Perryman and other global civic leaders invited by US Embassy and Delphi Economic Forum for multi-disciplinary convening

Athens, Greece – Today, Democracy Forward President and CEO Skye Perryman is speaking at the Partners in Democracy symposium hosted by the US Embassy in Greece and the Delphi Economic Forum. The symposium, which takes place at the National Gallery in Athens, addresses the challenges democracies face, including the rise of authoritarianism, societal inequalities, and disinformation. The forum is focused on strategies for advancing democracies for future generations. It also explores the relationship between art and democracy.  

Perryman joins emerging leaders, civil society representatives, and esteemed experts across disciplines from Greece, the United States, and worldwide to explore collaborative efforts in safeguarding democracy, promoting diversity, and fostering inclusion within our societies. Other symposium speakers include former U.S. Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer, Congressman Don Beyer (D-VA), U.S. Ambassador to Greece George Tsunis, Anthea Hartig of the Smithsonian American History Museum, world-renowned photographer Platon, along with other artists and civic leaders.

Moderator Kim Conniff Taber of the Democracy and Culture Foundation will lead a discussion with Perryman, Eugenia Bozou of Google, Dimitris Bounias of iMed, and Myladie Stoumpou of Microsoft titled What is Real? Democracy, Technology and Media. 

“The promise of democracy requires our continued persistence and dedication to building a just society for all people. It is a special honor to be in Athens–the cradle of democracy–and work with leaders across the globe on building a more democratic future,” said Skye Perryman, President & CEO of Democracy Forward. “We are grateful to the US Embassy in Greece and the Delphi Economic Forum for hosting the Partners in Democracy Symposium at this critical time.” 

The symposium also marks the launch of the  Art in Embassies’ Democracy Collection’s traveling global art exhibit “A More Perfect Union: American Artists and the Currents of Our Time” at the Acropolis Museum. The exhibit showcases renowned contemporary American artists, including Bruce Nauman, Yoko Ono, Christine Sun Kim, Edward Ruscha, and Carrie Mae Weems. Focusing on themes of equality, freedom, justice, and the foundational principles of democracy, the exhibition will travel to various capital cities worldwide throughout the year with its final stop at Smithsonian Institute’s National Museum of American History.