At a time when truth is under siege and disinformation corrodes public trust, democracy’s defense begins with clarity, courage, and solidarity. The international conference Defending Democracy: The Battlefield of Truth in Skopje brought together parliamentarians from across Europe, thought leaders, journalists, and human rights advocates from across Europe and beyond to confront hybrid threats and reaffirm the moral and strategic imperative of defending truth itself.
By Jabir Deralla
In an era where manipulation and false narratives spread faster than facts, the line between freedom and control – between democracy and authoritarianism – is being redrawn daily. It’s a notorious fact that the hybrid war is not confined to the battlefield. And the first target of hybrid warfare operations are the facts of reality. This war is waged through disinformation, propaganda, cyberattacks, and distortion — in our media, our politics, our schools, our institutions, and certainly in our private lives – entering our living rooms on our tv screens, popping up on our palms, in our mobile phones. It shapes perceptions, fuels division, and erodes trust — the very foundation upon which democratic societies rest.
Over three days last week, Skopje became a meeting point for voices of reason, resilience, and solidarity. The international conference “Defending Democracy: The Battlefield of Truth”, held from 8–10 October 2025, brought together distinguished journalists, policymakers, diplomats, civil society leaders, and academics from across Europe, Ukraine, the Western Balkans, and the United States.
Hosted and organized by CIVIL – Centre for Freedom, in partnership with the founders of the Defending Democracy Global Initiative – the New European People’s Forum (international), and Media Dialogue (Germany) – and its flagship programme Westminster Alliance for Ukraine partners – the prominent Centro Studi Internazionali (Italy) and Jean Monnet Association (France) – the conference addressed the most urgent threats to democracy, media freedom, and peace — and explored strategies to strengthen democratic resilience. (this needs to be revised and divided in two sentences)
The conference opened with scenario-building sessions and press conferences, followed by the high-profile livestreamed panel discussion “Ukraine’s Struggle – Europe’s Future, Our Common Reality: Lessons and Next Steps.” Esteemed participants – parliamentarians, thought leaders, media and civil society – from Germany, the United Kingdom, France, Italy, Ukraine, the Netherlands, Hungary, and the United States shared insights into how truth itself has become a frontline in modern warfare — and how defending it is not only a moral duty, but a strategic imperative for democracies worldwide.
Over three intensive days — with prominent thought leaders, media professionals, and civil society representatives from North Macedonia taking active part during the second and third day — participants engaged in livestreamed panel discussions, closed-door workshops, and collaborative planning. They examined the mechanisms of hybrid influence operations, the erosion of public trust, and the urgent need for coordinated democratic action. The sessions also introduced early findings from the Democracy Navigator project, culminating in joint statements and strategic recommendations for safeguarding democratic integrity and reinforcing solidarity with Ukraine.
The conference reaffirmed a simple but powerful truth: Democracy must be protected through coordinated action, solidarity, and an unwavering commitment to truth.
CIVIL and its partners express profound gratitude to all speakers, panellists, and participants, whose contributions transformed this gathering into a dynamic exchange of knowledge, inspiration, and courage. We also extend our deepest thanks to the Federal Foreign Office of the Federal Republic of Germany, whose support through the Democracy Navigator project made this event possible.
This conference marks another milestone in our collective journey — one that continues through public debates, collaborative research, and international advocacy under the banner of the Defending Democracy Global Initiative. A small country in the Western Balkans, such as North Macedonia – challenged with authoritarian tendencies and continuous hybrid warfare operations and relentless Russian propaganda – is indeed a battlefield that needs to endure and be part of the defence network of the European continent. It deserves to be taken as an important ally in the defence of democracy and human rights in Europe and beyond. The successes in our joint effort can and should serve as a model of building resilient democracy elsewhere.
Together, we stand united: For truth. For action. For democracy.
About the Author:
Jabir Deralla is a writer, journalist, and human rights advocate. He is President of CIVIL – Center for Freedom and Secretary General of the New European People’s Forum. His work focuses on democracy, hybrid warfare, and the global struggle for truth.
Check the livestreamed videos of the conference HERE.