The Strasbourg World Forum for Democracy

WFD Palais

The World Forum for Democracy is an occasion for young people to debate the complex challenges facing democracies today and to foster democratic innovation. Held in Strasbourg and hosted by the Council of Europe, it is open to participants enrolled in the annual training cycles of the Schools of Political Studies, as well as other young people involved in civic initiatives.

The Forum brings together members of civil society, political leaders and representatives of business, academia, media and professional groups. Events include: plenary sessions, laboratories, talks, storytelling sessions and a pop-up agora. The European Parliament, the University of Strasbourg, the French National School of Administration (Ecole Nationale d’Administration) and local authorities are also involved in the implementation.

The Association of Schools of Political Studies, in cooperation with the Council of Europe, organises a programme of special events for participants from the Schools which supplement the main forum programme. These include a visit the European Court of Human Rights, a diploma ceremony in the presence of the Secretary General, bilateral meetings between the Schools and other networking events. The ASPS also organises a public debate in the sidelines of the Forum, held each year in Strasbourg city centre.

The Forum has been held annually since 2012, with the seventh edition having taken place in November 2018, under the title “Gender Equality: Whose Battle?” For more information, see the World Forum website.

Previous editions of the Forum