The 12th edition of the Warsaw Dialogue for Democracy on the 75th anniversary of the Council of Europe
18.11.2024
On November 18-19, the 12th edition of the Warsaw Dialogue for Democracy took place at the Warsaw Univeristy. The topic of the edition was the impact of new technologies on democracy and human rights.
Key topics of discussion included the challenges and opportunities presented by artificial intelligence (AI), as well as the growing threats posed by disinformation and fake news. During the conference it was also discussed how new technologies are developing.
This year's event also commemorated the 75th anniversary of the Council of Europe and aimed to raise awareness and highlight the organisation's expertise, including the Framework Convention on Artificial Intelligence and Human Rights, Democracy and the Rule of Law, other related conventions, as well as the case law of the European Court of Human Rights.
In his welcome speech, the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Poland, Jakub Wiśniewski, emphasized that the Council of Europe is the mother of European institutions and the pearl in the crown of European integration. The 75th anniversary of the Council of Europe gives us every reason to look with pride at its achievements. He recalled, among others a quick reaction of the Council of Europe to Russia's aggression against Ukraine, which excluded Russia from this organization. Numerous normative acts and initiatives of the Council create a pan-European system based on common values - human rights, democracy and the rule of law. Deputy Minister Wiśniewski also welcomed the completion of work on the Council of Europe Framework Convention on Artificial Intelligence and Human Rights, Democracy and the Rule of Law.
The special guest of the event, Deputy Secretary General of the Council of Europe, Bjørn Berge, stated that when the organization was founded 75 years ago in the wake of World War II, its founders could not have predicted the way and speed with which new technologies appeared and changed our lives. The entire system of conventions has become very dynamic, currently encompassing 225 treaties and conventions. Even more important is the continuous development and dynamics of the jurisprudence of the European Court of Human Rights.
During the event, two exhibitions were displayed to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the Council of Europe:
- “75 Women in 75 Years of Council of Europe History” presenting the role of 75 women in the work of the Council of Europe. Among the 75 women, there were as many as four Poles: Hanna Suchocka, Anna Rurka, Hanna Machińska, Elżbieta Franków-Jaśkiewicz.
- “Council of Europe 75th anniversary exhibition”.
