Delivering Democracy: DeCiDE – At the GPM Annual Summit 2025
DeCiDE Session | 6 June 2025 | 15:00–17:00
On Friday, 6 June, the Global Parliament of Mayors Annual Summit 2025 in Braga, Portugal kicked off with a powerful session titled “Delivering Democracy: DeCiDE”, highlighting the growing role of cities in safeguarding democracy and human rights amid global challenges. The event was part of the ongoing DeCiDE Project (Boost Democratic Participation in Cities to Recharge Democracy in Europe), co-led by the GPM and the Human Rights Cities Network (HRCN).
The session opened with high-level keynote speeches that underscored the urgency of the moment:
- Younous Omarjee, Vice-President of the European Parliament, called on cities to stand firm in defending democratic values across Europe.
- André Sobczak, Secretary General of EUROCITIES, emphasized the role of urban alliances in promoting inclusive governance.
- Mayor Ricardo Rio, GPM Chair and Mayor of Braga, reaffirmed his city’s commitment to local democracy and the DeCiDE initiative.
- Rainer Kern, GPM Executive Director, stressed that democracy must be anchored where people live: in cities.
The session was introduced and moderated by Professor Eric Corijn, GPM Director of Policy & Research. In his framing remarks, Corijn highlighted how cities are uniquely positioned as spaces of resistance to authoritarianism, where democracy is practiced daily through local governance, public service delivery, and citizen engagement.
The core of the session featured a compelling discussion with leading city representatives:
- Mayor Ricardo Rio (Braga, Portugal)
- Mayor Mathias De Clercq (Gent, Belgium)
- Deputy Mayor Łukasz Sęk (Krakow, Poland)
- Frederique Hanotier (Human Rights Cities Network
- Eric Corijn (GPM, Moderator)
The local leaders on the panel, all representing cities participating in the DeCiDE project, addressed key questions on the state of democracy and human rights today, including:
- Democracy and human rights are under threat across the world: How do you evaluate the situation today? Why are cities places of resistance to authoritarian tendencies?
- Why is it important for your city to participate in the DeCiDE Project? How does this initiative support your broader vision for urban democracy?
- Which of the three DeCiDE monitoring areas—non-discrimination, access to services, or civil and political rights—resonates most with your city’s priorities, and why?
- What practical steps have you taken to translate human rights principles into service delivery? Can you share an example of impact?
In response, the mayors shared their cities’ efforts to integrate human rights into local governance—highlighting how inclusive service delivery, participatory mechanisms, and a focus on equity are being used to safeguard democracy at the local level. Each speaker provided concrete examples of how their cities are translating human rights principles into daily governance, from inclusive service design to participatory practices that empower residents and promote accountability.
Frédérique Hanotier, Founder of the Human Rights Cities Network and DeCiDE board member, reflected on the discussion and provided a broader project update. She outlined:
- The progress cities have made in implementing local human rights monitoring
- The specific topics cities will focus on—from discrimination to civic participation
- The roadmap ahead, including upcoming trainings and expanded collaboration among participating cities
During the open floor discussion, Mayor Emil Boc of Cluj-Napoca (Romania) raised an urgent and timely issue: the impact of artificial intelligence on democratic rights, particularly the right to vote and the right to access truthful information. Citing recent elections in Romania, he invited panelists to reflect on how AI-generated content is reshaping the democratic landscape and how cities can respond.
This session delved into the global challenge of democracy and human rights in urban governance, particularly in relation to the DeCiDE project. It highlighted the worldwide variation in democracy and underscores the need for urban democracy in addressing pressing urban challenges. The speakers also outlined the objectives and the progress of cities in the DeCiDE project, and outlined the importance of co-creating a monitoring tool for human rights in cities.
As democracy faces renewed pressures globally, this session reaffirmed that cities are not passive observers—they are active defenders of rights and inclusion. The DeCiDE project offers a concrete way for local governments to measure, strengthen, and share their efforts to protect the fundamental rights of their residents.
The DeCiDE project is funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or European Commission. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.