The 2024 edition of the Warsaw Dialogue for Democracy will discuss some of the most pressing issues facing democracies today with a focus on the impact of new technologies on democracy and human rights. This year´s event is also celebrating the 75th anniversary of the Council of Europe, with the aim of raising awareness and visibility of the organisation´s expertise, including the Framework Convention on Artificial Intelligence and Human Rights, Democracy and the Rule of Law, other related treaties and conventions, as well as the case-law of the European Court of Human Rights.
The event on 18 and 19 November offers a platform for exchanging ideas and experiences aimed at strengthening democratic institutions, empowering civil society, and advancing human rights. It is organised by the Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the University of Warsaw and brings together leaders, experts and civil society activists from around the world.
In his welcome address, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Poland Jakub Wiśniewski underlined that the 75th anniversary of the Council of Europe gives us every reason to look with pride at its achievements. "The Council's numerous normative acts, standard-setting documents, and initiatives constitute a Pan-European system based on shared values - human rights, democracy and the rule of law." He also welcomed the completion of work on the Council of Europe's Framework Convention on Artificial Intelligence and Human Rights, Democracy and the Rule of Law. "Once again, the Council has proved that it is able to meet new challenges such as those related to rapid development of new technologies."
In his keynote speech, Council of Europe Deputy Secretary General Bjørn Berge, emphasised that when the organisation was founded 75 years ago in the wake of the Second World War, its founding members could not have envisaged the manner or speed with which new technologies have emerged and changed our lives nor the benefits that they have brought, or risks that they pose. "But the great advantage of the European Convention is that it is not a static set of rules for specific circumstances. Rather the whole convention system has become a very dynamic system, with currently 225 treaties and conventions. Even more important is the continuous development and dynamism of the case law of the European Court of Human Rights. The Court in Strasbourg has said it very well: that it is a 'living instrument' that must be applied to the present day."
Key themes will include challenges and opportunities presented by artificial intelligence (AI), as well as the growing threats posed by disinformation and fake news. The conference will also explore how the development of new technologies.
