PRIO hosted the 15th Annual Peace Address on 12 November, focusing on a pressing global concern: the state of democracy and the vital role of civil society in its preservation and renewal.
A Call to Action from Professor Erica Chenoweth This year’s keynote speaker, Professor Erica Chenoweth of Harvard University, provided a thought-provoking analysis of global democratic trends. They explored the paradox of why non-violent resistance has been less effective in recent years, despite becoming more prevalent.
Chenoweth emphasized the transformative potential of collective action, stating that “civil society can save, improve and renew global democracy.” Their address offered both a diagnosis of current challenges and actionable strategies to strengthen civil society's impact worldwide.
Navigating Democratic Challenges and Opportunities Following the keynote, a panel took the stage to expand on these themes. Participants included Raymond Johansen, Secretary General of Norwegian People’s Aid; PRIO Director Henrik Urdal; and PRIO Senior Researcher Haakon Gjerløw. Together, they highlighted the critical interplay between grassroots movements, social media and institutional support in countering authoritarianism.
Johansen noted that “social media can be very important for mass mobilization. But mass mobilization alone is not enough—you need a strong civil society to bring it forward.” The discussion underscored the importance of international collaboration in empowering democratic movements and bolstering civil society organizations.
A Celebration of Democratic Discourse The event aimed to foster dialogue and action on global peace and democracy. Guests enjoyed a musical performance by the Norwegian band No.4, followed by a reception that encouraged further reflection and networking on the themes raised during the evening.
The full event is available for viewing on PRIO’s YouTube channel.
Further Reading from PRIO’s Archives To explore these themes further, consider these key publications and blog posts:
- Marianne Dahl, Haakon Gjerløw & Ida Rudolfsen (2024): The Pillars of Protest: Demands, Strategy, Composition, and Organization -
- Marianne Dahl, & Kristian Skrede Gleditsch (2023): Clouds with Silver Linings: How Mobilization Shapes the Impact of Coups on Democratization.
- Marianne Dahl, Sirianne Dahlum, Hanne Fjelde & Ida Rudolfsen (2022): Civil Society Faces an Uphill Struggle to Defend Democracy
- Haakon Gjerløw, Carl Henrik Knutsen & Tore Wig (2022): Democracy Works, Even in Weak States
