Earlier this month, Isuf Halimi, Director of the European Center for Human Rights (ECHR) and coordinator of SPHERE+, took part in the World Forum for Democracy in Strasbourg. The Forum brings together people from many backgrounds — public officials, youth activists, educators, civil society organisations and community leaders — to reflect on the state of democracy and the pressures it currently faces.
This year’s conversations focused on why trust in democratic institutions is declining and what can be done to strengthen participation and public debate. Participants explored how inequalities, misinformation, and polarisation make it harder for people to feel represented in public life. There was also strong interest in the role of education, culture and civil society in rebuilding democratic values.
Several themes were particularly relevant to SPHERE+. Speakers highlighted how the tone of public communication influences social attitudes and how harmful narratives affect vulnerable communities. These discussions connect directly to the work of SPHERE+, which supports public officials, political staff, educators and CSOs to recognise harmful language and promote safer, more inclusive communication, especially in areas affecting LGBTIQ+ people.
The Forum also emphasised the importance of cooperation between institutions and community actors — something that sits at the heart of SPHERE+. Creating respectful public spaces relies on many people working together, and the event offered helpful reflections on how cross-sector partnerships can make positive change possible.
The 2025 Forum fed into the Council of Europe’s wider New Democratic Pact for Europe, an initiative aimed at strengthening democratic culture and public participation across the region. The ideas shared in Strasbourg will help inform our ongoing work and reinforce our commitment to improving communication practices in political and public life.
As SPHERE+ continues its activities, we look forward to bringing these insights into our training, resources and awareness efforts, supporting public conversations that are safer, more respectful and grounded in dignity for everyone.
