Gaborone, Botswana | 7–10 October 2026 | Indigenous. Resilient. Empowering.
Hosted in Southern Africa’s longest-standing democracy, the 2026 Global Forum on Modern Direct Democracy invites you to explore democratic innovation through the lens of Botswana’s political experience. Together with participants from around the world—including experts, practitioners, activists, and civil society actors—you will gather in Gaborone for four days of exchange, dialogue, and collaboration.
Through interactive workshops, panel discussions, and plenary debates, the forum creates space not only to reflect on the state of direct and participatory democracy, but to actively share ideas, experiences, and practical approaches. You are not just attending—you are part of shaping the conversation. Participants are encouraged to contribute their own perspectives and even propose formats or topics that matter to them, helping to shape the Global Forum itself.
Beyond the sessions, the programme includes side events and visits that offer a deeper sense of place. These moments open up opportunities to engage with Botswana’s democratic traditions, connect with its people, and experience its culture—while building meaningful relationships with others at the forum.
This edition focuses on themes such as indigenous governance, current challenges to democracy, and the intersections between democratic practice and global issues like natural resource management, climate change, and regional integration.
