What better way to close the 2024 Super Election Year than by looking at how to better protect democracy together?

On Tuesday 10 December, come and meet Tom Theuns, Senior Assistant Professor of Political Theory and European Politics at a our monthly Brussels #DemocracyDrinks.

Join us for an informal exchange about his new book 'Protecting Democracy in Europe: Pluralism, Autocracy and the Future of the EU'.

Day: Tuesday 10 December 18:00-20:00
Venue: The Network, 11 Place du Luxembourg
Fee: please support Defend Democracy's work:

On 25 November, Defend Democracy convened a high-level roundtable dinner on democracy, security and technology.

Together with Signal President Meredith Whittaker and representatives from the European institutions, transatlantic countries and civil society, we discussed democracy in the digital era, improving cyber security and building better tech.

For Defend Democracy’s introductory view on why and how to build values-based technology, here is an article we wrote inspired by the late French philosopher, anthropologist and sociologist of technology, Bruno Latour:

On 19 November we celebrated 10 years of VP Vera Jourova’s work on European values and said goodbye in person by inviting her as the guest of honour to a special edition of our monthly #DemocracyDrinks.

Coming from Czechia, a communist state from 1948-1989,

“I was grateful to President Von Der Leyen for giving me the [European values] portfolio, because I knew exactly what I didn’t want to happen in our EU countries.”

Defend Democracy joined a talk show to discuss tech giants, lack of regulation and what Europe can do about it.

“We went to Brussels to sit down with the people who shape these policies – in the European Parliament’s own studio."

The episode was recorded in June; published in November.

Our director Stollmeyer joined an all-female panel launching Sophie Pornschlegel's stocktaking of, and recommendations for, the EU's democracy agenda. She said:

"We have a limited window of opportunity: civil preparedness and societal resilience will be key to preserve democracy, security and the European project."

'The People' cites Defend Democracy senior advisor Chris Kremidas-Courtney:

“Trump’s victory in alliance with Silicon Valley moguls like Elon Musk means that we’re entering an era where Big Tech will not only be unleashed, but they’ll also be able to use their influence in the White House to bully the EU into not enforcing the laws and regulations meant to protect our citizens and democracy. We must stand strong and united amid these attempts to coerce us into abandoning our values and sovereignty.”

Defend Democracy is fighting to protect democracy from foreign, domestic and technological threats.

But time is running out. Democracy won’t defend itself.

Take action today. Your Christmas gift to Defend Democracy helps us expand our training, advocacy, and coalition-building for societal resilience and civil preparedness.