Rotary Melbourne member Dr Dimitrios Salampasis attended the recent Athens Democracy Forum 24: A moment of truth organised by The Democracy & Culture Foundation in association with The New York Times and in cooperation with the Kofi Annan Foundation and the City of Athens, Greece.
The ancient question of what is truth has returned with an alarming urgency as artificial intelligence, fake news, conspiracy theorists, unscrupulous politicians and authoritarian governments systematically undermine fact, accuracy, science, honesty and respectful debate. Truth is becoming a commodity to be manipulated and bartered by partisan media, shameless politicians and even religious leaders. Can trust be restored? Could this be our moment of truth?
During the 3 days of the forum, delegates immersed themselves into vibrant discussions, roundtable sessions and presentations branched into three main pillars: regional case studies, “rethinking” key issues, and practical and innovative new tools. Moreover, forum delegates had the opportunity to attend a private tour of the “Democracy” Exhibition organised and conducted by Syrago Tsiara, Director of the National Gallery - Alexandros Soutsos Museum Magical and an amazing evening at the mercerising Ancient Agora of Athens-Stoa of Attalos joined by the H.E. The President of the Hellenic Republic Katerina Sakellaropoulou, the Mayor of Athens, Hellenic Republic Haris Doukas, the President, International, The New York Times Company Stephen Dunbar-Johnson and the Executive Director, Kofi Annan Foundation Corinne Momal-Vanian.
The following day he attended a Rotary Athens event.
