Nobel Prize Dialogue

Fact & Fiction: The Future of Democracy

In partnership with the European Research Council

5 March 2024
Bozar, Brussels, Belgium

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In a year when citizens will cast their votes in elections across the world we turned our attention to the art and science of democracy and decision-making. 

Democratic societies rely on fact-based world views and science, but also on narratives that can bring together large, diverse communities. At a time when democracies are straining to cope with ongoing crises and long-term existential challenges this topic is more important than ever.

We explored the role that fact and fiction play in democracies including:

  • The role of science and fact-based worldviews in society: How can research and independent, quality media contribute to better governance and decision-making?   
  • The power of narratives in democracy: What is the influence of storytelling and narratives in shaping political ideologies and public opinion?   
  • Shocks to democracy: Social media and partisan media have been disruptive forces within democracies. A new wave of disruption may be on its way. How will artificial intelligence influence democracy? 
  • New narratives for healthy societies: What are the new narratives gaining traction in societies? Why are they emerging?

Speakers included Nobel Prize laureates Ben Feringa, Paul Nurse and Maria Ressa, Oleksandra Matviichuk, Head of Center for Civil Liberties, recipient of the 2022 Nobel Peace Prize as well as Demis Hassabis, CEO and co-founder of Google DeepMind, European Research Council grantees Michael Bruter, Emilie Caspar and Stefania Milan, and European Commission Vice-President Vêra Jourová.

The Nobel Prize Dialogue Brussels was produced by Nobel Prize Outreach in partnership with the European Research Council.

Topic insights

Why a lack of trust threatens democracy

Nobel Prize laureates Ben Feringa and Paul Nurse outline why, if we value human progress of the last century, we must strengthen the foundations of democratic societies.

Nobel Prize Dialogue Brussels 2024 in partnership with