A transatlantic network of leaders committed to bridging across difference to strengthen democracy and build belonging in Europe, the US, and around the world.

News & Updates

New Report on Authoritarian Populism Released!

We’re excited to announce the release of our latest report on authoritarian populism, offering critical insights into the rise, strategies, and tactics of today’s populist movements.

What we do

We aspire to build a world where everyone belongs. And we need strong democratic systems to make that aspiration a reality. But democracies in Europe and the US are straining under the weight of toxic fragmentation, high mistrust towards public institutions, and out-group scapegoating—divisions that are all-too-often exploited by authoritarian populists globally.

The Democracy & Belonging Forum aims to counter political fragmentation and the exploitation of division by anti-democratic actors by connecting and resourcing civic leaders in both regions who are committed to crossing lines of difference to strengthen a multi-identity coalition for democracy while continuing to advance belonging for marginalized groups.

Conversations

Event Overview
The World is Not Enough with Bayo Akomolafe and Ashish Kothari
The World is Not Enough with Bayo Akomolafe and Ashish Kothari
Is Democracy White? with Achille Mbembe and Bayo Akomolafe
Is Democracy White? with Achille Mbembe and Bayo Akomolafe
Across Lines: Grief. with Bayo Akomolafe, Professor Sa’ed Atshan, and Cecilie Surasky
Across Lines: Grief. with Bayo Akomolafe, Professor Sa’ed Atshan, and Cecilie Surasky
Democracy and its Exquisite Others with Madhulika Banerjee, Minna Salami, and Bayo Akomolafe
Democracy and its Exquisite Others with Madhulika Banerjee, Minna Salami, and Bayo Akomolafe
Cities Against Racism with Candace Moore, Claudio Tocchi, Julie Nelson, and Evein Obulor
Cities Against Racism with Candace Moore, Claudio Tocchi, Julie Nelson, and Evein Obulor
This is the Part Where We Fall Down: On climate grief and hope with Naomi Klein, Bayo Akomolafe, and Yuria Celidwen
This is the Part Where We Fall Down: On climate grief and hope with Naomi Klein, Bayo Akomolafe, and Yuria Celidwen
Bridging Towards a Just, Inclusive, Pluralistic, Democracy with john a. powell, Julia Roig, and Míriam Juan-Torres
Bridging Towards a Just, Inclusive, Pluralistic, Democracy with john a. powell, Julia Roig, and Míriam Juan-Torres
Beyond Generations: Challenging Misconceptions and Building Bridges with Eunice Lin Nichols, Manu Meel, and Bobby Duffy
Beyond Generations: Challenging Misconceptions and Building Bridges with Eunice Lin Nichols, Manu Meel, and Bobby Duffy
What if Justice is Getting in the Way? with Keeanga-Yamahtta Taylor and Bayo Akomolafe
What if Justice is Getting in the Way? with Keeanga-Yamahtta Taylor and Bayo Akomolafe
A New Theory of the Self with Bayo Akomolafe and Indy Johar
A New Theory of the Self with Bayo Akomolafe and Indy Johar
The Promise and Limits of Restitution: Returning to ‘Congo’ with Bayo Akomolafe and V
The Promise and Limits of Restitution: Returning to ‘Congo’ with Bayo Akomolafe and V
Towards a Pluralistic “We”: Interfaith Bridging to Counter Authoritarian Populism
Towards a Pluralistic “We”: Interfaith Bridging to Counter Authoritarian Populism
When "just getting along" isn't enough: Is belonging possible in a world rooted in othering? With john a. powell and Bayo Akomolafe
When "just getting along" isn't enough: Is belonging possible in a world rooted in othering? With john a. powell and Bayo Akomolafe
Radical Belonging and Bridging: A Path Forward for Societies in Crisis?
Radical Belonging and Bridging: A Path Forward for Societies in Crisis?

