Athens Democracy Forum: The living hope for a better future

This article, published in Kathimerini, notes the presence and participation of young people at the 2023 Athens Democracy Forum and lists RepresentWomen's name. Read an excerpt below.

Why don't we all get along well with each other?

That was the question posed to the panel moderated Thursday night by New York Times Paris bureau chief Roger Cohen, which included Israeli filmmaker Amos Gitai, Hungarian lawmaker and political director of the Hungarian Prime Minister’s office, Balazs Orbán, and Cynthia Ritchie Terrell, founder and director of the American organization RepresentWomen. Mr. Cohen first asked Mr. Gitai why there is no peace between Israel and Palestine. “I think it would be possible,” he replied, “Israel has occupied Palestine and we need to recognize that.” Mr. Gitai received a standing ovation from the audience when he spoke of the example to be avoided, as he said, of Hungary. “We should not block refugees, we should not marginalize LGBTQ+ people, we should not present old fascists as national heroes,” he stressed. Mr. Orban – who is not related to Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban – defended his country, saying they were trying to protect their cultural identity.

“So you want to keep the Hungarian blood ‘pure’?” Mr. Cohen asked. “Look at the United States,” he continued, saying that it is an example of a country that has been enriched by different cultures. “It has to do with preserving our cultural heritage,” Mr. Orbán continued. “Maybe the real problem is that too many men are ‘running’ things,” Mr. Cohen commented. “Sure,” Ms. Terrell replied. “Women can, and should, do whatever it takes to leave the world a better place,” she added toward the end of the discussion.

Read the full article here.