“How is the health of democracy linked to the health of citizens?”
SNF Agora Institute Hosts Symposium on Civic Health in Athens, Greece
Audrey Tang, Taiwan’s digital minister known for using citizen-informed data and technology to combat COVID-19, to offer keynote address
For democracies around the globe, COVID-19 has brought into stark relief the extent to which human health depends on how well governments function. But the reverse is also true: The health of democracy—and its ability to safeguard the health of its citizens—depends on how we all participate.
On the occasion of this aspect of the always timely discussion on health, the Stavros Niarchos Foundation (SNF) Agora Institute of Johns Hopkins University will host a Symposium on Civic Health in Athens, Greece—in a symbolic connection with the birthplace of democracy—on Wednesday, June 22, at the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center (SNFCC).
In an open discussion with the audience, invited speakers from all over the world, and specifically researchers and public health officials, will talk—on the occasion of the COVID-19 pandemic—about the often-unexpected links between the health of democracy and the health of citizens. Taiwan’s Digital Minister Audrey Tang, who has done trailblazing work to empower citizen participation in governing, including in Taiwan’s response to COVID-19, will be the symposium’s keynote speaker. After her talk, she will be joined in conversation by SNF Agora Inaugural Director Hahrie Han.
That conversation will be followed by a panel of scholars, advocates, and public officials discussing the question, “How can active citizenship improve health for all members of democracy?” The program will conclude with an audience Q&A meant to foster conversation about how individuals can use their voice in civic and democratic processes to improve the wellbeing of global democracy.
“SNF Agora Institute is honored to welcome leading thinkers and practitioners from around the world to Athens, Greece for this vitally important conversation about the global connections between the health of our citizens and healthy democracies,” said Hahrie Han, the institute’s inaugural director. “It is fitting that we are gathering for this symposium in the very birthplace of democracy – and a city that has weathered several pandemic challenges – as we discuss effective strategies to protect the health of our citizens, as well as the importance of their engaging in our civic and democratic processes.”
When:
Wednesday, June 22, 2002, 10:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m. EEST (Athens local time)
Where:
National Library of Greece, Stavros Niarchos Cultural Center, Athens Greece.
The event will also be livestreamed.
Speakers:
- Giada Girelli, Senior Analyst, Human Rights and Justice Team, Harm Reduction International
- Hahrie Han, Inaugural Director, SNF Agora Institute, Johns Hopkins University
- Mayor David Holt, Mayor, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
- Adam Seth Levine, SNF Agora Institute Associate Professor of Health Policy and Management, Johns Hopkins University
- Alister Martin, White House Fellow, ER Physician, and Founder of Vot-ER
- Sarah Szanton, Dean, School of Nursing, Johns Hopkins University
- Audrey Tang, Digital Minister, Taiwan
To register: https://www.
*The SNF Agora Institute discussion is organized one day before the start of the established annual SNF Nostos open event, from the Stavros Niarchos Foundation (SNF), which, this year, in a related theme to that of the SNF Agora Institute, focuses on the most important human commodity: Health. SNF Nostos, which this year becomes SNF Nostos Health, takes place on June 23 & 24, at the SNFCC—same as the SNF Agora discussion—and includes the evening SNF Nostos Run, the SNF Nostos Conference, and the SNF Dialogues, as well as a parallel artistic program of interactive installations, actions, exhibitions and concerts. For more information, visit snfnostos.org.
About the SNF Agora Institute at Johns Hopkins University:
The SNF Agora Institute at Johns Hopkins University is a multi-disciplinary academic and public forum dedicated to strengthening global democracy by improving and expanding civic engagement and inclusive dialogue, and by supporting inquiry that leads to real-world change. By building integrated partnerships with scholars, practitioners, students, and the public, we use research to identify and sharpen strategic choices that people around the world can make to realize the promise of democracy.
Media contacts:
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