Civic Actors Between Authoritarianism and International Power

When civic actors are squeezed between authoritarian governments and international power, who gets to shape democratic change? What happens when those defending democracy at home find themselves caught between the governments they oppose and the international actors who seek to support them? Across the world, civic actors are navigating increasingly complex political environments. While confronting authoritarian or illiberal governments, they must also engage with international institutions, donors, and policymakers whose support can be both essential and challenging. How do these dynamics shape democratic change? Who gets a seat at the table when decisions about a country's future are made? And how can local voices remain central in efforts to strengthen democracy, justice, accountability, and the rule of law? Join the Democracy & Rule of Law Collective, the World Liberty Congress, and LexPopuli for an interactive fishbowl discussion that brings together civic leaders, journalists, practitioners, and researchers from across different regions and political contexts. Rather than a traditional panel, this session will use a fishbowl format: a small group of speakers will begin the conversation in a central circle, while participants sit around them and are invited to join the discussion, ask questions, challenge ideas, and share their own perspectives. The result is a dynamic and participatory exchange where every voice has the opportunity to contribute. Drawing on lived experiences from Georgia, Kazakhstan, Nicaragua, Rwanda, and China, the conversation will feature perspectives from both individuals working within their countries and those operating from exile. Together, participants will explore common challenges, identify shared lessons, and examine how international engagement can better support locally led democratic movements. Meet the Speakers • Natacha Abingeneye (Rwanda): Civic organizer, human rights activist and social entrepreneur, and former President of Jambo ASBL, a diaspora-led organization working on human rights, justice and reconciliation in the Great Lakes region. • Botagoz "Bota" Jardemalie (Kazakhstan): Human rights lawyer and Harvard Law graduate who has defended political dissidents for over a decade and advocates before the UN and the European Parliament. • Wu'er Kaixi (China/Taiwan): Dissident and democracy activist, a leader of the 1989 Tiananmen student movement, and General Secretary of the Taiwan Parliamentary Human Rights Commission. • Alexa Zamora (Nicaragua): Political activist with over a decade of experience advocating for democracy and human rights through international protection mechanisms, and recipient of the Martin Luther King Award for Democracy and Human Rights. • Nino Dolidze (Georgia): Election integrity expert known for her leadership of the election watchdog ISFED, with two decades of democracy-building experience and recipient of the Madeleine K. Albright Democracy Award. The session will be moderated by Giorgi Chkheidze (Georgia): Senior legal and human rights expert with over 25 years of experience in rule of law reform across Eurasia, including as Deputy Public Defender (Ombudsman) of Georgia. What to expect • Comparative insights from diverse political and civic contexts • Honest discussion about the opportunities and tensions of international support • Perspectives from activists, journalists, researchers, and democracy practitioners • An interactive format that encourages audience participation • Practical lessons for strengthening democratic governance, accountability, justice, and civic inclusion Whether you work in civil society, policy, journalism, research, international cooperation, or simply have an interest in democracy and human rights, this session offers an opportunity to engage directly with those working on the frontlines of democratic change. Come prepared not just to listen, but to take part in the conversation. Privacy Policy The Humanity Hub collects your name, email, and organization (if you have one) when you sign up for events, so they can manage the event and tell you about future ones. If you want to receive the Hub newsletter, or if you have food allergies (for events with food), the Hub will collect that too. The Hub wil not share your info with other companies without telling you first. The Hub might take photos or videos at events, but you can inform the organisers if you don't want to be in them. Your data is stored safely, and you can ask to see it, change it, or have it deleted. The Hub will keep your info for 5 years to understand what events you like, and you can always unsubscribe from emails or opt out of surveys. For data deletion or inquiries, contact [email protected] For more information about our Events Privacy Policy – The Hague Humanity Hub