratively devise concrete solutions and initiatives to address the pressing challenges facing democracies worldwide, such as generative AI, long-term strategy for failing Ukrainian situation, and climate change that brings unexpected disasters.

Involvement of ICU students was facilitated through the Global Liberal Arts Alliance (GLAA), which invite university students from 30 partner universities worldwide since 2016. This year 22 university students were invited, of which 2 students represented ICU. They stayed at Athene for a week to prepare and reflect. In the forum, students actively involved in dialogue with multidisciplinary group of participants with fresh new perspectives as youths.

 

【Comments from Aoi Mochizuki】
I applied to this forum to develop the concept of democracy, which I have been taught since elementary school, to a practical one. Through the talks of those who have been sincerely concerned about the state of the world, such as previous year's panelists former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, and other decision-makers at the international level, I wanted to deepen my understanding of the method.

The topic I was most interested in during the forum was climate change. I could not relate "democracy" to climate change before attending the conference. However, through the panel "Rethinking Climate: Flight and Fight, "I learned that elections and regime change, which exist to keep democracy as a fair mechanism, prevent the implementation of long-term sustainable policies and cause mitigation measures to slow down in response to the increasing threat of climate change.

One thing I questioned was the Western-centric view of "democracy" . When democracy is introduced as an idea in each country, it adapts to that culture. However, when people discussed countries with a political structure that is different from the so-called American-style democracy, I felt that "understanding" was lacking. When individuals feel unfamiliar with "the other" because of differences in countries or uncertainty with their ideas, it further divides nations and hinders the pursuit of the common goal of peace. I believe that politics can be better achieved by continuing to learn from third-party perspectives about the issues in countries with different forms of democratic structures. In fact, the daily discussions I had with 22 colleagues led me to learn some very interesting perspectives under the different state systems in which they each grew up.

The words "Hope is what comes after action ( Hope is what comes after action. )" , which Lia Papazoglou, co-founder of Ecogenia, spoke on the topic of the forum, "Do We Dare to Hope?" , was significant for me. I would like to apply the knowledge I gained from this forum to the exercise of my citizenship.

Finally, I would like to thank Professor Williams and Professor Bondy for recommending me to GLAA, the Office for the Top Global University Project for preparing my trip, and Dr. Gray and Dr. McDonald of GLAA for their support throughout the entire program.

 

【Apollo Ssenyange's Comments】
My decision to participate in the Athens Democracy Forum was driven by a profound desire to actively engage in the policy-making process and contribute to global peace efforts. I hold a deep passion for youth empowerment and believe that involving young people at every level of society's decision-making processes is pivotal to effecting meaningful change.

During the forum, I had the privilege of contributing to the discourse by presenting a youth perspective on the ongoing establishment of the Citizen's Assembly as a branch of the European Union. In my address, I underscored the significance of empowering citizens and enhancing their participation in EU governance, emphasizing the need for the EU to draw closer to its constituents.

Additionally, I had the honor of delivering a speech titled "Can't We All Get Along?" In this address, I explored the evolving nature of conflict in the 21st century, shifting away from large-scale wars towards internal conflicts. I introduced "The Common Ground Initiative," a strategic approach that seeks to bridge divides and foster trust among conflicting groups by identifying and nurturing shared interests. Drawing upon historical examples such as the Northern Ireland conflict, I highlighted the potential of cultural exchanges, safe dialogue spaces, active listening, empathy, inclusivity, representation, and trust-building to dissolve differences and minimize conflicts.

How Did I Feel About the Forum? :
Participating in the Athens Democracy Forum was a deeply enriching experience. I felt privileged to be in the company of distinguished individuals who shared a common commitment to advancing the cause of democracy and addressing its intricate challenges. The diversity of perspectives and the opportunity to engage in constructive dialogues left me inspired and hopeful for the future of democracy.

What Did I Learn From the Forum? :
The forum exposed me to the complexities of democracy and broadened my understanding of the multifaceted issues surrounding it. Additionally, I had the chance to establish valuable connections with international policymakers, which I believe will be instrumental in advancing my advocacy for youth empowerment and active participation in the policymaking process.

Goals for the Future :
Looking ahead, I aspire to leverage the knowledge and networks gained from the Athens Democracy Forum to foster discussions on democracy through my youth empowerment organization. Comprising 4,000 youth members from 54 countries across five continents, this organization will serve as a platform to cultivate democratic ideals among the younger generation. By doing so, we aim to lay a solid foundation for a more peaceful and democratic future."