How we work

Through in-person and online convenings, original research, story-sharing, funded joint experiments, and other activities, we evolve our understanding of the concepts of othering, belonging, breaking and bridging as they apply to different regions, and share practices and strategies to counter polarization and democratic erosion—all while grappling with the reality of power, privilege, and positionality in our diverse social and cultural contexts. The Forum is open to leaders from across the political spectrum who share our belief in the dignity of all people and our commitment to the pursuit of belonging for everyone.

Our goal is to jointly expand our capacity to counter authoritarianism, advance belonging for marginalized groups, and strengthen democracy in both regions and across the globe.

Overview
In Conversation with Peace Strategist Sanam Naraghi Anderlini, Part Three: Lessons from the Global South for Peacebuilding in a Polarized World
In Conversation with Peace Strategist Sanam Naraghi Anderlini, Part Three: Lessons from the Global South for Peacebuilding in a Polarized World
In Conversation with Peace Strategist Sanam Naraghi Anderlini, Part Two: Examples of Grassroots Peacebuilding Success
In Conversation with Peace Strategist Sanam Naraghi Anderlini, Part Two: Examples of Grassroots Peacebuilding Success
In Conversation with Peace Strategist Sanam Naraghi Anderlini, Part One: The Foundations of Peacebuilding and Bridging Divides
In Conversation with Peace Strategist Sanam Naraghi Anderlini, Part One: The Foundations of Peacebuilding and Bridging Divides
Forum Facilitator Vanessa Faloye on holding spaces of conflict to build radical belonging
Forum Facilitator Vanessa Faloye on holding spaces of conflict to build radical belonging
Anna Szilágyi on how words can counter othering and promote belonging
Anna Szilágyi on how words can counter othering and promote belonging
In Conversation: Bayo Akomolafe on “Black Lives Matter: But to whom?”
In Conversation: Bayo Akomolafe on “Black Lives Matter: But to whom?”
Mamobo Ogoro on effective bridging in the digital age
Mamobo Ogoro on effective bridging in the digital age
Luca Gervasoni i Vila on advancing belonging through nonviolent action
Luca Gervasoni i Vila on advancing belonging through nonviolent action
Global Senior Fellow Bayo Akomolafe on slowing down, embracing complexity, and finding hope in a time of multidimensional breakdown
Global Senior Fellow Bayo Akomolafe on slowing down, embracing complexity, and finding hope in a time of multidimensional breakdown
Artist and facilitator Alaa Alsaraji on Mapping Sanctuaries within the British Muslim community
Artist and facilitator Alaa Alsaraji on Mapping Sanctuaries within the British Muslim community
Samia Hathroubi on interfaith bridging between Muslim and Jewish communities in Europe
Samia Hathroubi on interfaith bridging between Muslim and Jewish communities in Europe
Ruth Ibegbuna on working with youth to bridge divides between UK communities
Ruth Ibegbuna on working with youth to bridge divides between UK communities
Creative Fellow Alex Nezam on exploring belonging through film
Creative Fellow Alex Nezam on exploring belonging through film
Fine Acts’ Yana Buhrer Tavanier on how hopeful art fosters both empathy & action
Fine Acts’ Yana Buhrer Tavanier on how hopeful art fosters both empathy & action
CIJ’s Emilia Roig on shattering false notions of a Europe beyond racism
CIJ’s Emilia Roig on shattering false notions of a Europe beyond racism
Political Scientist Nonna Mayer talks Europe’s far-right and Covid-19
Political Scientist Nonna Mayer talks Europe’s far-right and Covid-19
Turin’s Claudio Tocchi on how cities can foster belonging during Covid-19
Turin’s Claudio Tocchi on how cities can foster belonging during Covid-19
More in Common’s Miriam Juan Torres discusses polarization and resiliency in the UK and Europe
More in Common’s Miriam Juan Torres discusses polarization and resiliency in the UK and Europe

Insights from Forum leaders

The Democracy & Belonging Forum is an initiative of the Othering & Belonging Institute at the University of California, Berkeley. Learn more about who we are here.