The 2017 World Forum for Democracy focused on the role of political parties and media in the context of rising populism in Europe and beyond.

A growing disconnect between citizens and political elites and dramatic changes in the media ecosystem are a challenge for democracy as we know it. At the same time, new political and media actors and practices are emerging, offering new opportunities for members of the public to participate in political life. Legacy media and political parties are both threatened by these new developments but can also learn from them in order to adapt their own models and functioning to new realities.

The objective of the World Forum for Democracy 2017 was to review novel initiatives and approaches which can enhance democratic practices and help parties and media, but also other political actors, to reconnect to citizens, make informed choices and function optimally in 21^st century democracy.