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Summit for Democracy

April 23rd 2024 

University of Cyprus (Old Campus), Ceremony Hall

Kallipoleos 75, Nicosia, 1678

ABOUT

Cyprus Democracy Summit 

The Cyprus Democracy Summit (CDS) stands as a vibrant and dynamic platform, dedicated to fostering open dialogue and engaging discussions that deeply explore pivotal issues impacting the quality of democracy.
 

At its core, CDS embodies a modern-day "agora", providing a space for reflection on the defining challenges of our time. Bringing together thought leaders, representatives from institutions, civil society actors, and research organizations, both locally and globally, CDS unites to exchange knowledge, share experiences, and disseminate scientific findings.


Democracy cannot be taken for granted; it relies on our continuous engagement. The CDS actively promotes and strengthens participatory and deliberative democracy. It nurtures active democratic participation while embracing the principles of inclusivity and collaboration.

Join the Cyprus Democracy Summit to:

 

  1. Gain insight into the key forces shaping the new direction of the world.
     

  2. Deepen your understanding of the rapidly changing political environment in Europe and internationally through data, discussions, and presentations from influential leaders.
     

  3. Acquire fresh perspectives and actionable insights from experts and decision-makers tackling pressing social issues.
     

  4. Explore new avenues for enhancing civic participation, openness, and integrity in public life.
     

  5. Unlock opportunities for future collaborations and partnerships.

WHY ATTEND

Democracy Delivers

2024 Thematic Areas

 

  • Democracy and Reforms: Exploring the Need for Reform in Modern Democracies
     

  • Navigating Democracy's Inner Threats: Responsibilities for Renewal and Regeneration
     

  • The Super-Election Year 2024: Redefining Democracy Beyond Voting
     

  • The Critical Role of Education in Fostering Democratic Citizenship
     

  • Strengthening Democracy Through Art and Creative Expression
     

  • AI's Impact on Democracy: Challenges and Opportunities

08:30 – 9:00 - Registration
   
     

09:00 – 9:30 - Official Opening        

Welcoming Remarks by the Organizers

Annita Demetriou, President of the House of Representatives (virtual)

Nikos Christodoulides, President of the Republic of Cyprus

09:30 – 09:40 - Keynote Speech: “Democracy and Reforms”

Anna Diamantopoulou, President, “To Diktio” - Network for Reform in Greece and Europe, Former Minister, and EU Commissioner

 

09:40 – 10:00 - Conversation: “Without reform, modern democracies fail to deliver: What is the way forward?”

Anna Diamantopoulou, President, “To Diktio” - Network for Reform in Greece and Europe, Former Minister, and EU Commissioner

Haridimos Tsoukas, Professor of Strategic Management, University of Cyprus

 

10:00 – 10:10 - Keynote Speech: “Democracy's Inner Threats: Navigating Responsibility for Renewal and Regeneration”

Evarist Bartolo, Former Minister for Foreign and European Affairs, Republic of Malta

10:10 – 10:40 - Discussion: “2024: The Super-Election Year and Democracy Beyond Voting”

Evarist Bartolo, Former Minister for Foreign and European Affairs, Republic of Malta
Jonas Parello-Plesner, Executive Director at the Alliance of Democracies

Demetris Demetriou, Chairperson of the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Institutions, Merit, and the Commissioner for Administration 

Vasiliki Trigka, Associate Professor, Cyprus University of Technology

Moderator: Andia Mavromati, Member of the Board, Institute of Studies for Politics and Democracy

10:40 – 10:50 - Keynote Speech: “Arts and Democracy”

Erato Hadjisavva, Rector, School of Fine Arts, Greece

10:50 – 11:20 - Panel Discussion: “Arts and Democracy: Building a Stronger Democracy Through Art”

Vasiliki Kassianidou, Deputy Minister of Culture, Republic of Cyprus

Erato Hadjisavva, Rector, School of Fine Arts, Greece

PASHIAS, Visual Artist
Nasia Dionysiou, Author
Nikoletta Polydorou, Co-Founder & Executive Director, Sistema Cyprus

