Early bird tickets are now available for DemocracyXChange (DXC) 2025, Canada’s annual democracy summit. The DXC Summit returns to Toronto from April 3 to 5, 2025, for its sixth edition, featuring talks by sociologist Musa al-Gharbi and award-winning historian Timothy Snyder.
Snyder, the Richard C. Levin Professor of History at Yale University, has received many accolades for his writing on history and politics. His work has appeared in 40 languages and has been quoted in political demonstrations around the world.
Snyder will join CBC host Nahlah Ayed for a free Salon Series talk at the Toronto Reference Library to discuss his new book On Freedom, which draws on the work of philosophers and political dissidents, conversations with contemporary thinkers and his own experiences with American exceptionalism. He identifies practices that will help us design a government in which future generations can flourish.
In contemporary society, the term “freedom,” a fundamental component of democracy, has begun to lose its meaning. Snyder argues that true freedom is the ability to thrive and take risks for the future by working together.
Sociologist and writer Musa al-Gharbi, an assistant professor in the School of Communication and Journalism at Stony Brook University, will deliver a keynote address on his new book,We Have Never Been Woke: The Cultural Contradictions of a New Elite. Al-Gharbi examines how the beliefs and language of society’s most influential citizens can perpetuate inequalities. We Have Never Been Woke argues that challenging superficial social justice efforts is critical to helping the marginalized and disadvantaged.
Why DemocracyXChange Matters
The DemocracyXChange Summit connects, celebrates and equips people who are taking action to strengthen democracy and civil society. The Summit welcomes all members of the public and brings together students, practitioners and leaders from the private, public and not-for-profit sectors.
Co-produced by OCAD University, the Open Democracy Project and the Dais at Toronto Metropolitan University, DXC25 will challenge participants’ assumptions about democracy and will cultivate actionable solutions for a more resilient future.
Join renowned policymakers, activists and engaged citizens for three days of interactive workshops, expert panels and keynote addresses that tackle the most pressing issues society is facing today; topics will include integrity of information, climate change, artificial intelligence and social and economic inequality.
Emerging as a Vibrant Hub
OCAD U’s participation in DXC25 is aligned with its priorities to drive impact as an art and design university and emerge as a vibrant hub, as outlined in the University’s Academic and Strategic Plan.
Early Bird Tickets Available
Join us at DXC25 from April 3 to 5, 2025, to act on today’s most urgent civic issues.
Early bird tickets are now on sale. Register now for 50% off.
The organizers of DXC25 are committed to making it accessible to everyone with a fair and equitable ticket pricing structure. Free and discounted tickets are available to participants through bursary contributions made by ticket-buyers, sponsors and community supporters whose generosity help to offset the high costs of hosting in-person events.
More speakers and event details will be added in the coming weeks.
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