For the second consecutive year, our undergraduates supported the Athens Democracy Forum (ADF), a landmark conference convening leaders from around the globe in partnership with The New York Times. Organized by the Democracy and Culture Foundation and running from September 30 to October 3 under the theme of “New Visions, Hard Realities,” ADF 2025 examined opportunities for reimagining democracy amidst the formidable challenges of democratic backsliding, populism, and technological advancement, including cyber-threats and AI. Highlights of the conference included the annual awarding of the City of Athens Democracy Award to journalist and author Gideon Levy, as well as a lively debate on the merits of authoritarianism.
The ADF called upon the diverse backgrounds of students in the Politis Civic Engagement Program to serve as communications officers – interviewing speakers, recording panel insights, and supporting conference logistics. The President of the Democracy and Culture Foundation, Mr. Achilles Tsaltas, commended the students for their “invaluable help, hands-on attitude, capacity to cope under pressure, and professionalism.”
In addition to student volunteers, Provost Themis Kaniklidou and Director of Civic Engagement Cameron Bell were delighted to attend panels and represent the university alongside Hellenic American University’s institutional partner, the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication at Arizona State University.
Reflecting on the exciting week, our undergraduate student Angelos Varotsis (BSPSY ’28) expressed gratitude for the “wonderful opportunity to connect with others and to see how these important events are conducted from within” as well for the “new ideas otherwise inaccessible to us.”
Image: Pictured are Evina Walsh (BSI ’29), Angelos Varotsis (BSPSY ’28), Rafail Sideris (BM ’27) along with the Communications team of the Athens Democracy Forum.
