DemocracyXChange

JUST ANNOUNCED: DemocracyXChange, Canada’s annual democracy summit, returns to Toronto April 3–5, 2025 for its sixth year, with a special presentation on April 4 at the Toronto Reference Library, featuring a Salon Series talk by Timothy Snyder; eight-time author and Richard C. Levin Professor of History at Yale University. Snyder’s new book, On Freedom, takes us on a thrilling intellectual journey. Drawing on the work of philosophers and political dissidents, conversations with contemporary thinkers, and his own experiences coming of age in a time of American exceptionalism, Snyder identifies the practices and attitudes—the habits of mind—that will allow us to design a government in which we and future generations can flourish. Co-presented by OCAD University, The Dais at Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) and Open Democracy Project, #DXC25 will take place on campus at OCAD U and Toronto Metropolitan University. Early bird tickets are on sale now for 50% off. View the full announcement at: https://lnkd.in/g3MK2Pui

Watch prominent artists examine the meaning of power in their practice at #DXC24’s Art Power Panel, moderated by OCAD University President, Ana Serrano. OCAD U has released the first video in the 2024-25 President’s Speaker Series, which aims to showcase compelling, engaging and unique voices on issues that are shaping the present and future of Canadian society, drawn from the dynamic program of DXC24. The series is a continuation of the summit’s important conversations on the role of art and design in protecting democracy.   The Art Power Panel features a discussion between renowned artists about how their practices reposition the meaning of power. Participating artists, Rocky Dobey, Khadijah Morley, Ekow Nimako and Fiona Smyth drew upon their work as part of the exhibit, power, on display at OCAD U’s flagship gallery Onsite Gallery in early 2024, which was curated by the gallery’s senior curator, Lisa Deanne Smith. Watch the video now at: https://lnkd.in/gEHataiQ OCAD University’s President Speaker Series is produced by OCAD U Live in Association with DemocracyXChange.

Mark your calendars for our annual gathering of #TeamDemocracy: the DemocracyXChange (DXC) Summit returns to Toronto on April 3–5, 2025 at OCAD University and Toronto Metropolitan University. Run, don’t walk: the first 100 tickets are only $25 with code DXC25EARLY! 👉 https://lnkd.in/gmvmnniU Open Democracy Project The Dais at Toronto Metropolitan University

Globe and Mail writer and DemocracyXChange moderator Rita Trichur, shares a timely opinion piece based on her interview with #DXC24 keynote speaker, Tim Wu. Read "President Joe Biden’s former antitrust adviser offers his two cents on reforming Canada’s competition law." “There is a certain kind of ease with a small oligopoly or monopoly in Canada – an unwillingness to hold companies’ feet to the fire and force them to compete hard,” he said. “Sometimes it happens through trade and, you know, tolerance of mergers that seem to be highly suspect.” https://lnkd.in/g3xSGCZu

#ICYMI: Our friends at rabble.ca compiled a useful round-up of the most pertinent themes that emerged at #DXC24. Give it a read!

An enormous part of the DXC's success each year is the amazing programming that the team puts together. We could not build such a poignant, timely and engaging schedule without this crucial group of advisors who contribute their time, passion and personal connections, in order to open doors and bring the best discourse possible to the event. The DemocracyXChange team is truly grateful for the Program Advisory Committee's hard work and is honoured to have such a dedicated group of powerhouse thinkers in our corner. If you would like to contribute to next year's programming, please reach out to contact@democracyxchange.org with your expression of interest. In the meantime, please join us in a round of virtual applause for the #DXC24 PAC: Alex Carruthers Amanda Kingsley Malo Ana Serrano Annie Kidder Chris Tenove Dianna English Geoffrey Cameron Gregory McCormick Ilona Dougherty Jamie Bennett John Beebe John Milloy Jutta Brendemuhl Karim Bardeesy Katie Davey Miriam Kramer Pat Whelan Renjie B. Samantha Reusch-Desautels Sarah Yaffe Seher Shafiq Velma Morgan Victoria Kuketz Riddell pk mutch https://lnkd.in/gtKsf3k7

The fifth edition of DemocracyXChange has come to a close and we are so grateful to the passionate and inspiring community of dedicated citizens that helped make this year the biggest summit yet, with more than 700 participants over the course of three days! From incredible speakers, workshop facilitators, advisors and community partners, to enthusiastic attendees, volunteers and staff, this weekend proved that as global citizens we can and will make a difference to civil society. An extra special thank you goes out to our 2024 Sponsors, whose extraordinary generosity enables us to hold an event that is truly accessible and impactful. On behalf of our collective co-producing teams at OCAD University, The Open Democracy Project and The Dais at Toronto Metropolitan University, thank you for showing up, for maintaining courage and optimism in these chaotic times, and for taking your newfound knowledge out into the world to make a difference. To our “Team Democracy” community, THANK YOU and see you in April 2025! Photo captions: 1: Rita Trichur & Tim Wu 2. Ana Serrano 3. Emerging Leaders Workshop 4. John Hannaford and Karim Bardeesy 5. Co-presenting sponsors: Power Corporation of Canada, Ouano Foundation Gold Partners: New Majority, Indiegraf, Canadian Race Relations Foundation 6. Christo Grozev & Lisa LaFlamme 7. Silver Partners: Toronto Public Library, French Embassy in Canada, AMAPCEO, International Development Research Centre (IDRC), Atkinson Foundation, Inspirit Foundation 8. Camille Etienne at the Globe & Mail Centre 9. Bronze Partners: Elections Ontario, City of Toronto, Centre For Digital Rights, Friends of Canadian Media/Les Amis des médias canadiens & Arts Partner Goethe-Institut Toronto 10. Media Ecosystem Partners: The Discourse, Financial Times, The Globe and Mail, rabble.ca, The Walrus #DXC24 #CdnPoli #Democracy #Federal #Provincial #Municipal #TOpoli #socialimpact #ElectionsCanada #OntarioVotes #TOVotes #TOVotesOct24 #TOpoli #ONpoli #CdnPoli #opendemocracy #civicengagement

Don’t miss this important op-ed in the Toronto Star from DemocracyXChange founders Ana Serrano and Karim Bardeesy. “How to show courage through this chaotic moment” outlines why it’s even more important to lift up dialogue in the current political climate. Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/gjnFjDCq

THIS WEEKEND! Attend the fifth edition of DemocracyXChange in Toronto from April 11–13, 2024. This year’s summit boldly tackles today’s most urgent civic issues and explores the theme Courage Through Chaos over multiple days of provocative talks, engaging panels, unique exhibitions, and participatory workshops. Learn more and buy tickets at: https://lnkd.in/gmvmnniU