Moderator: Apostolos Kouroupakis, Cultural Journalist, Kathimerini Cyprus

11:20 -11:50 - Coffee Βreak

Agenda

11:50 – 12:00 - Keynote Speech: “Education: Citizenship, Freedom and Democracy” 

Liam Wegimont, Executive Director, Global Education Network Europe (GENE)

12:00 – 12:30 - Discussion: “Education and Democracy: The Vital Role of Education for Democratic Citizenship”

Athena Michaelidou, Minister for Education, Sport and Youth, Republic of Cyprus

Liam Wegimont, Executive Director, Global Education Network Europe (GENE)

Petros Pashiardis, Professor of Educational Leadership, Rector, Open University of Cyprus
Paraskevas Hadjikkos, Law Student, Vice-President of the Group of Legal Education at the University of Cyprus

Moderator:  Katerina Theodoridou, Director of R&D and Project Management, Center for Social Innovation

12:30 – 12:40 - “How is the EU supporting open, democratic, equal, and inclusive societies based on the rule of law?”

Pantelia Vyrides, Organisation of European Programmes and Cultural Relations

12:40 – 13.20 - AI and Democracy

Bright Idea:

The “Orbis” Project: “Orbis” will shape and support new democratic models that are imagined and developed through deliberative democracy processes that are digitally mediated.

Discussion:

Sotiris Themistokleous, Director of Strategic Development, Center for Social Innovation

Jahna Otterbacher, Associate Professor, Faculty of Pure and Applied Sciences, Open University of Cyprus & CYENS CoE

Nicolas Kyriakides, Member of the Executive Committee, Oxygen for Democracy

John Georgoulas, Non-Executive Director, ECOMMBX

Theodore Panayotou, Rector, University of Limassol
Moderator: Elena Georgiou Strouthos, Co-Founder & CTO, Cocoon Creations

13.30 - Closing

 

​Afternoon Session (by invitation only)

 

18:30 – 20:00 - Philosophy Walk: The ideal “polis”

 

20:00 - “In vino veritas” - Open discussion with participants over dinner

OUR SPEAKERS

Nikos Christodoulides 

President of the Republic of Cyprus

Annita Demetriou

President of the House of Representatives of the Republic of Cyprus

Athena Michaelidou

Minister of Education, Sport and Youth

Vasiliki Kassianidou

Deputy Minister of Culture

Professor Petros Pashiardis

Rector, Open University of Cyprus

Professor Haridimos Tsoukas

Columbia Ship Management Professor of Strategic Management, University of Cyprus

Vasiliki Trigka

Associate Professor, Cyprus University of Technology

Professor Theodore Panayotou

Rector of the University of Limassol

COLLABORATION

Our Partners

Liam Wegimont

Executive Director, Global Education Network Europe

Anna Diamantopoulou

President, To Diktio - Network for Reform in Greece and Europe; Former Minister and EU Commissioner

PASHIAS 

Visual Artist, Curator and Educator

Jonas Parello-Plesner

Executive Director at the Alliance of Democracies

John Georgoulas

Non-Executive Director – ECOMMBX

Katerina Theodoridou 

Director of R&D and Project Management, Center for Social Innovation (CSI)

Evarist Bartolo

Former Minister for Foreign and European Affairs, Republic of Malta

Erato Hadjisavva

Rector, School of Fine Arts, Greece

Under the Auspices:

With the support of:

Sponsors:

Supporters:

Academic Partners:

Community Partner:

Co-Organizers:

Knowledge Partners:

Demetris Demetriou

Chairperson of the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Institutions, Merit, and the Commissioner for Administration

Sotiris Themistokleous 

Director of Strategic Development, Center for Social Innovation

Nicolas Kyriakides, Member of the Executive Committee, Oxygen for Democracy