Treaty of Middelburg
If the biggest threat to our globalised world is the rise of misinformation, then a change is needed in order to combat this systematic problem. The digitalization of the government and of the electoral system is our only way of achieving a transaprent society, which would, I believe, naturally come up with the best and most important democratic solution to the challenges it faces. Democracy should not be based on the desires and plans of the previous system; rather, it should truly reflect the choices of the popular vote. A digital democracy can and will place more emphasis on referendums. Thus closing the gap between the voters and the system. Bringing democracy back to the people in a world that feels more isolated
Team members
- ■ Hassan Naderi Far
Why do you want to participate?
As a student of the European Studies Bachelor, majoring in European History and Culture, I have stumbled upon the documentary about the "Groet Offensive.". Naturally, I was curious about the organisation that made this quality documentary and discovered that right there in Zeeland, at the 80th year anniversary a conference would be held celebrating the start of the end of the most perilious years of European history. A history which is fundementally tied to freedom and the fight for it. I have been lucky to connect already to other young people who want to particiapte at the event. For me, this event will be a journey back into history which I wish to remind all of us about the importance of looking back and learning from our past in order to navigate our future. Because it is no secret that our present is riddled with challenges that demand an immediate plan and answer.
What does freedom mean to you?
The concept of freedom, I would say is a bit vague to define. One could simply define itself after the many philosophical and economical debates that riddle the annals of European history and cutlure. But this question is about my personal beliefs on the concept. I would like to start by saying that freedom in the modern world is even harder to define. A definition is needed in order to protect it. The Atlantic world, and here I refer to the traditional protectors of the free world, the European Union, the British Commonwealth, and of course the United States despite the recent political turmoil are the most free and just societies. Because it still here the conversations are held. But, naturally as a Romanian citizen which had its second phase of presidential elections annuled by the Constitutional Court without a a very clear reason. I want to understand how this relfects on the concept of freedom? Of a right and just democracy. The rise of the far-right in the western world and how the status-quo responded to it. Is our freedom in danger? I want to particiapte in this conversation because i feel that our collective understanding of the concept of freedom is being lost and I believe that only with conversation we can get our freedom back. Freedom is freedom of expression which should protect the right of extremists to organise and advocate for their agenda as long as it is constitutionally correct. Because censorship will not reifnorce our freedom but only harm it. If there is morally correct side it should naturally win over the "wrong one". Freedom is freedom of competition and expression.
What are the biggest challenges?
As I have previously stated. I am a young person from Romania. Where the second tour of the presidential elections was annulled by the Constitutional Court without, in my opinion, a very good reason. Personally, I consider this event a great transgression on the right of the Romanian people of free and fair elections. It is no secret that the election was cancelled because there was a justified fear of having an extremist win the elections. But I don't believe that specifically young people like myself having their first chance of voting for a president have their elections disregarded right on the day of elections, paint an appealing picture of modern democracy. Continuing on this, the loss of a transparent democracy and government is the biggest threat to freedom for young people today.
Do you have a message?
I want young people but also every other citizen to truly think about our modern society. Are we truly democratic? Or are we descending into more authoritarian regimes. I believe everybody understands that the state fights against the rise of the far-right. But in our battle with it we are also stomping on democracy itself. Are we not back in ''the end justifies the means'' discussion? I believe if we are to cheering freedom as we do today we need a more fluid and transparent electoral system. And its digitalization is the only way we can achieve this goal.
