Logistics
Date & Time: Thursday April 16, 2026 | 2:00 PM CET / 4:00 PM EAT
Online Platform: Zoom (will be livestreamed on GDC YouTube channel)
Co-hosting Organizations: Alma Civica, Global Democracy Coalition
Livestream Details: Coming Soon!
Background
Democratic systems across the Americas are experiencing a period of sustained pressure. Polarization, disinformation, declining institutional trust, and contested legitimacy are reshaping how democracy is understood and experienced across the region. These dynamics are not confined within national borders but are increasingly interconnected across the hemisphere.
Within this context, the United States plays a significant role in shaping democratic narratives across the Americas. Its political processes, media ecosystems, and digital platforms influence how democracy is discussed, contested, and practiced throughout the region. Current dynamics in the U.S. (including deep polarization, debates around electoral integrity, and shifting democratic norms) are reverberating beyond its borders, affecting political discourse, public trust, and civic engagement across Latin America and the Caribbean.
This webinar approaches these dynamics through a regional lens. Rather than focusing on the U.S. in isolation, it examines how democratic narratives circulate across the Americas and how they shape participation, legitimacy, and democratic renewal in different contexts.
By grounding the discussion in regional experiences and cross-border dynamics, the webinar will generate insights that feed directly into the 2026 GDC Americas Regional Forum, particularly discussions on democratic legitimacy, participation, and narrative renewal.
Objectives
- Examine how polarization, disinformation, and legitimacy debates are shaping democratic narratives across the Americas.
- Analyze how U.S.-driven media and digital ecosystems influence political discourse, participation, and public trust in the region.
- Explore how transnational narratives affect citizens’ perceptions of democracy and their willingness to engage in democratic processes.
- Highlight emerging narratives and practices from across the Americas that contribute to rebuilding legitimacy, trust, and participation.
- Capture insights to inform discussions at the Americas Regional Forum on democratic renewal, civic participation, and inclusive narratives.
Speakers / Experts Profiles
Coming soon!