Democracy Needs Maintenance: Rebuilding the Civic Infrastructure That Holds Societies Together

About the Session Democracy depends on more than elections. It depends on people participating in public life, institutions that can earn trust, spaces where disagreement is possible, and a civil society strong enough to organize, challenge power and bring people together. Many parts of that civic infrastructure are under strain. Civic space is shrinking in countries around the world. Polarization is making conversation across differences harder. AI and social media are transforming how information and influence move through society. At the same time, cuts to aid and changing political priorities are putting pressure on many of the civil society organizations expected to respond. This raises a bigger question about how we understand civil society itself. Is it simply a collection of organizations delivering programs and services, or should we think of it as a public good: essential infrastructure for a healthy democratic society? This session will explore what it takes to renew that infrastructure. From civic engagement and inclusive leadership to cross-sector diplomacy and public conversation, participants will examine how governments, civil society, philanthropy, business and citizens can strengthen democratic participation and rebuild the relationships that allow societies to tackle difficult problems together. Discussion Group Leaders Chris Proulx is CEO at Humentum, strengthening nonprofit leadership, organizational resilience, and operating models to enable lasting systems change. Kristine Michie is Managing Partner at ImpactFull, Inc & The PlayFull Podcast, fostering joyful, resilient organizations and leaders across the nonprofit, philanthropic, and social impact sectors. Mario Picon is Founder and Senior Director at Governance Action Hub, advancing collaborative governance and institutional change across climate, democracy, and development. What to Expect A participatory conversation about the health of democracy and the practical work of civic renewal. Participants will explore what strengthens participation and trust, how technology is changing the civic environment, and how civil society can make a stronger case for its role at a moment of political and financial pressure. The discussion will move beyond diagnosing democratic decline toward identifying the institutions, relationships and forms of participation worth strengthening now. Who This Is For This session is for civil society leaders, democracy and governance practitioners, funders, policymakers, technologists, movement leaders, business leaders and anyone working to strengthen civic participation, institutional trust and democratic resilience. What You Will Get Out of It A broader understanding of the infrastructure that sustains democracy beyond elections Perspectives on civil society as a public good rather than simply a service provider Insights into how AI, social media and polarization are reshaping civic participation Approaches to strengthening conversation, inclusive leadership and engagement across differences Ideas for making a stronger public case for investment in civic institutions and civil society