In 2024, more than half of the world's population was called to the polls. The cover page of our annual report highlights the countries concerned. What it does not show are the effects of these elections. Nationalist and populist forces around the world have been strengthened, the new US president is suspending the familiar rules of politics, and the ‘rule of law’ is in crisis, especially when it comes to international cooperation. Dialogue and cooperation are not exactly booming at the moment. For the VIDC, however, they are not just part of the institute's name, but indispensable basic principles of our work. Whether with civil society and academic experts from the Global South, from the diaspora, with associations, artists, sportspeople or institutional stakeholders.
We remain active based on the conviction that viable solutions can only be found through discourse, cooperation and the involvement of as many stakeholders as possible, including critical ones. Maintaining confidence and standing up for democratic values and human rights in the face of such strong headwinds is - let's be honest - a challenge, but it can be done.
Take a look at the current annual report and review 2024 with the VIDC from a slightly different perspective.
