At the World Justice Forum IV, renowned artists including photographer Reza Deghati, Chinese artist Ai Weiwei, singer Manny Answar, and filmmaker Roberto Hernandez discussed the ways in which art can be used to educate people about their rights, the mediums that artists employ to raise awareness about rights, and the effects when an artist transforms into a representative of the people or the government.
Artists and their work hold the power to transcend social, economic, and educational differences and bring political discourse to a global stage. Within the chaotic mix of conflicting voices and viewpoints, the work of an artist may emerge as the declaration of a nation, articulating the concerns of the people and inspiring social change.
Part 1
Part 2
Moderator
Philip Kennicott, Art & Architecture Critic, The Washington Post (USA)
Panelists
Ai Wei Wei, Artist & Architect (China) - via video
Manny Ansar, Singer; Executive Director, Festival au Désert (Mali)
2024 is a pivotal year for democracy, with over 60 countries electing leaders to govern nearly half the world's population. But despite the possibility of record voter turnout, these elections are unfolding amidst a global rule of law recession that is accelerating democratic decline.
Eight years ago, a World Justice Project poll found that an overwhelming majority of Americans–91%–believed they could vote freely without being harassed or pressured. After the 2020 election, only 58% of people still agreed. Will 2024 be different?