The World Forum on Democracy & Peace 2026
“Arts and Culture as Pillars of Democracy and Peace”
Forum Overview
The World Forum on Democracy and Peace 2026 will convene in Berlin from 16 to 20 February, in parallel with the Berlin Film Festival. The Forum will bring together political leaders, cultural institutions, academic experts, and civil society representatives to examine how arts and culture shape democratic participation, public dialogue, and social resilience. The 2026 edition will look at the role of creative sectors in countering polarisation, fostering inclusive narratives, and strengthening democratic values across diverse societies.
The Forum will run in parallel with one of the world’s most influential cultural events, creating a direct connection between artistic expression and global policy debate. Participants will explore how film, literature, music, and visual arts can support peacebuilding, protect cultural identities in times of conflict, and encourage cross-border cooperation. The Forum will serve as a platform for new initiatives, policy recommendations, and partnerships that link culture, democracy, and sustainable peace.
Cinema will have a central place within the Forum, reflecting its influence on public understanding, collective memory, and democratic debate. Film as a medium offers the ability to document social realities, expose injustice, and give visibility to communities whose voices are often marginalised. Sessions dedicated to filmmakers, producers, and cultural policymakers will examine how film can serve as a tool for conflict prevention, support processes of reconciliation, and promote transparent public discourse. The proximity to the Berlin Film Festival will allow participants to engage directly with current international productions that address themes of democracy, human rights, and peace.
”Forum on Democracy & Peace Project 2022-27” »
The event is held in the framework of the Forum on Democracy & Peace Project (2022-7), which is a 5-year project that is conducted by the Academy for Cultural Diplomacy in cooperation with global governance organizations, with the main aim to use the application of cultural diplomacy in order to improve international relations. Learn more about the Forum on Democracy & Peace Project click Here »
Forum Speakers
Speakers during the event will include leading politicians, diplomats, governmental officials, senior academics, journalists, and artists. These speakers will include individuals from the ICD Advisory Board. To learn more about the ICD Advisory Board, please click here.
Forum Locations
Based in the ICD Academy House the forum will be hosted at a number of important political, historic, and cultural locations across the city.
Forum Participants »
Participation in the Forum is open to governmental & diplomatic officials, academics, artists, journalists, civil society practitioners, private sector representatives, young professionals and students.
If you would like to reserve a position and participate in the conference, please click on the link below and fill out the online application form:
Participant Papers »
The Forum Committee encourages academic research and analysis of issues related to the goals of the Forum. The Forum Committee would therefore like to welcome the participants of the Forum to submit a paper they would like to be considered for presentation at the Forum as well as being included in the proposal document that will be issued following the Forum and will be sent to all governments and leaders of the international community worldwide.
