Date: February 24, 2025
Event Time: 9:00AM – 1:00PM CST
Panel Time: 10:00AM – 11:30AM CST
Location: Taipei International Convention Center, Room 201B
Hosted by The Global Democracy Coalition, with inspiration from Political Watch
Event Background
The digital era has fundamentally transformed how people engage with ideas, values, and civic participation. Social media, gaming, and artificial intelligence (AI) have created new ways to reach and influence audiences, particularly younger generations. However, these tools have also been used to spread disinformation, deepen polarization, and weaken trust in democratic institutions. To counteract these negative trends, it is essential to rethink how we communicate and engage—focusing on hope-driven narratives that inspire, empower, and activate individuals without relying solely on traditional democratic rhetoric.
Rather than simply defending democracy, we must redefine how democratic values are communicated—through emotional storytelling, digital engagement, and creative formats such as gamification. The #ThankYouDemocracy campaign has demonstrated the power of positive narratives, using storytelling to showcase the impact of democratic values in people’s lives. This side event will explore how we can leverage technology, social media, and innovative communication strategies to create compelling narratives that resonate with diverse audiences and drive meaningful social change.
Objectives
This event aims to highlight the critical role of positive narratives in reinforcing democratic values and countering disinformation. Through discussions on successful digital storytelling approaches—such as gaming, AI-driven engagement, and social media influencers—participants will reflect on effective ways to reach new audiences. The event will also provide a space for dialogue on how civic organizations can adopt strategic communication techniques to connect with people emotionally and inspire action.
Panel Agenda
| Time and Title | Details |
| 10:00AM – 10:15AM: Opening remarks | Framing the discussion on the need for new communication strategies in the digital era. |
| 10:15AM – 11:15AM: Panel discussion | Insights from experts in digital storytelling, social media, gamification, and strategic communication on engaging audiences beyond traditional democratic advocacy. Proposed questions How can storytelling create emotional connections that drive civic engagement? · What role do technology, gaming, and AI play in expanding the reach of democratic narratives? · How can digital creators and influencers help shift perceptions on democracy and participation? · What lessons can democracy organizations learn from the private sector’s approach to audience engagement? · How can organizations communicate values like inclusion, justice, and equality without relying on traditional political rhetoric? · What role do campaigns like #ThankYouDemocracy play in promoting hope-driven narratives and fostering social change in the digital age? Showcasing best practices Case studies on innovative approaches, such as AI-powered deliberative democracy tools, gaming for civic engagement (e.g., The Future Game), and influencers who promote civic values online. |
| 11:15AM – 11:30AM: Q&A and Closing reflections and next steps | Time allocated for additional audience questions and a call to action on how democracy organizations can incorporate innovative narrative-building approaches into their work. |
Please note that this event is in-person only. We look forward to seeing you there!
Registration Link: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScLEKs0DHbS-WuiGsej1kn-YmhVP73ar6SCskbj8UKrli4dEw/viewform?usp=header