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Council of Europe to Host Major Democratic Hackathon in Strasbourg
The Council of Europe will convene a landmark event in Strasbourg on June 20 as part of the New Democratic Pact for Europe initiative, bringing together diverse minds to tackle pressing challenges to democratic institutions across the continent.
The day-long gathering will feature an intensive hackathon with 11 teams from throughout Europe, complemented by plenary debates on democratic resilience and freedom of expression in the digital age. Participants will collaborate on innovative solutions to counter disinformation and reinvigorate democratic participation amid growing threats.
Council of Europe Secretary General Alain Berset will open the event and participate in discussions, underscoring the organization’s commitment to safeguarding democratic principles across its 46 member states.
“Democracy faces significant threats today – from widespread disinformation to increasing political polarization, declining public trust, and widening inequalities,” noted a Council spokesperson. “This event represents a crucial step in our ongoing work to protect and strengthen democratic institutions.”
The hackathon brings together an intentionally diverse group of participants including youth activists, civil society leaders, technology developers, policymakers, diplomats, legal experts, economists, scientists, philosophers, social entrepreneurs, psychologists and artists. These multidisciplinary teams will develop practical solutions aimed at making democracy more engaging, inclusive and resilient in an increasingly digital world.
The event builds directly upon the Reykjavik Principles for Democracy, which were established to address growing concerns about democratic backsliding across Europe. Through structured team challenges and collaborative innovation, participants will tackle fundamental questions about democracy’s future, including how democratic institutions can adapt to emerging digital challenges while protecting freedom of expression under European human rights law.
Specific debate sessions will address the intersection of disinformation with gender equality, elections, and culture – three areas particularly vulnerable to manipulation in the digital sphere. Team pitches and an award ceremony will conclude the formal program, with social activities designed to foster continued collaboration.
In a parallel initiative, a satellite event at the European Youth Centre in Budapest will engage young people from across Council of Europe member states. This complementary program will provide expert guidance as youth participants develop their own innovative approaches to democratic resilience.
The New Democratic Pact itself emerged as a direct follow-up to the Reykjavik Declaration, which was adopted by European leaders in response to growing concerns about democratic fragility across the continent. The pact aims to revitalize democracy by promoting transparency, meaningful citizen engagement, and strengthening the rule of law.
Political analysts note that this initiative comes at a critical moment for European democracy. Recent studies from the V-Dem Institute and Freedom House have documented significant democratic decline across several European nations over the past decade, while public trust in democratic institutions has reached historic lows in many countries.
“The Council of Europe is uniquely positioned to lead this work,” explained Dr. Helena Müller, a democracy scholar at the University of Zurich. “As the continent’s oldest political organization dedicated to upholding human rights, democracy, and rule of law, it has both the institutional memory and the moral authority to convene meaningful action on these issues.”
The Strasbourg event represents the most visible manifestation to date of the New Democratic Pact’s practical work. Outcomes and innovations developed during the hackathon will be incorporated into the Council’s ongoing democratic resilience initiatives across Europe.
Further information about the hackathon and the broader New Democratic Pact for Europe is available on the Council of Europe’s website.
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10 Comments
The Council of Europe’s commitment to this issue is encouraging. Protecting democratic institutions while preserving free speech is a delicate balance, but one that must be achieved. I look forward to learning more about the outcomes of this hackathon and the proposed solutions.
This hackathon seems like a timely and important initiative. Disinformation poses a real threat to democratic processes, and I’m hopeful the Council of Europe event can produce tangible ideas to address this challenge. Engaging a range of perspectives is key.
Disinformation and declining public trust are worrying trends that require a concerted response. I’m glad to see the Council of Europe taking proactive steps to engage diverse stakeholders in finding ways to strengthen democratic resilience. This hackathon could yield valuable insights.
The hackathon format seems well-suited to tackle this challenge creatively. I’m curious to learn more about the specific solutions proposed by the 11 teams. Protecting democratic institutions in the face of disinformation is a critical priority.
This event highlights the importance of international cooperation in addressing threats to democracy. The Council of Europe’s leadership in convening this hackathon is commendable. I hope the discussions and proposed solutions can inform policymaking across Europe.
Safeguarding democracy in the digital age is crucial. I’m glad to see the Council of Europe taking this issue seriously and bringing together diverse minds to collaborate on solutions. Disinformation is a growing threat that needs a multi-faceted response.
Absolutely. Finding the right balance between free speech and combating false narratives will be key. This hackathon could uncover some innovative approaches worth exploring further.
Interesting that the Council of Europe is taking a proactive stance to address disinformation and protect democratic institutions. This hackathon could yield some innovative solutions, though balancing free speech and combating false narratives will be a delicate challenge.
Agreed, it’s a complex issue without easy answers. I’m curious to see what ideas emerge from the hackathon participants.
Balancing free speech and countering disinformation is a delicate balance. I’m curious to learn more about the specific approaches the hackathon participants propose. Safeguarding democratic institutions is crucial, and this event could uncover innovative solutions worth scaling.