Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya took part in the panel discussion “Is Democracy in Trouble?”, which focused on the challenges facing democracies around the world today. The discussion examined how, amid global polarization, institutional fatigue, and pressure from authoritarian regimes, societies can preserve openness and the free exchange of ideas.
The panel also featured Bolivian Foreign Minister Fernando Huanacuni Aramayo, Yale University professor of political science Hélène Landemore, and Singapore’s Minister for Law and Second Minister for Home Affairs Edwin Tong.
In her remarks, Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya stressed that while democracy can be a source of strength, authoritarian regimes have learned to exploit its weaknesses: dictators offset the slowness of democratic processes – rooted in transparency and debate – with speed and brutality, disregarding rules and human lives.
Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya: “Democracy does not emerge on its own. It requires constant work and daily protection. And this is not only the task of politicians – it is the responsibility of everyone it concerns: civil society, businesses, the media, and every individual. I see that even today, people increasingly recognize its value and understand how important it is”.
