Info Pack

What can you expect at the Global Forum?  

The Global Forum on Modern Direct Democracy 2026 will bring together citizens, experts, practitioners, and decision-makers from around the world to discuss and shape the future of democratic participation. 

The Forum focuses on: 

• Citizen participation and democratic innovation 

• Direct democracy tools and practices 

• Inclusion, representation, and governance 

• Global exchange of ideas and best practices 

Participants can expect: 

• Panel discussions with international experts 

• Interactive workshops and co-creation sessions 

• Networking opportunities across sectors and countries 

• Presentations of real-world democratic initiatives 

The thematic focus of the 2026 Global Forum can be found here. 

 

Forum Venue

• University of Botswana campus Conference Centre: https://maps.app.goo.gl/rKYLq5WvFnBcH2fi6 

• It is recommended to book your accommodation close by.

 

Accommodation 

We can recommend the following options for accommodation:

• UB Hotel and Conference Centre: Approximately BWP 1,550 (100 Euro / 116 USD) per night. The hotel is located directly in the conference venue.
• Indaba Lodge: Approximately BWP 880 (57 Euro / 66 USD) per night for accommodation only or BWP 1,140 (73 Euro/ 85 USD) including breakfast. The lodge is around a five-minute drive from the conference venue.
• Avani Gaborone Resort & Casino: Rooms currently start at approximately BWP 920 (59 Euro / 69 USD) per night. The hotel is around a ten-minute drive from the conference venue.
• Regent Select Hotel: Approximately BWP 980 (63 Euro / 73 USD)per night. The hotel is around a ten-minute drive from the UB Hotel and Conference Centre.

 

Participation & Registration 

Registration is free of charge and open to all.  

Participants can register via the official platform.

Unfortunately, we are not in a position to offer travel grants this year. We encourage anyone who requires financial assistance to explore alternative funding opportunities. We would be happy to provide proof of registration or an official invitation to the Global Forum, should that be helpful. Please write to info@2026globalforum.com in that case. 

 

Entry Requirements

• Visa: Many nationalities (including EU, US, UK, Canada, Australia) do not need a visa for stays up to 90 days. Always check https://evisa.gov.bw/#/  or your local embassy for updates.

• Passport: Must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your intended stay.

• COVID-19: As of now, no restrictions, but check for updates before travel.

We strongly recommend: 

• Checking the official Botswana immigration website 

• Starting the visa process early 

Visa assistance from the organisers: 

• Indicate during registration if you require a visa 

• We can provide an official invitation letter 

• The visa application process remains the responsibility of the participant! 

 

Health & Safety

• Vaccinations: Yellow fever certificate required if arriving from a risk country. Recommended: Hepatitis A/B, Typhoid, Tetanus.

• Malaria: Present in the north (Okavango Delta, Chobe). For these areas prophylaxis recommended.

• Water: Drink bottled or purified water.

 

Vaccinations

If you are travelling to Botswana from areas where Yellow Fever is endemic, you must have a valid Yellow Fever vaccination certificate. Otherwise, no other immunisations are required. 

However, it would be wise to have an updated TPD (tetanus, polio, diphtheria) vaccine, and a Hepatitis A vaccine. 

Furthermore, depending on your destination within Botswana and the time of year you wish to travel, it may be advisable to visit a travel medicine clinic in your home country to establish if further vaccinations are required/advised.

https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/traveler/none/botswana#stay-healthy-and-safe

 

Learn more about Botswana and Gaborone 

Botswana is a landlocked country in Southern Africa, bordered by Namibia, South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Zambia. Botswana is often regarded as one of Africa’s most successful democracies. This makes it a particularly meaningful location for hosting the Global Forum on Modern Direct Democracy. 

The country is internationally recognised for its commitment to good governance, sustainable development, and the rule of law. Beyond its political relevance, Botswana is also famous for its breathtaking natural landscapes and rich cultural heritage. 

Gaborone, the capital city and host of the Global Forum, is the country’s political and economic centre. While relatively small and easy to navigate, it offers a vibrant mix of modern infrastructure, local culture, and access to nature. 

 

   

Image source: iStock (2024), photo by poco_bw (Stock photo ID: 2124962917)

 

 

Botswana & Gaborone are known for: 

• A long-standing tradition of democratic governance. The FES Democracy Hub Africa, including the Gaborone Democracy Lab is one of many projects that Botswana is involved in FES Democracy Hub Africa 

• The Okavango Delta – one of the world’s largest inland deltas 

• National parks and wildlife (elephants, lions, diverse ecosystems) 

• A welcoming and safe environment for international visitors 

• Three Dikgosi Monument (symbolising Botswana’s leadership history) 

• National Museum & Art Gallery: Showcases Botswana’s history, art, and culture

• Local craft markets and cultural centres 

• Kgale Hill (popular for hiking and city views) 

• Mokolodi Nature Reserve is a conservation area located just south of Gaborone. It offers an accessible wildlife experience with species such as giraffes, zebras, and rhinos. The reserve provides game drives, guided walks, and environmental education activities. From the University of Botswana, it is about a 20–25 minute drive

• The Manyana Rock Paintings: A collection of rock art and caves located at the Kolobeng hills

• Main Mall: Bustling hub for shopping, cafes, and street vendors

Blending rich political relevance with extraordinary natural beauty, Botswana stands as both a place of importance and a source of inspiration – an exceptional setting for our Global Forum on Modern Direct Democracy.  

 

Getting Around Gaborone

• Taxis: Use metered taxis or ride-hailing apps (e.g., RTapp Botswana).

• Public Transport: Minibus taxis (“combies”) are cheap but can be crowded.

 

Contact & Further Information  

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out: 

info@2026globalforum.com 

We will respond as soon as possible and are happy to assist you. 

 

Please note: A second, more practical information package will be published soon, including: 

• The full agenda of the Global Forum 2026

• Detailed venue information 

• Practical on-site guidance 

 

Want to Learn more about Botswana? 

For learning more about Botswana and related themes, we recommend the following resources that explore the country’s political and cultural history, traditional institutions, economic development, cultural diversity and recent political changes.

• Susan Williams. 2007. Colour Bar: The Triumph of Seretse Khama and His Nation. Penguin UK.
• Neil Parsons. 1998. King Khama, Emperor Joe, and the Great White Queen: Victorian Britain through African Eyes. University of Chicago Press.
• Ørnulf Gulbrandsen. 2022. The State and the Social: State Formation in Botswana and Its Precolonial and Colonial Genealogies. Berghahn Books.
• Daron Acemoglu, Simon Johnson and James A. Robinson. 2003. “An African Success Story: Botswana.” In In Search of Prosperity: Analytic Narratives on Economic Growth, edited by Dani Rodrik. Princeton University Press.
• Mogopodi Lekorwe. 2011. “The Kgotla and Traditional Leadership in Botswana.” In Reinventing African Chieftaincy in the Age of AIDS: Gender, Governance, and Development. De Gruyter Brill.
• Botswana Notes and Records: Special Issue on Botswana’s 2024 General Election.

• The Kgotla and Traditional Leadership in Botswana:

  https://ucp.manifoldapp.org/read/reinventing-african-chieftaincy-in-the-age-of-aids-gender-governance-and-development/section/75d9be4d-9724-405f-b477-e1d135880b54 

• Introduction to Botswana (YouTube) 

  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4IsvwyF2774 

• A more extensive bibliography of Botswana’s history can be found here.