Democracy Drinks

Networking for Democracy Defenders

What is it?

#DemocracyDrinks is an informal, recurring conversation and networking series bringing together people working on democracy, peace, justice, and democratic participation.

The format is intentionally simple: open, dialogue-led conversations in a relaxed setting. #DemocracyDrinks The Hague provides space to connect across sectors, test ideas, explore emerging questions, and reflect collectively on democratic challenges beyond formal panels or presentations.

Launched in Brussels in 2018, #DemocracyDrinks now takes place in cities around the world. Editions in The Hague have brought together a diverse mix of practitioners from NGOs, international institutions, think tanks, government, and civil society.

Who is it for?

#DemocracyDrinks is for anyone curious about, working on, researching, or engaging with questions of democracy, rule of law, human rights, and democratic participation across sectors, disciplines, and levels of action. You do not need to be a speaker or expert to participate; curiosity and willingness to connect and engage in conversation are enough.

What can you expect?

Each edition centres on a shared conversation around a timely topic, question, or dilemma. Conversations are lightly facilitated to frame the issue, followed by open discussion with participants and informal networking over drinks. The emphasis is on connection, reflection, and dialogue – not presentations, launches, or formal debates.

Host your own #DemocracyDrinks edition!

#DemocracyDrinks The Hague combines regularly programmed editions with curated, community-led contributions. Organisations and initiatives can propose and help shape #DemocracyDrinks editions by hosting or co-creating informal, dialogue-led conversations that bring new ideas, perspectives, and questions into the series.

If you have an idea, topic, or emerging issue that would benefit from open exchange in a cross-sector setting, you’re invited to propose an edition.

Propose a #DemocracyDrinks Edition

Before submitting, please review the guidelines for contributing an edition here.

For any questions, send us an email at democracydrinksthehague@gmail.com

News, upcoming and past editions

Democracy Drinks

Six months after the U.S.-led operation that removed Nicolás Maduro from office, Venezuela's political future remains deeply contested. While some international actors describe the current period as a democratic transition, many of the country's institutions, power structures, and patterns of repression remain largely unchanged. This has fueled growing debate over whether Venezuela is experiencing a genuine democratic opening or a new form of externally managed governance.

The Monoculture and its Discontents: Hindutva, Human Rights, and the Silencing of Plural India

Democracy Drinks

Excluded minorities, a reduced space for criticism, communal violence against human rights defenders, and a lack of transparency and accountability are what the rise of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and the rule of Modi’s government have established as the current reality of India.

Corruption, Police Brutality, and Democratic Rights in Serbia

Democracy Drinks

The collapse of the concrete canopy of Novi Sad’s main railway station in Serbia became the focus of a recent #DemocracyDrinks discussion in The Hague. Not only did the tragedy raise deeper concerns around corruption and accountability, but most importantly it also sparked a deep sense of resistance and collective desire to be heard and cared for.

The Reality in Belarus: Ales Bialatski on Repression and Democratic Struggle

Democracy Drinks

At the latest #DemocracyDrinks The Hague, Ales Bialatski, Nobel Peace Prize laureate & Belarusian democracy and human rights defender, visited the The Hague Humanity Hub and shared an important story with us: the reality and consequences of defending and promoting Human Rights in Belarus.

Urgency and Opportunity Meet in the EU Enlargement Debate

Democracy Drinks

At the latest #DemocracyDrinks The Hague, the former Head of Cabinet for the EU’s Enlargement Commissioner and Dutch MEP gathered to discuss the democratic challenges facing the Western Balkans and how, amid growing geopolitical tensions in the region, they fit into the framework of EU membership.

#DemocracyDrinks The Hague Is Expanding

Democracy Drinks

Why now? Democracy is under increasing pressure, creating spaces for conversations is needed. Now more than ever.

#DemocracyDrinks: Defending Democracy in Georgia – How can we strengthen local civil society?

Democracy Drinks

Democracy advocates and Georgian diaspora gathered to discuss how to best strengthen Georgian civil society, a year on from the country’s contested election.