Nordic Day 2026: The Future of Democracy
08:30-10:30
KL. 09:00–10:30. Doors open at 08:30 – coffee and a light breakfast will be served.
Seats are limited. Participants must register via the link: https://www.lyyti.fi/reg/Nordic_Day_2026_The_Future_of_Democracy_4321
The event will also be live-streamed here: https://vimeo.com/event/5773124
Democracy is at a crossroads. Across the world, it is under mounting pressure, as misinformation, declining trust in institutions, rising polarization, foreign interference, and growing extremism erode the foundations of democratic societies.
The Nordic Region has long been recognized for its open, trust-based democracies and strong public institutions. But with the rapid rise of big tech, the information landscape is shifting. Global digital platforms, driven by commercial incentives and guided by opaque algorithms, now play a central role in shaping public debate, political behaviour, and the flow of information.
This shift poses unprecedented challenges for Nordic democracies and raises a pressing question: How is it affecting the younger generation?
Today’s youth are coming of age in a digital environment saturated with misinformation, polarization, and algorithmically mediated interactions. How will they carry democracy forward if their trust in fellow citizens, public institutions- and even in the core values of democracy – is tested on a daily basis?
As we gather for Nordic Day 2026, we will explore how to strengthen democratic resilience, inspire civic engagement, and equip the next generation to uphold the values that are central to the Nordic model.
Program
Opening words: Dagbjört Hákonardóttir, Chair of the Icelandic Delegation to the Nordic Council.
Keynote: Clement Kjersgaard, Anchor/editor with the Danish Broadcasting Corporation (DR) – Is Democracy on the Way Out?
Panel discussion:
- Ragnheiður Geirsdóttir, President of the Youth Council of Iceland – LUF.
- Dagbjört Hákonardóttir, Chair of the Icelandic Delegation to the Nordic Council.
- Maximilian Conrad, Professor of Political Science at the University of Iceland.
- Skúli Bragi Geirdal, Head of the Icelandic Safer Internet Centre.
- Ingunn Lára Kristjánsdóttir, Social media journalist at RÚV.
The event will be moderated by journalist Eyrún Magnúsdóttir.
Accessibility
Nordens Hus offers good accessibility to most areas of the building. There is a wheelchair ramp next to the house, and inside the building there is an elevator that goes down to the exhibition space Hvelfing. Read more here.
