Digital Democracy Days
A 'mini-festival' in Copenhagen, Aarhus, and Online
Launching the Digital Democracy Days from 5 to 8 October, 2026
Digital technologies are reshaping democracy in profound and multifaceted ways. On the one hand, digital technologies democratise access to information and create new spaces for participation in public debate. Yet these same technologies are also being used to undermine democratic norms through increased surveillance and persecution of civil society actors, as well as disinformation campaigns targeting democratic institutions and processes. Artificial intelligence is accelerating these trends and creating increasingly more threats than opportunities. At the same time, trust in information shared online is being eroded, thereby undermining a fundamental prerequisite for democracy to function. The struggle to safeguard inclusive democracy and human rights is, as a result, one of the most defining challenges of the digital age.
On this backdrop, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) is inviting to a ‘mini-festival’ about digitisation, human rights and democracy under the heading ‘Digital Democracy Days’. During these days, a series of events will dive into the potentials, as well as the pitfalls, of digital advancements for democracy and human rights. The MFA will be the main organiser, with individual events being organised and hosted by strategic civil society partners, including partners of the Digital Democracy Initiative (DDI). The events will take place across Copenhagen and Aarhus – as well as online.
Below, you can see a full list of the events during the Digital Democracy Days.
Programme details
Monday 5 October
Digital Democracy Days Opening Event
Opening debate on democracy under digital pressure. How can we use technology to strengthen democratic participation and trust – while addressing disinformation, surveillance, AI-driven manipulation and digital repression?
Panel debate: Democracy under Digital Attack
- Time and place: 15:00-18:00, The Black Diamond
- Hosted by: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark
→ Registration: Invitation only
Tuesday 6 October
Digital Changemakers: Inclusive Youth Activism, Opportunities, and Risks
How can digital tools enable all young people’s activism and civic engagement? And how can we handle the risks and challenges these tools may create? Join our event to meet a variety of youth organisations and activists from Denmark and the Global South. You will gain practical ideas and inspiration to strengthen your activism and how you include young people with disabilities. The event will also demonstrate ShiftBrain, Save the Children’s new AI-driven tool for youth activism.
- Time and place: 14:00-16:00, Scandic Hotel Kødbyen / Online
- Hosted by: Save the Children Denmark and Disabled People’s Organisation Denmark, The Danish association of Youth With Disabilities, and Save the Children Youth
→ Registration: Link
Ending Tech Exceptionalism: Holding Digital Platforms Accountable
Digital platforms play a growing role in how people access information, engage in public life, and exercise their rights. However, tech exceptionalism, the belief that digital technologies merit special treatment and limited regulation, has enabled platforms to evade legal responsibilities and accountability. This event explores the impact of platforms on democracy, human rights, and the institutions that uphold them, examining why current governance mechanisms fall short and how stronger accountability can be achieved through international law and human rights frameworks.
- Time and place: 16:30-17:45, DIHR, Wilders Plads 8K, Copenhagen
- Hosted by: The Danish Institute for Human Rights
→ Registration: Link
Social Media and Community Strengthening
What impact does social media have on democracy, our society and our dialogues?
Presentation and discussion with Michael Bang Petersen, Research Director of the Democracy and Power Study 2.0 (Magtudredningen 2.0)
- Time and place: 17:00-19:30, CISU, Klosterport 4, 3. sal, Aarhus
- Hosted by: CISU
→ Registration: Link
How to govern technology in a multipolar digital world
Join a conversation with Cory Doctorow and Dr. Grace Githaiga about the role of civil society in the shifting geopolitics of the digital world. Make sense of how geopolitical dynamics affect digital spaces, create threats to digital rights and civil society participation in internet governance, and how civil society can shape the future. Cory Doctorow is a science fiction author, activist, journalist, and Special Advisor to the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF). Dr. Grace Githaiga is CEO of the Kenya ICT Action Network (KICTANet), a multistakeholder think tank for technology policy and regulation.
- Time and place: 17:00-18:30, Online
- Hosted by: Global Focus
→ Registration: Link
Wednesday 7 October
Design the Future of Digital Democracy
Global Focus invites civil society actors, donors, and others working to promote and protect human rights in the digital age. The event has two main parts. The morning focuses on co-creation and dialogue in a hands-on workshop to create a space for participants to shape new digital platforms. The afternoon dives into challenges and solutions with expert input and panels from relevant fields. It provides a forum for dialogue about how to support building inclusive democratic spaces and human-centered technologies for a rights-based digital world. You can join either part or the full day.
- Time and place: 09:00-16:00, Vox House, Lyngbyvej 100, Copenhagen
- Hosted by: Global Focus
→ Registration: Link
Digital Tools, Citizen Science, and Community Participation
How can digital tools strengthen the participation of Indigenous Peoples and local communities, including forest and climate defenders, in decision-making processes? This lunch session will combine film, presentations and discussion to explore territorial monitoring, citizen science and community-generated data. Drawing on practical experiences from biodiversity monitoring and local data collection, participants will discuss how technology can support participation, accountability and more inclusive governance processes. The lunch session is co-hosted by Danmission and IWGIA.
- Time and place: 12:00-13:00, Vox House, Lyngbyvej 100, Copenhagen
- Hosted by: Danmission and IWGIA
→ Registration: Link
The Face of Digital Democracy in 2026
What happens when we design digital solutions that work for us? This panel goes beyond Big Tech problems to look at communities building for civic participation and information sharing. Hosted by International Media Support (IMS) and the Good Commons collective for public interest infrastructure.
- Time and place: 15:30-17:30, Vox House, Lyngbyvej 100, Copenhagen
- Hosted by: International Media Support and the Good Commons Collective
→ Registration: Link is coming
Social Media and Democracy
How can social media be used to build community and strengthen rights? Film screening and presentation: We will watch the film ‘Brændende Stemme’ (Burning Voice) together, followed by a presentation and discussion with Tamara, the documentary’s main subject.
- Time and place: 17:00-19:00, CISU, Klosterport 4, 3. sal, Aarhus
- Hosted by: CISU
→ Registration: Link
Thursday 8 October
Building Power Online: How Movements Use, Lose, and Own Digital Space
How do social movements and civil society organisations harness digital tools to build power and organise effectively—even when repressive governments and mainstream platforms expose them to surveillance, censorship, or network shutdowns? This workshop brings together movement leaders, digital activists, researchers, donors and policymakers to examine the strategies civil society uses to keep digital spaces open. Grounded in real-world practices rather than abstract theory, we draw on cases from across the Global South and Eastern Europe to explore how movements adapt, build workarounds, and use community-driven technologies - and how donors and allies can offer meaningful support.
- Time and place: 15:00-17:00, Mellemfolkeligt Samvirke, Fælledvej 12, Folkehaven 1. th, Copenhagen
- Hosted by: ActionAid Denmark, Oxfam Denmark, and International Media Support
→ Registration: Link