Welcome to the website of the Defending Democracy and Human Rights initiative, organized by CIVIL – Center for Freedom (North Macedonia) and MEDIA DIALOGUE / Y4M (Germany).
This website is a work in progress and will evolve into a comprehensive public resource, featuring findings, analyses, and policy recommendations. In the future, it will serve as a platform to connect experts, organizations, and media, fostering collaboration around ideas and actionable strategies to strengthen and defend democratic values and human rights on a global scale.
The international conference “Defending Democracy and Human Rights in the Face of War, Nationalism, and Authoritarianism” brought together experts, policymakers, civil society leaders, and journalists from across Europe and beyond to address the most pressing challenges facing democracy today. Held on December 11-12, 2024 in Skopje, North Macedonia, the event provided a platform for in-depth discussions on the threats posed by war, the rise of nationalism, and the resurgence of authoritarian tendencies.
Over the course of the two-day event, more than 80 participants took part in panel discussions, workshops, and networking opportunities, exchanging insights and laying the foundation for developing concrete recommendations to strengthen democratic resilience and media freedom. Partner organizations committed to collaborating on a strategic policy document outlining sustainable actions for key actors and decision-making structures at regional and global levels.
The Government of the German Federal State of North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW) supports this important international conference. The event was part of the NRW Human Rights Week, which features various formats on this critical topic. North Macedonia and North Rhine-Westphalia have been partner regions since 2021.
