CIVIL – Center for Freedom hosted an international online briefing today, presenting the core themes of the upcoming nine-day programme Defending Democracy: Horizons of Freedom. The event brought together journalists, partners, and experts to discuss the shifting landscape of hybrid threats facing the Western Balkans and Europe.
The head of the organization, Jabir Deralla, opened the session by highlighting CIVIL’s long-standing work in democracy, human rights, and early-warning monitoring. He stressed that today’s democratic challenges are shaped by hard power, soft power, and increasingly—algorithmic power. Disinformation, foreign interference, and cross-border propaganda networks linked to Russia continue to expose regional vulnerabilities, especially during election periods.
Participants were introduced to the programme’s key elements: high-level debates on Ukraine and hybrid warfare, a roundtable on AI as a battlefield, youth engagement, public art, media action, and the launch of the Local Elections 2025 Report & Strategic Recommendations. Deralla underlined that the initiative is designed as a platform where civil society, media, academia, and diplomacy “join forces against authoritarian influence.”
In the featured conversation, human rights scholar Heather Roberson reflected on how societies can build “democratic immunity.” She emphasized the need to make democratic participation more compelling than the false promises of authoritarian leaders. “Our job is to make engagement more alluring—to show people they are heard, protected, and that their actions matter,” she said. Roberson also drew parallels between Ukraine and the Western Balkans, noting that both regions face manipulation aimed at weakening institutions and public trust. Yet she expressed hope, observing that many citizens are becoming more discerning and aware of the consequences of democratic backsliding.
The briefing concluded with a call for stronger cross-border cooperation, positioning the Balkans as an early-warning space for Europe’s democratic security.
B. Jordanovska