In the framework of its running partnership with the Council of Europe, Open Democracy launched its special thematic week on the World Forum for Democracy. The series of articles on education and democracy builds upon the conclusions of last year’s forum, including the respect for pluralism, collaborative knowledge creation, a global education in line with the Sustainable Development Goals as well as the centrality and urgency of a participatory education for a participatory democracy.

Each day of the special week will be dedicated to a different topic, in order to try to embrace some of the larger implications that have followed Britain’s decision to leave the European Union in June 2016, and the election of Donald Trump as US president in November, writes Rosemary Bechler in her introductory piece. Open Democracy wishes to kick-start a debate on what kind of education can rebuild democracy in a world of deepening inequalities.

With reference to the current “crisis of democracy”, articles therefore directly make the link to the upcoming World Forum for Democracy in November 2017, focusing on the impact of populism on media and political parties. As in the last years, Open Democracy will cover events prior, during and after the World Forum.