In the 4th-century BC, Aristotle wrote that, “if liberty and equality, as is thought by some, are chiefly to be found in democracy, they will be best attained when all persons alike share in government to the utmost.” While Aristotle was mainly concerned with democracy in his Greek city-state of Athens, today his ancient philosophy is being put to the test for the whole of Europe. Considering the recent news out of Europe, there has never been a better time to plan a trip to support his vision of democracy than with a visit to the city that is perhaps most synonymous with the word. And what better reason to travel to Athens than to attend the New York Times’ Athens Democracy Forum being held September 13-15!

Thanks to our recent media partnership with the New York Times, Democracy Chronicles is happy to be able provide our readers with a discount for the Athens Democracy Forum coinciding with International Democracy Day and presented in cooperation with the United Nations Democracy Fund and the City of Athens. As part of our partnership, we are able to offer a unique ID code allowing our subscribers and contacts to attend the Forum at a discounted rate with 10% off ​all packages!​

All you have to do in order to get your discount is visit www.athensdemocracyforum.com to register, and enter ID code ADFDC2015. The discount is valid until 23:59 on August 15th.

From the New York Times:

The International New York Times (INYT) announces that the third Athens Democracy Forum will take place on September 13-15th at the Megaron Athens International Conference Centre and the Stoa of Attalos of the Ancient Agora. Organised in association with Navarino Initiative and in cooperation with the United Nations Democracy Fund, the City of Athens, and Kathimerini, the Forum coincides with the UN International Democracy Day and will explore the current challenges facing liberal democracies.

Developed by New York Times Editorial Board Member, Serge Schmemann, the agenda identifies four major concerns that democracies face today. These include the rise of regimes in states like China and Russia which reject the universality of liberal democracy; growing worldwide inequality where the rich gradually take control of the political landscape; religious extremism; and lastly, how the development of new technologies present a new range of threats to personal and national security.

The INYT has convened some renowned speakers, all experts in their respective fields, to share their knowledge and opinions at the Forum. The first confirmed speakers are Nobel Prize winning economist and New York Times Op-Ed columnist Paul Krugman, author Valerie Plame, former Under Secretary of State for Democracy and Global Affairs, Paula Dobriansky, as well as venture capitalist and political scientist, Eric X. Li, with more to be announced in due course.

The event is curated and chaired by Serge Schmemann and panels will be moderated by New York Times contributors: Roger Cohen, New York Times Op-Ed columnist, Alison Smale, NYT Berlin bureau chief, Liz Alderman, INYT Chief European business correspondent and Patrick Chappatte, INYT cartoonist.

Stephen Dunbar-Johnson, President, International, The New York Times Company said:
“It is fitting that we are holding this conference in the very heart of Athens, where democracy itself was born 2,500 years ago. We have some great speakers taking part in this event and we are also happy to have contributions from some of the The New York Times’s most talented editorial voices. The agenda is extremely topical and the ‘Athens Democracy Forum’ could not be more relevant to the world we live in today.”

Ban Ki-moon, Secretary-General of the United Nations stated, “Gatherings like the Athens Democracy Forum provide the much-needed oxygen of dialogue. They demonstrate that diversity is a strength; that giving voice to all people is our collective responsibility; that freedom of expression and respect for the beliefs of others are not mutually exclusive; that when the people have spoken and when they have been heard, democracy lives.”

Keep up to date with further speaker announcements at athensdemocracyforum.com and by following @NYTconfon Twitter.

Ends

About the Athens Democracy Forum

Two years ago the International New York Times established the ‘Athens Democracy Forum’ under the auspices of the United Nations Democracy Fund. Through the UN Secretary-General’s endorsement it has become the principal global event of the International Day of Democracy which takes place every September at the Stoa of Attalos of the Ancient Agora – the birthplace of democracy – and other venues around Athens.

The New York Times Company

The New York Times Company (NYSE: NYT) is a global media organization dedicated to enhancing society by creating, collecting and distributing high-quality news and information. The company includes The New York Times, International New York Times, NYTimes.com, INYT.com and related properties. It is known globally for excellence in its journalism, and innovation in its print and digital storytelling and its business model. Follow news about the company at @NYTimesComm.

Source:

The New York Times Company

Vicky Taylor, +44 (0) 207 061 3520
vtaylor@nytimes.com

Clare Motte, +44 207 061 3525
cmotte@nytimes.com