The landmark publication Defending Democracy and Human Rights – Report and Policy Recommendations is now available online. This 200-page report is a major outcome of the International Conference Defending Democracy and Human Rights in the Face of War, Nationalism, and Authoritarianism, held in Skopje on December 11–12, 2024, and reflects the months-long work of the Defending Democracy Initiative established following the conference.

The publication is available online and in print, and it is structured into three parts:

• Policy Recommendations – Spanning 60 pages, this essential section is divided into ten thematic areas. Each theme is presented with Context, Policy Recommendations, and Concrete Steps, Measures, and Actions. These recommendations are a must-read for political, social, and academic leaders—as well as those aspiring to shape change in their fields.
• Voices from the Conference – This chapter presents the keynote speeches delivered by prominent participants from across Europe and the United States. Their insights were instrumental in shaping the policy framework and sparking the creation of the Defending Democracy Initiative.
• Activities Report – A detailed account of the conference’s agenda and related activities, including workshops, press conference, and networking meetings. It also features a presentation of the Defending Democracy: 25 Years of CIVIL exhibition, as well as links for further research and engagement.

LINK TO PUBLICATION

The publication is now accessible in an easy-to-read, downloadable format on various platforms including Media Dialogue (Germany), Defending Democracy, CIVIL MEDIA, and Civil.Today, among others. All content is available under the Creative Commons 4.0 International License, ensuring free access and sharing. In addition to the digital version, a limited number of printed copies of the publication are also available.

The publication will be distributed to key institutions, policy- and decision-makers, and partners around the world, with the goal of informing national and global strategies to strengthen democratic governance and human rights protections in times of rising authoritarian threats.

The project is supported by the Government of North Rhine-Westphalia. Implementing partners and co-founders of the Defending Democracy Initiative include Youth4Media and Media Dialogue from Germany, CIVIL – Center for Freedom from North Macedonia, and the Brussels-based New European People’s Forum.

Defending Democracy Initiative

So far, the publication is available on:

MEDIA DIALOGUE
DEFENDING DEMOCRACY
CIVIL TODAY
CIVIL MEDIA
DREJT
GREEN CIVIL