IGP Rapid Response: Governmental Attacks on Civil Society—Lessons for the US from Around the Globe

Around the world, civil society is under attack from authoritarian governments seeking to weaken democratic institutions. Join us for a conversation among leading Columbia University experts to explore lessons the United States can draw from comparative and historical experiences of authoritarian attacks on civil society institutions, including universities, media outlets, and community organizations. How have civil society institutions responded, and which strategies have been most effective at bolstering democratic resilience in the face of democratic backsliding? Drawing insights from Eastern Europe, Latin America, and Southeast Asia, the panelists will identify the risks facing the United States and spotlight key lessons for preserving democratic norms and institutions. 

Speakers:

Timothy Frye, Marshall D. Shulman Professor of Post-Soviet Foreign Policy, Columbia University

M. Victoria Murillo, Director, Institute of Latin American Studies; Professor of Political Science and International and Public Affairs; IGP Faculty Advisory Board Member, Columbia SIPA

Maria Ressa, Nobel Peace Prize-Winning Journalist; Cofounder, CEO, and President of Rappler; Professor of Practice in International and Public Affairs; IGP Affiliated Faculty Member, Columbia SIPA

Alexander Hertel-Fernandez (moderator), Associate Professor of International and Public Affairs; Vice Dean for Curriculum and Instruction; IGP Faculty Advisory Board Member, Columbia SIPA

Introductory remarks by: 

Keren Yarhi-Milo, Dean and Adlai E. Stevenson Professor of International Relations, Columbia SIPA