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 travels faster than facts, the line between freedom and control — between democracy and authoritarianism — is being redrawn every day. It’s a notorious fact that the hybrid war is not confined to the battlefield. Its first and most vulnerable target is truth itself.
This war is waged through disinformation, propaganda, cyberattacks, and distortion — invading our media, our schools, our institutions, and our private lives. It enters our homes through television screens and glows from our palms on mobile phones. It shapes perceptions, fuels hatred, and corrodes trust — the very foundation upon which free societies stand.
Last week, Skopje became a meeting point for reason, resilience, and solidarity. The international conference “Defending Democracy: The Battlefield of Truth”, held from 8–10 October 2025, gathered leading journalists, policymakers, diplomats, civil society actors, and academics from across Europe, Ukraine, the Western Balkans, and the United States.
The event was organized by CIVIL – Center for Freedom, in partnership with the founders of the Defending Democracy Global Initiative (DDGI) — the New European People’s Forum (international) and Media Dialogue (Germany) — together with the flagship DDGI programme, the Westminster Alliance for Ukraine, and its distinguished partners Centro Studi Internazionali (Italy) and the Jean Monnet Association (France).
It addressed the most urgent threats to democracy, media freedom, and peace — and explored concrete strategies for building democratic resilience and countering hybrid threats.
The conference opened with scenario-building sessions and press events, followed by the high-level panel “Ukraine’s Struggle – Europe’s Future, Our Common Reality: Lessons and Next Steps.” Esteemed parliamentarians, experts, and thought leaders from Germany, the United Kingdom, France, Italy, Ukraine, the Netherlands, Hungary, and the United States discussed how truth itself has become a frontline in modern warfare. Defending it, they agreed, is not only a moral duty — it is a strategic necessity 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 strategic 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 timeless truth: democracy cannot defend itself. It must be protected — through courage, cooperation, and an unwavering commitment to truth.
CIVIL and its partners express deep gratitude to all speakers, panelists, and participants who transformed this gathering into a vibrant forum of knowledge, inspiration, and courage. Special thanks go to the Federal Foreign Office of the Federal Republic of Germany, whose support through the Democracy Navigator project made this milestone possible.
This conference marks another chapter in our shared mission — a journey that continues through dialogue, collaboration, and action under the banner of the Defending Democracy Global Initiative.
North Macedonia, though small, stands on a crucial front. Surrounded by authoritarian tendencies and continuous hybrid operations — targeted by relentless propaganda and manipulation — this country is both a testing ground and a shield for European democracy. It must be treated as an indispensable ally in defending human rights and democratic values across Europe and beyond.
The lessons and successes from this collective effort offer more than inspiration. They provide a model for building resilient democracies — where truth, not fear, shapes the public sphere.
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.