At a time when democratic institutions are under strain across the globe, questions about how to protect and renew democracy have taken on new urgency. It was against this backdrop that, on 30 March 2026, the International Institute of Social Studies (ISS) and the Institute of Development Studies (IDS) convened a timely and thought-provoking seminar.
Building democratic futures
The event brought together perspectives that challenged conventional narratives about where democratic innovation comes from. Rather than looking solely inward, discussions turned outward by highlighting how lived experiences and political practices from the Global South offer critical lessons for strengthening democracy in the Global North. And importantly, how European countries can move beyond rhetoric towards meaningful collaboration in supporting democratic resilience worldwide.
Watch the seminar recording
The discussion was enriched by contributions from policymakers and practitioners working at the frontlines of democracy. Speakers included Mpanzu Bamenga, Member of the Dutch House of Representatives, and Farah Karimi, Member of the First Chamber of the Netherlands, alongside voices from civil society and international organisations such as Joeri Buhrer Tavenier, Tijmen Rooseboom and Ángela Rodríguez. Their insights were complemented by contributions from Marianna Belalba, Rukia Cornelius and David Kode, each bringing grounded perspectives on democratic practice, participation and resistance in different contexts.
A key moment in the seminar was the launch of the new report by IDS, Where’s the Demos in Democracy: Building Democratic Futures and Resisting Autocracy. The report makes a compelling case that democracy, when meaningfully practised, delivers more equitable and sustainable development outcomes than alternative systems. It calls for a rethinking of democracy that centres people and power, and outlines eight practical building blocks to strengthen democratic systems and resist decline.
For those looking to explore these ideas further, the report offers both a critical diagnosis of current challenges and a roadmap for action grounded in global evidence and experience.
Impressions from the event
