We live in a world characterized by war and civil unrest, and authoritarian forces are on the rise. The 1990s' optimism for peace, freedom, and democracy is long gone. Now, authoritarian forces are gathering and forming new, anti-democratic alliances.
Millions of people around the world are experiencing that their fundamental rights are under pressure, and the battle for truth is intensifying. Women, activists, indigenous peoples, journalists, and democracy advocates are paying the price.
But the fight is not over. People are mobilizing, uniting, and taking to the streets to protest. What can we learn from those who resist? And what role can aid, and development cooperation play in supporting people's rights?
At the Norad Conference 2024, we will highlight the consequences of the decline of democracy, women's rights, the struggle for natural resources, polarization, and what happens when social media has become the new weapon in the war for truth. We give the stage to some of those who are at the forefront in the struggles for rights, and challenge academia, civil society, authorities, and the business sector on how we can turn this tide.