Since the first edition of the Forum, in December 2020, the stretching of pandemic control measures constrained furthermore individual freedoms. In some cases, it provided legitimacy to authoritarian shift in frail democratic governance. According to Democracy Index in 2021 global democracy continued its decline and experienced its biggest annual drop since 2010 after the global financial crisis. Whereas even the United States, the stronghold of democracy, in occasion of the Capitol attack, showed to be unshielded to the outburst of illiberal forces.

For fragile democracies difficult times lie ahead. However, if the spirit of democracy and its needs remains strong among people, recovery hopes are also to be placed in the righteous use of digital technologies.

The expected outcome of the Forum is to gain a greater understanding and shared view on how digital technologies can positively affect electoral process and pluralism. As a follow-up of the debate of the first edition, the Forum will explore and develop the interplay between digital technology and data, political participation, and governance. Altogether with two additional focus: the functioning of eGovernment and disinformation.