The opening session of the Forum will bring three perspectives on the state of democracy in Europe and on the role of political decision makers and of civil society in the current context dominated by increasing political and social instability across Europe, against a background of low economic growth and continuing austerity, exacerbated by continuing conflict in the Middle East, continuing flows of economic and political refugees towards Europe and geopolitical challenges. Within the European Union, disaffection with the Union itself as well as with established institutions and political elites at national level is increasingly exploited by populist political movements, often preaching or tolerating hate speech and sometimes seeking to clamp down on certain basic freedoms.

Moderator: Ionuţ Sibian, Executive Director of Civil Society Development Foundation

Guest speakers:

Violeta Alexandru, Minister of  Public Consultation and Civic Dialogue of the Romanian Government

Yves Leterme, Secretary-General of International IDEA

Luca Jahier, President of the Various Interests' Group of the European Economic and Social Committee