Our Policy Officer Antonella Candiago participated in the World Forum for Democracy 2024 in Strasbourg as part of the Youth Delegation, representing the European Network on Independent Living (ENIL). The event brought together activists, policymakers, and experts to discuss this year’s theme “Democracy and Diversity – Can we transcend the divides?”. The forum focused on the challenges posed by socio-economic, gender, ethnic, and other inequalities, especially in the context of electoral processes, and how these disparities can foster division and populism.
Before the main forum, Antonella took part in training days at the European Youth Centre. These intensive days featured lectures, focus sessions, and group discussions with young people from around the globe, all working on diverse human rights causes. This vibrant environment provided an opportunity to exchange ideas, debate key issues, and build networks.
The main event was held at the Council of Europe, where participants attended plenary sessions, workshops, and labs exploring different topics related to democracy. Antonella actively contributed to the discussions, particularly during the session on the challenges of digital democracy. Her intervention addressed critical issues such as the disability and gender and disability digital gap, and the consequences in terms of inclusion in democracy and citizenship. She also highlighted the underrepresentation of disabled people in the development and design of AI systems, stressing how these disparities affect inclusive democratic participation.
Through her engagement, Antonella brought attention to the intersection of disability, gender, and technology, amplifying the voices of marginalized communities in global conversations about democracy. Her contribution underscored the importance of ensuring that AI and other digital tools are designed to promote equality and accessibility for all.
