A Future for Multilateralism and Democracy

With the rise of authoritarian threats globally and its impact on liberal democracies, greater multilateral cooperation and multilateral institutions are increasingly important and central to defending democratic values. The value of multilateral engagement is also well-understood by illiberal democracies, including China, who increasingly and successfully use these same institutions and venues to advance their short- and long-term interests and their own version of an international rules-based system that does not respect democratic values, human rights, and freedom of expression and assembly. What steps need to be taken by leading democracies, including the transatlantic community, to regain leadership, strengthen multilateral cooperation and coordination, and ensure these networks and institutions are a bulwark and venue to strengthen, defend, and advance democracy, human rights, and a rules-based world order. Are the right multilateral tools and mechanisms in place now to address growing global challenges from authoritarianism to climate to global health, or does multilateralism need to be reimagined with a new or revamped strategy? What role do citizens, civil society, and media play in ensuring that multilateralism and its components meet the needs of citizens and increasing global demands to address growing challenges, including pandemics and climate change, and ensure greater democracy, freedoms, and accountability.