What better way to celebrate 10 years of VP Vera Jourova’s work on European values - and to say goodbye in person - than by inviting her as our guest of honour?

On Tuesday 19 November, come and meet Vera Jourova, Vice-President of the European Commission for Values and Transparency, at a our monthly Brussels #DemocracyDrinks.

Join us for an informal exchange about democracy, looking back on Jourova's 10 years in the European Commission, and looking ahead to the future of democracy within the European Union and beyond.

Defend Democracy is connecting the dots between two upcoming initiatives from the EU Commission: the European Democracy Shield and the European Preparedness Union.

'For the European Democracy Shield to do what it says, it must encompass the full spectrum of hybrid threats, not only foreign disinformation. Like any shield, it is only as strong as its bearer. If it is to be more than a fig leaf, our work to defend democracy must start at home.'

On 15 October, Defend Democracy founder Alice Stollmeyer spoke about sustaining societal resilience in times of Russia's hybrid and conventional war against democracies.

"Ukraine is Europe. We need to win this war. Europe needs to find its spine. [..] Preparedness is key. All civil society organisations and citizens have a role to play. That collective awareness also increases feelings of collective security. This is only possible if citizens themselves actively contribute."

Defend Democracy was honoured to provide input for the Dutch Data Protection Authority's latest 'AI & Algorithmic Risks Report Netherlands' which focused on democracy.

The report was launched with a panel debate in The Hague, about the impact of AI in democracy. Our director said:

“AI has huge implications for democracy. We need to look not only at specific algorithms but also at the broader effects on our society of the digital transition as a whole."

Defend Democracy is excited to welcome former Member of European Parliament Sophie In ‘t Veld to its Advisory Board. In ‘t Veld is a leading voice on democracy with 30 years experience in European politics.

Politico Europe wrote: 'Sophie in ‘t Veld, the Dutch former Renew MEP, is joining Defend Democracy’s advisory board. It’s not a paid gig and won’t involve lobbying, she said.'

“I am very pleased and honoured to join Defend Democracy, a young and visionary organisation. We take democracy for granted, but today it is under huge pressure in many places, even within the European Union. We cannot remain silent!”

“As a Ukrainian person looking at everything that’s been happening in the world lately, here’s what I really, REALLY need people living in liberal democracies to understand [..]:

Your democracy won’t last if you’re not ready to take security seriously and act now.

All you need to do for now is to make your institutions cut ties with everything Russian, clear them from spies and harmful actors, and invest in your security [..]"