Milan, Italy, October 21-22, 2024

The second edition of the OECD Global Forum on Building Trust and Reinforcing Democracy took place on 21-22 October at the Palazzo Lombardia in Milan, Italy. The biennial event was based around an action-oriented agenda to rebuild trust in public institutions and discussed the key public governance challenges facing democracies.

Participants from around the world shared new thinking, insights and evidence on the theme, “Breaking New Ground for the Future of Democracy: Dignity – Security – Trust”. Participants also discussed what new and old democracies can learn from one another in navigating complex global challenges, as well as on the critical reforms and innovations needed to ensure that democracies remain resilient.

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Democracies are under unprecedented levels of internal and external pressures. The polarisation of political discourse, geopolitical tensions, public health and economic crises, and creeping foreign influence in democratic processes – all also fueled by mis- and disinformation – have tested citizens’ trust in public institutions and are driving many governments to strengthen and protect democratic values and processes. 

Trust in public institutions underpins the 5 pillars of work that form the OECD Reinforcing Democracy Initiative:

• Pillar 1 - Combating mis- and disinformation
• Pillar 2 - Strengthening representation, participation and openness in public life
• Pillar 3 - Embracing the global responsibilities of governments and building resilience to foreign influence
• Pillar 4 - Gearing up government to deliver on climate and other environmental challenges
• Pillar 5 - Transforming public governance for digital democracy