DemocracyXChange Summit Returns to Toronto: April 11 to 13, 2024

Summit features former White House Tech Advisor Tim Wu; plus virtual talks with Oscar-winning director of Navalny, Daniel Roher and Meta/Facebook whistleblower Frances Haugen

The fifth edition of DemocracyXChange 2024 (DXC24), Canada’s democracy summit, returns to Toronto and online April 11 to 13 to tackle some of today’s most urgent issues from artificial intelligence (AI) to disinformation and increasing polarization across democratic societies.

Co-presented by OCAD University, the Dais at Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) and the Open Democracy Project, DXC24 brings together hundreds from the public, private and not-for-profit sectors who are taking action to strengthen democracy and civil society.

“We are all living in a dangerous information environment where platforms misused by bad actors power the indiscriminate spread of misinformation and disinformation. We can’t sustain a healthy democracy in this situation. DXC24 brings together communities of leaders, artists, journalists, civil servants, politicians, not-for-profit and industry players, students and more who are invested in creating a shared evidence-based reality that is the foundation for a more just and equitable future for all,” says OCAD U President and Vice-Chancellor Ana Serrano.

Workshops, panel discussions and keynote speakers will address the summit’s theme, Courage Through Chaos, examining trust in governance, misinformation, the state of news, social and economic disparity, art as activism and climate change.

“Growing economic disparity, deepening political polarization, and misinformation continue to erode trust in our democratic institutions. In this critical year for democracy around the world, we’re thrilled to welcome leaders of all ages and stages who are on Team Democracy to DemocracyXChange, Canada’s democracy summit,” says Karim Bardeesy, Executive Director of the Dais at Toronto Metropolitan University. 

“The DemocracyXChange Summit represents a vital convening for civic change-makers who are committed to shaping the future of democracy in Canada. This year's summit and its focus on Courage Through Chaos will create essential dialogue and collaborations across sectors and will equip attendees with practical tools to confront forces undermining our democratic systems.” says Chris Cowperthwaite, President, Open Democracy Project.

KEY SPEAKERS AND PANELS 

• Minister of Public Safety, Democratic Institutions and Intergovernmental Affairs, Dominic LeBlanc delivers opening remarks
• Keynote from Clerk of the Privy Council and Secretary to the Cabinet, John Hannaford, on the threats and opportunities of AI
• Social and climate justice activist, Camille Étienne, opens the Night of Ideas event in partnership with the French Embassy and l’Alliance Française
• Meta/Facebook whistleblower Frances Haugen talks about the role of whistleblowers in protecting democracy (virtual) 
• Former White House Antitrust Advisor, Tim Wu, previews his new book, Platform Capitalism
• Daniel Roher, director of the Oscar-winning documentary Navalny, is interviewed by journalist Lisa LaFlamme (virtual)
• A panel on foreign interference and transnational repression in Canada — the first time Global Affairs Canada hosts an open session on the topic
• Mala Khanna, Deputy Secretary to the Cabinet, Privy Council Office moderates Agreeing to Disagree in a Democracy panel and includes Dr. Sarita Srivastava, Dean of the Faculty of Arts & Science at OCAD U

The summit opens with two events on Thursday, April 11: Inside Wired and the Future of Digital News at the Toronto Reference Library and the official opening night party, Wonk Prom, at OneEleven in Toronto. 

DATES AND LOCATIONS 

In person:

Thursday, April 11: Toronto Reference Library, 789 Yonge St. and OneEleven, 325 Front St. W.

Friday, April 12: OCAD U’s Waterfront Campus, 130 Queen’s Quay E. and The Globe and Mail Centre, 351 Queen St. E.

Saturday, April 13: TMU’s Ted Rogers School of Management, 55 Dundas St. W.

Online:

Streaming links will be provided to those who purchase an online ticket.

Ticket sales and the full summit schedule is available at democracyxchange.org. 

ABOUT THE CO-PRESENTERS

OCAD University (OCAD U), located in downtown Toronto, is Canada’s largest and oldest art and design university. It is a world-famous hub for art, design, digital media, research, innovation and creativity. Students benefit from hands-on studio learning and have access to state-of-the-art shops and studios for both traditional and digital creation. Alongside a diverse and supportive team of instructors and peers, students gain employable skills. Graduates work in different sectors such as urban planning, environmental design, gaming, film, animation, publishing, illustration, graphic design, visual arts and arts administration.

The Dais is Canada’s platform for bold policies and better leaders. We are a public policy and leadership think tank at Toronto Metropolitan University, connecting people to the ideas and power we need to build a more inclusive, innovative, prosperous Canada. 

Open Democracy Project is working to strengthen and evolve the practice of democracy in Canada through contributing to the growth of Canada’s democracy sector. It is a not-for-profit incorporated in Canada and governed by a volunteer Board of Directors. Open Democracy Project’s goal is to foster collaborative and sustainable multi-stakeholder programs that convene, connect and share knowledge to build democratic resilience and protect democratic values.