In recent years, liberal democracy has faced increasing contestation, not only through overt authoritarian practices but also through the gradual alteration of democratic institutions, principles, and practices from within. While disagreement and debate are productive and essential in democratic systems, the past decade has seen these tensions consolidate into illiberal practices and anti-liberal ideologies that undermine rights, weaken or alter the mandates of institutions meant to protect those rights and reshape public expectations of what democracy should deliver. These shifts are visible across political systems, legal and judicial decision-making, economics, social relations and the information landscape.

Participants will:

– Be able to identify and critically evaluate illiberal and authoritarian practices within and beyond formal democracies.

– Gain a clearer understanding of liberal democracy, its core values, boundaries and how it differs from illiberal frameworks.

– Be able to explore actions that protect citizens’ rights and the democratic space.